The Dual Concours - The Aurora 2026
The organizers describe The Aurora as the "Dual Concours". The name comes from the fact that classic cars and modern hypercars are treated on equal terms, creating a unique dialogue between the past and the future of the automotive world. In my opinion, however, the word "dual" is a significant understatement, as the diversity of vehicles at the event extends far beyond those two categories.
Most reports about Båstad begin by pointing out that The Aurora is still a relatively new event, but one that is rapidly earning its place among the world's leading automotive gatherings. After experiencing it firsthand, I think it's time to stop treating it as an up-and-coming contender. As an outside observer, what I witnessed in Båstad convinced me that The Aurora already belongs in that elite company.
A few car brands made a big impact on this year's edition of the event. Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Brabus all put together impressive displays, but only one brand is deeply embedded in the identity of The Aurora – Koenigsegg. There is a good reason for that: its factory is located just 40 kilometres from the venue. As a prelude to the main event, and as part of The Aurora Tour, some lucky participants even had the opportunity to visit the Koenigsegg factory and test their own cars on the manufacturer's test track.
Koenigsegg cars could be found in almost every corner of the venue, but the highlight of the Ängelholm-based manufacturer's presence was an exhibition showcasing the brand's history. It began with the very first prototype, the CC Prototype XP 001, and continued through the first production model, the CC8S, the CCGT, the first production examples of the Gemera, and the first customer-delivered Sadair's Spear. I can only imagine the emotions that come with collecting a brand-new hypercar straight from the hands of Christian von Koenigsegg himself. Is there any point in mentioning just one more car from the countless machines that came from Ängelholm and somehow managed to stand out from the rest? Yes, because it would be a shame to overlook the first public appearance of the world's fastest LEGO car: a full-scale LEGO model inspired by the first customer-specification Sadair's Spear.
The second brand that always makes a strong impression in Båstad is BMW, and this year was no exception. I was especially excited to see the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse – a prototype of the next M3. The car was displayed on its own dedicated stage and even made an appearance on the main stage, which I unfortunately missed and still regret to this day. That prototype, however, was just the beginning of a long and varied lineup of machines from Munich. I couldn't resist taking a closer look at BMW's Le Mans race car and the BMW-powered McLaren F1 GTR, but it was the 1973 BMW Alpina 2000 ti Touring A1, with its charming stripes along the sides, that truly stole my heart. This car would definitely have a place in my dream garage.
Should I continue listing all the other premieres and special appearances? Rather than turning this into something that reads like an encyclopedia entry, I'd rather focus on the cars that sparked the strongest emotions in me. One of my absolute favourites was the beautiful 1977 Fiat Bertone 850 T Visitors Bus. This unique prototype was designed by the legendary Marcello Gandini and was used to transport VIP guests around Fiat's factories. For me, that would be one of the very few occasions when I'd actually want to have a VIP pass.
Another car that stood out for me was the 1949 Go-On II Alfa Romeo Special Ice Racer. Despite carrying the Milanese marque's badge, the car was built in Sweden by Gunnar Olsson for the formidable post-war ice racing scene. Its bodywork was inspired by the Alfa Romeo 158 "Alfetta", but its construction combines components from a wide variety of sources: a hand-built frame, a Jaguar SS differential and radiator, and a triple-carburettor Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 engine. What captivated me most about this car, however, was its patina. It looked like a child's favourite die-cast toy car after years of play.
One of the highlights of The Aurora was the unveiling of the Lamborghini Fenomeno Roadster, but my attention was stolen by something else – two violet Diablos parked side by side. I also couldn't resist spending some time in the Kimera area, where the new Koenigsegg-powered K39 was presented in two versions: the road-going Stradale and the extreme Pikes Peak.
I can honestly admit that I'm rarely impressed by Mercedes' new designs, but this time I even surprised myself with how much I liked the display the brand brought from Stuttgart to Båstad. I've admired the design of the iconic 1970 Mercedes-Benz C 111 ever since I was a child, so I was delighted to finally see it in person. It was paired with its modern interpretation – the 2023 Vision One-Eleven. On the other side of the stage, another pair was continuing the dialogue between the past and the future: the classic W125 alongside the 2018 Vision EQ Silver Arrow.
I think I've already mentioned enough makes and models, but there's one more that simply has to be included – leaving Ferrari out would be a real sin. This was the first time the marque from Maranello officially took part in The Aurora, and the result was an astonishing number of Ferraris spread throughout the event. The beautiful 250 GT Berlinetta SWB certainly deserves a mention, but the lineup of Ferrari's flagship models was even more impressive. It began with the 288 GTO, followed by the F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari, and finally the all-new F80. It's a shame I missed the moment when this extraordinary procession lined up in front of the main stage – that must have been quite a sight. Thankfully, I'd already photographed a similar scene at one of the editions of the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix.
In my opinion, The Aurora is no longer an event aspiring to join the world's greatest automotive gatherings – it already belongs among them. The sheer number of attractions and the incredible variety of cars are genuinely impressive, even a little overwhelming at times. There is simply so much to see that it's impossible to give every remarkable machine the attention it deserves.
Part of me would love to see more classic cars in Båstad. But at the same time, The Aurora has introduced me to a side of the automotive world I had barely experienced before. I hope it continues to follow its own path and keeps helping me discover new things.
