Events

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

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2026

The Supercar Owners Circle Returns to Monterey for a Curated Coastal Drive

There is a certain kind of Car Week experience reserved for very few, and the Supercar Owners Circle, part of duPont REGISTRY Group, has built its reputation on delivering it. While much of Monterey unfolds behind rope lines and camera crews, SOC has always understood that the truest expression of these cars is the drive itself. This August, the club brings that philosophy back to the Peninsula for its Get Together. The centerpiece is a curated drive on August 12. It begins at Carmel Meadows and covers approximately 100 miles, close to three hours of uninterrupted road, with a dedicated escort accompanying the group throughout. The roads surrounding Carmel-by-the-Sea rank among the most rewarding in the country, and to experience them in a tightly curated convoy of extraordinary machinery, with every detail handled, is a privilege that few settings during Car Week can offer. Places are strictly limited, and deliberately so. GALLERY-EMBED An Exclusive Global Network The Supercar Owners Circle is a global members network built around the world's most discerning collectors. Established to celebrate a shared passion for extraordinary cars among a like-minded community, it has grown into one of the most exclusive circles in the automotive world. The approach is refined and consistent. SOC curates events at exceptional locations around the globe, bringing together the rarest and most uncompromising supercars of past and present, and pairs them with the access, tailored service, and company that elevates ownership into something far more meaningful. Its spiritual home is Andermatt, high in the Swiss Alps, where the SOC Classic has become a fixture. The calendar has carried members to Costa Smeralda, Puglia, Marbella, and beyond. Now part of duPont REGISTRY Group, SOC continues to expand its presence, with the United States an increasingly central chapter of that story. GALLERY-EMBED A Memorable American Debut Monterey 2025 marked the club's arrival in the United States, and it announced itself with confidence. SOC assembled more than 30 of the world's rarest performance cars and, in a departure from the pace of Car Week, built the day around genuine access and time behind the wheel. The gathering was extraordinary by any measure. A Ferrari F40 and F50 alongside the Daytona SP3 and Monza SP2, a Koenigsegg Regera, a Czinger 21C, a De Tomaso P72, a Pagani Zonda, and bespoke creations from Singer and Gunther Werks. The day opened with a private preview of the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Barchetta at a Mediterranean-style villa in Carmel Meadows, an intimate first look staged before the car's public debut. Then the convoy took to the road. The 2026 Drive This year the Get Together takes place on August 12, at the heart of a Car Week that runs from August 7 through 16. The 12th belongs to the drive, returning to Carmel Meadows, where last year's reveal was hosted. Approximately 100 miles, close to three hours, with a dedicated escort from start to finish. For the collector who understands that these cars were created to be driven, it is the most fitting way to spend a morning on the Peninsula. The road ahead, remarkable company alongside, and an experience curated to the standard that defines the Supercar Owners Circle. Visit SupercarOwnersCircle.com

