In celebration of Monterey Car Week, the enchanting spectacle known as The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, recently graced the Monterey Peninsula with its glamour and grandeur, while showcasing the pinnacle of prestige, performance, and perfection of automotive excellence. Hosted by Quail Lodge & Golf Club and The Peninsula Signature Events in Carmel, California, the sold-out event brought together thousands of car enthusiasts, collectors, and auto industry leaders in an opulent garden party, providing the ultimate feast for the senses.
This event is different than any other auto exhibit, as it’s not just another convergence of the world’s most esteemed automakers, car collectors, and industry titans, all congregating to witness the unveiling of spectacular new vehicles and concept cars designed to set pulses racing. Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary, this highly-anticipated and much-talked-about annual extravaganza has secured its status as an unmissable affair. Not only is the picturesque setting an idyllic location (as it’s held on the lush golf course and driving range at Quail Lodge & Golf Club), but the outstanding hospitality and gourmet dining experience take this magnificent event to another level.
Aside from enjoying over 200 enthralling automobiles on display, we were treated to an assortment of premium quality libations and tantalizing dishes that took our tastebuds on a culinary journey around the globe. Lavishly tented displays adorned the outdoor venue while serving up a delectable medley of international flavors via expansive buffets that were themed by locale (from the Mediterranean to the Far East and beyond). Drawing inspiration from diverse cuisines, the embellished food displays (adorned with vibrantly-colored floral arrangements and elaborate decor) showcased the organizers’ commitment to delivering an all-encompassing upscale experience. The reason why I point this out is because most large-scale events that draw thousands of attendees don’t usually provide such sumptuous food offerings. To be honest – even the best food and wine festivals can’t hold a candle to the level of hospitality displayed at The Quail, and that’s no small feat.
During the event, I spoke with Kai Lermen, the General Manager of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, who explained his passion for exceeding expectations and motivating his team to create an unforgettable escapade for guests. He also shared with me a little about his background as a culinary chef (with experience working at The Peninsula Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton), who became a 25-year hospitality expert with a love of automobiles. During our discussion, we talked about his drive and commitment to leading and encouraging his team to perform to the best of their abilities. Given how supremely well-orchestrated and tastefully executed The Quail is, it’s evident that Kai and his team are experts at hosting events that raise the bar. The proof is in the praise – I’ve heard countless positive reviews (from numerous auto industry leaders, multi-millionaires, and discerning travelers) raving about The Quail, and now I can see why. It’s truly impressive.
Kai explained, “The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is a special occasion to us because it celebrates the past, present, and future of automobiles, and has evolved into this unique hybrid of luxury car show and high-end garden party. But it is so much more than the rare and exotic cars on display, with food and entertainment playing central roles. As patrons travel from all over the world to attend, it has also become a destination for reunions among friends and industry colleagues.We are fortunate to have a staff, event partners, and sponsors as supportive as they are and who want to see The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering continue to flourish – we approach every year asking ourselves how we can make this event better than the year prior, from the featured classes of vehicles to the variety of food offered, to the decor and ambiance. With thanks to our loyal attendees and the honor of being a part of Monterey Car Week, we remain inspired to pursue perfection by all means necessary.”
This year’s event saw an illustrious array of brands take center stage, hosting press conferences and fireside chats with luminaries of the industry. Among the distinguished companies that presented at The Quail were Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Koenigsegg Automotive, Bugatti, McLaren, Bentley Motors, and many others, each vying for the spotlight with their ingenious creations.
During the event, I had the pleasure of interviewing several top executives and founders of illustrious supercar and hypercar brands including Czinger Vehicles, Maserati, and Rimac Automobili. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing our in-depth conversations in a series of articles, so stay tuned for that. But in the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what we spoke about.
Imagine the hushed anticipation as the veil was lifted, unveiling a sleek hypercar that defies the boundaries of imagination. Such was the spectacle when Czinger Vehicles took the stage to introduce the world to the C21 Blackbird hypercar, which was inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird stealth bomber, and is the newest iteration of the 21C, the “world’s first human-AI designed and 3D printed hypercar”. During my chat with the Co-Founders (a dynamic father-son duo) Kevin Czinger and Lukas Czinger, they shared their insights into the journey behind this masterpiece, in addition to discussing the engineering backgrounds that have garnered them hundreds of patents. Aside from being a dynamic father-son duo, what’s impressive about Czinger Vehicles is the fact that the company only launched a few years ago (during the pandemic, no less). What makes them stand out is their agile ability to innovate by not only designing technology but also by harnessing the power of 3-D printing, in an effort to make their vehicle more sustainable (by eliminating material wastage). And, of course, when I asked if they could be any superhero, to no surprise, Kevin said “Ironman”, to which I replied – “Well, you’ve essentially become that, now all you need to create is the Ironman suit to go along with your cars!”.
Amidst the aura of prestige and innovation, Maserati stepped into the spotlight with the global reveal of the “extremely light and lightning-fast” MCXtrema limited-edition track-only supercar. During the event, I sat down to speak with Bill Peffer, CEO of Maserati Americas, and Bernard Loire, Chief Commercial Officer of Maserati Global, who shed light on the brand’s unwavering commitment to exclusivity, performance, and Italian luxury. We also talked to a great extent about mindset, motivation, and leadership – as both men are responsible for steering the company to success by keeping their teams feeling inspired and passionate about creating automobiles that live up to the iconic brand’s name while overcoming obstacles and challenges that inevitably arise.
In a symphony of electric prowess, hypercar brand Rimac captivated the audience with the presentation of the Rimac Nevera, a record-shattering electric hypercar that has recently been recognized as the fastest EV hypercar in the world. During my conversation with Emilio Scervo (Chief Technology Officer of Rimac), the essence of their innovation was brought to the forefront. Given his extensive background working for many of the world’s most notable brands (inc. Aston Martin, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes-AMG), Emilio says that transitioning to Bugatti Rimac feels like he “landed a dream job”. During our conversation, he explained the fundamentals of how the electric-powered technology works, why many of the key components of the car were built in-house, and how he challenges their team of engineers to push “the boundaries when it’s about performance”, by thinking about elevating the customer experience.
After a long sun-drenched afternoon spent frolicking about at The Quail, the delightful event came to a close, leaving everyone with memories to cherish and stories to tell. With Quail Lodge & Golf Club as its majestic stage, this event has proven to be the ultimate arena for the convergence of hospitality, innovation, and elegance. If you’re an auto aficionado (or just love upscale events set in dreamy destinations), this is definitely an event worth jumping on the waiting list for.
Stay connected on MSN or subscribe to Inspirations & Celebrations for access to exclusive insights and in-depth interviews that will transport you to the heart of luxury, innovation, and the captivating world of Monterey Car Week, as I’ll be sharing more over the next few weeks. To learn more about Auto Week, I encourage you to check out previous years’ Monterey Car Week articles on Inspirations & Celebrations.
