The Las Vegas Concours Emerges as a Premier Supercar Spectacle
The standard definition of a “concours d’elegance\” is \”a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout.\”
Spend enough time in the high-end automotive world, and you’ll invariably be asked which event is the best. Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed superior to Pebble? What about the Goodwood Revival? Amelia Island? Moda Miami? Retromobile? The Audrain?
Everywhere people gather to admire blue-chip automobiles, the same question arises: Is Pebble Beach still the reigning king of the concours? While Pebble Beach certainly remains dominant in the traditional sense, a new contender has emerged, challenging the establishment. The Quail, once considered the ultimate appetizer to the Pebble Beach Concours, may now be facing a formidable rival.
The Rise of The Quail
The Quail, officially known as The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has long been an incredible warm-up act for the main event on Sunday. For a growing segment of the automotive community, particularly those passionate about modern and brand-new supercars and hypercars, The Quail has long surpassed the traditional Sunday event in relevance. Many enthusiasts make the journey to Monterey Car Week but bypass the final Sunday proceedings, having little interest in what they refer to as \”a bunch of old cars.\”
The vacuum left by the demise of the Geneva International Motor Show has been expertly filled by The Quail, which has become a crucial stop on the global supercar calendar. A few compelling examples underscore this shift. The Lamborghini Aventador debuted at Geneva in 2011, and the exclusive Veneno followed in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was introduced via a virtual unveiling, the Temerario, the Huracán’s replacement, made its public debut at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno, a limited production model, was first showcased at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, yet the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) both premiered at The Quail.
This pattern extends to numerous other manufacturers, establishing The Quail as the premier global showcase for these exclusive machines. For years, I believed The Quail’s status was unassailable. Then, I attended the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas on Halloween, and suddenly, I had my doubts.
I attended the 2024 Vegas Concours as well. While enjoyable, it felt localized and somewhat predictable. There were some interesting cars, but they were largely the same models seen at other shows. Frankly, if not for a collaboration I had with Czinger, I might not have returned this year. However, I am immensely glad I did. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours was nothing short of spectacular, and it has dramatically shifted the dynamics of the supercar circuit.
A World-Class Spectacle
The Wynn transformed its lawns into a breathtaking automotive spectacle, hosting a staggering collection of hypercars that redefined the meaning of a \”show.\” The most striking statistic of the day was the presence of 48 Bugatti Veyrons. Considering only 450 Veyrons were ever built, with 100 sold in North America, this represented over 10% of the total production. The display was further enhanced by the addition of a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport, celebrating the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, along with the Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a prototype of the forthcoming 18-cylinder hybrid successor, the Tourbillon.
Beyond the staggering display of Bugattis, the event showcased an unprecedented collection of Paganis. While I didn’t get an exact count—too busy drooling over the Veyrons—there were well over 40 Paganis, including several Zondas, most notably a Zonda Revolution (one of only five ever made). Dozens of Huayras, several Utopias, and, most notably, the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster pagani is planned to manufacture 10 of these beauties at a price of $7,000,000 each before tax and tariffs, if you’re interested. (The mint-green one under the cover was none other than Apple’s Tim Cook.)
Even if these extroverted marvels aren’t your personal preference, the significance is undeniable. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours wasn’t just the largest gathering of Paganis in North American history; it was the venue where Horatio Pagani, honored onstage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design, chose to introduce a new vehicle. This decision alone speaks volumes about the show’s newfound prestige.
For Lamborghini enthusiasts, the display was equally mind-blowing. The 2025 Wynn Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever. I didn’t count, but the estimate was around 230 vehicles, representing nearly half of the 600 cars present that Saturday. It was an extraordinary assembly of rare and exclusive models.
The collection included a Veneno Coupe (one of three ever sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe and Convertible (20 of each), and a Reventón (one of 21). The last time all these \”few-offs,\” as Lamborghini now calls them, were together was at the factory’s museum. It was a breathtaking display of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composites.
In the interest of brevity, I must omit the comprehensive list of other spectacular displays. This includes a wide range of Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, Czingers, Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, all the vehicles that were actually judged (including a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that won prewar best of show here, too), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. It was, in short, one of the most incredible automotive events I have ever attended.
