Week 35 of 2016 has certainly been an exciting week for the motoring industry with the beginning of the Monterey Auto Week and several promising technological advancements unveiled by the top motoring manufacturers.
Pebble Beach, Monterey Auto Week 2016
A highlight of the motoring festival calendar is set to yet again make the headlines with several of the top names in luxury Motoring already unveiling their line up’s for the event.
Mercedes to premiere the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
Mercedes will premiere the exclusive Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, a sensational luxury-class coupé, at this year’s Pebble Beach event. The 2+2-seater is a homage to the glorious age of the aero coupés and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future. The coupé reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extreme way, following the Mercedes design philosophy of sensual purity.
The large coupé is set to make its debut at Monterey Car Week, which will take place on the Monterey Peninsula between 16 and 21 August 2016. The final event on 21 August will be the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elégance.
Bentley Motors reveal line up for Pebble Beach return
The most luxurious Bentley model ever, – the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, will make its US debut at the Monterey Auto Week.
The pinnacle luxury limousine is designed for those who prefer to be driven, and provides a first class air-travel experience for the road. The Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase will be appearing at the Quail: A Motorsports Gathering on Friday 19 August, and will also be in position on the Concept Lawn at The Lodge on Sunday 21 August.
The newly launched Flying Spur V8 S also makes its US debut at Pebble Beach. Taking its place between the Flying Spur V8 and flagship W12 in the range, the V8 S is tuned for power and performance, with increased engine output and revised suspension offering a more focused, precise driving experience.
The most powerful production Bentley ever, the Continental GT Speed Black Edition, will also be in attendance throughout the event. The revised Continental GT Speed raises the bar even further in terms of exclusivity and performance, delivering a top speed of 206 mph (331 km/h) and even more power and torque.
McLaren Automotive unveil 570GT details ahead of debut
McLaren Automotive has released details of the new McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept ahead of its debut on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach golf course at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the world’s highest-profile competitive display of collector’s cars. The McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept will be displayed on the concept lawn where previously McLaren has displayed many of its concept and future models, not least the McLaren P1TM.
The McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept further accentuates the McLaren interpretation of a GT car. Previewing a collection of enhancements created by McLaren’s bespoke division MSO which was itself launched at Pebble Beach in 2012, the car is the first example of the recently-introduced 570GT to receive the attention of McLaren’s finest team of craftsmen and designers. They have added styling, feature and material enhancements such as an Electro-Chromic Roof that are all destined to become available through the MSO Defined portfolio.
The rest of the World
50 rare Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Phantom Zenith Collection Hampers go on sale
A truly stunning accessory launched by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the Phantom Zenith Collection Hamper, has sent tremors across the motoring world with it’s beauty, historical significance and exquisite attention detail. But would we expect any less from Rolls-Royce, most definitely not.
Serving not only as a great talking piece, this hamper’s rarity makes it a unique collectors item with every hamper marked in sequential number order to match the owner’s Phantom Zenith Collection motor car.
The Phantom Zenith Collection Picnic Hamper will be on display at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California from 17-21 August.
Bentley Motors open luxurious Dubai Showroom
Spanning 75,000 sq. ft, Bentley Motors largest showroom in the world was opened this week in the UAE, Dubai. Featuring a world first Aqua Graphic Water Curtain, three floors of display area and a total of 6 floors this showroom is a destination for Bentley enthusiasts.
Located on one of the most famous roads in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, and with its stunning exterior and interior design, the new showroom emulates everything Bentley Motors represents, elegance, luxury and the forefront of technology.
Audi launch wireless charging iPhone case
Audi has unlocked even more of the latest iPhone’s in-car capability with a new wireless charging case that works in conjunction with its optional Audi Phone Box connection and charging system. When the Qi-enabled cover is fitted to the latest iPhone 6 and 6s models they can simply be placed in the centre console to start the charging process, without the need to plug in a separate cable via the USB port. This innovative feature also works outside of the car on any base station that also has Qi functionality.
The Audi wireless charging case for iPhone 6 and 6s requires Audi Phone Box to be installed in the car to function. Available to order as a standalone option from £325 or as part of the Technology Pack on a host of new models*, Audi Phone Box also boosts phone signal quality, depending on reception, when a handset is paired by creating a wireless connection to the vehicle’s aerial. Another convenient feature of the option is the additional Bluetooth interface, which allows two mobile phones – a work phone and personal phone, for example – to connect to the car simultaneously.
The Audi wireless charging cover for iPhone 6 and 6s can be purchased now from any Audi Centre for an RRP of £35, and is also available to order online now via the Audi merchandise store.
Volvo Cars unveil autonomous driving partner, Uber
Volvo Cars, the Swedish premium car maker, and Uber, the world’s leading ride-sharing company, are to join forces to develop next-generation autonomous driving cars.
The two companies have signed an agreement to establish a joint project that will develop new base vehicles that will be able to incorporate the latest developments in AD technologies, up to and including fully autonomous driverless cars. The base vehicles will be manufactured by Volvo Cars and then purchased from Volvo by Uber. Volvo Cars and Uber are contributing a combined USD300m to the project.
Both Uber and Volvo will use the same base vehicle for the next stage of their own autonomous car strategies. This will involve Uber adding its own self-developed autonomous driving systems to the Volvo base vehicle. Volvo will use the same base vehicle for the next stage of its own autonomous car strategy, which will involve fully autonomous driving.
Salon Privé annoucnce 80 Supercars to enter Pirelli Prestige & Performance Competition
Acting as a centrepiece to the Salon Privé Supercar Show on Saturday 3rd September, the full line-up of entrants and judges has now been announced, with eight different classes featuring in excess of 25 premium automotive brands. These include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz and Pagani, as well as Lamborghini and Porsche, both of whom have special celebration classes.
The modern-day twist on a Concours d’Elégance will see ten of Sant’Agata’s finest line up in the Tribute to the Lamborghini Diablo category, which includes a2000 6.0 VT Final Edition, a limited-edition SE30 and chassis number 001 SVR.
Competition supercar fans are also well catered for, with two Lancia 037s, two Ferrari 308 GTBs, an Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 and 410bhp MG Metro 6R4 in The Best of Group B Rallyingclass. Lining up alongside them in the Rival Supercars from the 80s & 90s category is a McLaren F1, Jaguar XJ 220, Lamborghini Countach and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
Tickets for Salon Privé 2016 are on sale now: www.salonpriveconcours.com .
