The second edition of The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance concluded at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, reaffirming its position as one of the most significant gatherings of classic automobiles and collectors in the region
Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman The Oberoi Group , Simon Kidston and Dhanraj Gidwaney (Bentley G25 – Best of Show Automobiles Winner)
Over three days, the event brought together eminent historians, global collectors, designers and automotive connoisseurs for an immersive tribute to India’s unique motoring heritage, craftsmanship and culture.
A defining highlight of this year’s edition was the introduction of The Oberoi Tour d’Elegance, a scenic drive along the iconic Fateh Sagar Lake. Participating automobiles were experienced in motion against the romantic landscape of Udaipur, celebrating them not merely as static historical objects of art, but as living expressions of engineering, performance and timeless design.
Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, said, “The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance reflects our enduring commitment to preserving heritage and celebrating India’s unique motoring history. We are delighted to once again welcome the global classic automobile community to Udaipur and to present an experience that honours both tradition and our commitment to restoration excellence”
Curated by noted automotive historian Manvendra Singh, the 2026 edition presented a carefully considered selection of automobiles spanning eras and geographies. Each class offered a compelling narrative of design evolution, patronage and technical ingenuity.
Manvendra Singh, Curator – The Oberoi Concours d’ Elegance, remarked, “India remains a remarkable repository of automotive history. The Oberoi Concours provides an exceptional platform to present these automobiles as cultural artefacts shaped by patrons, craftsmen and time.”
The jury was led by Chief Judge Sandra Button, Chairperson of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, alongside an international panel of distinguished experts, including Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Michael Kadoorie, Giacomo Agostini, Jean Todt and Derek Bell, among other renowned historians, collectors and specialists. Simon Kidston returned as the voice of the Concours, while celebrated automotive artist Tim Layzell joined as the official poster artist, signing limited-edition artworks during the event.
Sandra Button, Chief Judge -The Oberoi Concours d’ Elegance commented further adding, “The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance continues to strengthen its presence on the global concours landscape. The quality of the automobiles and the respect for authenticity make it a meaningful gathering for collectors and historians alike.”
This year’s curated classes explored diverse dimensions of motoring heritage, from Indian Heritage Motor Racing and Indian Coachbuilt: in period and in the modern era to Cars of the Maharajahs – Jodhpur and Pre-War Classics – Rolls-Royce. A special Phantom retrospective traced a century of Rolls-Royce excellence, underscoring India’s enduring association with the marque.
BMW Partners for Second Consecutive Year
BMW partnered with The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to celebrating automotive heritage in India. Through BMW Group Classic – the division responsible for all heritage activities – the marque once again showcased its enduring legacy and its belief that the future of mobility is rooted in heritage.
Following its participation in the inaugural edition, where it led the parade with the legendary BMW 328, BMW returned in 2026 with two spectacular automobiles: the iconic BMW 507 Roadster, regarded as one of the most desired cars in automotive history, and the BMW 3.0 CSL racing coupé, which marked the starting point of the celebrated BMW M GmbH performance division.
Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “Our partnership with the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 celebrates the link between automotive heritage and the future. The BMW 507 reflects the glamour of the 1950s, the 3.0 CSL captures the racing spirit of the 1970s, and the Concept Speedtop offers a bold look at the luxury to come. This collaboration highlights our commitment to exceptional design and engineering. For Indian enthusiasts, the event connects the timeless charm of classic cars with the innovative spirit of modern motoring. Above all, BMW’s presence shows that true luxury is not just about the car itself, but about meaningful experiences and the pure ‘Joy’ that only iconic creations can inspire.”
As the BMW Group approaches its 110th anniversary in 2026, the brand continues to combine its rich past, dynamic present and forward-looking future – preserving legacy while evolving to meet the expectations of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Makes Grand Debut at The Oberoi Concours d’ Elegance
A defining milestone of the 2026 edition was the grand debut of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as an official partner of The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance. Marking its inaugural participation, the marque reflected on its historic and enduring bond with India while reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.
Set against the ethereal backdrop of Lake Pichola, the Rolls-Royce lounge on the lawns of The Oberoi Udaivilas became a refined gathering space for collectors and enthusiasts. The display of Black Badge Spectre served as a compelling bridge between the marque’s storied past and its future – reinforcing its place within the Goodwood-era collector canon. As the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé, Spectre fulfils Charles Rolls’ early vision of a motor car that would be “perfectly noiseless and clean,” while embodying the same commitment to permanence, Bespoke craftsmanship and engineering excellence that has defined Rolls-Royce for over a century.
Irene Nikkein, Regional Director Asia-Pacific, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “India occupies a unique and highly meaningful place in the story of Rolls-Royce – past, present and future. We see a new generation of clients who bear a deep-seated appreciation for Bespoke craftsmanship and the depth of our heritage in equal measure. The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance mirrors our own values of excellence and rarity, and it is a profound pleasure to engage with the Indian classic car community and meet so many enthusiasts and owners who continue to preserve the legacy of our motor cars.”
Rolls-Royce’s presence reflected the growing strategic importance of India within the marque’s global vision, with the country emerging as the highest growth market in Asia-Pacific in 2025 and achieving double-digit growth for four consecutive years.
Craftsmanship Beyond Automobiles
Rolex served as the Official Timekeeper of The Oberoi Concours, underscoring shared values of precision, endurance and timeless design.
Thomas Goode brought an added dimension of British heritage craftsmanship to The Oberoi Concours, enhancing the hospitality experience with its iconic fine tableware and reinforcing the event’s celebration of artistry beyond the automotive world.
Adding a refined cultural narrative to the weekend’s celebrations, celebrated couturier Tarun Tahiliani presented an exclusive showcase inspired by his enduring design philosophy of India Modern – a vision that harmoniously bridges India’s rich artisanal heritage with contemporary global aesthetics. Renowned for reinterpreting traditional craftsmanship through a modern lens, Tahiliani’s presentation echoed the very spirit of the Concours: precision, provenance and innovation. Intricate hand embroideries, heritage textiles and time-honoured techniques were juxtaposed with fluid silhouettes and architectural tailoring, creating a dialogue between past and present. Much like the automobiles on display – where legacy engineering meets evolving design – the showcase reinforced the shared values of craftsmanship, evolution and timeless elegance that define both haute couture and classic motoring.
The event was further distinguished by the presence of members of India’s erstwhile royal families, including H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singhji of Jodhpur, H.H. Maharaja Himanshu Kumarsinhji of Gondal, Yuvraj Mahanaaryaman Scindia, Pratapsinh Gaekwad of Baroda, H.H. Maharajah Manujendra Shah of Tehri Garhwal, and H.H. Maharaja Harshvardhan Singh of Dungarpur – reflecting the deep historic patronage of motoring culture in India.
With its second successful edition, The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance continues to evolve as a distinguished meeting point of design, engineering and culture – celebrating not only extraordinary automobiles, but also the enduring romance, craftsmanship and artistry that define them.
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