By duPont REGISTRY – July 10, 2026

Rétromobile New York Reveals Fifth Wave of Exhibitors for Inaugural Edition

Rétromobile New York keeps adding to its exhibitor list. With the show's Javits Center debut set for November 19-22, 2026, organizers have confirmed a fifth wave of names, building on a lineup that already runs deep. For an inaugural edition, the momentum has been hard to miss. View The First Wave View The Second Wave View The Third Wave View The Fourth Wave This wave is where the range really shows. FISKENS brings the pedigree of one of London's most respected dealers in vintage, classic, and competition cars, trading out of Kensington. CLASS IC comes at it from a different angle, sourcing and restoring collectible Toyota Land Cruisers, everything from the FJ40 to the modern FJ Cruiser, out of a base just east of Paris. Rennquest reimagines vintage Porsches as one-off builds meant to be driven, not parked. Then it widens further. Oltrelimiti designs the showrooms and collector spaces the cars live in, FILARDI paints them with a hyperrealist's eye, and CARS by ROCK-IT handles moving them anywhere in the world. It's a lineup that refuses to sit in one lane, and it's shaping up to be one of the more interesting stops on the North American calendar this fall. Buy Tickets CLASS IC CLASS IC is a French company specializing in the sourcing, importation, restoration, and sale of classic and collectible Toyota Land Cruisers. Founded by enthusiasts with a deep appreciation for the heritage of legendary off-road vehicles, the company focuses on identifying and supplying some of the most sought-after Land Cruiser models ever produced. Conveniently located in Crécy-la-Chapelle, just 40 kilometers east of Paris, CLASS IC is easily accessible to customers from the French capital, across France, and throughout Europe. Its location allows clients to visit the showroom and vehicle inventory while benefiting from the proximity of one of Europe's major transportation and logistics hubs. The company's expertise covers a wide range of iconic Toyota vehicles, including the FJ40, FJ43, FJ45, FJ55, FJ60, FJ62, FJ70 Series, FJ75, FJ80, and the modern FJ Cruiser. Renowned worldwide for their exceptional durability, reliability, and timeless design, these vehicles are carefully selected and undergo a thorough inspection process to ensure they meet CLASS IC's standards for quality, authenticity, and mechanical condition. Supported by a strong network of trusted partners across the Gulf region and the Middle East, CLASS IC has access to rare and well-preserved vehicles that are often unavailable on the European market. The company manages the entire import process, including international logistics, customs procedures, compliance requirements, and registration support, allowing clients to purchase with complete confidence and peace of mind. Beyond vehicle sales, CLASS IC is committed to preserving the legacy of the Toyota Land Cruiser. The company works closely with collectors, enthusiasts, and industry professionals who share a passion for these legendary 4x4s. Whether a client is seeking a fully restored collector vehicle, an original survivor, or a customized expedition-ready Land Cruiser, CLASS IC provides personalized guidance and expertise throughout every stage of the acquisition process. Rennquest Rennquest is a boutique automotive build studio specializing in original vintage Porsches and select classics, thoughtfully restored and reimagined with timeless design, refined craftsmanship, and a driving experience tailored to each client’s wishes. Every build begins with the character of the original and evolves into something deeply personal, purposeful, and made to be driven. As the home of Luftström, Rennquest brings together classic motoring culture and thoughtful engineering. From custom-built high-performance engines, vintage automobilia, and unique artwork to one-of-a-kind automotive builds with soul and purpose, Rennquest refines the vintage driving experience. “It’s why we drive.” Oltrelimiti Oltrelimiti, Italian for "beyond limits", is a luxury interior architecture studio founded by Antonio Sullo and based in Miami, FL. The studio operates at the intersection of architecture, interiors, and object culture, designing spaces that are as carefully considered as the collections they house. Oltrelimiti's portfolio spans private residences, hospitality environments, and bespoke automotive spaces including showrooms, garages, and collector facilities designed to elevate the experience of the automobile as object and art. Every project is approached with the same rigor: refined spatial planning, curated material palettes, custom millwork, and an obsessive attention to light and proportion. At Rétromobile New York, the studio presents