Picasso Engineering OMT 450c: Special Award at Heveningham Concours 2025

This incredible  machine, a masterclass in carbon-fibre design and performance, represented a bold new step for the Swiss marque as Heveningham celebrated two-wheeled artistry alongside its famed collection of classic and contemporary cars.

The 450c stunned guests and judges alike on the terraces of Heveningham Hall, with its striking engineering and design embodying the spirit of innovation that defines the Concours. Built around a modified Honda CRF 450 engine and Picasso Engineering’s modular carbon chassis, the bike combines Swiss precision with Italian flair, resulting in a machine that is as avant-garde as it is beautiful.

Company founder Stefano Picasso, who previously exhibited his 660LMS supercar at the Concours, described the Special Award given out by Heveningham’s distinguished judging panel as: “a huge honour and a true validation of our belief that engineering should be an art form.”

He added: “Heveningham is a place where passion and creativity meet. To be part of an event that values both heritage and forward thinking is very special. The atmosphere, the people, and the attention to every detail make it one of the most inspiring weekends anywhere in the world. Our OMT 450c represents the beginning of a new story for us. To see it celebrated at Heveningham among so many iconic machines is a source of enormous pride and motivation for what’s still to come.”

With an engineering and sporting background, Stefano Picasso – who is distantly related to the famous Spanish painter – merged hands-on motorsport experience with a technical mindset, competing in gruelling events like the Dakar Rally which taught him lessons in endurance and functional simplicity.

Reflecting on his journey, he added: “I grew up fascinated by machines and sketches. That’s where I first understood that beauty can exist in function; that a curve or a weld can tell a story. Picasso Engineering was built on that belief. For me, engineering isn’t about numbers alone; it’s about emotion. Every bolt, every surface, has a reason and a feeling.”

Discussing the OMT 450c itself, Picasso noted: “The 450c is our statement of intent. It’s a synthesis of what we’ve learned and what we dream of building next. It’s not just a motorcycle, but a platform for ideas. Every detail was debated, refined, and reimagined. It’s the most honest expression of who we are as a team: engineers with an artist’s heart.”

Following its success in Suffolk, the OMT 450c was recently shown at the EICMA 2025 show in Milan, where it drew international attention for its carbon twin-spar chassis and Dynamic Adaptive Stiffness Technology (DAST). The platform allows riders to tailor chassis flex and stiffness for competition or the road, a remarkable piece of engineering innovation. A road-going version of the OMT 450c will be launched next year, bringing this technology to everyone.

Among the fans of the new bike is none other than three-time Superbike champion Troy Bayliss, from Australia, who demonstrated it in from of excited crowds at EICMA, calling it a “beautiful piece of kit.”

The inclusion of motorcycles such as the Picasso OMT 450c reflects Heveningham’s growing reputation as a stage for exceptional engineering beyond the world of cars. Recent editions have featured groundbreaking creations alongside historic icons, from bespoke café racers and racing prototypes to electric concepts that redefine design and performance.

Lois Hunt, Chairman and Founder of Heveningham Concours, said: “Picasso Engineering’s 450c captured the imagination of everyone who saw it. It represents the creativity and courage we love to celebrate: proof that Heveningham is as much about great bikes as it is about great cars.”

The Heveningham Concours continues to pair world-class displays of automotive and motorcycle design with vintage aviation and strong charitable purpose. Organised by the Heveningham Hall Country Fair Trust, the event will focus on fundraising to support the incredible work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance next year. The EAAA provides life-saving emergency medical care by air and road across the region, and operates entirely through charitable donations.

The 2026 Heveningham Concours will take place on 27–28 June, with the Tour of Suffolk scheduled for 26 June 2026. Tickets will be available soon for another weekend celebrating engineering brilliance, creativity, and passion – on both two and four wheels.