Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013

Aesthetics past and future come together on Lake Como.

Posted: 27.05.2013
Source: BMW
Images: Mitorosso.com – Manfred Steinert and Ernst Fischer

Munich/Cernobbio. A glittering parade of all the competition entrants and the announcement of this year’s prize-winners brought the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 to a fitting conclusion this Sunday. Thousands of visitors had once again travelled to the shores of Lake Como for this tradition-steeped event in the grounds of Villa Erba to delight in an ultra-exclusive line-up of historical cars and motorcycles. The jury and assembled galleries crowned the “Days of Elegance” by selecting the prize-winners from the numerous high-calibre examples of historical automotive art. The jury awarded the Trofeo BMW Group for “best of show” to the Bugatti 57SC Atlantic from 1938 as well as it won the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este prize decided by public referendum. The Concept Cars and Prototypes class was headed by the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring.

The backdrop and atmosphere of Lake Como, coupled with the exquisite line-up of vehicles and the enthusiasm of the spectators, ensure that the Days of Elegance in Cernobbio is without parallel.

“The competition entrants and the special exhibitions at this year’s event have taken it to a quite extraordinary level,” explained Dr. Ralf Rodepeter, Director of the BMW Museum and member of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 Selecting Committee. “We’re therefore delighted that more than 6,000 visitors came along to experience the event on the Sunday alone.”

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 brought together 50 cars and 35 motorcycles from widely varying eras in automotive history. In addition, six concept vehicles and prototypes went on show, each representing their own distinctive perspective on forward-thinking automotive design. This link between traditional and future-focused aesthetics in vehicle construction once again defined the character of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este as a fascinating stage for historical highlights and visions of future mobility. Away from the competition, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este also provided the setting for the world premiere of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé and the BMW Concept Ninety.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was held for the first time in 1929 in Cernobbio, northern Italy. Since 1999 the event has taken place in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba under the patronage of the BMW Group. This year the Concorso di Motociclette, launched successfully in 2011, adopted the “90 years of BMW Motorrad” anniversary as its focal point. A special exhibition at Villa Erba featured over 30 leading lights from BMW’s history of “sheer riding pleasure”, including the BMW R 32 – the company’s first motorcycle – presented in 1923. The third edition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este for motorcycles also reached its climax on the central stage in the grounds of Villa Erba with the presentation of the Trofeo BMW Group. The jury awarded the prize to the IMZ M-35K.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013: Classic Weekend on Lake Como.

Posted: 07.05.2013
Source: BMW

The future is breathtaking: concept cars and prototypes at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013. Automotive design of the future to be presented against the historic façade of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on Lake Como +++ As well as the awards for classics, two special exhibitions are set to draw the crowds: “90 years of BMW Motorrad” and “60 Years of the Corvette” +++ Classic Weekend for car and motorcycle fans in the grounds of Villa Erba.

Munich/Milan. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has been held at the same location since 1929 and ranks as the most tradition-laden event for historic cars and motorcycles. The magnificent parkland in Cernobbio on the shores of Lake Como is also the venue for the premier concours for concept cars and prototypes. For automotive fans from around the world, it affords a rare opportunity – beyond the major motor shows – to directly compare and study models that represent the future of automotive design. As such, these vehicles also bridge the span of more than 80 years of motoring history to the present and into the future, embodying the spirit of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este that celebrates not only the past but also the future of mobility. For three days (24 – 26 May 2013) the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba will again act as a striking backdrop for the best in design among classic and cutting-edge vehicles alike.

This year too, the BMW Group brings a compelling range of exhibits to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and its distinctive symbiosis of historical perspective and future visions. On the prototype and concept car front, an array of spectacular two- and four-wheeled designs are lined up for presentation hors concours. To mark the anniversary of “90 years of BMW Motorrad”, there will also be milestones from the history of “sheer riding pleasure” on show. Another special exhibition is dedicated to “60 years of the Corvette”. Both will be held in the grounds of Villa Erba.

While most of the awards for classic models are presented by an international jury, on Saturday it will be the turn of the public to vote for the winner of the Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este and on Sunday for the BMW Group Italia Trophy. The most beautiful concept car will also be chosen by the public for the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award. The contenders in this year’s concours were introduced by Dr Ralf Rodepeter, Director BMW Museum and Marketing BMW Group Classic, during a press conference in Milan. Among others, this year’s edition of the event sees the following models vying for awards:

Alfa Romeo Zagato Stradale TZ3.
The version of this coupé on display at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013 is the last of a run of nine cars from the Carrozzeria Zagato design studio. The first example was presented in 2010 to mark “100 years of Alfa Romeo Racing”. The latest variant features a carbon body, an aerodynamically optimised rear modelled on the legendary 1930s designs of German engineer Wunibald Kamm, and a 10-cylinder engine (SRT Viper) with 8.4 litres displacement and output of around 600 hp.

Pininfarina Sergio.
Following its world premiere at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Pininfarina Sergio sports car study can now be admired at leasure on Lake Como. This open two-seater measuring 4.55 metres in length is a contemporary take on a two-seater Barchetta and at the same time a homage to Sergio Pininfarina, founder of the eponymous Italian coachbuilders, who died in 2012. The individual design of the concept car is principally defined by its rudimentary roof that extends from the rear to just over the seats, along with the absence of a windscreen and side windows. When opened, its doors swing diagonally upwards. The technology behind the Pininfarina Sergio hails from the Ferrari 458 Spider, with power provided by a V8 engine with a displacement of 4.5 litres and 570 hp.

