The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: Has It Overtaken The Quail as the Premiere Supercar Spectacle?
The term “concours d’elegance” is traditionally defined as “a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout.” Yet, in the rarefied world of hypercars and hyper-luxury automobiles, the standards have evolved. When serious enthusiasts discuss the pinnacles of automotive grandeur, the same question inevitably surfaces: how does the Monterey Car Week — anchored by the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — truly compare to The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, Goodwood, Amelia Island, or Moda Miami? While Pebble Beach still holds the undisputed crown, a potent new challenger has emerged to claim the throne, armed with unparalleled displays of modern automotive royalty.
Indeed, across the globe, where the elite congregate to celebrate the most exquisite automobiles, the query persists: Is Pebble Beach still the zenith? The truth is, Pebble Beach remains the undisputed king of the concours. However, the crown prince, the legitimate heir to Pebble’s kingdom, appears to be The Quail. Yet, this esteemed gathering now faces a formidable rival clad in diamonds and casino lights.
The Enduring Allure of The Quail
The Quail (full name, The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering) has long served as the indispensable appetizer to the main course of Pebble Beach’s Sunday proceedings. For a select and burgeoning segment of the automotive community, The Quail has surpassed the grandeur of its Sunday counterpart. These enthusiasts are predominantly drawn to the latest releases of supercars and hypercars. I have lost count of the number of friends who undertake the pilgrimage to Car Week yet depart early Sunday morning, having no interest in “a bunch of old cars.”
Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show left a critical void in the supercar calendar, a vacuum that The Quail has filled with remarkable success.
Consider the evidence. The Lamborghini Aventador made its official debut at Geneva in 2011, and the ultra-exclusive Veneno followed in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, received a digital unveiling, the Temerario (the Huracán’s replacement) made its first appearance at The Quail in 2024. The same holds true for the seven-figure Fenomeno, which debuted at the 2025 Quail. In 2016, Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva; however, both the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) were first shown to the world at The Quail. These patterns extend to dozens of other marques and models. In essence, The Quail has solidified its position as the foremost venue for the unveiling and display of these extraordinary machines.
For years, I believed The Quail’s position in the global automotive hierarchy was unassailable. Then I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially named Concours at Wynn Las Vegas), and I now harbor considerable doubts. It’s important to note that I also attended the 2024 Vegas Concours and, while enjoyable, it struck me as a provincial affair. There were some impressive vehicles, but they largely consisted of the usual suspects. Had it not been for a project I was undertaking with Czinger (which granted me access as a guest), I likely would have skipped this year’s event. However, I must confess, I am exceptionally glad that I attended.
What Sets The Concours at Wynn Apart?
The scale of the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was nothing short of breathtaking. The Wynn featured 48 Bugatti Veyrons on the lawn. Let that sink in. Of the 450 total Veyrons produced and the 100 delivered in North America, 48 were present in Las Vegas. Well, 49, as Bugatti also brought along a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary — accompanied by a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon set to replace the Chiron. To assemble more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever built in one location remains a mind-boggling feat.
The younger generation of car enthusiasts also has a fascination with Pagani, doesn’t it? This year, there were over 40 Pagani vehicles on display. While I neglected to count the exact number (I was too distracted by the Veyrons), there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of only five produced), dozens of Huayras, a selection of Utopias, and—troubling for The Quail—the North American debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce just 10 of these machines, each carrying a price tag of $7 million before taxes and tariffs, should you be interested. (The mint green prototype concealed beneath a cover belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.)
Even if these extroverted carbon-titanium extroverts are not your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Pagani vehicles ever held in North America is significant. Moreover, the decision by Horacio Pagani, who was honored on stage by emcee Justin Bell for his groundbreaking contributions to automotive design, and his team to introduce a vehicle at this event speaks volumes about the changing landscape of premier automotive shows. To return to the sheer volume: the attendance of over 40 Paganis represents more vehicles than the factory produces in an entire year.
A Lamborghini Spectacle
The Lamborghini exhibit was equally astonishing if you are captivated by these extraordinary vehicles. To begin with, the 2025 Wynn Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever assembled. Yes, ever. Once again, I did not count, but the widely reported figure was around 230 vehicles. That represents a staggering 230 out of the 600 cars present on that Saturday. Truly mind-blowing. Of these 230 Lamborghinis, there was a Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario coupe (one of 20) and convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time I witnessed all these limited-production models (as Lamborghini now refers to them) together in one place was at the manufacturer’s museum. It was a breathtaking display of rare, high-performance Italian metal and composite materials.
To maintain brevity, I am omitting details about the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, all the actual judged cars (including a former and astonishing Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180, which also secured Best of Show in the prewar category here), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. In short, this was a truly spectacular automotive showcase.
What Could Possibly Be Next?
Two conversations were frequently repeated as I engaged with fellow attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The primary question was: “How on Earth are they going to top this next year?” I have no clue, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The second, frankly far more intriguing, query came from OEM manufacturers: “Should we even bother participating in The Quail next year?” A very valid question. Perhaps I should also wish The Quail good luck.
Here are some facts you might not know about The Quail. Last year, a single ticket cost $1,300. This was provided as a courtesy to past attendees (they referred to them as “legacy ticket holders”). For first-time attendees, the price was $1,600. While this is undeniably expensive, the cost for OEMs to display a vehicle on a stand at The Quail is approximately $400,000. For just six hours. The Vegas Concours charges roughly 1/20th of that amount. And if you want to attend, tickets are a mere $100 each. That’s approximately $2 per Veyron. I spoke with three different manufacturers who openly questioned the need to ever return to The Quail. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient?
Moreover, for attendees, you will not be facing heart-attack-inducing hotel prices (a friend reported paying $1,100 a night at a motel near Pebble, with a five-night minimum stay), nor will you be stuck in soul-crushing traffic navigating from one event to another. Additionally, securing dinner reservations is effortless because Las Vegas is literally engineered to accommodate large gatherings.
While this assessment may sound extreme, it’s worth remembering that just a few years ago, Geneva was the epicenter of the supercar world. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has firmly established itself on my must-attend list. You should certainly add it to yours.
Join us in Las Vegas as the automotive world continues its spectacular evolution. Experience automotive history and futuristic designs collide in a display of wealth, engineering, and design that redefines the meaning of a concours d’elegance.