its work at the crossroads of architecture and automotive culture — inviting collectors, enthusiasts, and industry professionals to explore what it means to design a space worthy of an extraordinary vehicle. FILARDI I paint automobiles the way others paint portraits—not as objects, but as living presences.My work belongs to the tradition of hyperrealism, yet it is firmly rooted in the tools of the present. I create exclusively with cutting-edge digital techniques, using ultra-modern tools to sculpt light, speed, and material with a level of precision impossible to achieve through traditional means. Every curve, every reflection, every vibration is built pixel by pixel, layer by layer, until the illusion becomes complete. From a distance, my pieces are often mistaken for high-definition photographs. As the viewer approaches, the Trompe-l'œil begins to unravel: gradients, distortions, and micro-details reveal the meticulous digital craftsmanship behind the image. This tension between realism and abstraction is essential to my work—speed frozen in time, movement suggested through form, and mechanical beauty revealed through precision. My goal is not simply to reproduce a car, but to recreate the physical sensation of standing before it—its presence, its power, its elegance, its soul. As a French artist with Italian roots, automotive culture has always been part of my identity. To me, the automobile is more than a machine; it is a symbol of passion, engineering, memory, and desire. Through digital painting, I translate these emotions into visual experiences designed to captivate the eye and ignite the imagination. My work is regularly exhibited in France and includes numerous commissioned pieces created for private collectors and automotive enthusiasts. Several of these works now bear the signatures of legendary motorsport figures, creating a meaningful bridge between art and automotive history. In my art, the car is more than a subject—it is a language, and digital art is its poetry. Retromobile 2026 © Charlie Brenninkmeijer FISKENS Our renowned showrooms in Queen’s Gate Place Mews occupy a distinguished position in the heart of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, surrounded by many of London’s most celebrated landmarks and a rich lineage of motoring history. Some of the most lauded figures in our industry have traded from local Mews premises, and we’re proud to continue that fine tradition. At Fiskens, we believe that buying and selling cars should be fun. Our passion for the entire process – as well as for owning and driving the cars – is rivalled only by that of our clientele. This shared passion is why so many return to us time and time again, evolving from valued clients into lifelong friends. Our clients want the best of the best, and we take immense pride in our meticulous research, ensuring we present only the most significant examples of the greatest vintage, classic, modern, and competition models. Decades of experience and a network of unrivalled contacts enable us to alleviate the stress and hassle of both acquisition and sale. We are proud of the enduring relationships we’ve cultivated with many of the world’s most discerning collectors. Whether through high-profile presentations on international stages or discreet off-market sales, connoisseurs trust Fiskens - where the world’s greatest cars come to be sold. CARS by ROCK-IT For more than three decades, CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services) has been trusted with moving some of the rarest and most valuable motorcars in the world. When you need a vehicle moved, we ensure it arrives on time, in perfect condition and without surprises. With offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, our team is equipped to handle any shipping request. Whether the route takes your vehicle by air, sea or road, CARS delivers a seamless, stress-free experience backed by a truly global network. We ensure your vehicle can be driven and displayed among the world’s finest. CARS transports vehicles to car shows, concours d’elegance, exhibitions, trade shows, and prestigious events across the globe. Whether you’re an individual enthusiast, a specialist organization or a manufacturer, we treat your pride and joy with the care and respect it deserves. Need storage? Your vehicle will be under the skilled and watchful care of our experienced mechanics. Our global network of experts handles every detail, from freight documentation to customs brokerage. We deliver to the world’s most iconic destinations, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Mille Miglia, and the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique. You bring the romance, nostalgia, and thrill of driving a motoring icon, we’ll deliver it anywhere in the world.

