Events & Entertainment Magazine attended the special Media Morning opening of Salon Privé 2026 this September, as the prestigious automotive and luxury lifestyle event, attended by former 'Top Gear' star Richard Hammond, returned to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire for its 21st edition.Set against one of Britain’s most spectacular historic backdrops, Salon Privé once again brought together world-class collector cars, supercars, hypercars and leading automotive marques for a high-energy, five-day celebration of design, performance, heritage and innovation.
HI-OCTANE ACTION + UK PREMIERES
The opening morning immediately set the tone, with a series of significant UK debuts. Lamborghini commanded attention with the Revuelto SV, the latest evolution of its V12 super sports car, delivering 1,065 CV and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds! BRABUS also arrived in dramatic style with two UK premieres. The BODO, a carbon-fibre grand tourer limited to just 77 examples worldwide, was joined by the 800 CABRIO, a 800bhp open-top interpretation of the Mercedes AMG G 63, with production restricted to only 50 units.
ELECTRIC PERFORMANCES FROM POLESTAR, ROLLS ROYCE + MORE
Elsewhere, Polestar introduced the Polestar 4 SUV, bringing greater practicality to its electric performance offering, while Giamaro Automobili unveiled the Krafla, a striking hypercar designed around a driver-focused philosophy.One of the morning’s most distinctive reveals came from Electrogenic, which presented its electrified 1973 Rolls Royce Phantom VI, the official City of London limousine. The conversion preserves the character and ceremonial presence of the historic Rolls Royce while giving it a modern zero-emissions powertrain.
LAMBOURGHINI & MCLAREN F1 MAKE HISTORY & TAKE THE CROWN
At the heart of Salon Privé remained the prestigious Concours by Aviva Private Clients, with 70 cars competing across 12 classes and representing almost a century of motoring history.The 2026 event went on to make Concours history by crowning TWO 'Best of Show' winners for the first time.A 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, owned by Amir Ravan and the RLC Collection, received the Best of Show Concours d’Elégance title. One of the most celebrated automotive designs of all time, the Miura triumphed during a year in which Salon Privé marked 60 years of the legendary model.Alongside it, Terry Bramall’s 1995 McLaren F1 became the inaugural winner of the new Best of Show Concours d’Excellence, created to recognise the growing importance of modern supercars and hypercars within the international collector market.The pairing perfectly reflected Salon Privé’s ability to bring together different generations of automotive excellence, from the timeless elegance of the Miura to the engineering brilliance of the McLaren F1.
TOP GEAR & THE GRAND TOUR'S RICHARD HAMMOND RETURNS TO SUPERCAR SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Another major attraction for the weekend was the return of Richard Hammond. Following his successful appearance in 2025, the former 'Top Gear' and 'The Grand Tour' presenter returned as a headline guest across Supercar Saturday and Supercar Sunday.Hammond also joined Jason Barlow and racing driver and broadcaster Amanda Stretton on the judging panel for the Concours de Vente, selecting from an exceptional collection of cars offered for sale by leading dealers, restorers and specialists.
WHERE AUTOMATIC HERITAGE MEETS THE FUTURE IN STYLE
For Events & Entertainment Magazine, Salon Privé once again demonstrated why it occupies such a distinctive position on the luxury events calendar. From high-profile automotive launches and historically significant collector cars to celebrated personalities and the grandeur of Blenheim Palace itself, the event successfully blends motoring with hospitality, lifestyle and occasion.Salon Privé 2026 at Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, was ultimately a celebration of where automotive heritage meets the future, delivered with unmistakable style in one of Britain’s most impressive settings.