Aurora 2026

Aurora 2026 became yet another impressive edition of Sweden's most exclusive car event. For the third year in a row, I visited the event for CarsCollection.com. There are many car festivals around the world that attract car enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. Over the years, I have visited several major car events, where Goodwood Festival of Speed in England belongs to the absolute highlights.

This summer, I'm visiting Monterey Car Week in California for the first time, where I will be, among other things, covering the world's most prestigious car show, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Naturally, you will be able to follow the journey and read about the event here on CarsCollection.com.

Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este The great lakes of Italy are still an event I have yet to tick off. However, I have had the pleasure of staying several times at the prestigious Villa d'Este in connection with travel together with Gran Turismo Events, and hopefully the event itself will premiere next year.

In just three years, Aurora has established itself as one of Europe's most exclusive and well-organised car events. I have had the pleasure of covering Aurora since its premiere year in 2024 and have now attended all three editions. Each year, the event has grown, both in terms of the cars, the exhibitors and the international audience. My reports from Aurora 2024 and Aurora 2025 is also available to read for those who wish to follow the event's development through the years.

Behind the success is a dedicated team with Filip Larsson, Johan Bonnier, Marcus Berggren and Eddie Pfitzner at the forefront, along with many other passionate individuals who have put in an enormous amount of work to create an absolutely top-class event. The result is a unique meeting place where some of the world's most spectacular cars gather with manufacturers, collectors, and enthusiasts from all over Europe.

Aurora 2026 offered an impressive mix of world premieres, unique concept cars, rare classics, and some of the world's most exclusive hypercars. Here are some of the highlights from this year's event.

Aurora 2026 – Koenigsegg

One of the major highlights of this year's Aurora 2026 was the first customer-delivered Koenigsegg Gemera. Koenigsegg also showed off their Jesko built in Lego, the model that previously set the speed record for LEGO cars and became a notable feature in the brand's history.

For my own part, it was also extra fun to see the Gemera again, as I had the privilege of photographing the official press images for Koenigsegg even before the model was presented to the world. If you want to know more about the car, there is already an extensive Article about the Gemera published here on CarsCollection.com.

Auroa 2026 – Koenigsegg's Model Lineup

Koenigsegg had gathered an impressive slice of the brand's history at Aurora 2026. Lined up were CCGT, the first Koenigsegg prototype, the first production-built CC, CC850 and Jesko. Together, they showcased the company's development from its very first steps to today's world-leading hypercars. Few events in the world can feature such a complete and historically significant collection of Koenigsegg models in one place.

Auroa 2026 – Delivery of Koenigsegg Jesko to Feimeileso

Aurora 2026 also became the setting for another spectacular Koenigsegg delivery. Over the weekend, Christian von Koenigsegg personally unveiled a brand-new Jesko that was delivered to car enthusiast and content creator Feimeileso. Many visitors gathered to follow the handover on-site. Seeing Christian himself hand over a new Jesko to its owner added another dimension to Aurora 2026 and underlined the close connection between Koenigsegg, its customers, and the event.

Aurora 2026 – Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Chanté Hovsepian showed off his Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, a pure competition car that became a popular addition among the more extreme cars in the field. What makes this particular car extra special is that it still has 0 kilometres on the odometer, something that is almost unique for a car built for racing.

I myself have had the pleasure of test-driving several Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGs over the years. The first one already in 2010, and In 2012, I took an SLS AMG to Gran Turismo Events at the Nürburgring. where I also ran it on the legendary Nordschleife. Both reports are still available to read here on CarsCollection.com.

As well as the SLS AMG GT3, Chanté also brought along her Lamborghini Aventador SVJ to Aurora 2026. The extreme V12 model is one of Lamborghini's most sought-after modern supercars, and I've previously written a lengthy article about that very car that can still be read here on CarsCollection.com.

Aurora 2026 – Chimera K39

Kimera unveiled the spectacular K39, in both road-legal and its uncompromising Pikes Peak specification. Furthermore, it was confirmed at Aurora 2026 that two examples of the K39 have now been sold to Sweden, one to Chanté Hovsepian and one to Ronnie Gustafsson.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Gianmarco Moretti from Kimera, with whom I've been in contact for some time. In October, I'm travelling to Italy to visit the factory, and hopefully, I'll also get the chance to test drive the K39. If everything goes according to plan, you'll of course be able to read about the experience here on CarsCollection.com.

