Aussie links to Monterey Car Week

MONTEREY Car Week is more than an auction and a bunch of classic and vintage cars parked on a golf course being ogled by crowd of wealthy collectors. It has become so big nationally and internationally that US Highway 1 from the north and the south of Monterey is blockaded for the event duration.

And this year, Melbourne-based new vehicle and automotive engineering firm Premcar (think their latest local effort, the Nissan Patrol Warrior) in conjunction with Illinois-based, re-imagined Ford Bronco specialist, Gateway Bronco, opened some eyes unveiling their latest new vehicle project, a classic Ford Bronco SUV with custom chassis, suspension and steering by Premcar.

The Gateway Bronco is a 1960s-inspired LUXE-GT model featuring a Computer Aided Design (CAD) ladder chassis and can be powered by a Ford 343kW, 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 engine in front of a 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, and two-stage shift-on-the-fly all-wheel drive system.

There was more, much more at Monterey Car Week that actually runs for nine days from August 11-20 and incorporates the Pebble Beach Concourse D’Elegance and auctions, motorsport events at the nearby Laguna Seca track and in town, street parades through town and environs, “reunions” and automobilia markets.

Sounds pretty dang good to us…

Some manufacturers take advantage of the holy week to reveal or tease new models, in particular super cars and hyper cars along with high end luxury models, EVs and new technology.

This year was no exception with, among others, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Maserati and Bugatti all lining up to show new models.

Aston Martin triple play

Aston Martin took the cake being front and centre with a bevy of beauties to excite the throngs.

As part of its 110th anniversary celebrations, Aston Martin used Monterey to debut the DB12 Volante convertible and also took the opportunity to display the DB12 Coupe super tourer which is the first of Aston Martin’s next generation sports cars. Adding to the excitement, the AM Valour model made its first appearance on U. soil.

AM says, “Valour represents the ultimate in undiluted and visceral driving experiences. It is the only front-engine V12 sports car available with a manual transmission and boasts a thrilling end-of-an-era specification.”

Also on display was what AM describes as “the world’s most powerful SUV”… the DBX707.

Both the DBX707 and the DB12 Coupe super tourer were available for test drives subject to credit card approval.

Head of global marketing and communications at Aston Martin, Renato Bisignani said: “Pebble Beach is always one of our most important events of the year, but this year it was even more significant for Aston Martin, as we celebrated our 110^th anniversary with a showcase of breathtaking new models, including a world premiere”.

Beastly Bugatti

Bugatti unveiled special versions of its Chiron Super Sport and Mistral models built as “an homage to the era-defining moments in the history of Bugatti.”

The Volkswagen-owned exclusive and iconic brand referenced its “Golden Era” and highlighted the Monterey show cars in full, precious metal gold paint work.

The Mistral is number one of a 100 build run all in gold livery.

The $US 5.0 million  ($A7.74 million) vehicle retains Bugatti’s quad-turbo 8.0-litre W16 but this will be the automaker’s last model to feature the mill which has powered all of its vehicles since it was acquired and relaunched by Volkswagen in the late 1990s.

Maserati in extremis

Maserati showcased its 1300kg MCXtrema race car based on the Maser MC20 complete with a wailing Nettuno 3.0-litre V6 engine boosted to raise its power to 544kW thanks to new turbochargers.

Maserati describes the low-slung track special as a disruptive force lab-engineered for extreme racing and capable of taking the driver to the limit.

In addition to all those kilowatts, the MCXtrema calls up some 730Nm of torque unleashed through a six-speed sequential racing gearbox. Sad thing is only 62 are slated to be built.

Lamborghini goes ‘lectric

Lamborghini unveiled its electrified Lanzador Super GT concept car, its first all-electric vehicle and according to Lambo, “the world’s first Super GT — part luxury grand tourer, part high-performance supercar.”

The all-electric model, with two electric motors and up to 970kW is a complete turn-around from a company renowned for screaming V12 engines and slick transmissions but the reception from onlookers appeared positive.

The model is not scheduled for production for another five years, but the 2+2 grand tourer sets Lamborghini on a new path that’s for sure.

Lambo says it’s not an SUV though take a look at the pictures and make up your own mind.

Lamborghini ’s chief technology officer,  Rouven Mohr said, “this is for sure one of the challenges on my list…we are aware that the character of the car comes automatically from the specific type of engine you put in the car”.

“But it’s not only about sound. The typical Lambo feeling is how the car reacts to steering impulses, how the sitting position is, how the throttle response is. All these make a Lamborghini today a Lambo and we can (also) do these things in a fully electric car.”

Mr Mohr added that despite being electric the Lanzador is still every bit a Lamborghini.

Not Bentley, but also, Bentley

The Little Car Company displayed an 85 per cent scale recreation of the 1929 4½-litre Supercharged Bentley dubbed “Blower Jnr” which is fully road legal in the UK, EU and USA and somewhat more manageable than the full-size real deal.

But this one uses a 15kW electric motor as part of 48V electrical system for propulsion with a claimed range of 110km and a top speed approaching 80km/h.

The pint size Bentley has tandem seating accommodation for two adults with a decent size luggage space behind.

It’s crafted entirely by hand, from authentic materials to match the original version that went considerably faster than 80km/h but would have been a real handful for the driver.

A charging port is concealed within “supercharger” housing to maintain an authentic look.

The Monterey car was inspired by Team Car No. 2, the most famous, valuable and iconic Bentley in the world.

But as is the case with other desirable cars mentioned above, only 99 First Edition cars will be available colour-matched to Team Car No. 2, complete with Union flags and unique details.