Top Marques Monaco 2019

4 June 2019 Redazione Events, Lifestyle, News

Top Marques Monaco 2019

Words by Tommaso Mogge

Photos by Giorgia Rossi

Between the end of May and the beginning of June, Top Marques hosted its 16^th edition, the first under the new management of Salim Zeghdar, who took the reins of the luxury-focused event that after the chaos unleashed on the streets of the Principality during the previous edition seemed to have come to a definitive stop. We will not be here to argue whether the repression by the city police is right or exaggerated, what is certain concerns the quantity of tourists and enthusiasts, much lower than past editions. The fair itself is also changing, with no more cars on display in the external paddocks and therefore also abandoning the dynamic part dedicated for test drives, an aspect that was interesting especially for seeing in the real world cars that do not happen to meet so often.

The total absence of all official brands is striking, except for Brabus and smaller manufacturers who take the opportunity to take center stage and present their proposals, always with a strong focus on alternative propulsion and therefore hybrid, full electric and even a car driven by salt-water. The entire exhibition has been reduced, very little space for jewelry and watches and maximum concentration on cars (and some very futuristic motorcycles and other sort of vehicles), filling a single floor, more comfortable to visit and above all more orderly than the open space used until last year.

Among the cars on display, the Aston Martin RB-003 stands out for sure, a limited edition that we have seen a few months earlier in Geneva, but also the Bugatti Chiron Sport and Ford GT – the latter really impressive to admire in the flesh. But still Ferrari 488 Pista and FXX K Evo, Brabus with the traditional exhibition that ranges from a couple of restored classic models, up to the recent 800 based on an AMG GT S 4-door and the Shadow 800, based on the latest AMG G-Class. The queen of the sixteenth edition, however, was McLaren, who took the opportunity to present the new GT in a world premiere, unveiled for the first time to the audience of the first day. The veil was taken by none other than Prince Albert of Monaco, discovering the soft forms of Woking’s first grand tourer, which promises to keep its supercar’s DNA, while offering the qualities that are suited to an ideal car for crunching long distances.

Among various concept cars and more or less traditional sports cars, two new brands in particular have attracted our attention. The Germans Bilenkin, that love it or hate it, showcased two models that can’t certainly pass unnoticed. Those that would actually look like two vintage cars, in perfect 60s/70s style, are actually cars built entirely by hand and on specific requests of its customers. The production has been going for just two years and the attention to detail can be found above all in the picturesque interior, confirming how much it is an extremely exclusive product and able to really satisfy every single customer request. Bilenkin also guarantee an excellent driving feeling, sharing some mechanical parts with BMW (M3), so not only beautiful and extravagant objects to look at, but also to use on the road, as it should be. Prices starting at around € 350,000.

Finally, despite we are not and we will never be ready to give up the roar of an engine on a car designed for our weekends, Devinci’s proposal arrives with the provocative forms of open-wheels historic, two seats, no roof and the angular shapes reminiscent of cars from the 40s and 50s. The sense of freedom is easily at its highest level, but the Devinci range includes just all-electric models: Brigitte, Lucie and Adèle, with the possibility of choosing between packs of different batteries that offer average range of 150km or 230km, optional the possible addition of an 8-liter fuel tank, just to prevent getting stuck on your Sunday drive. Prices starting from € 49.500 and now tell me if this does not sound interesting.

Top Marques can be criticized for a variety of reasons, such as the oppression that has practically erased having fun out on the streets, the ticket price and the small size of the exhibition space, but still remains an event on its own, able to bring people within an automotive world that is increasingly oriented towards the future and that at least for a weekend knows no barriers, regardless of whether three quarters of the models on display will never see a proper production. This type of cars have the common denominator of continuing to make us dream and this year they have succeeded, thanks to a more intimate and less dispersive environment compared to other events, where it is easy to exchange a few words with those who are fulfilling their target and intends to share it with us enthusiasts. We only hope that the future of Top Marques, of Monaco and of the car world would not be so silent, because no real petrolhead will never abandon the sound of an engine. You have been warned.