Click image above for a high-res gallery of concepts from Pebble Beach

The Pebble Beach Concours has something for every car enthusiast, even if classic cars aren't your thing. Every year we take the time to tear ourselves away from the fairway and head up to the front of the lodge where the concept car lawn showcases some of the latest show cars. Many of the cars made their debut at the Detroit Auto Show this year including Chrysler's green concepts, the Jeep Renegade, Dodge ZEO, and Chrysler ecoVoyager. GM brought out the Cadillac CTS Coupe and the Buick Invicta, Lexus showed off the LF-A Roadster, and Mercedes-Benz displayed the F700 that debuted in Frankfurt. Other featured cars included the Pininfarina Hyperion, Lamborghini Reventon and Gallardo LP560-4, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport and Spyker C8 Aileron. Enjoy the high resolution gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn

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Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Pininfarina RR Hyperion

Spend enough time roaming the streets of Rome and you're likely to encounter a fair share of people who fancy themselves more Catholic than the Pope. No wonder, then, that the Italians have now tried to out-Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce, presenting a one-off drop-top Drophead that endeavors to embody an even greater presence than the Phantom cabrio itself.

The Pininfarina Hyperion was unveiled just this past weekend at Pebble Beach, and our man Drew was on hand to bring you the best shots of the one-off coachbuilt special from the show stand as it was unveiled and from the fairway where it was displayed in all its glory. But just in case you didn't get enough, Pininfarina has released ten more high-res shots of its one-off Roller for your viewing pleasure. Click on the top gallery to view the new factory shots, and on the two galleries after the jump to see the Hyperion in Monterey.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion

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Continue reading Jetstream SC250: the poor blind man's Atom/X-Bow/Elise

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Click image above for high-res gallery of Motorama Cars from Pebble

Along with the 20+ liter class, the Lancias, Lamborghinis and Ferrari California Spiders, GM's Motorama cars were among the featured groups at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this year. For those of a certain age, the Motorama cars were some of the wildest dream cars ever created. GM created a traveling road show of concepts that went from town to town. These vehicles were styled by some of the greatest names in the design biz and have had a lasting impact on many that followed. The cars themselves explored design themes that stretched the imagination and incorporated some of the latest, greatest technology of the day. Some were used for a year or two to show people the possibilities, and then were discarded like yesterday's newspaper. Others were outright destroyed because they were never designed to be drivable. Thanks to at least one dedicated fan, their remains were salvaged and the cars rebuilt when possible. To help celebrate GM's 100th anniversary, Pebble gathered them together to show them off once again. Many look spectacular but a couple still need some TLC. Check out the press release after the jump and the full gallery below.

Gallery: GM Motorama Dream Cars at Pebble

Continue reading Monterey 2008: GM's Motorama cars at Pebble Beach

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Gallery: Woodward 2008: Hot Rods

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Gallery: Woodward 2008: Advanced Heldo Concept

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW X5 Security

If you happen to be the Head of State of a controversial nation, have a lot of enemies, or you are just plain paranoid, BMW's latest X5 variation may appeal to you. It's called the BMW X5 Security, and it has been armored by the factory to protect its occupants against some serious firepower (BMW claims safety class "VR4" to resist the penetration from a .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum, or a nine-millimeter Luger). While BMW is understandably mum about specifics, we do know that the body panels (including the roof and trunk) have been reinforced with a ballistic-resistant armored fiber developed in the Netherlands. The windows are upgraded to laminated 22-mm thick security glass, and a camera system with intercom keeps the passengers informed of what's happening outside their isolated cocoon. To handle the extra mass (you know its packing some weight) the Security package is bundled to the X5 4.8i model with its 4.8-liter 350-hp V-8. Nearly indistinguishable from the regular model, BMW has reportedly attempted to maintain the X5's driving dynamics with upgraded suspension and brakes. It's apparently no slouch, but we have yet to see any armored car that is considered exceptionally nimble.

Gallery: 2009 BMW X5 Security

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Click to view the Golden Roller in high-resolution

It says a lot about a place when a gold-gilded Rolls-Royce comes across as the most tasteful thing we've seen there recently, but so it is. Following the gold-accented Camry spotted in neighboring emirate Dubai, a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has been delivered to its new owner in Abu Dhabi. But this convertible is distinguished by a gold paintjob and an actual gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament (Seriously, the owner couldn't spring for a solid gold hood ornament?).

The car was created as part of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Program, which allows customers to specify all manner of optional extras, both inside and out. Of course, this example was also fitted with the optional stainless steel hood, twin coachlines, teak rear deck and Rolls-Royce emblems etched into the headrests, but the gold touches put it over the top and square into evil arch-villain status.

Gallery: Golden Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe

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Luxury sport-utes and yachts go together like champagne and strawberries. The good folk at the Volkswagen Group know that, which is why they came up with the VW Touareg North Sails and Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline concepts. But the British aren't about to leave all the wet n' wild fun to ze Germans, so they're cooking up a few sailing-themed SUVs of their own.

In cooperation with Land Rover, luxury yacht broker Edmiston has commissioned seven of the world's top yacht designers to participate in the Superyacht Range Rover Design Competition. The results of the design regatta will be put to sea (figuratively speaking) at the Monaco Yacht Show next month, at which point the obscenely wealthy may place orders for these bespoke SUVs at prices ranging from $300,000 to $1.2 million.

[Source: CarScoop]

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Gallery: 2009 HUMMER H2 "Black Chrome" Limited Edition

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Click above to view the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione in hi-res

We're not quite sure to make of this, but apparently of the 29 hand-selected participants from the Ferrari FXX development program, only three opted (or were deemed worthy) to continue with the even more exclusive FXX Evoluzione.

