The Las Vegas Concours: A Potential New Supercar Showdown
The world of luxury automobiles is a tightly knit community where exclusivity and prestige often dictate the calendar. For decades, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has stood as the pinnacle of automotive shows, the benchmark against which all other events are measured. Yet, as the automotive industry evolves, the hierarchy of these gatherings is slowly beginning to shift. The Quail, once an appetizer to the main event, has emerged as a powerful force in its own right, especially for enthusiasts of modern hypercars. However, a new player has entered the arena, one that is poised to disrupt the established order: the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
The Evolution of Automotive Shows
The term “concours d’elegance” is defined as a competition where automobiles are judged primarily on their aesthetic appeal and turnout. While this definition remains central to the concept, the automotive landscape has undergone seismic shifts that have reshaped the expectations of both collectors and manufacturers.
In the past, the traditional concours scene was dominated by vintage, pre-war automobiles, with events like Pebble Beach serving as the primary venue for their exhibition. However, as the automotive world became increasingly fascinated with modern supercars and hypercars, the definition of a “good” car show began to expand. Events like The Quail capitalized on this trend, becoming the go-to destination for enthusiasts who wanted to see the latest and greatest from brands like Bugatti, Pagani, and Lamborghini.
The Rise of The Quail
The Quail, or The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has long been regarded as the premier venue for modern supercar launches. Its strategic timing—sandwiched between the Geneva Motor Show and Pebble Beach—made it an essential stop for manufacturers seeking to debut new models to the world. For a growing segment of the automotive community, The Quail has even eclipsed Pebble Beach in terms of excitement and relevance.
Take, for example, the Lamborghini Temerario, the successor to the iconic Huracán. It was unveiled at The Quail in 2024, followed by the Fenomeno in 2025. Bugatti also chose The Quail for the world debut of its Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) models. The same trend has played out across the industry, with numerous manufacturers selecting The Quail as the stage for their most anticipated launches.
However, the dominance of The Quail is now being challenged. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours, held at the luxurious Wynn Las Vegas, has emerged as a formidable contender, signaling a significant shift in the automotive show landscape.
The Las Vegas Concours: More Than Just a New Face
When I attended the 2024 Las Vegas Concours, I had mixed feelings. It was a fun event, but it felt somewhat regional and provincial. The cars were impressive, but they felt like the usual suspects. However, the 2025 event was a revelation. It was clear that the organizers had listened to feedback and were determined to create a truly world-class experience.
What Is It?
The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas was nothing short of spectacular. The event featured an incredible collection of cars, including an unprecedented gathering of Bugatti Veyrons. Of the 450 Veyrons ever built, 48 were on display, along with a white Vitesse Super Sport celebrating the model’s 20th anniversary. The Bugatti display also included a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon. Seeing more than 10 percent of all the Veyrons ever produced in one place was a truly mind-blowing experience.
But the Bugattis were just the beginning. The event also featured more than 40 Paganis, a record for the North American continent. The collection included several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of five), dozens of Huayras, a bunch of Utopias, and the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Horatio Pagani himself was honored for his contributions to car design and chose the event to introduce the Codalunga Speedster, a car priced at $7 million before taxes and tariffs. The fact that Pagani selected this event for such a significant launch speaks volumes about the prestige and influence of the Las Vegas Concours.
The Lamborghini display was equally impressive. The event hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever, with an estimated 230 cars on display out of the 600 total cars present. This collection included some of the rarest and most exclusive Lamborghinis ever produced, such as a Veneno Coupe (one of three sold to the public), a Sesto Elemento (one of 10), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21). Seeing all these “few-offs” together in one place was a flabbergasting display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
While the Bugattis, Paganis, and Lamborghinis were certainly the highlights, the event featured much more. There were several Koenigseggs, a Gumpert Apollo, Czingers, Nilu, a McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, and several cars that were actually judged. Among the judged cars was a former Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer that won Best of Show at the Wynn event. Other notable cars included an HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1.
