Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Showcases $1.3 Billion in Extraordinary Car

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Showcases $1.3 Billion in Extraordinary Cars

A 1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 and 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Ghia earned Best of Show honors as the sold-out fifth annual event welcomed more than 7,500 enthusiasts and hosted major automotive debuts.

by Charles Bradley – November 03, 2026

The world's most exceptional automobiles converged on the manicured grounds of Wynn Golf Club for the fifth annual Concours at Wynn Las Vegas, where a collection valued at more than $1.3 billion transformed the resort into a showcase of automotive design, craftsmanship and engineering. Held Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2026, the sold-out event welcomed more than 7,500 enthusiasts, global collectors, prestigious manufacturers and industry leaders for a weekend that continued to elevate Las Vegas as a destination for the collector-car world.

Presented by Richard Mille, the signature exhibition on Saturday featured 385 vehicles across judged and non-judged displays, spanning the pillars of Concours d'Elegance, Artistry, Speed, and Hypercars and Supercars. The result was a remarkable cross-section of automotive history, from significant prewar classics and celebrated European sports cars to contemporary hypercars and bespoke creations.

“Hosting our fifth Concours at Wynn is a very proud milestone for all of us, but what is most meaningful is how the event has continued to evolve and elevate each year. We owe the collectors, judges, OEMs, hypercar owners, auto enthusiasts, and our Wynn staff here a huge thank you for elevating Concours at Wynn into a truly world class event,” said Brian Gullbrants, Chief Operating Officer, Wynn Resorts North America.

“We are seeing more of the world’s leading automakers choose Concours at Wynn as the home for significant global reveals, which speaks to the reputation the event has built. Collectors from around the world are flying in exceptional automobiles that have never touched U.S. soil prior to our Concours. Pairing that caliber of automotive presentation with the hospitality and experience Wynn is known for makes Concours weekend especially distinctive, and one to never miss.”

Two Icons Take Best of Show

The highest honors of the 2026 Concours at Wynn Las Vegas went to two remarkable automobiles representing different eras of automotive artistry. The Nethercutt Collection's 1933 Hispano-Suiza J12 was named Best of Show in the Pre-War category (above), while Thomas Peck's 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Ghia earned Best of Show in Post-War. Both cars also took top honors in their respective judged classes: Pre-War European 1925-1939 for the Hispano-Suiza and Ferrari 1952-1973 for the 375 MM Ghia.

The broader judging program recognized an exceptional range of marques and eras. Among the class winners were a 1931 Packard Dietrich Newport Sport Sedan, a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Coupe/Roadster, a 1967 Lamborghini Miura, a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 KK2266, a 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy and a 1957 Porsche 356A Speedster 1600.

A new Award was presented for the first time – the duPont REGISTRY Editor’s Choice was selected by our Editor-in-Chief Charles Bradley and presented to the beautiful ‘Gulf Blue’ Porsche 959 SC reimagined by Bruce Canepa for collector Chad Williams.

Other specialty honors included the Spirit of Wynn, awarded to a 1977 Rolls-Royce Corniche owned by Todd and Jessica Marshall; the Wynn Dream Machine, awarded to a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV owned by Hamid Moghadam; and the Wynn Rolling Sculpture, presented to Harry Yeaggy's 1934 Packard LeBaron Runabout. The Most Elegant awards went to a 1977 Maserati Khamsin in the Post-War category and a 1930 Bentley Gurney-Nutting Speed Six Coupe in Pre-War.

The event also recognized several influential figures through its Honorary Helene Awards. Sandra Button received the Lifetime Achievement honor, Rob Kauffman was named Most Celebrated Collector, Matt Katz received Connoisseur Collector, Hezy Shaked was recognized as Most Legendary Collector, and Mate Rimac was named Celebrated Innovator.

World Premieres and Extraordinary Collections

Beyond the judged field, the 2026 Concours delivered a series of significant automotive debuts, reinforcing its growing importance as a platform for luxury and performance manufacturers. Among the headline presentations was the world debut of the Pagani Huayra 70 Anima, presented by Horacio Pagani, alongside the world premiere of the Aston Martin Valhalla Spider and the public debut of the McLaren McL 6GT (above).

This year’s event marked duPont REGISTRY Group’s first time on the field, reflecting its commitment to bringing its ecosystem of content, commerce and community to life through exceptional automotive experiences. As the paramount platform for the luxury automotive lifestyle, DRG displayed a lineup of exotic and supercar vehicles. These select vehicles include a 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista finished in rare Bianco Fuji with Grigio Silverstone racing stripes, and a 2023 Acura ARX-06, an IMSA sports prototype racing supercar. At our desk, collectors could learn more about DRG’s digital marketplaces, including dRew, DRG’s recently debuted AI concierge, and its premium leasing and financing solutions from duPont REGISTRY Finance.

