The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New Supercar Spectacle Emerges
In the exclusive realm of automotive excellence, the term “concours d’elegance” typically evokes images of manicured lawns, perfectly polished classics, and quiet reverence. It denotes a show or competition where vehicles and accessories are judged primarily on their aesthetic perfection and presentation. This definition, however, is rapidly being reshaped by the next generation of automotive events.
For enthusiasts immersed in the world of luxury and high-performance vehicles, the question invariably arises: which event surpasses the legendary Pebble Beach Concours? Pebble Beach, and its broader association with Monterey Car Week, remains the undisputed pinnacle of traditional concours. Its annual gathering represents a congregation of the most prestigious and expensive automobiles, culminating in one of the most iconic Sunday displays in the industry.
Yet, the landscape of automotive gatherings has become increasingly crowded, prompting comparisons between Pebble Beach and other esteemed events. From the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the nostalgic charm of the Goodwood Revival to the sophisticated atmosphere of Amelia Island and Moda Miami, the global auto scene is defined by a diverse calendar of exclusive gatherings. Events like Retromobile in Paris and Audrain in Newport also attract discerning collectors, each offering a unique experience for those who appreciate blue-chip automobiles.
While Pebble Beach retains its throne, the prince, the rightful heir to its kingdom, may have a new rival. The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering has long served as an extraordinary appetizer to the main course of Sunday’s Pebble Concours. However, for a growing faction of the automotive world, The Quail has already surpassed Pebble Beach’s Sunday event. These enthusiasts are driven by a strong passion for late-model and brand-new supercars and hypercars. I have lost count of the number of friends who attend Monterey Car Week but skip Sunday’s events, having no interest in “a bunch of old cars.”
Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show has left a significant gap in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail has filled admirably. Lamborghini, for instance, debuted the Aventador in Geneva in 2011 and the highly expensive Veneno in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was unveiled online, but the Temerario, which will succeed the Huracán, made its debut at The Quail in 2024. The seven-figure Fenomeno also made its first public appearance at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were both debuted at The Quail. This is true for numerous other vehicles, positioning The Quail as the premier global showcase for these cutting-edge machines.
Until this past Halloween, I believed The Quail’s standing was untouchable. Then I attended the 2025 Las Vegas Concours (officially The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas), and I began to question everything. I must preface this by mentioning that I also attended the 2024 event. While I enjoyed myself, it struck me as a regional if not provincial affair. There were some impressive cars, but nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, if it weren’t for a project I was collaborating on with Czinger, which brought me as its guest, I probably wouldn’t have gone this year. But I am incredibly grateful that I did.
A Spectacular Display
The Wynn showcased 48 Bugatti Veyrons this year. That’s correct—48. Of the 450 total Veyrons ever built, and the 100 sold in North America, 48 were in Las Vegas. Well, 49, as Bugatti also brought a stunning white Vitesse Super Sport to commemorate the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, along with a Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon, which will succeed the Chiron. Presenting more than 10 percent of all Bugatti Veyrons ever produced in one location has left me still in disbelief.
Kids like Paganis, don’t they? Because there were more than 40 of those, too. I didn’t get the exact number (I was too busy drooling over the Veyrons), but there were several Zondas, including a Zonda Revolution (one of five), dozens of Huayras, a multitude of Utopias, and, much to The Quail’s concern, the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, which Pagani plans to produce at a price of $7 million each before tax and tariffs, if you’re interested. (The mint-green one that was under cover in Vegas belongs to Apple’s Tim Cook.) Even if these extreme carbon-titanium exotics aren’t your preference, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours was not only the largest Pagani gathering in North America’s history but also the venue where Horatio Pagani, who was honored onstage by emcee Justin Bell for his contributions to automotive design, and his team chose to introduce a new car speaks volumes. More on that later. To return to the topic of more than 40 Paganis: this number exceeds the total production of these cars in a single year.
The Lamborghini section was equally astonishing for those who appreciate such vehicles. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours hosted the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever—yes, ever. Again, I didn’t count, but the number was around 230, representing 230 of the 600 cars present that Saturday. This is simply staggering. Among those 230, there was a Veneno Coupe (one of only three sold to the public; the factory retained a fourth one), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), 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-edition models—referred to by Lamborghini as “few-offs”—together was at the factory museum. It was a breathtaking display of rare and powerful Italian metal and composite engineering.
