The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a world-class concours in a world-class setting. It is also sponsored and organized by BMW Group Classic, the arm of the BMW Group responsible for preserving and displaying BMW's history. This year's Concorso—held as always on the shores of Italy's Lake Como—will be presented May 20–22; its theme echoes BMW's mantra for its centenary: "Back to the Future—The Journey Continues."
We do not expect any Deloreans to show up, nor is Marty McFly scheduled to make an appearance. However, we anticipate that BMW’s presence at the Concorso will be spectacular.
This year’s event will probably be the only concours d’elegance in the world that presents an award class consisting of concept cars and prototypes, of which BMW will bring a slew. It is only natural that during its centennial celebration, BMW will be looking back over its past 100 years, but as it’s catchphrase for the celebratory year implies, “The Next 100 Years” is just as important, if not more so.
BMW is using the Concorso to look in both directions with its presentation of concept and prototype vehicles. In a unique display, BMW will present a concept BMW, Mini, or BMW motorcycle along with the original historical BMW Group car or motorcycle that inspired the concept. That alone will be worth the price of admission. If we would be in Italy next week. And if we could afford the price of admission.
BMW Group Classic’s special exhibition is titled, “Hommage and Concept Vehicles,” and will be presented in the Padiglione Centrale at Villa Erba. The BMW Hommage vehicles will embody the “Back to the Future—The Journey Continues” theme of this year’s Concorso. To ensure that the “Future” part of the theme also receives great emphasis, BMW is expected to present totally new concept vehicles during the event, as it has during past Villa d’Este concorsos.
Here are the concept vehicles that will be on display paired with the vehicles that inspired them:
• BMW 328 Touring Coupé – BMW Concept Coupé Mille Miglia 2006
• BMW 328 – BMW 328 Hommage
• BMW M1 – BMW M1 Hommage
• BMW R 90 S – BMW Concept Ninety
• BMW 3.0 CSL – BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage
• Mini Cooper S – MINI ACV 30
Looking at beautifully preserved and prepared cars and motorcycles is a good enough reason to lust after a Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este ticket. Seeing BMW pairing its concept cars with their inspirations probably makes this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
