Luxury Automotive : Planes, Cars and Boats

LX 570 – the latest Lexus flagship SUV

August 20, 2015 by Editorial Team

A new Lexus that really does stand out This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance hosted some of the world’s most beautiful classic automobiles. The event was also the ideal venue to introduce a flagship premier luxury sport-utility – the 2016 Lexus LX 570. Lexus believes the new LX 570 remains one of the few luxury … Read more

The voluptuous 220 mile/hr Icona Vulcano Titanium hypercar

August 17, 2015 by Editorial Team

Icona Vulcano Titanium debuts at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2015.

The Italian designhouse Icona is reviving its 2013 Vulcano hypercar concept with a unique titanium and carbon fiber body. The concept first presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2013 and at Pebble Beach the same year features a strongly sculpted body side and shapes helping to evacuate the hot air from the engine and reduce air turbulence generated by the wheels. The overall design of the Vulcano didn’t change much from the 2013 concept version with 1,000 horsepower of hybrid technology.

“Inspiration for the Vulcano came from the world’s fastest plane, the Blackbird SR-71, whose sharp and dramatic silhouette complimenting its sensual surface transitions was key to the styling of the Vulcano.” said Icona design director Samuel Chuffart.

The Vulcano Titanium was built by Italian coachbuilder Cecomp, while the powertrain is the work of Claudio Lombardi,
ex-Scuderia Ferrari director and mastermind of numerous world champion cars with Mario Cavagnero, the man behind the
Lancia Racing team and father of the engine of many championship-winning cars (the famous Lancia Integrale and 037,
as well as the complete Peugeot T16 family).

The Vulcano (volcano in Italian) has a mid-front engine calibrated for homologated road and race use with an optimum balance of usability and efficiency. Capable to be tuned to well over 1000 horsepower should the owner demand it, the optimized 670 horsepower and 840 N/m of its supercharged V8 is sourced from the record-beating ZR1 and is coupled with a paddle-shift close ratio gearbox from Automac Modena, allowing 0 to 60 miles/hr in 2.8 seconds and 120 miles/hr in 8.8 seconds. Let’s hope the concept will see the production phase soon enough.

2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance raised a substantial amount of money

August 17, 2015 by Editorial Team

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Charity Donations Top $20 Million Mark.

Continuing a tradition that now extends 65 years, the top collector cars in the world made their way onto the show
field of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last Sunday. At the same time, the event raised a substantial amount of
money to help people in need.

At an appreciation reception at Pebble Beach Resorts, Pebble Beach Company CEO William L. Perocchi and Concours Chairman Sandra Button jointly announced that charitable donations raised since the Concours began now exceed $20 million – a milestone for the event that dates back to 1950.

“I continue to be inspired by the generosity of the collector car community,” said Button. “Entrants bring their automotive treasures here to share with others, judges bring their expertise, sponsors often debut new cars and provide items for opportunity drawings—and, together, we are able to make a solid contribution to better the lives of others.”

This year’s event raised close to $2 million. Through its primary charitable partner, the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, grants are distributed to 100 local nonprofit educational programs impacting the lives of more than 10,000 children in Monterey County. Perocchi stressed that most of the charitable donations raised by the Concours are put to use in the local community, where the funds can help address issues like poverty, hunger, and literacy.

“It is easy to see the affluence of this area, but we cannot overlook the many needs in this county,” Perocchi said. “It’s because of the generosity of our donors and charity partners that we can significantly impact the lives of Monterey County residents. The money raised during this event, and in turn distributed to our community partners, helps those in need.”

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Pebble Beach Company Foundation was created in 1975 with a mission to provide youth with the building blocks of success, starting with literacy and education. In keeping with this focus, the Foundation also works with the Concours to oversee a scholarship program created to honor racing great Phil Hill
and encourage the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.

Along with historic vehicles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance the contest had the Concept Lawn where manufacturers bring vehicles that represent their latest and greatest in design and performance.

Complete List of 2015 Winners @ 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance:Best of Show

1924 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A F. Ramseier & Cie Worblaufen Cabriolet
Jim Patterson/The Patterson Collection, Louisville, Kentucky.