Defining the Future of Luxury Automotive Events
Two dominant themes emerged in the conversations I had with fellow attendees at the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. The first and most pressing question was: \”How on earth are they going to top this next year?\” I have no idea, but my sincerest wishes go out to the organizers at Wynn. The second question, arguably far more intriguing, came from several OEM carmakers: \”Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?\”
This is a valid question. Perhaps it’s time to bid farewell to The Quail. The pricing disparity between the two events is stark. Last year, a single ticket for The Quail cost $1,300 for returning attendees (\”legacy ticket holders,\” as they are known) and $1,600 for first-time visitors. While expensive, OEMs typically spend around $400,000 to place a vehicle on a stand there—and that’s for just six hours.
In contrast, the Las Vegas Concours charges about one-twentieth of that. Tickets for attendees are a mere $100 each, which translates to approximately $2 per Veyron. I spoke with three different carmakers who openly questioned the necessity of attending The Quail again. They speculated whether Las Vegas and Moda Miami might be sufficient to cover their needs.
Furthermore, for attendees, the financial burden is significantly lighter. There are no heart-stopping hotel prices to contend with (a friend mentioned staying at a motel near Pebble Beach that cost $1,100 per night for a five-night minimum). There’s also the elimination of the soul-crushing traffic that plagues Monterey Car Week. Additionally, making dinner reservations is straightforward because Las Vegas is designed to accommodate large gatherings.
While this might sound far-fetched, it’s important to remember that Geneva was the epicenter of the supercar world just a few years ago. I cannot predict the future, but I can assure you that the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is now at the top of my must-attend list. You should seriously consider adding it to yours.
A Shift in the Automotive Landscape
The event’s phenomenal success this year signals a major shift in the landscape of luxury automotive gatherings. For years, the automotive world revolved around traditional concours d’elegance events, but the market has changed. The new generation of wealthy buyers are increasingly drawn to modern, high-performance hypercars rather than vintage classics.
This demographic shift is the primary driver behind the rise of The Quail and now, the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. These events cater to enthusiasts who prioritize innovation, cutting-edge technology, and raw performance above all else. The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has quickly established itself as the premier venue for these individuals, attracting a level of OEM presence and private collection participation that few events can match.
The sheer scale of the exhibits is astounding. To see 48 Bugatti Veyrons in one place is unprecedented and highlights the show’s ability to draw out some of the world’s most exclusive automotive collections. Similarly, the unprecedented number of Paganis on display demonstrates a commitment to celebrating the hypercar culture that has become increasingly dominant in recent years.
The Las Vegas Concours Emerges as a Premier Supercar Spectacle
The standard definition of a “concours d’elegance\” is \”a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout.\”
Spend enough time in the high-end automotive world, and you’ll invariably be asked which event is the best. Is the Goodwood Festival of Speed superior to Pebble? What about the Goodwood Revival? Amelia Island? Moda Miami? Retromobile? The Audrain?
Everywhere people gather to admire blue-chip automobiles, the same question arises: Is Pebble Beach still the reigning king of the concours? While Pebble Beach certainly remains dominant in the traditional sense, a new contender has emerged, challenging the establishment. The Quail, once considered the ultimate appetizer to the Pebble Beach Concours, may now be facing a formidable rival.
The Rise of The Quail
The Quail, officially known as The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, has long been an incredible warm-up act for the main event on Sunday. For a growing segment of the automotive community, particularly those passionate about modern and brand-new supercars and hypercars, The Quail has long surpassed the traditional Sunday event in relevance. Many enthusiasts make the journey to Monterey Car Week but bypass the final Sunday proceedings, having little interest in what they refer to as \”a bunch of old cars.\”
The vacuum left by the demise of the Geneva International Motor Show has been expertly filled by The Quail, which has become a crucial stop on the global supercar calendar. A few compelling examples underscore this shift. The Lamborghini Aventador debuted at Geneva in 2011, and the exclusive Veneno followed in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was introduced via a virtual unveiling, the Temerario, the Huracán’s replacement, made its public debut at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno, a limited production model, was first showcased at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, yet the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) both premiered at The Quail.
This pattern extends to numerous other manufacturers, establishing The Quail as the premier global showcase for these exclusive machines. For years, I believed The Quail’s status was unassailable. Then, I attended the 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas on Halloween, and suddenly, I had my doubts.
I attended the 2024 Vegas Concours as well. While enjoyable, it felt localized and somewhat predictable. There were some interesting cars, but they were largely the same models seen at other shows. Frankly, if not for a collaboration I had with Czinger, I might not have returned this year. However, I am immensely glad I did. The 2025 Las Vegas Concours was nothing short of spectacular, and it has dramatically shifted the dynamics of the supercar circuit.
