Since 2005, prototypes and concept cars have been given their own class at Villa d’Este. We look at the highlights of this year’s group of future classics.
BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Concept
Following last year’s partnership with Zagato, BMW has once again used Villa d’Este to display a collaboration with a tradition-steeped design studio. This time round it’s Pininfarina, and the result is the one-off, V12-powered Gran Lusso Coupé. It blends modern luxury with traditional BMW cues (long bonnet, short overhangs), plus an added dash of Italian flair. Could it be time to resurrect the 8 Series nameplate?
Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale by Zagato
At 2010’s Villa d’Este spectacular, Zagato showcased its modern interpretation of the iconic Kamm-tailed TZ racing cars of the 60s. That was the ‘Corsa’ version, though; this year sees the inclusion of the road-going ‘Stradale’ iteration, of which nine were made.
Aston Martin CC100
Having been introduced at last weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours by leading a parade lap alongside a DBR1 piloted by Sir Stirling Moss, the CC100 concept has made the cross-continent journey to Italy. Based on V12 Vantage underpinnings, it previews a possible styling direction for the marque, all the while honouring the legendary 1959 Le Mans-winning car.
Pininfarina Sergio
With the LaFerrari’s styling being taken care of in-house, the Italian design house had some capacity to create a new interpretation of the Ferrari-Pininfarina alliance for Geneva. It was dedicated to late Chairman Sergio Pininfarina, and used 458 running gear cloaked in an aerodynamic-focused barchetta body – the latter looks even more impressive in the stunning setting of its homeland.
McLaren P1
It’s not long now before the first lucky owners take delivery of their P1 hypercars, so Villa d’Este is the perfect opportunity for the concept to enjoy its last public hurrah. Given the type of visitors the event attracts, it might also act as an open-air showroom for the remaining one-third of the production run (of 375 units) that are apparently unspoken for, as yet.
Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring
Before the road-going version’s launch at Geneva earlier this year, Classic Driver was the first publication in the world to get behind the wheel of the arresting 'DV', having followed its development since the previous year’s show. A few months on, and the apt setting has only served to extend our appreciation of the Alfa 8C-based extraterrestrial.
Text: Joe Breeze (Classic Driver)
Photos: Jan Baedeker / Nanette Schärf