By duPont REGISTRY – June 26, 2026

Rétromobile New York Reveals Fourth Wave of Exhibitors for Inaugural Edition

Rétromobile New York keeps adding to its first exhibitors list. With the show's Javits Center debut set for November 19-22, 2026, organizers have confirmed a fourth wave of exhibitors, building on a lineup that already runs deep. For an inaugural edition, the momentum has been hard to miss. View The First Wave View The Second Wave View The Third Wave This wave is where the range really shows. Spyker brings 145 years of hand-built Dutch sports cars, each one taking eight hundred hours to assemble. Lapland Ice Driving offers Formula 1 circuits carved into the ice of Swedish Lapland. The Hangar Group is building garage condominiums for collectors who want their cars stored like art. Add boutique dealers like Auto Source Group and Mouse Motors, plus restoration specialist Newark Auto, and you get a show that refuses to sit in one lane. It's shaping up to be one of the more interesting stops on the North American calendar this fall. Buy Tickets Lapland Ice Driving Since 2006, Lapland Ice Driving has offered motoring enthusiasts an experience like nowhere else: the art of ice driving, in the heart of Swedish Lapland. In 2026, the centre celebrates twenty years, faithful to a single standard: turning every stay into a lasting emotion. The estate is the world’s largest driving centre: 1,200 hectares, six times the size of Monaco. Thirteen circuits are laid out on the ice, including five full-scale replicas of Formula 1 tracks : Silverstone, Nürburgring, Yas Marina, Paul Ricard and Sepang. With neither barrier nor wall, simply lined with fresh snow, these tracks allow speeds of up to 200 km/h in complete safety. The fleet brings together thirty sports cars and supercars from 300 to 800 hp: Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Alpine, BMW and many others, prepared for these extreme conditions: studded tyres, driver-assistance systems disengaged, ABS included. Every programme is fully tailored and led by a dedicated instructor. The teaching framework was designed by founder Eric Gallardo, a former professional test driver with thirty-five years of experience. The hospitality matches the driving: a four-star hotel ten minutes from the facilities, a 24/7 concierge service, courtesy cars, a private cocktail reception every evening and private transfers from Arvidsjaur airport, connected daily to Stockholm. Each season, 70% of drivers have been before, some every winter since the very beginning. Far more than a driving activity, Lapland Ice Driving is an immersive experience where emotion, pleasure and respect for nature come together. Lapland Ice Driving: Like nowhere else. Newark Auto Founded in the United States, Newark Auto is a leading manufacturer of made-to-order automotive interiors for classic and collector vehicles. Specializing in carpets, headliners, seat upholstery, floor mats, and door panels, the company maintains one of the industry’s most extensive catalogs of restoration interior parts. At the core of Newark Auto’s craftsmanship is a vast archive of original factory patterns, carefully preserved and maintained over decades. These authentic templates ensure that every interior component is produced to the precise specifications of the original part it replaces. Using materials selected to match the original interior’s color, grain, weave, and weight, Newark Auto creates restorations that faithfully recreate the look and feel of the vehicle as it left the factory. Every order is individually cut and sewn for a specific vehicle, ensuring exceptional accuracy and quality. Newark Auto serves customers directly as well as through an extensive network of dealers and private-label partners, while continuously expanding its product offering as new pattern collections are acquired. Auto Source Group Welcome to Auto Source Group, a premier boutique dealer headquartered in Miami, Florida. They specialize in the sourcing, sale, and representation of exceptional collector-grade vehicles, ranging from modern performance icons to celebrated classics and rare award-winning grade examples. The Hangar Group Established in 2019, The Hangar Group has created a new class of real estate for collectors. Each development offers private garage condominiums where owners can store, display, and enjoy their most prized vehicles and valuables within a setting that rivals the world’s most exclusive clubs. The brand’s newest location, The Hangar in the Hamptons, brings this vision to the East End. Set across 32 acres adjacent to Francis S. Gabreski Airport, the 62-unit gated community will feature a rooftop terrace overlooking the airfield, a sculptural owners’ lounge, golf and driving simulators, and curated travel experiences through The Hangar Collective, including European rallies through the Dolomites, Lake Garda, and Venice. The Hangar in the Hamptons builds on the success of its established locations in Riviera Beach and Palm Beach International Airport, with future destinations already on the horizon in Miami and beyond. Across every property, owners benefit from 24-hour monitored surveillance, biometric access, concierge services, and a like-minded community united by a shared passion for design and craftsmanship. Spyker Spyker has been making things of exceptional quality since 1880. Founded in Hilversum by two Dutch brothers, the company built carriages, moved into motorcars, won races, and in 1914 merged with the Dutch Aircraft Factory to produce fighter planes. The motto ‘Nulla tenaci invia est via’, dates from that era. It has not changed. Each Spyker takes eight hundred hours to build by hand. Forty of those are spent on the interior alone. Eleven hides cover the cabin; the steering wheel is stitched with two needles at once by a single craftsman over four hours. The screw heads inside are aligned by hand to face the same direction. No one will notice, which is precisely the point. The C8 Preliator XXV is the latest expression of this. Twenty-five cars, each commissioned around its future owner rather than configured from a menu. Spyker is the world’s only Dutch luxury sports car. It does not belong to a larger group. It has no interest in volume. What it has is 145 years of documented history and the conviction to build the way it always has: by hand, in the Netherlands, one at a time. Mouse Motors, LLC. Founded in 2013, Mouse Motors, LLC. was created from a deep passion and appreciation for classic automobiles. The company is a premier used car dealership specializing in high-end antique and performance collector vehicles. With a genuine enthusiasm for acquiring and selling exceptional automobiles, the team at Mouse Motors is dedicated to guiding clients through every step of the sales and acquisition process. The dealership offers some of the finest collector car inventory in the world and is continually seeking to expand its portfolio. In addition to vehicle sales, Mouse Motors also offers consignment representation services and works closely with clients to explore the best options for their vehicles. Beyond the showroom, the experienced staff at Mouse Motors specializes in the management and maintenance of private automotive collections.

