This weekend just gone the boondocks of Cernobbio on the banks of Lake Como reprised its status as the centre of attention for all machine enthusiasts – and this year motorbike fans as well had much to admire. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este brought together a selection of classic models and new concept cars to the acclaim of the assembled audience.

And for the first time the cars were joined by motorcycles competing for class and overall victory in a competition of their own, as fans of two-wheeled classics headed to the Villa Erba for Sabbatum's motorcycle concours. Some other new feature of the Concorso was the auction held by RM Auctions on Saturday evening, which tempted collectors with a line-upwardly of 32 extraordinary cars.

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2011 7 655x436

"Our aim was to take this long-established event into new territory while preserving its graphic symbol," said Karl Baumer, President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and Director of BMW Grouping Archetype, outlining the reasons behind the changes. "The main initiative we introduced to give people actress opportunity to visit the Concorso was the addition of a 2d Public Day," continued Baumer. Dr Jean-Marc Droulers, President of Villa d'Este S.p.A., also alleged himself pleased with the weekend: "We've seen cars and motorcycles which made our hearts beat a little faster – both within the small, sectional environs of the Villa d'Este and together with the wider public at the Villa Erba."

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2011 6 655x436

The jury awarded the Trofeo BMW Group, and with information technology "all-time of testify" honours, to a 1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, while the fourth dimension-honoured Coppa d'Oro prize decided by public referendum went to an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS from 1942. The "Concept Cars and Prototypes" category, meanwhile, was topped by the Aston Martin Zagato celebrating its world premiere at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Another model making its debut at the outcome was the BMW 328 Hommage, unveiled by the Bavarian visitor to mark the 75th birthday of its iconic BMW 328 sports car from the 1930s.

The Trofeo BMW Grouping in the first Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este for motorcycles was won past an American Pierce Four from 1910. After presenting the honour, General Director of BMW Motorrad Hendrik von Kuenheim shifted the spotlight to plans for the years ahead: "We are looking to develop this concours into a meeting point for all enthusiasts of motorcycle design. That fits in with both the tradition of the BMW motorcycle brand and the passion for bikes hither in Italia."

The extent to which tradition can inspire and the potential – and desired – touch of the past on the future of auto design were both on the calendar at the high-powered annual Blueprint Talk circular tabular array, which this year addressed the result of heritage in design under the heading "Tradition & Futurity in Automotive Design". Adrian van Hooydonk, Managing director BMW Group Design, joined Lotus Cars chief designer Donato Coco and Laurens van den Acker, Vice President of Renault Corporate Design, to mull over future-oriented design at automobile brands with a strong heritage.

[Source: BMW ]