The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New Supercar Dynasty Emerges
The world of high-end automotive events is constantly evolving, with new contenders vying for attention alongside established giants. For years, the industry has been dominated by the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the subsequent Monterey Car Week, a rich tapestry of gatherings that culminates in the pinnacle of classic car appreciation. However, the automotive landscape is shifting. A new star is rising, and its name is The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
The term “concours d’elegance” typically refers to a competition where vehicles are judged primarily on their aesthetic excellence and overall presentation. Yet, as the definition of luxury and exclusivity expands, the criteria for a premier automotive showcase are also being redefined. While Pebble Beach remains the reigning monarch of concours events, it faces stiff competition from a rapidly evolving challenger: The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. But the true heir to the throne may not be where we expected it.
The Quail: A High-End Appetizer with Growing Influence
For a significant portion of the automotive world, The Quail has long transcended its role as an appetizer to the main event. It serves as a crucial hub for supercar enthusiasts who are less interested in vintage vehicles and more focused on the latest and greatest hypercars. The death of the Geneva International Auto Show left a gaping hole in the supercar calendar, and The Quail has stepped in to fill that void with remarkable success.
Consider the history of major automotive reveals. The Lamborghini Aventador made its debut at Geneva in 2011, and the Bugatti Chiron followed in 2016. However, the landscape is changing. The Lamborghini Temerario and the groundbreaking $7 million Fenomeno were both unveiled at The Quail in 2025. Similarly, while Bugatti debuted the Chiron in Geneva, they chose The Quail to showcase the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022). This trend extends across dozens of other manufacturers, solidifying The Quail’s position as a premier platform for supercar debuts and showcasing the world’s most exclusive automobiles.
Until recently, I considered The Quail’s standing in the global automotive elite to be secure. However, my experience at the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, officially known as the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, has shaken my perception. While the 2024 event was enjoyable, it felt more regional than international. I was fortunate to attend as a guest of Czinger, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, as it revealed a truly world-class event.
The 2025 Las Vegas Concours: A Spectacle of Supercars
The 2025 Las Vegas Concours was nothing short of astonishing. The Wynn Las Vegas was home to an unbelievable 48 Bugatti Veyrons. With only 450 Veyrons ever produced and 100 sold in North America, having nearly 11% of them in one location is unprecedented. To add to the excitement, Bugatti brought a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to celebrate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid tourbillon, which will replace the Chiron. Displaying such a significant portion of the Veyron’s production run was a truly mind-blowing achievement.
But the spectacle didn’t stop there. The event also featured an awe-inspiring collection of Paganis, with over 40 cars on display. While the exact number wasn’t officially released, the lineup included several Zondas, including a rare Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever made), dozens of Huayras, numerous Utopias, and the groundbreaking Huayra Codalunga Speedster. This seven-figure machine, limited to just 10 examples, was on display under wraps and is rumored to belong to Apple’s Tim Cook. The sheer volume of Pagani vehicles present made the 2025 Las Vegas Concours the largest Pagani gathering ever held in North America. Furthermore, Horatio Pagani, who was honored on stage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design, chose this event to introduce a new model, signaling the significance of the gathering to the manufacturer.
The Lamborghini contingent was equally impressive. The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis in history, with approximately 230 cars out of the 600 total vehicles on display. Among them were the ultra-rare Veneno Coupe (one of three public examples), the Sesto Elemento (one of ten), the Centenario Coupe and Convertible (both limited to 20 units), and the Reventón (one of 21). The last time I witnessed all these “few-offs” in one place was at the Lamborghini factory museum—a truly breathtaking display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
In the interest of brevity, I’m omitting a comprehensive list of every incredible vehicle on display. However, it’s important to note that the show featured Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, Czingers, Nilu, a McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, and several judged vehicles, including a stunning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer that had previously won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours. The event also included a HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. Simply put, it was one of the most incredible car shows ever assembled.
What’s Next for the Automotive Showcase Scene?
Two questions kept coming up during conversations with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The first was: “How could they possibly top this next year?” The answer is anyone’s guess, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The second question was far more intriguing, and it came directly from the OEM carmakers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?”
This is a valid question. Last year, a single ticket to The Quail cost $1,300 for legacy attendees and $1,600 for first-time visitors. This is expensive, especially considering that it costs OEMs around $400,000 to put a car on a display stand for just six hours. In stark contrast, the Las Vegas Concours charges about 1/20th of that for OEM participation. Attendees, meanwhile, pay $100 per ticket, which works out to about $2 per Veyron. I spoke with several manufacturers who openly questioned the need to ever return to The Quail. Perhaps, they mused, The Quail is no longer necessary when events like Las Vegas and Moda Miami exist.
Furthermore, attendees will find that getting dinner reservations is easy in Las Vegas, as the city is built to accommodate large gatherings. Unlike Pebble Beach, where hotel prices can skyrocket during Monterey Car Week, and traffic can be soul-crushing, Las Vegas offers a more accessible and convenient experience. Attendees won’t need to drive long distances between venues or struggle to find places to eat.
While this may seem far-fetched to some, it’s important to remember that Geneva was once the epicenter of the supercar world. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now on my must-attend list. You should add it to yours, too.