By Charles Bradley – May 06, 2026

Villa La Massa Excellence Returns with a Celebration of the Supercar Era

Set against the timeless backdrop of Tuscany, the fourth edition of Villa La Massa Excellence will once again bring the world’s most captivating modern supercars into a setting defined by heritage, refinement, and exclusivity. Taking place from October 16 to 18, 2026, the prestigious concours d’elegance transforms the storied grounds of Villa La Massa into a curated stage for the finest automotive expressions from the 1990s to the present day – held in collaboration with Canossa, part of duPont REGISTRY Group. More than a showcase of speed and design, Villa La Massa Excellence is a celebration of the supercar as a cultural artifact – machines that redefine aesthetic and technological standards while capturing the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts alike. From youngtimers and contemporary icons to hypercars, racing models, concept cars, and one-offs, the event offers a comprehensive look at the last 35 years of automotive innovation. Restomods – reimagined classics infused with modern engineering – add another dimension to the carefully selected field. Organized in collaboration with Canossa, part of duPont REGISTRY Group's extensive portfolio of curated luxury automotive experiences, the concours continues to build on the success of its previous editions. Its connection to the renowned Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este reinforces its standing within the global concours calendar. Both events belong to the Villa d’Este Hotels – La Collezione portfolio, offering complementary perspectives: Lake Como honors pre-war and historic automobiles, while Florence celebrates the modern era’s most influential creations. At the heart of the weekend is the competition itself, where a panel of distinguished judges from the worlds of design, art, heritage, and sport will evaluate each entry. The coveted Villa La Massa Golden Cup remains the ultimate prize, alongside the People’s Choice award and the distinctive Future Choice accolade – selected by a jury of children and teenagers, underscoring the event’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of automotive tastemakers. New for 2026, the program expands beyond the concours lawn with a parade at the legendary Mugello Circuit. Scheduled for Sunday, this dynamic addition brings these extraordinary machines onto the track, blending elegance with performance in a setting synonymous with Italian motorsport passion. Yet, as with any truly exceptional gathering, the experience extends far beyond the cars. Guests are immersed in a world of elevated hospitality, from the manicured gardens and Medici-era architecture of Villa La Massa to a gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted at Palazzo Portinari Salviati. Here, automotive excellence meets culinary artistry and cultural sophistication in equal measure. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Villa La Massa itself is central to the event’s allure. With just 54 rooms and suites spread across six villas, a ten-hectare riverside park, and a wellness offering that includes the Arno SPA housed within ancient wine cellars, it delivers an intimate, highly curated environment tailored to an elite international audience. As Villa La Massa Excellence continues to evolve, it reinforces its position as a defining platform for modern collector cars – where craftsmanship, performance, and luxury converge. In doing so, it offers not just a concours, but a fully realized lifestyle experience, one that captures the enduring appeal of the supercar era in its most refined form.

Events

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe