The standard definition of “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.”
For anyone who has spent significant time around high-end automotive events, the annual Monterey Car Week—typically referred to as “Pebble Beach”—is often positioned as the ultimate benchmark. This week-long affair culminates in the renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which remains, in many respects, the pinnacle of automotive elegance. However, the automotive world is a dynamic landscape, and while Pebble Beach holds its royal status, a formidable challenger has emerged, potentially vying for the crown. This challenger is The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering.
Why The Quail Has Become a Global Automotive Powerhouse
Historically, The Quail has functioned as a prestigious appetizer to the main event on Sunday. However, for a growing segment of the enthusiast community, The Quail has already surpassed the Sunday gathering in appeal. This shift is driven primarily by the tastes of enthusiasts who favor modern and next-generation hypercars and supercars. I have encountered numerous automotive friends who endure the Monterey trip only to depart early on Sunday, having no interest in vintage or classic vehicles. Furthermore, the demise of the Geneva International Motor Show left a significant gap in the supercar launch calendar, a void that The Quail has filled exceptionally well.
Consider the examples: The Lamborghini Aventador made its global debut at Geneva in 2011, followed by the extravagant Veneno in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, premiered via an online unveiling, the Temerario (Huracán’s replacement) was first showcased at The Quail in 2024. Similarly, the multi-million-dollar Fenomeno was introduced at the 2025 Quail. Bugatti unveiled the Chiron at Geneva in 2016, but both the Divo (2018) and Mistral (2022) debuted at The Quail. These examples are replicated across numerous marques, illustrating The Quail’s evolution into the world’s premier venue for showcasing new hypercars.
Until recently, I believed The Quail’s position was secure. However, my attendance at the 2025 Las Vegas Concours, officially known as the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, has led me to question this assumption. For context, I also attended the 2024 event, which, while enjoyable, seemed provincial. The 2025 iteration, however, was a staggering display of automotive excellence, a testament to the burgeoning Las Vegas Concours. My participation was facilitated by a project with Czinger, but I am immensely grateful for the invitation; the experience was truly extraordinary.
What Constitutes the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas?
The Wynn featured an astonishing 48 Bugatti Veyrons on its lawn this year. To put that in perspective, out of the 450 Veyrons ever produced, with only 100 sold in North America, 48 were present in Las Vegas. Including a striking white Vitesse Super Sport celebrating the Veyron’s 20th anniversary, along with the Bolide, Centodieci, Chiron Super Sport, Divo, Mistral, and a model of the upcoming 18-cylinder hybrid Tourbillon, the display represented over 10 percent of all Veyrons ever built. This concentration of hypercars alone was enough to make the event unforgettable.
The younger generation of enthusiasts also found ample reason to rejoice, as the event showcased over 40 Paganis. While I did not count the exact number, overwhelmed by the Veyron display, the attendance included several Zondas, notably a Zonda Revolution (one of five), dozens of Huayras, multiple Utopias, and—a concerning development for The Quail—the debut of the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, a limited-edition model Pagani plans to produce in only ten units, priced at $7 million before taxes and tariffs. (The mint green model under wraps belonged to Apple CEO Tim Cook.) Even if these extroverted, carbon-titanium machines do not align with your personal taste, the fact that the 2025 Las Vegas Concours hosted the largest Pagani gathering in North American history, and that Horatio Pagani, honored for his design contributions, and his team chose this event for a product unveiling, speaks volumes. Reaching a threshold of over 40 Paganis—a quantity exceeding the factory’s annual production—is a staggering achievement.
The Lamborghini section was equally awe-inspiring for those captivated by these automobiles. The 2025 Wynn Vegas Concours featured the largest congregation of Lamborghinis in history. While the precise count is unknown, the figure being discussed was approximately 230, representing 230 of the total 600 cars in attendance that Saturday. This density of high-performance Italian engineering—comprising a Veneno Coupe (one of three sold to the public; the factory retains a fourth), a Sesto Elemento (one of ten), a Centenario Coupe (one of 20) and Convertible (one of 20), and a Reventón (one of 21)—was breathtaking. The last time I saw all these “limited editions” (as Lamborghini now refers to them) together in one place was at the factory’s museum. It was a spectacular display of precious, high-horsepower Italian engineering.
In the interest of brevity, I have omitted many other remarkable vehicles, including the Koenigseggs, the Gumpert Apollo, the Czingers, the Nilu, the debut of the McLaren Project Endurance race car, all the judged cars (including a former 1929 Mercedes-Benz 680 S Barker Tourer with a history of winning the Pebble Beach Concours pre-war best of show), the HWA EVO, a Mercedes-AMG One, two Oldsmobile Aerotechs, and a McLaren F1. This event was truly a world-class automotive showcase.
What Could Possibly Come Next?
Two recurring themes emerged during my conversations with attendees at the Wynn Vegas Concours. The first, and most prevalent question, was: “How on earth are they going to top this next year?” While the answer is uncertain, the Wynn team has set an incredibly high bar. The second, and more intriguing question, which frequently came from the OEM manufacturers, was: “Should we even bother attending The Quail next year?” This is a valid concern. Perhaps it is time to bid farewell to The Quail.
For those unaware, a single ticket to The Quail cost $1,300 last year. This price applied to returning patrons (“legacy ticket holders,” I believe they are called). For first-time attendees, the cost was $1,600. While this is steep, OEMs spend approximately $400,000 to place a vehicle on display there for just six hours. The Vegas Concours, in contrast, charges about 1/20th of that. Tickets to attend are $100 each, which equates to 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, attendees will not be facing heart-attack-inducing hotel prices (a friend stayed at a motel near Pebble that cost $1,100 per night with a five-night minimum), nor navigating soul-crushing traffic. Additionally, making dinner reservations is simple in Las Vegas, as the city is designed to handle large gatherings.
While this may sound like a drastic shift, Geneva was the epicenter of the supercar world only a few years ago. 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.
Monterey Car Week 2026: The Enduring Reign of Pebble Beach
For aficionados of the luxury automotive world, the terms “concours d’elegance” have long been synonymous with high-society gatherings where vintage and bespoke vehicles are judged primarily on aesthetics and presentation. When the topic turns to the hierarchy of these exclusive events, the name “Pebble Beach” inevitably arises. Typically understood to encompass the entire Monterey Car Week, this legendary event culminates on the Sunday with the globally recognized Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It stands, without question, as the reigning monarch of the concours circuit.
However, the automotive ecosystem is undergoing rapid transformation, and a significant new rival has emerged, challenging Pebble Beach’s long-held supremacy. This challenger is The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering.
Why The Quail is Gaining the Upper Hand
Historically, The Quail was positioned as a mere prelude to the main event on Sunday. Yet, for a growing segment of the luxury automotive community, The Quail has long since eclipsed the prestige of the Sunday gathering. This evolution is primarily driven by the shifting preferences of enthusiasts who favor cutting-edge and next-generation hypercars. I have encountered numerous friends in the automotive world who endure the extensive travel to Monterey only to depart early on Sunday, having little interest in “old cars.” Moreover, the recent closure of the Geneva International Motor Show left a significant void in the supercar launch calendar—a vacuum The Quail has successfully filled.
Consider these benchmarks: The Lamborghini Aventador made its global debut at Geneva in 2011, followed by the opulent Veneno in 2013. While the Aventador’s successor, the Revuelto, was introduced via an online unveiling, the Temerario (
