The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New King Emerges in the World of Supercars
The term “concours d’elegance” literally means a show or competition of vehicles and accessories where entries are judged primarily on their excellence of appearance and condition. In the high-stakes world of luxury automobiles, the question of which concours reigns supreme is often raised. Is the venerable Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance still the ultimate arbiter of automotive excellence? Or has its crown been challenged by upstart events?
For decades, Monterey Car Week—anchored by the Pebble Beach Concours—has been the epicenter of this ultra-luxury automotive culture. It’s a week-long spectacle filled with exclusive gatherings, high-stakes auctions, and the prestigious Sunday competition. However, in recent years, a quiet revolution has been brewing. Enthusiasts eager to see cutting-edge hypercars and the latest limited-edition supercars are increasingly looking beyond the traditional lineup of events.
While Pebble Beach remains the gold standard for classic car judging, a new contender has stepped into the arena, one that is rapidly establishing itself as the premier venue for modern hypercar showcases. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, has long served as a spectacular appetizer to the main event. Yet, for a growing segment of the automotive elite, The Quail has already surpassed Pebble Beach’s Sunday proceedings. These enthusiasts are focused on the latest performance machines and cutting-edge technology. The sudden disappearance of the Geneva International Auto Show left a void in the global supercar calendar, and The Quail has filled it effectively.
The Rise of The Quail
The Lamborghini Aventador made its debut at Geneva in 2011, followed by the ultra-exclusive Veneno in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was launched with an online unveiling, the Temerario, the Huracán’s replacement, debuted at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the seven-figure Fenomeno was first revealed to the public at the 2025 Quail. Bugatti launched the Chiron at Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and the Mistral (2022) were both first unveiled at The Quail. These are just a few examples of how The Quail has become the premier showcase for the world’s most exclusive automotive creations.
However, until recently, I believed The Quail’s dominance in the global automotive landscape was unchallenged. That perspective shifted dramatically after attending the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, officially known as Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. While I attended the 2024 event and found it enjoyable, it felt more like a regional gathering with the usual suspects on display. If I hadn’t been working with Czinger as their guest, I likely wouldn’t have attended this year. But I am incredibly grateful that I did.
The Vegas Spectacle: An Unforgettable Display
The 2025 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The sheer number of vehicles present was mind-boggling. The Wynn showcased 48 Bugatti Veyrons on its lawn—a truly astounding number. Of the 450 Veyrons produced globally, 100 were sold in North America, and 48 of them were in Las Vegas. Bugatti also presented a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, alongside a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming Tourbillon, the 18-cylinder hybrid that will succeed the Chiron. Displaying more than 10% of all Bugatti Veyrons ever built in one location left me speechless.
For fans of Pagani, the event was equally spectacular. More than 40 Paganis were on display, a remarkable showing. I didn’t count the exact number, as I was mesmerized by the Bugattis, but there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of only five), dozens of Huayras, multiple Utopias, and—to the concern of The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster. Pagani plans to produce only ten of these, with a price tag of $7 million each before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green example under cover belonged to Apple’s Tim Cook.) Even if extroverted carbon-fiber hypercars aren’t your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was the largest Pagani gathering in North America, and that Horatio Pagani himself—honored onstage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design—and his team chose this venue to introduce a car, speaks volumes. More on that later. To put the 40+ Paganis in perspective, this number exceeds the annual production output of the factory itself.
The Lamborghini display was equally breathtaking for enthusiasts of these Italian exotics. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours was the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever, with an estimated 230 cars out of the 600 total vehicles on display that Saturday. Among them were a Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario coupe (one of 20) and convertible (one of 20), and a ReventĂłn (one of 21). The last time I saw all these rare “few-offs,” as Lamborghini now calls them, in the same place was at the factory museum. It was a jaw-dropping exhibition of precious, high-horsepower Italian metal and composite engineering.
To keep this article concise, I will omit the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, and all the cars that were actually judged. This included a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that took home the best pre-war award at the Vegas Concours. Additionally, there were HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. By any standard, this was one hell of a car show.
The Unanswered Question: What Comes Next?
Two recurring conversations dominated the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas. The first was the inevitable question: “How are they going to top this next year?” I have no clue, but my best wishes go out to the Wynn. The second, and frankly far more intriguing, question came from OEM representatives: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” It’s a valid question. Perhaps it’s time to wish The Quail farewell, too.
The Business of Luxury Cars
Let me provide some perspective on The Quail. Last year, a single ticket cost $1,300—a “legacy ticket” for returning attendees. First-time attendees paid $1,600. While expensive, it costs OEMs about $400,000 to have a car on display there for six hours. The Las Vegas Concours charges about 1/20 of that price. Tickets for attendees cost only $100 each—roughly $2 per Veyron on display. I spoke with three different automakers who openly questioned the need to ever attend The Quail again. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient?
Moreover, attendees will not face heart-attack-inducing hotel prices. A friend stayed at a motel near Pebble Beach that cost $1,100 a night, with a five-night minimum. Navigating the soul-crushing traffic between events is also eliminated. Finally, making dinner reservations is easy since Las Vegas is specifically designed to accommodate large gatherings.
What I witnessed at the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas is more than just a car show; it’s a paradigm shift in the ultra-luxury automotive landscape. Just a few years ago, Geneva was the center 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 as well.