Aurora 2026 – Lamborghini Reventón Roadster

Daniel Espinola from Daytona Automobile in Västerås displayed the rare Lamborghini Reventón Roadster, one of the brand's most exclusive models and a car rarely seen in Sweden.

Aurora 2026 – Ferrari Testarossa 846

During Aurora 2026, Ferrari showcased the unique Testarossa 846 Roadster alongside the coupé version. The model marks the return of one of Ferrari's most classic model names.

For my part, it will be extra special, as in October I am travelling to Italy to test drive the new Testarossa 846. The trip will simultaneously be a nice connection to my father, Bengt Ason Holm, who visited Ferrari's factory in 1984 and accompanied them during the test drives of the then brand new Ferrari Testarossa alongside Ferrari's test driver when the model had just been launched. More than 40 years later, I have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and experience the modern interpretation of a true Ferrari icon for myself.

Aurora 2026 – Lamborghini

Lamborghini was represented by several of the brand's most interesting models during Aurora 2026. The big news was the Fenomeno Roadster, one of the most exclusive models the brand has ever built. Visitors also had the opportunity to see the new Temerario, which marks the next step in Lamborghini's development.

Alongside the news at Aurora 2026, the classic was also shown Countach 5000 QV, a model still considered today as one of the most iconic sports cars of the 1980s. Together, the cars provided a clear picture of Lamborghini's development, from one of the brand's greatest classics to its very latest models. For my own part, the Countach evoked many memories. As a 15-year-old, I stood next to my father, Bengt Ason Holm, as he photographed the very last Countach to be built. Today, the car is in Lamborghini's factory museum.

Auroa 2026 – BMW M 1000 RR Isle of Man Edition

Although Aurora is primarily a car festival, BMW Sweden They also brought a selection of motorcycles. The big highlight was undoubtedly the exclusive BMW M 1000 RR Isle of Man Edition, a special model created to celebrate the legendary Isle of Man TT race.

The motorbike that was showcased is one of only two delivered to Sweden, with the other already being sent abroad. It was extra good fun that this particular motorbike was bought by a good friend of mine. During Aurora 2026, I also took the opportunity to photograph it for him, which made it extra nice to see it there.

Aurora 2026 – Renault 5 Turbo 3E

Renault revealed the all-new Renault 5 Turbo 3E at Aurora 2026, alongside the iconic original model, the Renault 5 Turbo. The arrangement clearly demonstrated how Renault is connecting one of the brand's most classic model names with a modern, electric interpretation. During the event, Renault also managed to sell an example of the new model. Both cars had been transported to Aurora with the help of Renault France, which made the unique comparison possible. For my part, the exhibition was particularly inspiring as a good friend, Adrian, owns a classic Renault 5 Turbo. When Renault Sweden receives a Renault 5 Turbo 3E, I hope to be able to do a similar photoshoot with both generations side-by-side, inspired by the arrangement at Aurora 2026. Adrian also owns the Lamborghini Countach, which I previously photographed alongside a Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1, when both models were celebrating their 50th anniversaries.

Aurora 2026 – BMW M Concept Neue Klasse and the new electric BMW X5

BMW unveiled the Vision Driving Experience concept car, which showcases BMW M's interpretation of the brand's upcoming Neue Klasse design language. The concept provided a clear insight into how future high-performance BMW models could look.

BMW also brought along the upcoming, all-electric BMW X5 to Aurora 2026, which was shown under embargo ahead of its official world premiere. At the screening, visitors had to hand in their mobile phones and photography was not permitted.

I initially misunderstood the setup and thought it was just a traditional media viewing with an embargo. It later turned out that there was also a separate media viewing where photography was allowed, but I missed that one.

Naturally, I will return with a comprehensive article about the new, all-electric BMW X5 as soon as it's available for the media to test drive and photograph.

The last picture in the series is one of BMW's official press photos of the new, all-electric BMW X5, which was published after the embargo was lifted.

Aurora 2026 – Spyker C8 – Dutch exclusivity

Spyker is one of the rarest sports car brands in the world, and two open-top models from the brand's C8 series were on display at Aurora – a Spyker C8 Spyder and a Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder. The dark blue C8 Spyder featured a yellow leather interior and a custom-made luggage set in matching leather, a detail that clearly demonstrates the brand's focus on craftsmanship and exclusivity.