To keep this brief, I am omitting coverage of the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the McLaren Project Endurance race car debut, all the cars that were actually judged (including a former and insane Pebble Beach Concours-winning 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer 26/120/180 that also won best of show prewar here), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. Yes, this was one heck of a car show.
What Could Possibly Be Next?
Two recurring themes emerged during my conversations with fellow Wynn Vegas Concours attendees. The first question was: “How on earth are they going to top this next year?” No idea, but I wish the Wynn the best of luck. The second, and frankly much more intriguing, query came from the OEM car manufacturers: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” A fair question. Perhaps I should wish The Quail luck as well.
A few things you might not realize about The Quail: A single ticket cost $1,300 last year. That was a courtesy price for legacy ticket holders who had attended in the past. For first-time attendees, the cost was $1,600. While this is expensive, it costs OEMs about $400,000 to place a car on a stand there for six hours. The Vegas Concours charges about 1/20th of that. And if you want to attend, tickets are $100 each. That’s about $2 per Veyron. I spoke with three different car manufacturers who openly questioned the need to ever attend The Quail again. Perhaps, they mused, Las Vegas and Moda Miami are sufficient?
Moreover, for attendees, you won’t be burdened with heart-attack-inducing hotel prices (a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble that cost $1,100 a night for a five-night minimum) or the soul-crushing traffic associated with running between events. Additionally, making dinner reservations is effortless because Las Vegas is purpose-built to handle large gatherings.
The above might sound far-fetched, but 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, too.
The Evolution of Automotive Elegance: From Monterey to the Mojave Desert
The automobile industry is a landscape of perpetual change. What was once a predictable, staid calendar of events is now a fluid, dynamic ecosystem driven by shifting market forces and generational tastes. For decades, the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as the crown jewel of Monterey Car Week, has defined the very meaning of automotive excellence. It is the benchmark against which all other concours are measured, a gathering that represents the zenith of aesthetic perfection, historical significance, and the quiet reverence that has defined “concours d’elegance” for generations.
However, in the burgeoning world of luxury and high-performance automobiles, this traditional definition is undergoing a seismic shift. The dominance of Monterey is being challenged, not just by established events, but by ambitious newcomers that speak to the
The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas: A New Supercar Spectacle Emerges
In the exclusive realm of automotive excellence, the term “concours d’elegance” typically evokes images of manicured lawns, perfectly polished classics, and quiet reverence. It denotes a show or competition where vehicles and accessories are judged primarily on their aesthetic perfection and presentation. This definition, however, is rapidly being reshaped by the next generation of automotive events.
For enthusiasts immersed in the world of luxury and high-performance vehicles, the question invariably arises: which event surpasses the legendary Pebble Beach Concours? Pebble Beach, and its broader association with Monterey Car Week, remains the undisputed pinnacle of traditional concours. Its annual gathering represents a congregation of the most prestigious and expensive automobiles, culminating in one of the most iconic Sunday displays in the industry.
Yet, the landscape of automotive gatherings has become increasingly crowded, prompting comparisons between Pebble Beach and other esteemed events. From the adrenaline-fueled excitement of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the nostalgic charm of the Goodwood Revival to the sophisticated atmosphere of Amelia Island and Moda Miami, the global auto scene is defined by a diverse calendar of exclusive gatherings. Events like Retromobile in Paris and Audrain in Newport also attract discerning collectors, each offering a unique experience for those who appreciate blue-chip automobiles.
While Pebble Beach retains its throne, the prince, the rightful heir to its kingdom, may have a new rival. The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering has long served as an extraordinary appetizer to the main course of Sunday’s Pebble Concours. However, for a growing faction of the automotive world, The Quail has already surpassed Pebble Beach’s Sunday event. These enthusiasts are driven by a strong passion for late-model and brand-new supercars and hypercars. I have lost count of the number of friends who attend Monterey Car Week but skip Sunday’s events, having no interest in “a bunch of old cars.”
Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Auto Show has left a significant gap in the supercar calendar, a void that The Quail has filled admirably. Lamborghini, for instance, debuted the Aventador in Geneva in 2011 and the highly expensive Veneno in 2013. The Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was unveiled online, but the Temerario, which will succeed the Huracán, made its debut at The Quail in 2024. The seven-figure Fenomeno also made its first public appearance at The Quail in 2025. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron in Geneva in 2016, but the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) were both debuted at The Quail. This is true for numerous other vehicles, positioning The Quail as the premier global showcase for these cutting-edge machines.