Bugatti marked 20 years in the United States with the presentation of its latest creation, the Destrier. The event also celebrated the pinnacle era of GT1 racing, assembling a record 19 cars from the category, including 10 incredible McLaren F1s.

Other notable displays included 43 Paganis (above), and one of the largest gatherings of Porsche Carrera GTs in history, with 25 examples on display alongside the original Carrera GT prototype. Dedicated specialty and exhibition classes also celebrated the Luigi Colani Collection, the 40th anniversary of the Porsche 959, GT1 cars from 1995-1997, manufacturers and Friends of Wynn.

The range of modern performance and bespoke automotive design continued with the North American debut of the Lanzante Tag Turbo Championship and the global debut of the Gunther Werks Brundle Edition Turbo. The recently debuted Hennessey Blackbird was also on display.

CÄVEN Atelier presented the global debut of its first automobile, while Apollo Automobil held the North American debut of the Apollo EVO. Czinger showcased the 21C Spyder, Eccentrica debuted its first V12 with Pacchetto Titano, and Singer displayed a Classic Turbo Cabriolet and DLS Turbo. Sung Kang, known for his roles in “Fast and the Furious” and “Drifter,” also returned with his personal, highly modified Datsun 240Z.

Additional manufacturers and builders included Bentley, which presented its recently introduced Torcal; Rolls-Royce, which celebrated 10 years of Black Badge with three of its boldest models; and Karma Automotive, which premiered a bespoke one-of-nine commission. Gemballa showcased the Marsien GT, Jaguar displayed the recently debuted Type 01, and Classic Recreations presented a carbon-fiber Shelby GT500CR. Shelby American unveiled “The Mongoose” Shelby Super Snake, Acura showcased the NEXERA Vision concept, and Spyker displayed the C8 Preliator XXV Coupé.

A Record-Breaking Weekend for Collectors

The weekend's auction activity added another dimension to the event's collector-car appeal. Broad Arrow's second annual Las Vegas auction generated $92.8 million in total sales, with 76% of lots sold and a 63% increase in registered bidders. The sale also established no fewer than 11 new world-record auction prices, led by an $18.7 million 1997 Ferrari F50. The result made it the highest-grossing collector-car auction ever held in Las Vegas, underscoring the scale of the market activity surrounding the Concours.

For co-chief judge Chris Kramer, the event's continued evolution is as important as the automobiles themselves: “I am genuinely amazed at how far this event has come in such a short time, and very proud to be part of it. What makes Las Vegas so special is Wynn’s ability to try things that haven’t been possible at a concours before. The quality and diversity of the cars keeps rising and so does our responsibility as judges. We’ve extended the M100 format to supercars, hypercars and restomods and will introduce judging in motion to evaluate cars as they drive. I’m very excited to see what else evolves for the 2027 event and beyond.”

The Wynn Experience

The Concours at Wynn Las Vegas pairs an exceptional automotive presentation with the resort's established luxury hospitality offering. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas feature two hotel towers with 4,748 rooms, suites and villas, alongside 23 signature dining experiences, 10 bars, two award-winning spas and approximately 174,000 square feet of retail space.

The resort's broader amenities include two showrooms, two nightclubs, a beach club and the Wynn Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course that provides the setting for the annual exhibition. Wynn Resorts also holds the distinction of having the longest-running Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards of any independent hotel company in the world.

With a sold-out fifth edition, more than $1.3 billion in automobiles on display, major manufacturer debuts and a record-setting collector-car auction, the Concours at Wynn Las Vegas has continued to expand its place in the international automotive calendar. Its appeal lies in the combination of rare and significant automobiles, influential collectors and the five-star hospitality that makes the resort a distinctive setting for one of the world's most exclusive automotive gatherings.

IMAGES COURTESY OF WYNN LAS VEGAS, KAHN MEDIA, JAYDEN CHOI

Charles Bradley

Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Showcases $1.3 Billion in Extraordinary Cars

Two Icons Take Best of Show

World Premieres and Extraordinary Collections

A Record-Breaking Weekend for Collectors

The Wynn Experience

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Concours at Wynn Las Vegas Showcases $1.3 Billion in Extraordinary Cars

Two Icons Take Best of Show

World Premieres and Extraordinary Collections

A Record-Breaking Weekend for Collectors

The Wynn Experience

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