Once again, Lake Como’s stunningly magical backdrop provided a simply unforgettable setting for this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the highly prestigious Italian classic car celebration rich in heritage that has become one of the global automotive calendar’s absolutely must attend events. On the weekend of 23rd to 25th May, another fabulously diverse array of vehicles competed across eight appealingly curated classes on the Hotel Villa d’Este’s magnificent grounds. Rapturously captivating the international press and visitors alike, its always sought after Best of Show crown was presented to a truly radiant winner.
This turned out to be the 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B (P3); historically not just any race car, it was a truly revolutionary machine that redefined Grand Prix racing in its own time. One of the first genuine single-seater racing cars with a brilliant design by the talented Vittorio Jano, its owner from Germany’s Auriga Collection proudly received the prestigious “Trofeo BMW Group – Best of Show” prize on Sunday. This was presented by Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Helmut Käs, alongside A. Lange und Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid. The Jury selected winner also received a unique A. Lange und Söhne 1815 Chronograph white gold model crafted especially to go with the stunning “Best of Show” trophy.
Helmut Käs explained, “The Concorso d´Eleganza Villa d´Este 2025 offers a unique opportunity to highlight the enduring fascination of mobility, seamlessly bridging the automobile’s storied past with its contemporary and future iterations. We believe this event transcends mere exclusivity. First and foremost, it is about cultivating a vibrant experience for all enthusiasts of historic cars during our dedicated Public Days.”
Meanwhile, a 1957 BMW 507 secured the “Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este” award voted by Public Referendum. Conceived by famed American importer Max Hoffman who virtually birthed the Stateside demand for thoroughbred European exotics & penned by Count Albrecht von Goertz, its voluptuously sleek and superbly proportioned fuselage paired with a 3.2 liter V8 engine made it an indisputable automotive design & engineering icon. Presented by American Dirk de Groen, the BMW Roadster remains a mesmerizing feast especially for the visual senses even to this very day, something reflected in the highest number of votes it garnered from the visiting public. There was probably no better way of celebrating its 70th anniversary than securing this esteemed achievement amidst the Hotel Villa d’Este’s glamourous mosaic garden setting.
Moving forwards into modern mobility, BMW M globally premiered the design of its BMW M2 CS on Friday evening, a new evolution of its acclaimed high-performance sports car with sheer driving pleasure in mind. Meanwhile, a festive first night was heralded by the BMW Group Cocktail with another impressive pair of world premieres. These were the exclusive 3-door BMW Concept Speedtop Touring interpretation with uniquely conceptual colour and material finishes, and BMW Motorrad’s Concept RR that provided insight into near future BMW RR Superbikes.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars also marked a special milestone with the Phantom’s centenary. The marque’s pinnacle model has enjoyed a century spanning presence on both screen as well as the global stage of historically significant affairs, and its movie career was honoured with a suitably emblematic exhibition showcase. The star here was none other than the one-of-one Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger, a uniquely inspired creation celebrating Phantom’s significant role in the 1964 James Bond film’s storyline.
BMW Group Classic successfully engaged a wide range of visitors with diversely arrayed supporting attractions across both Public Days, with an impressive exhibition of various BMW 3-Series generations gathered to celebrate the model’s half century anniversary. Alongside that, the once again sold out “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Public Day – Il Festival” attracted a large audience with numerous highlights. Classic race car enthusiasts especially enjoyed a special exhibition celebrating 85 years of the “BMW Mille Miglia Icons”, gathering the surviving original 328 body variants which successfully crossed the 1940 race’s finish line and scored a glorious overall Mille Miglia victory for the brand that year.
On the Public Day, an extraordinary parade of all Historic Cars competing across the Concorso d´Eleganza Villa d´Este 2025’s award classes enabled spectators to celebrate their shared, passionate fascination for automobility. This dynamic show spanned an automotive arc from the past into the future, especially via the “Concept Cars & Prototypes” class that was won by another astonishing Alfa Romeo in the form of the 8C DoppiaCoda with coachwork by Zagato.
Further representing the brand’s investment into future generations, Helmut Käs and BMW Italy President Massimiliano di Silvestre presented the proceeds from Saturday’s ticket sales to Cernobbio Mayor Matteo Monti at the parade’s conclusion, as a donation for two of the picturesque Italian town’s kindergartens. This was further bolstered by an additional contribution from BMW Group Classic.
Villa d’Este Hotels CEO Davide Bertilaccio concluded, “Villa d’Este has been the custodian of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d´Este since 1929, an event that brings together tradition and timeless elegance, with class, design and engineering in a uniquely inspiring setting. Year after year, the success of the event lies in the unique cars showcased along with the emotion and passion shared by generations of motor-car enthusiasts. We are grateful to the BMW Group for the long-lasting collaboration and look forward to many more memorable events in the future.”
