From May 23 to 25, 2025, BMW Group Classic is organizing the legendary Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in cooperation with the Hotel Villa d'Este. This partnership has existed in its current form for 20 years.
Around 50 of the most spectacular automobiles of their time will compete for the coveted trophies in the following competition classes, first and foremost the "Trofeo BMW Group", with which the top-class jury will select the overall winner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
Once again, spectacular concept cars from various manufacturers will also be awarded prizes in their own traditional class.
The Concorso d'Eleganza parade on the terrace of the Hotel Villa d'Este will take place as usual on Saturday. In addition to the main prize "Trofeo BMW Group - Best of Show", all participants will compete with their vehicles for the respective class victories, the "Coppa d'Oro" audience award and numerous other prizes, such as the "Trofeo del Presidente", which is awarded by the Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, Helmut Käs. Jonas Kaufmann, star tenor and BMW Group Classic brand ambassador, will once again present the "Trofeo Il Canto del Motore" for the best engine sound, chosen by the jury.
World premieres and anniversaries
The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este will once again be the stage for spectacular BMW Group world premieres this year. The BMW brand is celebrating the premiere of a sporty and elegant one-off for traveling as a couple. BMW Motorrad presents pure adrenaline on two wheels. BMW M GmbH is bringing several high-performance models to Lake Como, including a world premiere.
The year 2025 will be marked by a number of anniversaries that will be duly celebrated on site. The first-ever gathering and exhibition of all surviving original body variants of the BMW 328 that competed in the 1940 Mille Miglia will be unique, including the winning BMW 328 Touring Coupé and the legendary BMW 328 "Mille Miglia" Roadster 1st Series ("crease roadster"). At that time, BMW took first, third, fifth and sixth place and also won the prize for regularity and the team prize for all classes.
BMW Group Classic is bringing a number of collection vehicles to Cernobbio to mark other anniversaries. In particular, many different BMW 3 Series of all generations will be on display on the highly publicized grounds of Villa Erba to mark the 50th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series. Two BMW icons from the 1950s - the BMW 507 and 503 - are celebrating their 70th anniversaries this year and will be integrated into all the events accordingly. Not to be forgotten and also on site is the BMW Isetta, also 70 years old this year. The 50th anniversary of the legendary BMW Art Cars will be celebrated with Art Car #13 by Sandro Chia (BMW M3 GTR). Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is also celebrating a special milestone: the 100th anniversary of the market launch of the very first Phantom - the top model in the brand's portfolio.
Public Day on Sunday
On Sunday, May 25, the "Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Public Day - Il Festival" will once again give the general and interested public the opportunity to experience the parade of vehicles at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. This fascinating day in the beautiful gardens of the nearby Villa Erba will be an automotive festival for all ages.
The "Amici & Automobili - Wheels & Weisswürscht" event format, which is well-known from Munich and now also established on Lake Como, will also be part of the festival weekend again in 2025. On Saturday, May 24, car enthusiasts, automobile clubs and communities from all over the world will be on the grounds of Villa Erba with around 150 vehicles to show off their automotive highlights. The range of vehicles is huge, open to all brands and includes, for example, Italian classics from the Veteran Car Club Como.
Auctions on Saturday and Sunday
Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty company, will be auctioning exceptional collector cars for the first time as the official auction house partner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The auction will take place over two days on the grounds of Villa Erba. An independent auction focusing on BMW automobiles will take place on the evening of May 24. The auction vehicles include a BMW 507 Series II from 1958, a BMW M1 from 1981 and a BMW Z8, built in 2000. The open-brand main auction will take place on May 25.
Further information can of course be found on the event website.