The progression of the previous initiative revolves around an even more extreme derivative of the Enzo. The FXX Evoluzione, as we reported back in October of last year, features a heavily revised variable aerodynamics package and advanced electronics, channeling 860 horsepower from the developmental supercar's 6.3-liter V12 with its atmospheric 9500 rpm redline. Of the three FXX Evoluziones made, two are heading to Hong Kong, with the remaining third example being presented to an unspecified European client.

Gallery: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

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Click for a hi-res gallery of the BMW 6 Edition Sport

BMW has responded to customer demand for a tauter 6 Series by announcing the availability of a new Edition Sport trim level for the grand tourer. While the new Competition Package offers a host of modifications for the M6, the Edition Sport follows along the same lines for the rest of the 6 Series range, including both coupe and convertible models.

The package includes a restyled hood and new lightweight 19" alloys, plus stiffer anti-roll bars and the anti-roll stabilization system borrowed from the M division. Brushed aluminum trim for the cabin and fog lights also form part of the Edition Sport, along with a couple of new colors. The 650i Edition Sport also benefits from a new exhaust system. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced for the US market, but the package commands a £1500-2000 premium in the UK. While we wait for word, you can check out the British press release after the jump and the gallery of high-resolution images below.

Gallery: BMW 6 Series Edition Sport

Continue reading BMW announces new Edition Sport for 6 Series

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Click to view more of the Pininfarina Hyperion

As we count down to this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, one of the most highly anticipated concept cars scheduled to make its debut there has popped up a bit early. Based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, the Pininfarina Hyperion has been commissioned by one lucky and presumably very wealthy customer. The unique creation does away with the rear seats and moves the front ones, along with the swept windscreen, back by 400 mm. If you can believe it, a gun rack has been fitted in front of the cabin (yeah, we're serious), while famed watchmaker Girard Perregaux has crafted a special tourbillon timepiece for the Hyperion that can be removed from its wrist-strap and mounted in the dashboard. Meanwhile, word has it that Rolls-Royce could be collaborating with Zagato or Bertone on another special model as well.

This, of course, is the first new vehicle from the Italian design firm to be unveiled since the untimely death of Andrea Pininfarina. Stay tuned for live shots of the Hyperion after its unveiling in five days. In the meantime, click on the thumbnails below to view new images of the concept, along with the original teaser sketch.

Gallery: Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion

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Click to view a gallery of the Lamborghini Zagato Raptor

If you thought the Lamborghini Reventon was as exclusive as Bolognese supercars get, feast your eyes on the Zagato Raptor. The one-off concept car unveiled at the 1996 Geneva show took on the insurmountable task of supplanting the Diablo (on which it's based) on the bedroom walls of enthusiastic children worldwide.

The concept car borrowed its mechanics from the Diablo VT, but while it retained the Lambo's 492-hp V12, in a gesture to insanity it did away with the traction control and ABS. The design, which Zagato appears to have echoed with the Spyker C12 concept, features the carrozzeria's signature double-bubble roof that tilts up with the doors not unlike the canopy on Pininfarina's Maserati Birdcage or Giugiaro's Quaranta concepts. The Raptor was developed in conjunction with Swiss sledding champion Alain Wicki (yes, he has his own Wikipedia entry), and while public reception was hot, the car was never put into production. All that remains is this one original show car, which is now going up for auction at Pebble Beach by the auctioneers at the Blackhawk Collection.

Check out the images in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Jonathon!

Gallery: Lamborghini Zagato Raptor

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Gallery: Goldammer Goldmember

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Gallery: Local Motors Rally Fighter

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Gallery: Packard Prototype

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Gallery: 1954 Cramer Comet

Continue reading P-51-engined Cramer Comet goes on the block at Pebble Beach

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But to make everything all better, the plaintiffs are asking for class action status, a jury trial, and... ahem... more than $12 million. That sounds like a lot, but say there were just 100 plaintiffs, that would be $120,000 per person, and would get them their money back plus a 100-percent premium for being misled... which might sound more reasonable. Or not. For the moment, both Ford and ROUSH have no comment on the litigation. Thanks for the tip, iOrange!

UPDATE: One point of clarification that's been bothering us is why Ford has been included in this lawsuit. All it did was build the Mustangs then sold them to ROUSH, which developed, manufactured and distributed the run of limited-edition Blackjack Mustangs.

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Only months ago Bertone, one of the most famous design houses in Europe, looked like it was about to go under. The company had lost all its contracts, had a big operation to sustain, and went into bankruptcy protection. But like a phoenix from the ashes, Bertone is re-emerging, more streamlined and ready to get back to business. The manufacturing division, heavy with overhead, was stripped away from the styling studio, which is still owned by the Bertone family but operated independently. And its new business development director is keen to get the design house back on track.

Among the steps Bertone is considering is to open up additional field offices away from Italy to get in on the local action. The company is in the process of setting up shop in China, and has its eyes set on India and Detroit next. To mark its resurgence, Bertone is also considering putting the BAT 11 into limited production. The Alfa 8C-based concept car was shown near the Geneva show last March after conflicting reports of its cancellation, and is now headlining the Meadow Brook Concours d'Eleance. The vehicle was originally built as a one-off for our friend Gary Kaberle, but if Bertone can get enough orders in place beforehand, the company would consider a small run of 25-50 examples. In the meantime, it's going to focus on rebuilding its reputation and on the 20 design projects it currently has under way for automakers in Europe and China, as well as shipyards and aerospace companies.

Gallery: Bertone BAT 11 concept

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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