Monterey Car Week turns it on once again

THE roads in and out of California’s Monterey district are awash with rare metal, from century-old Bugattis to one-off hypercar concepts, for the 10-day-long Car Week event held in August each year.

At the heart of the incredible event is the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, held on the final fairway of the town’s stunning golf course, where the finest makes and models from across the automotive world converge, all vying for the ultra-exclusive title of Best on Show.

The 74th running of the Pebble Beach showcase saw an incredible 229 cars wheeled out, including 55 international entries from 22 countries, and the variety was out of this world, with everything from classic Maybachs to race-bred Lotus F1 cars.

Judges handed the Best on Show title down to a unique aero-inspired 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpeda, giving owners Penny and Lee Anderson Sr. bragging rights, having taken out top gong at arguably the most prestigious car show in the world.

“This Hispano-Suiza ticks every possible box,” said Concours chairman Sandra Button.

“The underpinnings are technically advanced. The body is meticulously hand-crafted, light, and lovely. It was, notably, commissioned by aperitif scion André Dubonnet, and he raced it in both the Targa Florio and the Coppa Florio.”

While restored vintage runners stole the show at Monterey, adorning the Pebble Beach fairway for a walk down memory lane, manufacturers also used the occasion to showcase their latest creations on the ‘concept lawn’, giving punters a glimpse into the future.

Let’s take a look at the various reveals at Monterey Car Week this year, from the exotic to the obscure, and of course the flat-out awesome.

Lexus Sport Concept (LFA revealed in 2009)

Lexus debuted a potential LFA successor, rolling out its Sport Concept at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering at Monterey – but little in the way of specifics were offered by the automaker.

Visually, the supercar shares design cues with the iconic LFA, but looks more like the Electrified Sport Concept unveiled a few years back, albeit without the ‘Electric’ denomination, suggesting it might feature ICE power.

But it is unlikely – or rather impossible – it’ll feature a whaling V10 like the LFA did, and it is unlikely to be a V8, either.

The two-door concept car could be a taste of Lexus’s upcoming, yet to be revealed, LFR supercar, but given camouflage testing shots that have been spied, the Sport Concept appears to be significantly less aggressive in its styling.

So, while the LFR will offer a twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain, the Sport Concept may be Lexus’s replacement for its soon-to-end rear-driven sportscar offerings like the LC and RC models – meaning it will sit downstream of the LFR.

The question remains then: will it be electric, hybrid, petrol or even hydrogen? Our guess is that it’ll feature a hybrid powertrain, as seems to be the trend within the Toyota family, and while a V8 would be grouse, a V6 is what we’d put our money on.

Infiniti QX80 A/T

A somewhat homegrown Infiniti QX80 Terrain Spec concept on display showed how Aussie ingenuity and flair can elevate an otherwise humdrum SUV, with the lifted, pumped and blacked-out off-road model standing proud at Pebble Beach.

You see, Australian engineering firm Premcar, who are the brains behind the Navara and Patrol Warrior, among other models, fettled the QX80 to transform it into an overlander that is equal parts ‘show’ and ‘go’.

Infiniti worked with Premcar to create the hardcore concept model, which features an elevated ride height, off-road wheels with all-terrain tyres, fender flares and a side-exit exhaust.

It also scores a rooftop tent, limb risers, a roof-mounted lightbar and protective covers over the lower front and rear fascias.

“The Premcar team is proud to have worked with INFINITI USA to create the QX80 Terrain Spec concept,” Premcar chief executive Bernie Quinn told GoAuto.

This isn’t the first time Premcar has had its handiwork on display at Pebble Beach either, first gracing the lawns with a reimagined Ford Bronco back in 2023 – the result of a collaboration between the Australian firm and Illinois-based Gateway Bronco.

Cadillac Sollei

Cadillac teased attendees with a creamy, open-air homage to 1950s summer cruising with the Sollei concept, and we still can’t work out why we love it quite so much.

An opulent take on the drop-top Cadi’s of the ‘50s, the Sollei – its name derived from sun (sol) and leisure (lei) – is a 2+2 convertible with a period-specific Manila Cream exterior and buttery yellow interior complete with retro wood trim details.

While Cadillac didn’t delve into the specifics of the model, it appears to be based on the flagship Celestiq electric sedan, which is a hand-built, hyper-luxurious model with every bell and whistle.

Should the Sollei make its way into production, it’s unlikely to be a volume seller, but for those wanting a taste of the 1950s it offers a stunning blend of old and new – with near-on 500kW to play with.

Lamborghini Fenomo

Perhaps the most radical unveiling on our list is the limited-edition Lamborghini Fenomeno, which celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the Centro Stile design language, shown at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering.

With just 29 units planned, the Fenomeno will become the most powerful model Lamborghini has ever built, producing a staggering 805kW from its high-revving V12 and three electric-motor powertrain.

How high revving, exactly? The 6.5-litre V12 makes its peak 614kW at a stratospheric 9250rpm, which is sure to offer wailing drama.

The result is a vehicle that will reach 100km/h in 2.4 seconds, 200km/h in 6.7 seconds, and it will reach a top speed of more than 350km/h – should you find a racetrack with a long enough straight.

In true Lamborghini fashion, the Fenomeno was later showcased alongside the entire model lineup, including a Miura P400 for good measure.

“The Fenomeno introduces the most advanced technical solutions in our history, pushing the boundaries of performance and design, while honoring the values and achievements that are a fundamental part of our DNA,” said Lamborghini chairman and chief executive, Stephan Winkelmann.

“Unveiling the Fenomeno at The Quail, a prestigious celebration of automotive excellence in our largest global market, offers the perfect setting for our customers to experience this few-off masterpiece in person.”

Ford Bronco Roadster

Ford had arguably one of the coolest rigs on display at Monterey, with its Bronco Roadster Concept, based on the 1966 U13 Roadster but a heck of a lot more modern.

It pays homage to the rare first-generation Bronco Roadster, while also celebrating the nameplate’s 60th anniversary, but it’s unfortunately a one-off creation.

The roofless, doorless model doesn’t look a great deal different to its forefather, however sitting atop a current-generation Bronco chassis, it is considerably larger.

“We approached this as ‘turning the 6G into an OG’ – taking our current-generation Bronco and stripping it back to capture that same essence the original roadster possessed,” said Ford’s chief designer for the Bronco , Robert Geraldi.

“What struck me about that original roadster was its compelling simplicity. It didn't need big tires, a lift, or off-road lights to look good.

“It was just this pure expression of what I call ‘Go Anywhere, Open Air’ – the essential cool that made Bronco special from day one.”

The result is the most pared back modern Bronco you’ll find, it’s just a pity it isn’t for sale.