2016 Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este Concept Cars

Posted on June 16, 2016 in Auto Shows

That moment when we celebrate the past, that juncture where past meets present and that instance where the present is introduced to the future, we found it at the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este. With competition classes like Pre-war decadence—Flights of automotive fancy and Sur mesure et haute couture—One-offs for the connoisseur, it’s easy to see how this Concorso distinguishes itself as the event to aspire to for classic car elegance.

In addition to providing us with enchanting recollections of automotive history, the Concorso also provides us with a glimpse into the future with a showcase of concepts and prototypes from standard established brands. In no particular order, here are the concepts shown at the Concorso in May.

Alpine Vision

Once upon a time, we shared that heritage was very important to Alpine. This is still the truth. Even a cursory glance at this car transports us back to sixties and seventies, the glory days of the A110. Alpine has been working hard to make good on their goal of providing an ‘exciting new choice to the premium sports car market.’ The Vision, pun intended, is a ‘beautifully designed, agile, high-performance sports car’ that is powered by a mid-mounted 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, built by Renault sport. It delivers around 270-hp and completes the 0 to 62-mph sprint in less than 4.5 seconds. Alpine has yet to reveal more, but we know that they plan to have the car on the market in 2017 beginning with Europe before expanding to other markets.

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept

Since 1960, Zagato’s track record with Aston Martin has been as enviable as the cars they have produced. The Vanquish Zagato Concept is no different. This carbon fiber beauty with the Zagato signature ‘double-bubble’ roof, aside from the obvious Vantage V12 base, is a fusion of quite a few Aston models. The new lights incorporate the same ‘bladed’ LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan track-only supercar, the wing mirrors are One-77 inspired, the rear end which has a retractable spoiler was sculptured with the DB11’s aerodynamic profile in mind and the side strake is reminiscent of the celebratory CC-100. Under the hood, the 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 gets a 592-hp upgrade along with ‘enhanced driving dynamics,’ we’ll have to wait for clarification on that one. There’s no word on whether or not this concept will make it to production, but with the buzz it has generated don’t be surprised if the next bit of news you hear refers to the sold out status of this gorgeous concept.

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo

Another Vision makes its appearance in the form of a Bugatti. The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo was designed for the Gran Turismo 6 on PlayStation 3. Bugatti decided to up the ante and make a live version. The Veryon will continue to be missed but with the presentation of the Vision GT, everybody is happy. Unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Vision GT clothed in French racing blue, is fashioned after the Type 57 racers that won the 1937 and 1939 Le Mans races. The Vision GT is powered by a W-16 engine that powers all four wheels. Not much is known beyond that. At the time of its unveiling Bugatti left hints about the Chiron by using this concept as the introduction to their future design language. Now that we know what the Chiron looks like, the resemblance is striking. Nonetheless, Wolfgang Dürheimer, President Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S was emphatic in stating that the Vision concept ‘was for the fans, the Bugatti enthusiasts, motor heads and aficionados, the guys that game and want to race.’ Mr. Dürheimer, thank you.

Pininfarina H2 Speed

First revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the Pininfarina H2 Speed is a high-performance track car with zero environmental impact. The EV market is always buzzing with concepts and rumors of concepts. But this, ‘the world’s first hydrogen, high performance car’—Pininfarina’s words not ours—is marked by exclusivity, style and a certainty that at least a small number will make it to production. The H2 is powered by two electric motors that provide it with a maximum of 503-hp at 13000 rpm. The H2 purportedly completes the 0 to 62-mph sprint in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 186-mph. The transmission is direct to the rear wheels with no clutch, differential or gear shifting. It is instead governed by torque vectoring. This carbon fiber car that is half-way between a racing prototype and a production supercar’ definitely entices and is one to anticipate.

Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring

This vision of Blue Ceruleo also debuted at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and it was love at first sight. A product of the Italian design house Carrozzeria Touring, the Disco Volante is quite literally based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and only 7 will be made. From its 4.7-litre V8, the Volante gives 444-bhp through a rear-mounted 6-speed semi-automatic transmission and manages a top speed of about 180-mph. Generally speaking the faster the better, but what is speed when compared to this beauty? Even without our words, one look is all it takes for any Alfa enthusiast to be reminded of devotion to the brand. Shakespeare had it right, ‘Beauty itself doth of itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator.

Mazda Motor RX Vision

First revealed to the world at the 2015 Tokyo Motor show with much pomp and circumstance and received with equal ardor at the Concorso, the latest news about this design study is that the rotary engine has been in the works and will be available to the public once the world is ready. In a conversation with Top Gear during this event, Mazda’s design director Kevin Rice shared that Mazda wants to ‘resurrect the values of purity and beauty in this modern world that’s busier but more exciting.’ Is this perhaps why the RX is a vision? Regardless of the reasons for their naming conventions, prior to its untimely departure from the market, the rotary engine was loved in spite of its oil burning and poor gas mileage characteristics. Mazda, we’re ready.

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