The Dawn of a New Era: How the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Could Eclipse The Quail
For decades, the global automotive landscape has revolved around a distinct hierarchy of elite car shows and gatherings. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has long reigned as the undisputed sovereign, with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, often serving as the perfect prelude to the main event during Monterey Car Week. However, the automotive ecosystem is in a state of rapid flux, and a paradigm shift is underway. The latest entrant into this hallowed circle, the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, has emerged not just as a contender, but as a formidable challenger to the established order, potentially redefining what it means to be the premiere supercar event in the world.
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The Dawn of a New Era: How the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Could Eclipse The Quail
For decades, the global automotive landscape has revolved around a distinct hierarchy of elite car shows and gatherings. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has long reigned as the undisputed sovereign, with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, often serving as the perfect prelude to the main event during Monterey Car Week. However, the automotive ecosystem is in a state of rapid flux, and a paradigm shift is underway. The latest entrant into this hallowed circle, the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, has emerged not just as a contender, but as a formidable challenger to the established order, potentially redefining what it means to be the premiere supercar event in the world.
The very definition of “concours d’elegance” is rooted in the assessment of vehicular beauty and presentation. In the upper echelons of the automotive world, the question inevitably arises: which show truly holds the pinnacle of prestige? Does Pebble Beach, with its enduring legacy and unparalleled pedigree, still claim the crown? Or has The Quail, for a specific and expanding segment of the car community, surpassed the grand dame of automotive spectacles?
For a growing faction of enthusiasts, the allure of the hypercar has supplanted the appreciation for vintage machinery. The transition is understandable; with the decline of the Geneva International Auto Show, the vacuum in the supercar calendar was palpable. The Quail stepped into this void, becoming the de facto launchpad for modern automotive marvels. The Lamborghini Aventador, the Veneno, the Temerario—all made their public debuts at The Quail, as did the staggering $7 million Fenomeno, a car that, even before its unveiling, captured the imagination of those who appreciate the apex of automotive engineering and design. Bugatti chose The Quail for the introductions of the Divo and the Mistral, cementing its status as the premier stage for the latest and greatest from the world of hypercars. The same holds true for dozens of other marques, all converging on The Quail to unveil their latest masterpieces.
In the rarefied air of automotive luxury and performance, where every dollar translates to a statement of exclusivity, the cost of exhibiting is astronomical. A single ticket to The Quail last year cost $1,300 for legacy attendees and $1,600 for newcomers. The overhead for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to showcase a single vehicle on a dedicated stand is staggering, often exceeding $400,000 for a mere six hours. This exorbitant cost has led to growing skepticism within the industry. As OEM representatives openly questioned the necessity of returning to The Quail, wondering if Las Vegas and Moda Miami would suffice, the foundation of The Quail’s supremacy began to waver. Moreover, for attendees, the price of convenience is steep. The days of exorbitant hotel prices and soul-crushing traffic—a friend reported paying $1,100 a night for a minimum five-night stay near Pebble Beach—are being replaced by the allure of Las Vegas, a city purpose-built for large-scale gatherings, where even a ticket to the most exclusive event is a mere $100, roughly equivalent to the cost of one Veyron.
The Birth of an Icon: The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas
Until Halloween 2025, I viewed The Quail’s dominance as untouchable. Then, I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially known as the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas). My initial impression of the 2024 event was that it was strictly regional, a provincial showcase of the usual suspects. If not for my involvement with Czinger, I likely wouldn’t have attended this year. However, I am profoundly grateful that I did. The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has fundamentally altered my perception of what a high-end automotive event can be.
The sheer scale of the Concours at Wynn is difficult to comprehend until you witness it firsthand. The Wynn had an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on display. To put that in perspective, of the 450 Veyrons ever built and the 100 sold in North America, a staggering 48 were present in Las Vegas. Not to be outdone, Bugatti also brought a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to celebrate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, along with a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon. Displaying more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever produced in one location is an achievement that still leaves me speechless.
The younger generation’s affection for Pagani is well-documented, and the Concours at Wynn showcased the largest gathering of Pagani cars ever assembled in North America. While I didn’t count the exact number (I was mesmerized by the Veyrons), the consensus was over 40. This included several Zondas, including a rare Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever produced), dozens of Huayras, a contingent of Utopias, and—to the chagrin of The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only 10 of these $7 million masterpieces, if you’re interested. The mint-green example on display belonged to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Even if these carbon-titanium extroverts are not your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was not only the largest Pagani gathering in the continent’s history but also the venue for Horatio Pagani’s introduction of a new model speaks volumes. Pagani, honored onstage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to car design, chose this platform to unveil his latest creation. Even more impressively, the number of Paganis on display—over 40—exceeds the total number of cars the factory produces in a single year.
The Lamborghini contingent at the Concours at Wynn was equally breathtaking for enthusiasts of these extraordinary machines. This event hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled in North America. While I didn’t get an official count, the number was estimated at around 230 out of the 600 cars present that Saturday—simply mind-blowing. Among these 230 vehicles were a Veneno Coupe (one of only three publicly available; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe (one of twenty) and Convertible (one of twenty), and a Reventón (one of twenty-one). The last time I saw all these “few-offs” (as Lamborghini now refers to them) in the same place was at the factory museum. It was a stunning display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
In the interest of brevity, I’ll refrain from detailing all the other incredible vehicles present, including the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the debut of the McLaren Project Endurance race car, the judged cars (including a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that also took home the prewar Best of Show here), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. It was, in short, an automotive spectacle unlike any other.
The Question of Scale: Can This Be Maintained?
Two central themes dominated the conversations among attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The first, and most common, question was: “How in the world will they top this next year?” I have no idea, but Godspeed to the Wynn. The second, and frankly more intriguing, question came from the OEM car manufacturers: “Should we even bother doing The Quail next year?” That is a very good question. Perhaps I should offer my condolences to The Quail as well.
To reiterate the exorbitant costs associated with The Quail: last year, a single ticket cost $1,300 for legacy holders and $1,600 for newcomers. This is a significant expense, considering it costs OEMs about $400,000 to display a single car there for six hours. The Vegas Concours, on the other hand, charges about one-twentieth of that price. Tickets for attendees cost a mere $100 each, approximately $2 per Veyron. Several carmakers I spoke to openly questioned the need to ever attend The Quail again, musing if Las Vegas and Moda Miami might suffice. Furthermore, for attendees, there are no heart-attack-inducing hotel prices—a friend reported paying $1,100 a night for a minimum five-night stay near Pebble Beach—nor are there the soul-crushing commutes from event to event. Making dinner reservations is simple because Las Vegas is built for large gatherings.
The shifts in the automotive landscape are not far-fetched. Only a few years ago, Geneva was the undisputed epicenter of the supercar world. While I cannot predict the future with certainty, I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now at the top of my must-attend list. I urge you to add it to yours as well.
(Note: This article is written for informational and editorial purposes and does not represent any endorsement or affiliation with the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas or The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. The pricing and details mentioned are based on information available as of the article’s publication date and are subject to change.)