BMW Group Classic at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is among the world’s most important and tradition-swathed beauty contests for cars and motorcycles. Marking its debut at this location in 1929, the event has since 1999 been held in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba each May under the patronage of the BMW Group. This year’s Classic Weekend on Lake Como begins on Friday, 24 May 2013, with the arrival of participants. The public days on Saturday and Sunday give all car and motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to admire some exceptional rarities within a stunning setting. This year will once again witness the Concorso di Motociclette, which was launched to great acclaim in 2011 and takes place at midday on Sunday in the parkland of Villa Erba, not far from the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio. Participants will have made the journey to the exhibition area there on the previous day, dressed in appropriate historic garb and accompanied by a local police escort.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013: Classic Weekend on Lake Como.

Posted: 05.03.2013
Source: BMW

Munich/Geneva. On the weekend of 24 – 26 May 2013, the spectacular grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake Como will once again be transformed into a unique stage for the most beautiful automobiles and motorcycles from the past and the most extravagant concept cars of the present day. First held at the same location in 1929, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este today ranks as the most traditional show of its kind in the world. It lays on an extensive programme throughout the weekend, maintaining an exclusive ambience for those involved but at the same time offering the wider public a chance to experience the “Classic Weekend” on Lake Como in the company of classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts. As well as the automobile Concorso for invited guests in the grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on the Saturday, the adjacent parkland of Villa Erba will open its gates to all car and motorcycle aficionados on the Friday evening for an open-air cinema, and on the Saturday and Sunday for the Public Days.

A multisensory experience: the Concorso di Motociclette

The Concorso di Motociclette, a successful addition to the automobile Concorso since 2011, will take place once again in 2013 in the grounds of Villa Erba, not far from the Cornt hotel in Cernobbio. The participants begin proceedings on Saturday with a parade from the Cornt hotel via Piazza Cavour in Cernobbio to the exhibition venue at Villa Erba. The local police escort and motorcycles piloted by riders in historic dress ensure this will be a memorable experience for the participants and crowds of spectators alike. The motorcycle Concorso itself will be conducted on the Sunday afternoon – with the lively participation of the assembled public – on the central stage in the gardens of Villa Erba. The 30 or so entrants are divided into five different categories (according to era and design), from which the three class winners from the various categories are introduced to the public galleries and presented with their prizes. The overall winner (Best of Show) is chosen from the class winners by an international jury.

 “90 years of BMW Motorrad”: special exhibition at Villa Erba

An exhibition presenting milestones from the 90-year history of BMW Motorrad will be held at Villa Erba to commemorate this anniversary. Starting with the BMW R 32 – the first ever BMW motorcycle – and continuing all the way to the futuristic BMW K 1, the key motorcycles in BMW history highlight to the assembled audience what BMW motorcycles have always been: premium machines with character and a unique blend of innovation, sporting capability and stand-out aesthetics. The line-up is rounded off by another special exhibition in the grounds of Villa Erba marking “60 years of Corvette” and by the historic Klemm KL 25 sports aircraft.

Automotive dreams change hands: under the hammer with RM Auctions

The renowned auction house RM Auctions will once again be a guest at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2013. Some 45 top-class cars will go under the hammer on Saturday evening at Villa Erba. This spectacular auction will begin at 8.00 p.m. and again feature some very special models, such as a Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux (1937) and a Pininfarina Ferrari 330 GTC (1966).

The heart of the Concorso

The heart of the Concorso d’Eleganza remains at the GrandHhotel Villa d’Este where – every year since 1929 – beautiful and rare examples of the automotive art seek the favour of the invited guests and the jury. In 2013 some 52 select cars will be entered in competition. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, Dr Ralf Rodepeter, Director of the BMW Museum and member of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Selecting Committee, gave his audience a taste of what we can expect.

Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato (1961)

Aston Martin created another monument to itself with the 1960 DB4GT Zagato. Just 19 examples of this extraordinary sports car were fitted with their hand-built Zagato bodies in Newport Pagnell. A rigorous focus on lightweight construction methods, the use of plexiglass and a stripped-out interior penned the car’s kerb weight at 1,225 kg. Four of these exclusive lightweight models were purpose-built in 1961 for use on the race track. Following an eventful career in competition, including outings with Jim Clark and other elite drivers behind the wheel, the DB4GT Zagato with registration 2 VEV was sent for restoration in 1993. After two years of loving attention, during which its restorers demonstrated an impressive eye for detail, Aston Martin brought the car back to its original condition in 1963. It was acquired by its current owner in 1971.

Lamborghini 350 GTV (1963)

Ferruccio Lamborghini had a dream, which he pursued with fierce determination: to build – alongside his successful tractors – genuine sports cars that would give his Italian rivals from Maranello something to think about. The first step to fulfilling this dream came in the form of the 350 GTV prototype, which left a lasting impression on the automotive world at the 1963 Turin Motor Show. This Franco Scaglione-designed precursor to the first Lamborghini series-produced sports car (the 350 GT) was the main attraction in Turin – not least, of course, on account of the V12 engine conjured by Giotto Bizzarrini, which occupied its own pride of place alongside the car at the show. Today, the Lamborghini 350 GTV features green metallic paintwork and is in fully ready-to-drive condition.

Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (1938)

The Bugatti T 57SC – affectionately known as the “Atlantic” – is not only one of the world’s rarest and most valuable cars, but also one of the most visually beguiling. Only four examples of this nigh-on flawless automobile were built between 1937 and 1938 at the legendary factory in the Alsace.  The “masterpiece” of Jean Bugatti, son of company founder Ettore Bugatti, is blessed with both breathtaking design and extraordinary engineering. The Atlantic set to go on show at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este dates from 1938 and is number four in the production run. It is in impressively original condition and can already look back on an extremely successful career in automotive beauty pageants around the world.