With the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2016, BMW Group Classic and Grand Hotel Villa d'Este present a journey through time on Lake Como in Italy. From 20 to 22 May, the history and future of mobility can be admired here. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a special event for fans of historic cars and motorbikes. The event has a long tradition, dating back to 1929. Then the first competition, 'Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este', took place in Cernobbio, northern Italy. Car manufacturers and bodyworkers showed their latest models here. BMW has played a prominent role on the beautiful Lago di Como for years.
In 1999, BMW Group became patron of the competition elegance and since 2005, BMW Group Classic, together with Grand Hotel Villa d'Este, has been the organizer of this show of rare beauties. The event is visited annually by thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world.
"Back to the Future - the Journey continues" theme.
This year's theme is "Back to the Future - the Journey continues" and reflects BMW's motto on the occasion of its anniversary: "The Next 100 Years". The world's most successful premium car brand uses this slogan for all activities in this anniversary year. The concept of the event and the vehicles on display offer an impressive combination of tradition and vision.
Concept Cars & Prototypes.
The Concept Cars & Prototypes class is unique, even at these types of exclusive classic events. The cars show the passion of today's leading designers and their vision for the future. The focus is on the current vision of car design in the world of tomorrow, as a counterpart to the retrospective exhibition of important historic cars. The winners of the Concorso d'Eleganza Design Awards are chosen by the public.
Past closely intertwined with the present.
In the Padiglione Centrale in Villa Erba you can admire the special exhibition "Homage and Concept Vehicles" of the BMW Group Classic. This exhibition shows how closely the past is interwoven with the present. The Hommage and Concept Vehicles of the brands BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad stand next to their historical counterparts, as a comparison that shows the importance of historical values in the development of pioneering design.
Fascinating history
The election of the most beautiful cars is central to the stylish surroundings of Villa d'Este and Villa Erba. This event shows rare and striking vehicles from various decades. The competition for cars includes 52 special specimens with a fascinating history, competing in nine categories for the favor of the professional jury and the public. Thirty engines in five categories form a striking field of participants. The various categories each focus on a different aspect of the vehicle's building history.
Engines: five categories
For the sixth time, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como also collects the most exclusive highlights of the year in the field of historic motorcycles. The beauty competition for classic vehicles from various decades is also the stage for fantastic performances of these rare beauties on two wheels. On Saturdays the motorbikes participate in the Concorso di Motociclette. They take a ride on the roads around Como and Cernobbio and through the park of Villa Erba to the front garden of Villa d'Este. On Sunday the two-wheelers are prepared for the assessment by the expert international professional jury. The competition includes various classes, which show the development of engines and the most important representatives.