Automotive

Photo gallery: Concept cars from Monterey Car Week 2016

Photo gallery: Concept cars from Monterey Car Week 2016
The Acura Precision Concept points to the new direction the brand wants to take its styling
The Acura Precision Concept points to the new direction the brand wants to take its styling
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The Ford GT will be built in very limited numbers, and owners had to apply to buy one
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The Ford GT will be built in very limited numbers, and owners had to apply to buy one
The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration made its debut in Paris 2014, but it's been wheeled back out for Pebble Beach
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The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration made its debut in Paris 2014, but it's been wheeled back out for Pebble Beach
It's not often you'll see such expensive, rare cars side-by-side
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It's not often you'll see such expensive, rare cars side-by-side
The Ford GT promises to be one of the most interesting supercars of the next few years
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The Ford GT promises to be one of the most interesting supercars of the next few years
The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo was one of the earliest indications of what the Chiron would look like
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The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo was one of the earliest indications of what the Chiron would look like 
Lamborghini wished Ferruccio a happy birthday with the Centenario Roadster
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Lamborghini wished Ferruccio a happy birthday with the Centenario Roadster
This Lister Knobby stands out in classic green and yellow
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This Lister Knobby stands out in classic green and yellow
The Centenario's V12 punches out 770 hp
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The Centenario's V12 punches out 770 hp 
The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo's C-shaped detailing made it into the production Chiron
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The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo's C-shaped detailing made it into the production Chiron
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is almost six meters long
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is almost six meters long
The classic streamliner looks hide a modern powertrain on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
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The classic streamliner looks hide a modern powertrain on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
The rear of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 draws on the Concept IAA's aerodynamics setup, albeit without the futuristic extending shutters
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The rear of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 draws on the Concept IAA's aerodynamics setup, albeit without the futuristic extending shutters
The car's rear lights have been designed to have a "technoid" feeling
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The car's rear lights have been designed to have a "technoid" feeling
The Rimac Concept One is a new entry into the world of all-electric supercars
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The Rimac Concept One is a new entry into the world of all-electric supercars
The long bonnet doesn't have an engine beneath it, because the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is fully electric
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The long bonnet doesn't have an engine beneath it, because the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 is fully electric
The strakes on the grille have been inspired by pinstriped suits
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The strakes on the grille have been inspired by pinstriped suits
Porsche has seen some success at Le Mans with this car, although it's come at Toyota's expense
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Porsche has seen some success at Le Mans with this car, although it's come at Toyota's expense
Ford will offer a set of race-inspired liveries for the GT
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Ford will offer a set of race-inspired liveries for the GT 
The big rear wing on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is pure theatre for a racing game
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The big rear wing on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is pure theatre for a racing game 
The Chiron's squinting headlamps are almost identical to the ones on the Gran Turismo
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The Chiron's squinting headlamps are almost identical to the ones on the Gran Turismo
Lamborghini has worked to minimize buffeting in the Centenario
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Lamborghini has worked to minimize buffeting in the Centenario
The active aero on the Ford GT is based around the rear wing
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The active aero on the Ford GT is based around the rear wing 
Unlike old Lamborghinis, the Centenario's design is wild and functional
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Unlike old Lamborghinis, the Centenario's design is wild and functional
Just 20 examples of the Centenario Roadster will be built
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Just 20 examples of the Centenario Roadster will be built 
The cooling on the Ford GT sits on the rear haunches to feed the mid-mounted V6
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The cooling on the Ford GT sits on the rear haunches to feed the mid-mounted V6
The Cadillac Escala is a new take on American luxury
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The Cadillac Escala is a new take on American luxury
Few cars can match the Lister Knobby for show-stopping race looks
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Few cars can match the Lister Knobby for show-stopping race looks 
Details on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
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Details on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
It's just a concept for the virtual world, but the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is beautifully wrought in real life
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It's just a concept for the virtual world, but the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is beautifully wrought in real life
The rear spoiler on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