The C8 Aileron Spyder completed the exhibition, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience two different generations of Spyker's unique supercar side-by-side. With its distinctive scissor doors, aviation-inspired details and open-top body, the Spyker remains one of the automotive world's most distinctive sports car brands.

Aurora 2026 – Ronnie Gustafsson's Collection

Ronnie Gustafsson showcased several cars from his impressive collection during Aurora 2026. Among the highlights were his award-winning Koenigsegg Jesko, McLaren Senna GTR, Porsche Carrera GT, Koenigsegg CCXR Special Edition, and a classic Dodge Charger R/T rebuilt with a modern SRT/Hellcat drivetrain. The combination of extreme hypercars and well-built classic cars made the collection one of the major attractions of the weekend.

Auroa 2026 – Classic Icons and Visions of the Future

In addition to this year's major news, Aurora also presented an impressive collection of historic racing cars, rare classics, future visions and concept cars. The combination of past, present and future is one of the event's great strengths and something that makes Aurora a unique experience for all car enthusiasts.

Aurora 2026 – Bugatti Type 37A (1928)

Among the oldest cars at Aurora 2026 was a beautiful 1928 Bugatti Type 37A. This supercharged Grand Prix car, one of only 76 made, represents an era when Bugatti dominated international motorsport. With its sleek proportions and characteristic blue paint, it was a natural fit for the elegant castle setting.

Aurora 2026 – Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada

Another rare Italian icon was the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada. The hand-built Gran Turismo combines elegant Italian design with American V8 power and is today considered one of the most sought-after sports cars of the 1960s. Seeing such a car on Swedish soil is definitely not common.

Aurora 2026 – Ferrari – A journey through history

Ferrari, together with Autoropa and the Danish Ferrari importer has gathered some of the marque’s most iconic models. Visitors could experience the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, LaFerrari and the marque’s latest hypercar, the F80, side by side – a model lineup rarely seen together in the same place.

Together, the models represent several of Ferrari's most significant milestones and undoubtedly became one of the main attractions during Aurora 2026.

I also took the opportunity to recreate a personal memory by taking a ”then and now” photo with the Ferrari F40. The first picture was taken by my father, Bengt Ason Holm, at the Ferrari factory when the F40 was brand new in 1987. Thirty-nine years later, I was once again behind the same car model during Aurora 2026. The new picture was taken by Jacob Setterberg, who kindly stepped behind the camera.

Aurora 2026 – Pagani Utopia

Pagani impressed with three examples of the new Utopia, two of which were coupés and one a Roadster. Seeing three Utopias gathered in one place is a rarity and illustrates just how exclusive this year's edition of Aurora actually was. Horacio Pagani's uncompromising focus on design, material choice, and quality of detail means that each car can almost be considered a rolling work of art. For those who wish to delve deeper, there are several previous articles about Pagani on CarsCollection.com, including about Pagani Zonda F, Pagani Huayra and most recently Pagani Huayra Roadster BC.

Aurora 2026 – Mercedes-Benz The past meets the future

Mercedes-Benz presented one of Aurora 2026's most considered model lineups, where the brand's history and future visions met under the same roof. By bringing together some of the company's most significant racing cars, experimental vehicles, and future concepts, a fascinating journey through nearly a century of innovation, design, and technical development was created.

Aurora 2026 – Silver Arrow and Vision EQ Silver Arrow

The legendary Silver Arrow from the 1930s was displayed side-by-side with the futuristic Vision EQ Silver Arrow. The contrast between the classic Grand Prix car and the electric design study impressively illustrated how Mercedes-Benz continues to draw inspiration from its own history while looking far into the future.

Aurora 2026 – Mercedes-Benz C111-II and Vision One-Eleven

One of the most interesting comparisons during Aurora was the Mercedes-Benz C111-II alongside the brand-new Vision One-Eleven. The Vision One-Eleven clearly draws inspiration from the legendary 1970s experimental car but reinterprets its design language with modern electric vehicle technology and futuristic proportions. Together, they show how one of Mercedes-Benz's most iconic concepts has been brought back to life more than 50 years later.

Aurora 2026 – BRABUS

BRABUS made its debut as an official partner of Aurora, showcasing several of the company's latest models. At the centre was the new BRABUS BODO, the company's latest Gran Turismo model, flanked by BRABUS Rocket GTS Deep Red, BRABUS 700 based on the Range Rover and the exclusive BRABUS 800 Convertible, the open-top version of the short Mercedes-AMG G-Class. Together, the models showed the breadth of what BRABUS offers, from high-performance GT cars and luxury SUVs to extreme off-road vehicles.

