The past informs the future: what Como was like in 2026
There is hardly a better place for an automotive history show than Lake Como: here, automotive elegance meets an extraordinary cultural and architectural backdrop. Last weekend it was that time again.
It combines the aristocratic splendor of historic villas such as the Villa d'Este - originally a Renaissance monastery from the 16th century and later the residence of European noble families - with the monumental rationalism of the 1930s, such as Terragni's omnipresent Monumento ai Caduti on the lakeshore. The neoclassical Villa Erba shines with its historic gardens and its connection to the Lombard elite.
History and style make the Concorso d'Eleganza unique in the world, where mobility is staged as an art form. This year, the motto for the weekend of the BMW-organized event was "Future needs Heritage". Between legendary cars from the 1930s, futuristic concept cars and design studies, the event showcased an industry in transition. Luxury is becoming quieter, elegance more emotional and speed combined with character.
While historic vehicles traditionally form the heart of the Concorso, there was also talk of a return this year: Alpina. The presentation of the Vision BMW Alpina was the real highlight of the weekend. Following its complete integration into the BMW Group, Alpina is returning as an independent luxury brand, positioned between BMW and Rolls-Royce. It is a 520 cm long V8 coupé with a long hood, subtle design elements and an almost yacht-like elegance. The motorcycle concept provided an interesting counterpoint: the BMW Motorrad Vision K18, an Americanized interpretation of classic motorcycle romanticism.
Let's move on to the real classics: the big winner of the weekend was the legendary BMW 328 "Bügelfalte" from 1937, which won the coveted "Trofeo BMW Group - Best of Show". The "Bügelfalte" is considered one of the most elegant BMW models of all time. However, there were so many automotive highlights and one-offs that it is almost impossible to single out one winner. There was an incredible variety of sports and luxury cars to admire - from pre-war cars to the more recent past.
Among the treasures was, for example, the Volkswagen W12 Nardo, a super sports car designed by Giugiaro and owned by the Piëch family. The study once flanked the higher positioning of the VW brand with the now discontinued Passat W8, Phaeton and Touareg models. A Bugatti EB110, Artioli's masterpiece, stood alongside the mighty Jaguar XJ220, a Ferrari F40 and the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Le Mans sports car. The luxury Monteverdi Palm Beach convertible designed by Fissore attracted attention, as did a perfectly preserved first-generation Maserati Ghibli.
While the absolute elite met at the Villa d'Este, the partner event at the Villa Erba is more down-to-earth: the cars on display here are mainly from the 1960s to the 1990s. This year, for example, a Ford Capri II, Japanese sports cars such as the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R, a Lotus Esprit Turbo, but also a study based on the first Renault Twingo.
And then there is the Fuori Concorso, the creative antithesis. The villas, gardens and hidden courtyards around Como are transformed into open stages for manufacturers, designers and collectors. Audi and Mercedes-Benz, for example, took the opportunity to showcase a variety of models away from the classic Concorso without having to submit to the strict rules of the Cernobbio curators.
Kimera teamed up with Koenigsegg to give fire to its restomods based on the Lancia Beta Montecarlo; Marc Philipp Gemballa showed his Dakar 911-inspired Marsien and announced the next model; finally, Brabus showed the Bodo, an Aston Martin-based super sports car, grounded by the presence of the Maybach Exelero, part of the famous Loh Collection, parked within sight. Porsche presented exhibits from its special request program, Donckervoort brought its latest model; 911 flat models from dp and a tuned Mercedes-Benz SEC evoked the 1980s.
There was only one topic that was surprisingly little heard of on Lake Como: electromobility. "Future needs heritage" - this apparently also applies to the drive system. And this message from Como is likely to be closely analyzed in the boardrooms. (aum)
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