The latest FuoriConcorso (May 16-17, 2026) emerged from the pre-event drizzle to deliver two days of sun-kissed elegance and insight into German automotive culture. The event, which has only been running since 2019 (and interrupted by Covid), has become a must-see addition to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, drawing strong support from manufacturers and collectors alike.
This year the event was framed around Kraftmeister, celebrating German automotive culture. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi and BMW all supported the event with cars from their respective motor sport and classic realms, while smaller companies such as HOF, Brabus and Ruf displayed new machinery. Staged across Villa del Grumello, Villa Sucota and Villa Olmo, the event brought together 72 cars, six world premieres, 16 automotive partners plus 19 lifestyle and technical partners.
Mercedes-Benz had the largest presence at the event, with the traditional grid layout up the hill featuring a display of Stuttgart icons from the dawn of motoring right up to the present day. The walk began with the 2023 Mercedes-AMG One and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT racing car, moving through to the 1955 300 SLR W196S, 1952 300 SL W194, 1937 W125, 1928 SSK, 1908 Grand Prix Rennwagen and a replica of the 1996 Benz Patent Motorwagen.
The three-pointed star was well represented elsewhere at FuoriConcorso 2026, too, with a variety of interpretations on the storied marque. The HWA Evo project brought along an example of the manufacturer’s restomod homage (above, centre), as well as racing and road-going versions of its inspiration, the 190E Evo 2.
There was a rare chance to see the Maybach Excelero concept car, as well as AMG and Koenig-tuned versions of the C126; a red-over-white 560 SEC with the Version 1 Koenig Specials Bodykit was suitably spectacular, while a rare first-series 500 SEC AMG first delivered to Monaco caught plenty of attention. One-of-one in blue over blue, it had had the full gamut of AMG add-ons, including a 5.4-litre V8. There was also the spetacular Lotec C1000, a 1000bhp twin-turbocharged Mercedes V8-powered hypercar from 1995.
German tuning culture was in attendance in style – the above Ruf CTR2, the successor to the original CTR Yellowbird, was a rare sight because only around 30 were built. Its twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre flat-six produced up to 520bhp in road form (in 1995!), delivered through either rear- or four-wheel drive, depending on specification. The body was widened and aerodynamically refined, with an integrated rear wing and air-intake arrangement. Performance was exceptional for the period: around 0-60mph in under four seconds and a top speed beyond 210mph.
Behind it in our image is the Alois Ruf-specified Ruf Tribute prototype that first broke cover in 2023. Other tuned icons on display included a 1000bhp twin-turbocharged Koenig Specials Testarossa, as well as a 348-based Koenig Specials F48 with a twin-turbo V8. Gemballa was also represented with 2001 GTR Biturbo, developed from the already potent 996 GT2, plus a one-of-three Mirage GT based on a Carrera GT, and the Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien.
The Kraftmeister element of FuoriConcorso 2026 also paid tribute to Porsche in a major way. Not only was there a celebration of more recent Sonderwunsch models, but sited across the villa grounds there were motor sport and road-going gems from within Porsche and adjacent to the brand. Magneto‘s favourites included a white 993 GT2 and a paint-to-sample, one-owner-from-new triple-yellow 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo. Elsewhere there was a Group 4 911 SC (above), an ex-Larousse/Barth 911 2.6 ST, a 908 LH, an ex-Manthey Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours-winning 964 RSR and more besides.
There were also three very special flatnose 911s. There was a rare outing for the 1984 Kremer K3, the only factory-built road-going version of the Kremer K3 that was ordered and driven by Walter Wolf. Restored by Kremer Racing over the past year, it’s said to be 98 percent Le Mans specification with a 338km/h top speed – and it’s for sale via Mechatronik. There were also examples of road-going takes on the 935 recipe from DP Motorsport (who developed the aero for the Kremer cars) – pictured above is the DPIII, but there was also a DPI in attendance.
There was a special celebration of Jagermeister, with the ex-Bellof/Stuck Porsche 956 (chassis 106) being the star attraction. After competing with the Richard Lloyd Racing team and driven by Rosberg, Lammers and Palmer, it was sold to Brun in 1985, earning a sixth place for Gerhard Berger and Walter Brun himself on its Hockenheim debut. It was also raced by Larrauri and Jelinski. Elsewhere at FuoriConcorso 2026, there was a replica of the Lauda BMW CSL that took victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Despite the major BMW focus at Villa d’Este further down the shoreline, the Munich brand supported FuoriConcorso 2026 by supplying several cars. There was the Touring-bodied 328 Mille Miglia Roadster that took fifth place at the the 1940 Mille Miglia courtesy of Willy Briem and Uli Richter, the Vision EfficientDynamics concept that previewed the i8, plus the above 635 CSI, which took victory in the 1986 Spa 24 Hours and the famous Boss M1 Group 4 Procar.
Above are pictured two aerodynamically shaped cars from different eras. In the background is the Brabus Bodo, which was launched on the event – you can read our coverage of that, and an interview with Constantin Buschmann, here. In the foreground is the 1970 Porsche 917 LH ‘Hippie’, designed by Anatole Lapine. Gérard Larrousse and Willi Kauhsen took it from 12th on the grid to second overall.
Audi had a major presence at FuoriConcorso 2026, bringing a collection of Formula 1, Formula E, Le Mans and DTM racers along, plus some storied road cars, including a Sport Quattro road car and an RS2. There was also the 720bhp 90 Quattro IMSA-GTO, plus the Sport Quattro S1 Group B rally car from the Olympus Rally. Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish were also present during the weekend, contributing to an exclusive talk on Saturday.
Bespoke projects also had their share of the limelight, with Koenigsegg, Pagani, Gordon Murray Automotive, Donkervoort, Eccentrica, TWR, Bizzarrini and TS Automobili in attendance, showing off their latest wares. HOF revealed its Kinsō, the first model in its Spring/Summer 2027 collection and the opening car in what the German firm describes as its Car Couture programme; you can read more about it here. Bentley also delivered the one-of-one Batur Scarab, pictured above.
Alongside the cars, Villa Olmo hosted the world premiere of Helmut Newton: Cars, a photography exhibition devoted to Newton’s automotive work. The show brought together 38 previously unseen works on the car as subject, and was opened to the public for 45 days with free admission. FuoriConcorso also continued its Conversations programme, intended as a looser alternative to formal panel discussions. Designers, engineers, drivers, entrepreneurs and other figures from the automotive world took part in discussions around mobility, identity, technology and the cultural role of the car.
FuoriConcorso 2026 was busy throughout, and blessed with sun after a damp setting-up day. The event is refreshingly chilled out and informal – although with plenty of fashion and tailoring on display – and with a pleasingly younger but well informed crowd. It’s swiftly becoming an integral part of the overall Villa d’Este weekend.
More details on FuoriConcorso can be found here.