Best of Show Nominees

1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Kellner Torpedo Phaeton
Doug Magee Jr., Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

1937 Delahaye 145 Franay Cabriolet
Sam & Emily Mann, Englewood, New Jersey.

1953 Abarth 1100 Sport Ghia Coupé
Grant Kinzel, Calgary Alberta, Canada.

Most Elegant Awards

J.B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car
1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Figoni & Falaschi Pillarless Berline
Don Williams, Danville, California

Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible
1937 Delahaye 145 Franay Cabriolet
Sam & Emily Mann, Englewood, New Jersey

Most Elegant Open Car
1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Kellner Torpedo Phaeton
Doug Magee Jr., Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car
1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta
Jon Shirley, Medina, Washington.

Aston Martin’s Second Century: The new 2016 DB9 GT

August 17, 2015 by Editorial Team

Aston Martin’s new 2016 DB9 GT made its global debut at the Pebble Beach Automotive Week, accompanied by a glimpse of Aston Martin’s Second Century with the DBX concept, Lagonda Taraf and Aston Martin Vulcan supercar.

Claiming the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now boasts
540bhp, the DB9 GT is the luxury British sports car maker’s most compelling production ‘DB’ to date. The DBX concept
– now confirmed for production – “underlines Aston Martin’s growth plans by signaling an expansion into the luxury GT
crossover market as part of a wider strategy to develop the strongest and most diverse product portfolio in the
company’s history.”

After completion of his first 150 days as CEO of Aston Martin, Andy Palmer announced Aston Martin’s ‘Second Century’
plan. A comprehensive strategy for the ongoing growth and development of the 102-year old sport car maker, the plan
laid out the principle mid-term actions, particularly in the area of new product development that will drive the
growth of the company.

The 800+bhp Aston Martin Vulcan made its second bow in North America following a New York debut in April and was also on display at the Aston Martin Estate alongside DBX.

Styled entirely in-house by the Aston Martin design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the Aston
Martin Vulcan is powered by the most potent iteration yet of the brand’s naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol
engine. With a powerplant developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing, this front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive
sports car draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience.

Marking a first appearance in the North American market, the new Lagonda Taraf super saloon draws inspiration from
the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting edge engineering
techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars, such as the extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.

Vision G Concept Coupe points to Hyundai’s luxury car aspirations

August 13, 2015August 12, 2015 by Editorial Team

Vision G Concept Coupe, Hyundai’s latest concept car, points to luxury car aspirations. Underlying the idea of respectful luxury, Hyundai Motor America revealed the “Vision G” Concept Coupe at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). “The concept was designed with coordinated input from Hyundai design studios around the world, but was led by … Read more

Infiniti’s new virtual experience offers virtual test drives at 2015 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

August 12, 2015 by Editorial Team

Through a new virtual reality experience, Infiniti is giving driving enthusiasts the opportunity to not just see, but actually feel what it’s like to take the wheel of two of its newest and most exciting concept cars.

The “Dream Road” at the Infiniti Pavilion at Pebble Beach Concours Plaza transports guests to the driver’s seat of the Q60 Concept— revealed earlier this year at the Detroit Auto show–allowing them to virtually experience the performance of the next generation coupe on some of the world’s most exhilarating drives including Italy’s Stelvio Pass and the stunning Atlantic Ocean road in Norway. Infiniti teamed with CXC Simulations and professional drivers to replicate the real- world physics of every bump, acceleration and turn of drive. The custom simulator recreates G-forces and tilt, providing a fully-immersive VR experience.

In a second virtual reality experience launching at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Infiniti Executive Design
Director Alfonso Albaisa will take guests on a guided tour of the breathtaking design of the QX30 Concept in “From
Pencil to Metal.”

Guests visiting the Infiniti Pavilion will receive a complimentary special edition headset inspired by Google Cardboard so they can download the free Infiniti Driver’s Seat VR mobile app and relive the full experiences at home.