2012 Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn offers a tutorial in cars to come

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a showcase for some of the world's most exquisite vintage vehicles, but if newer metal is more your speed, the Concept Car Lawn is the place to be.

This year saw models from Bugatti, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and Bentley as well as SRT, Hennessey, Infiniti and Lexus among others. The ultimate sampler platter of exotic and concept vehicles saw the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse mingle with the Lamborghini Urus Concept and the mighty Hennessey Venom GT, though we found ourselves particularly smitten with the BMW Zagato Roadster and the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Not that we could go wrong anywhere we looked. The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed seemed perfectly content parked on the manicured putting green, as did the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. Get cozy with the full gallery below to see the smattering of metal on the lawn.

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Jaguar offers all-wheel drive - but not for UK

By Ollie Kew

Motor Industry

16 August 2012 17:00

Jaguar has confirmed four-wheel-drive models will join its range once again, for the first time since the AWD X-type was killed off back in 2009.

The first 4wd Jaguars will be the XJ and XF ranges. They'll be petrol-powered only, and just in saloon form for now, but don't get too excited if you're a UK customer: Jaguar has no plans to bring the all-paw big cats over here any time soon.

To raise the appeal of their models in some of the most lucrative overseas markets. The AWD XJ and XF are expected to see greatest success in the more wintry parts of North America, as well as Russia, China, and Alpine continental Europe.

Jag says the United States is the world's happiest hunting ground for AWD sales; initially more than three-quarters of the AWD models will find homes Stateside. 

Adding AWD opens up Jaguar's ranges to approximately 80% of the luxury saloon market, four times what it contests currently with only rear-drive cars.

Jaguar's all-wheel-drive models will have to play catch up with its bitterest German rivals, who already offer their own 4x4 systems: BMW offers xDrive-fitted models, Mercedes has 4Motion, and Audi has of course built so much of its brand around the security of Quatto drive.

Nope, not during the 2013 model year, at least.

It seems that despite the country grinding to a halt every time there's a sharp frost, Jaguar doesn't think the extra heft and cost of four-wheel-drive Jags are justified in the home market. 'Just 5% of the luxury sector is four-wheel drive in the UK,' said a spokeswoman. 'They have only been engineered for left-hand drive for now.'

Unless that opinion (or the level of demand) changes, we'll just have to wait for the long-rumoured Jag crossover. Or just buy a JLR sister-brand Land Rover instead...

If you're not a UK resident and like the sound of an all-paw Jag, they'll be going into production at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich factory from October 2012.

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2013 Ford Fusion offers gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models

In brief: The 2013 Ford Fusion will be offered in a standard gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid option.

Make/Model: 2013 Fusion
Manufacturer: Ford

Ford calls it The Power of Choice as it rolls out standard models in alternative configurations to give consumers the ability to choose their own options for power trains. The Ford Focus Electric was a first of these and the 2013 Fusion will be the next.

Ford's idea is to build the same car on the same assembly line with the ability to easily swap power train options during assembly in order to have flexibility in production to meet market demands. In the case of the Fusion, for example, if the plug-in (PHEV) option is selling well and the gasoline option isn't, then the line could quickly be changed to compensate, swapping gasoline production for PHEV.

In theory, Ford could do this with every car in their lineup, offering gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid, electric, fuel cell, etc. options for every model. While still in its early stages, the concept is sound and may be a glimpse at the future of automotive manufacturing.

The 2013 Fusion will be the best-in-class fuel efficiency gasoline option with 26/37 city/highway miles per gallon.

The 2013 Fusion Hybrid takes that a step further to get 47/44 city/highway, bettering the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The 2013 Fusion Energi will be the plug-in hybrid option with an anticipated MPGe over 100 - beating the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius Plug-in.

With advanced safety features, a choice of power trains, and a background as one of the best-selling cars in Ford's lineup, the new Power of Choice Fusion will be a spearhead for Ford's new plans.

Photo credits: Ford

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

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This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2013 Ford Fusion offers gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models

In brief: The 2013 Ford Fusion will be offered in a standard gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid option.

Make/Model: 2013 Fusion
Manufacturer: Ford

Ford calls it The Power of Choice as it rolls out standard models in alternative configurations to give consumers the ability to choose their own options for power trains. The Ford Focus Electric was a first of these and the 2013 Fusion will be the next.

Ford's idea is to build the same car on the same assembly line with the ability to easily swap power train options during assembly in order to have flexibility in production to meet market demands. In the case of the Fusion, for example, if the plug-in (PHEV) option is selling well and the gasoline option isn't, then the line could quickly be changed to compensate, swapping gasoline production for PHEV.

In theory, Ford could do this with every car in their lineup, offering gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid, electric, fuel cell, etc. options for every model. While still in its early stages, the concept is sound and may be a glimpse at the future of automotive manufacturing.

The 2013 Fusion will be the best-in-class fuel efficiency gasoline option with 26/37 city/highway miles per gallon.

The 2013 Fusion Hybrid takes that a step further to get 47/44 city/highway, bettering the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The 2013 Fusion Energi will be the plug-in hybrid option with an anticipated MPGe over 100 - beating the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius Plug-in.

With advanced safety features, a choice of power trains, and a background as one of the best-selling cars in Ford's lineup, the new Power of Choice Fusion will be a spearhead for Ford's new plans.

Photo credits: Ford

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

View the original article here

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