Over the weekend, I also had the opportunity to meet BRABUS CEO Constantin Buschmann, who is continuing to develop the company following in the footsteps of his father and founder, Bodo Buschmann. Hopefully, this meeting will mark the beginning of closer contact with BRABUS, and I will of course do my best to be able to present more of the company's models here on CarsCollection.com in the future.

Aurora 2026 – McMurtry Burning

One of the most extreme cars at Aurora 2026 was McMurtry Spéirling. The compact electric hypercar has become world-famous thanks to its groundbreaking fan system, which creates enormous ground pressure even from a standstill. The combination of low weight, brutal acceleration, and innovative technology makes it one of the world's most spectacular track cars. Furthermore, McMurtry has set several notable records in recent years, demonstrating the enormous potential of the new technology.

Aurora 2026 – BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car

BMW unveiled its spectacular M Hybrid V8 in the unique Art Car design created by American artist Julie Mehretu. The race car competed in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans and is the latest in BMW's prestigious Art Car series, where some of the world's most renowned artists have left their mark on the brand's race cars over the years.

Auroa 2026 – More than just cars

Aurora 2026 – Stefan Johansson

Aurora is not only about cars. This year, former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson also participated, showcasing his highly acclaimed art exhibition. The Flow State. His colourful works, inspired by speed, movement and motorsport, have been exhibited worldwide in recent years and were a popular feature over the weekend.

Aurora 2026 – The people behind it

Behind Aurora is a dedicated team that continues to develop the event year after year. A huge thank you to Filip Larsson, Johan Bonnier, Marcus Berggren, Eddie Pfitzner and the whole Aurora team for yet another fantastic weekend filled with world-class cars, dedicated exhibitors and enthusiasts from all over Europe. Putting on an event of this calibre requires an enormous amount of work, and the result is evident in every detail.

A big thank you also goes out to all car manufacturers, exhibitors, collectors, and visitors who contributed to the unique atmosphere over the weekend. It is the meeting between people and cars that makes Aurora something truly special and makes the event stand out, even from an international perspective.

Aurora 2026 – Competition and Awards

Aurora is not only about showcasing some of the world's most exclusive cars, but also about highlighting the most outstanding examples over the weekend.

I Classic Car Concours awarded Best of Show to one 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB, a model considered one of Ferrari's most iconic GT cars. Among other things, the jury highlighted the car's documented history, authenticity, and the meticulous restoration by Ferrari Classiche.

I Hypercar Concours was appointed the legendary 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR to Best of Show. The extreme homologation model, built for the FIA GT Championship, impressed with its racing history, V12 engine, and uncompromising construction.

Photo: Keno Zache

In addition to the competition prizes, several other awards were also presented over the weekend. Ronnie Gustafsson Took home Performance Trophy after being the fastest around the long cone track at Koenigsegg's airfield behind the wheel of his Koenigsegg Jesko, the drive was carried out after the Hypercar Tour. The performance was especially impressive as Ronnie also won the same competition last year, then with his Porsche 918 Spyder.

Aurora 2026 also extended down to Båstad harbour, where several exclusive yachts were on display. Boats aren't exactly my area of expertise, although over the years I've had the pleasure of photographing several models for the Swedish company Delta Powerboats. This time, my focus was primarily on the cars, but the yacht exhibition helped to give Aurora an even broader sense of exclusive lifestyle.

See you later, Aurora

When I left Aurora 2026 on Sunday afternoon, my memory cards were full of thousands of pictures and my head was brimming with impressions. In just three years, Aurora has grown into one of Europe's most exclusive car events and continues to raise the bar with each new edition.

The weekend also came to a fitting end when Ronnie Gustafsson's Koenigsegg Jesko was awarded during the prize-giving ceremony, a well-deserved recognition for one of the event's most notable cars. It was a fitting end to another fantastic Aurora weekend.

For my own part, the next big adventure now awaits as I will be travelling to Monterey Car Week in California for the first time later this summer. In the autumn, the travels continue to Italy with visits to Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani and Kimera. Among other things, the test drive of the Ferrari Testarossa 846 and hopefully also the Kimera K39 will await.

Aurora 2026 is over, but the car year has only just begun. Naturally, you'll be able to follow all the reports, test drives and photos here on CarsCollection.com.