What Could Possibly Be Next?
As I wandered through the event, the same two questions kept coming up from fellow attendees: “How the hell are they going to top this next year?” and “Should we even bother doing The Quail next year?” While I don’t have the answers, I do know that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has raised the bar for supercar shows.
The Economics of Prestige
The difference between The Quail and the Las Vegas Concours is evident in their pricing and accessibility. Tickets for The Quail are expensive, with legacy ticket holders paying $1,300 and first-time attendees paying $1,600. This is understandable, considering that OEMs pay approximately $400,000 to have a car on display for six hours.
In contrast, the Las Vegas Concours is significantly more affordable. Tickets are just $100, and there are no minimum stay requirements. This makes it much easier for manufacturers to justify participating in the event, and it also makes it more accessible for attendees.
Convenience and Logistics
One of the biggest challenges with traditional automotive shows is the logistics. Pebble Beach, for example, is located in a remote area, making it difficult to reach, and traffic can be a nightmare. Additionally, hotel prices can be exorbitant.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, is a city built for big gatherings. There are plenty of hotels at various price points, and it is relatively easy to get around. This makes the Las Vegas Concours a much more convenient option for both manufacturers and attendees.
A New Era for Supercar Shows
The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has emerged as a serious contender in the supercar show scene. With its impressive lineup of rare and exotic cars, its prestigious manufacturers, and its convenient location, the event has positioned itself as a major player in the automotive world.
While Pebble Beach remains the king of concours, and The Quail continues to be a premier venue for modern supercars, the Las Vegas Concours has shown that there is a new player in the game. The event’s ability to attract top manufacturers and host groundbreaking launches indicates that it has the potential to become one of the most important automotive shows in the world.
Invitation
The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has set a new standard for automotive events. If you are a supercar enthusiast, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Add the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas to your must-attend list and prepare to experience the future of automotive shows.
The Las Vegas Concours: A Potential New Supercar Showdown
The world of luxury automobiles is a tightly knit community where exclusivity and prestige often dictate the calendar. For decades, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has stood as the pinnacle of automotive shows, the benchmark against which all other events are measured. Yet, as the automotive industry evolves, the hierarchy of these gatherings is slowly beginning to shift. The Quail, once an appetizer to the main event, has emerged as a powerful force in its own right, especially for enthusiasts of modern hypercars. However, a new player has entered the arena, one that is poised to disrupt the established order: the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas.
The Evolution of Automotive Shows
The term “concours d’elegance” is defined as a competition where automobiles are judged primarily on their aesthetic appeal and turnout. While this definition remains central to the concept, the automotive landscape has undergone seismic shifts that have reshaped the expectations of both collectors and manufacturers.
In the past, the traditional concours scene was dominated by vintage, pre-war automobiles, with events like Pebble Beach serving as the primary venue for their exhibition. However, as the automotive world became increasingly fascinated with modern supercars and hypercars, the definition of a “good” car show began to expand. Events like The Quail capitalized on this trend, becoming the go-to destination for enthusiasts who wanted to see the latest and greatest from brands like Bugatti, Pagani, and Lamborghini.
The Rise of The Quail
The Quail, or The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has long been regarded as the premier venue for modern supercar launches. Its strategic timing—sandwiched between the Geneva Motor Show and Pebble Beach—made it an essential stop for manufacturers seeking to debut new models to the world. For a growing segment of the automotive community, The Quail has even eclipsed Pebble Beach in terms of excitement and relevance.
Take, for example, the Lamborghini Temerario, the successor to the iconic Huracán. It was unveiled at The Quail in 2024, followed by the Fenomeno in 2025. Bugatti also chose The Quail for the world debut of its Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) models. The same trend has played out across the industry, with numerous manufacturers selecting The Quail as the stage for their most anticipated launches.
However, the dominance of The Quail is now being challenged. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours, held at the luxurious Wynn Las Vegas, has emerged as a formidable contender, signaling a significant shift in the automotive show landscape.
