This
weekend the glorious grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este
and Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake Como will once more turn
into a unique platform for the most beautiful automobiles
from the past and the boldest concept cars of the present.
First held in 1929 at the same location, today the Concorso
d’Eleganza Villa d’Este ranks as the world’s most
tradition-rich event of its kind.
After
Saturday’s opening event for invited guests, on Sunday the
Concorso once again offers all automobile fans the
opportunity to see these dreams on wheels close up in the
adjacent parkland of Villa Erba. In addition to the cars
presented on Saturday, special exhibitions will showcase
many more high-profile classics.
This year
the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has once again invited
contemporary concept cars and prototypes to compete
alongside the historic models traditionally on display. To
qualify for an entry, concepts have to be driveable and be
no older than three years. As announced at the Concorso
d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’s second press conference in Milan,
eight such vehicles, including the dramatic new stars from
Stile Bertone and Zagato, the Mantide and Perana Z-One
respectively, will attend the event in a bid to be crowned
the most beautiful contemporary concept car.
The winner
in this category will be chosen not by the jury but by the
public. In this, the Concorso perpetuates a tradition going
back 80 years: as long ago as 1929 the public was already
ranking the showcased models according to their looks. For
ten years now, this beauty contest of worldwide acclaim has
been held under the patronage of the BMW Group and this year
eight sensational new concept cars form the worthy framework
for this anniversary Concorso.
Automobiles by Stile Bertone have always been very special,
and that has naturally stoked the Concorso’s happy
anticipation of the arrival of the Mantide fresh from its
world debut at Auto Shanghai on Monday. Powered by a V8
engine, the car’s outer skin observes the laws of
aerodynamics while the choice of carbon fibre sets
benchmarks in lightweight construction. Celebrating the 90th
anniversary of a family tradition, meanwhile, is Andrea
Zagato who will present the Perana Z-One concept that was
shown as a première at the Geneva Motor Show last month.
Also of note is Morgan which will also be presenting a
two-seater at the Concorso. This study, built on the Morgan
Aeromax platform, marks the centenary of the
tradition-steeped British marque.
