Maik Hahn for BonnetMagazine - August 19th 2025 - Photographs by Anton Eberl (DNG Photo) and Tim Scott

“A Symphony of Elegance on the Shores of Lake Tegernsee.”

Concours of Elegance Germany 2025 — A young event already shaping the future of automotive culture at Lake Tegernsee

The Alpine air was crisp, the lake shimmered like glass, and Gut Kaltenbrunn’s manicured grounds became the stage for one of Europe’s most refined celebrations of automotive culture: the Concours of Elegance Germany 2025. For two days in late July, collectors, manufacturers, and enthusiasts gathered at Lake Tegernsee to witness a €95-million display of engineering, artistry, and history. This was not simply an exhibition—it was a carefully orchestrated experience where elegance was both the theme and the measure.

The spectacle began with the Grand Arrival, a theatrical moment as icons of motoring history descended onto the lakeside lawns. Against the Bavarian backdrop, one could spot the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, an Aston Martin DB4, a razor-edged Lamborghini Countach LP400, and a delicately sculpted Ferrari 275 GTS. Rarer still, machines like the Serenissima Agena and a Citroën SM Cabriolet by Chapron reminded the audience that true treasures often come from the fringes of automotive lore. Unlike the rigid formality of traditional concours, the judging here was different. The participants themselves chose the winners, turning the competition into an act of shared passion rather than distant adjudication.

When the votes were counted, the 1932 Austro-Daimler Bergmeister stood alone, crowned Best of Show. Its presence, part sculpture and part machine, embodied the very spirit of pre-war European elegance. The car received not only the Silver Lion but also the Meissen Best of Show Award—a handcrafted porcelain vase that symbolized the union of artistry and craftsmanship across disciplines. The Chairman’s Award went to the 1939 Talbot-Lago T23 Baby Cabriolet by Henri Chapron, a reminder of the coachbuilder’s genius and one of several Chapron-bodied automobiles honored with their own dedicated class this year.

If one theme defined the 2025 edition, it was the tribute to Henri Chapron. From the elegant Delage D8 Roadster to the experimental Autobleu 4CV Chapron, the display showcased the coachbuilder’s unmatched ability to marry French sophistication with daring proportion. The Citroën SM Cabriolet on the lawn offered a striking reminder of his ability to turn already distinctive designs into objects of timeless beauty. Yet Chapron was not the only artist celebrated. Beyond the traditions of coachbuilding, the concours welcomed imaginative visions that blurred boundaries between design and expression. Elegance, as this year’s gathering demonstrated, was as much about daring vision as it was about meticulous preservation.

Although still young, the Concours of Elegance Germany has already begun to position itself as more than just a gathering of rare automobiles. It is developing into a cultural meeting point where craftsmanship, design, and heritage converge. A. Lange & Söhne, once again serving as presenting partner, underscored the kinship between fine watchmaking and coachbuilt automobiles. Precision, tradition, and artistry spoke equally through ticking movements and roaring engines. This year also saw the introduction of an Emerging Collectors Class, a thoughtful addition that bridged generations and welcomed a younger wave of enthusiasts into the fold. Earlier in the week, the Tour of Elegance wound through Alpine roads, castle courtyards, and hidden valleys, culminating in the first public drive of a freshly restored 1949 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupé. It was a rolling reminder that the Concours is not about static admiration alone; these machines must breathe, move, and be felt.

Walking the grounds, one felt an atmosphere more dreamlike than competitive. The lake reflected evening light across polished fenders, while the Ladies’ Concours added new perspectives and the Best of Show Parade unfolded like a moving opera of chrome and steel. Everywhere, luxury and craftsmanship intertwined: Meissen porcelain trophies, fine horology, culinary experiences, and of course, the sight of the world’s rarest cars gathered against one of Europe’s most idyllic landscapes.

The Concours of Elegance Germany 2025 confirmed itself as more than an automotive event—it was a cultural moment. It showed that elegance, whether in the arc of a Chapron cabriolet, the tick of a Lange movement, or the play of Alpine light on a polished hood, is not about perfection but about harmony. Lake Tegernsee, in its second year as host, has already secured its place as a rising sanctuary where cars are not just exhibited, but revered—living testaments to history, imagination, and passion. And as the final echoes of engines faded across the lake, one thing became clear: we are already looking forward to next year, when Tegernsee once again becomes the stage for this young but already remarkable celebration of elegance.

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