The Concours at Wynn: A New Supercar King Rises in Las Vegas
The global automotive landscape is a shifting terrain of elite gatherings and high-octane showcases. For decades, the gold standard for luxury and rarity has been anchored in the hills of Pebble Beach. But a seismic shift is underway, and the spotlight is increasingly turning toward the glittering streets of Las Vegas.
The term “concours d’elegance” conjures images of pristine classic automobiles, judged with painstaking precision on their aesthetic perfection and timeless allure. For years, the question echoed through the industry: Is The Quail still the pinnacle of supercar events? The answer has traditionally been a resounding yes. Yet, a new titan has emerged from the desert, challenging the established hierarchy.
Enter The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. What was once a promising newcomer has rapidly transformed into a global powerhouse, solidifying its position as perhaps the most significant supercar showcase on the planet. As the car world navigates the transition into the electric age, The Quail—long the home of the “next big thing”—now faces a serious challenger that has captured the imagination of collectors and manufacturers alike.
Why The Quail No Longer Dominates
To understand the meteoric rise of the Las Vegas Concours, we must first dissect the enduring legacy of The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. For years, The Quail served as the quintessential appetizer to the main course of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. In fact, for a growing demographic of enthusiasts, The Quail had long surpassed the Sunday event in importance.
These individuals are typically drawn to the cutting edge of the automotive world—late-model, next-generation hypercars that define the pinnacle of performance and design. The closure of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping hole in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail stepped up to fill with impressive results. It became the de facto stage for global unveilings of the world’s most exclusive machines.
Consider the evidence: The Lamborghini Aventador, a V-12 masterpiece, made its debut in Geneva in 2011, followed by the extraordinary Veneno in 2013. But the paradigm shifted when the successor to the Aventador, the Revuelto, bypassed Geneva entirely, opting for a digital unveiling. More significantly, the Lamborghini Temerario—the Huracán’s replacement—was first unveiled at The Quail in 2024. The same holds true for the $7 million Fenomeno, which debuted at the 2025 Quail.
Bugatti’s history mirrors this trend. While the Chiron was unveiled in Geneva in 2016, its subsequent innovations—the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022)—both premiered at The Quail. These are not isolated incidents. Dozens of other landmark vehicles have made their first public appearance at The Quail, cementing its reputation as the world’s premier launchpad for hypercars.
However, until this past Halloween, I believed The Quail’s throne was unshakeable. Then I attended the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
The 2024 Wynn event was enjoyable, but it lacked the gravitas of a truly international gathering. It felt more regional than global. If not for a promotional partnership with Czinger, I might not have attended this year. But to miss this event would have been a colossal mistake.
The Las Vegas Spectacle: Unprecedented Scale and Exclusivity
The 2025 Las Vegas Concours wasn’t just another car show; it was a statement. The Wynn Resort hosted a collection of automobiles that redefined what “rare” truly means. Let me provide some perspective.
The Bugatti Phenomenon
The Wynn hosted an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on the lawn. To put this into context, only 450 Veyrons were ever produced, and North America received roughly 100 of them. Having nearly half of the entire North American allotment gathered in one place is mind-boggling.
Furthermore, Bugatti displayed its entire lineup of elite models. This included a breathtaking white Vitesse Super Sport commemorating the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and even a scale model of the upcoming Tourbillon, the 18-cylinder hybrid poised to succeed the Chiron. To witness over 10% of all Veyrons ever built in a single location left me speechless.
The Pagani Revolution
If Bugattis are the epitome of engineering dominance, Paganis are the embodiment of artistic rebellion. The kids love Paganis, and The Wynn delivered in spectacular fashion. There were over 40 Pagani vehicles on display—the largest such gathering ever held in North America.
While I was mesmerized by the Veyrons, I managed to count several Zondas, including the ultra-rare Zonda Revolution (one of only five). We also saw dozens of Huayras, multiple Utopias, and—critically for The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only 10 of these magnificent machines, each priced at an eye-watering $7 million before taxes and tariffs. (For those interested, the mint-green example gracing the Wynn belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.)
Even if these carbon-fiber extroverts aren’t your primary focus, the significance of this event is undeniable. Not only was the 2025 Las Vegas Concours the largest Pagani gathering in North America, but Horatio Pagani himself—honored onstage for his design contributions by emcee Justin Bell—chose this venue to unveil a new Pagani. More on that later.
Consider the sheer scale: more than 40 Paganis represents a larger output than the factory produces in an entire year.
The Lamborghini Legend
For those who favor the aggressive, angular beauty of Lamborghini, the 2025 Concours was nothing short of legendary. It was, quite simply, the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. The number being discussed was around 230 vehicles, making up nearly half of the 600 total cars present that Saturday.
The lineup included a stunning Veneno Coupe (one of only three publicly sold), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe and Convertible (both 1 of 20), and a Reventón (1 of 21). Seeing these iconic “few-offs”—as Lamborghini now calls them—together in one place was a breathtaking experience. The last time I witnessed such a concentration of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composite materials was at the manufacturer’s own museum.
To maintain a semblance of brevity, I must omit the dozens of Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, all the vehicles that were actually judged (including a former, insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that also won Best of Prewar at this event), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1.
Yes, that’s one hell of a car show.
What Does the Future Hold?
Two questions dominated every conversation at the Wynn this year. First: “How on earth will they top this next year?” I don’t know, but godspeed to the organizers. The second, and frankly far more intriguing, question came from the OEM manufacturers themselves: “Should we even bother showing up at The Quail next year?”
This is a valid question. Perhaps we should say godspeed to The Quail, too.
Consider the economics of The Quail. Last year, a single ticket cost $1,300 for returning attendees, and $1,600 for first-timers. While that’s steep, it’s understandable given the costs. OEMs spend approximately $400,000 to secure a booth at The Quail and display a single car for six hours.
In stark contrast, the Las Vegas Concours charges about 1/20th of that. Tickets for attendees are priced at $100 each. That works out to roughly $2 per Veyron displayed. I spoke with at least three different automakers who openly questioned the need to continue attending The Quail. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient?
Moreover, attendees won’t be facing the heart-attack-inducing hotel prices of Car Week. A friend mentioned paying $1,100 a night for a motel near Pebble, with a five-night minimum. In Las Vegas, finding a room is easy, and traffic is non-existent compared to the soul-crushing gridlock of Northern California. Making dinner reservations is also effortless, as Las Vegas is literally built to handle large gatherings.
This might sound far-fetched, but just a few years ago, Geneva was the undisputed center of the supercar world. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now firmly on my must-attend list. You should put it on yours, too.
Where Will the Next Automotive Crown Rest?
The automotive world is in constant motion, with elite events vying for the attention of collectors, manufacturers, and enthusiasts. While Pebble Beach remains the gold standard for classic car elegance, a significant shift is occurring. The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has rapidly emerged as the premier