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The rear spoiler on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
Being able to wander around such a range of beautiful cars is rare
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Being able to wander around such a range of beautiful cars is rare
The Lamborghini Centenario Roadster will hit 217 mph
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The Lamborghini Centenario Roadster will hit 217 mph 
The grille from the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration has made it onto the brand's latest cars
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The grille from the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration has made it onto the brand's latest cars
The Cadillac Escala is a big, bold concept flagship
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The Cadillac Escala is a big, bold concept flagship
The BMW 2002 Hommage looks good finished in this special Jagermeister paintjob
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The BMW 2002 Hommage looks good finished in this special Jagermeister paintjob
The Infiniti's matte silver looks fantastic in the Californian sun
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The Infiniti's matte silver looks fantastic in the Californian sun
Suicide doors are a concept car staple, but rarely see production
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Suicide doors are a concept car staple, but rarely see production
This concept initially launched in 2014
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This concept initially launched in 2014
Big cars deserve big badges, at least that's the theory at Mercedes
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Big cars deserve big badges, at least that's the theory at Mercedes
The details on the Mercedes-Maybach 6 draw on the Concept IAA for inspiration
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The details on the Mercedes-Maybach 6 draw on the Concept IAA for inspiration
There are only two seats in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, and room for luggage in the bonnet
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There are only two seats in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, and room for luggage in the bonnet
The electric powertrain offers up 500 km of range
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The electric powertrain offers up 500 km of range 
The split rear window is an unashamed throwback
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The split rear window is an unashamed throwback 
Cadillac has used suit fabric to trim bits of its interior
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Cadillac has used suit fabric to trim bits of its interior 
The Escala is a concept, but it could easily be a production car based on the underpinnings and engine
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The Escala is a concept, but it could easily be a production car based on the underpinnings and engine 
The Escala's shape is similar to the Audi A7's
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The Escala's shape is similar to the Audi A7's
The Escala takes classic Cadillac design cues and modernises them with OLED
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The Escala takes classic Cadillac design cues and modernises them with OLED 
Putting Stirling Moss' name on a plaque is guaranteed to draw attention to itself
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Putting Stirling Moss' name on a plaque is guaranteed to draw attention to itself
The Lister Knobby sat alongside some gorgeous cars at Monterey Car Week this year
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The Lister Knobby sat alongside some gorgeous cars at Monterey Car Week this year
Modern cars can't match the old-style racers for dainty good looks
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Modern cars can't match the old-style racers for dainty good looks
The McLaren 570GT is a long-legged touring variant of the 570S
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The McLaren 570GT is a long-legged touring variant of the 570S
A concept 570GT with clever dimming glass was shown off during Monterey Car Week
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A concept 570GT with clever dimming glass was shown off during Monterey Car Week
The Lexus LC500 was launched at the Detroit Auto Show
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The Lexus LC500 was launched at the Detroit Auto Show
The Acura Precision Concept aims to inform the brand's next generation
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The Acura Precision Concept aims to inform the brand's next generation 
The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration is smooth and curvy, ignoring the edgy look Acura is chasing
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The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration is smooth and curvy, ignoring the edgy look Acura is chasing 
The Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge makes the old-fashioned badge a bit more attractive to young millionaires
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The Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge makes the old-fashioned badge a bit more attractive to young millionaires
The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato takes a beautiful car and makes it even more gorgeous
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The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato takes a beautiful car and makes it even more gorgeous
The gaping grille on the Vanquish Zagato feeds a more powerful version of the 6.0-lier AM29 V12
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The gaping grille on the Vanquish Zagato feeds a more powerful version of the 6.0-lier AM29 V12
Aston Martin and Zagato have used one-piece carbon fiber to make sure no cutlines ruin the car's shape
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Aston Martin and Zagato have used one-piece carbon fiber to make sure no cutlines ruin the car's shape
The Rimac Concept One is drop-dead gorgeous EV from Croatia
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The Rimac Concept One is drop-dead gorgeous EV from Croatia
There's no missing the Vision's pinstripe grille
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There's no missing the Vision's pinstripe grille
The Mercedes-Maybach 6 is almost six meters long, and aims to bring back some old-school glamour to car design
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The Mercedes-Maybach 6 is almost six meters long, and aims to bring back some old-school glamour to car design
The wheels are a take on the Concept IAA's shuttered designs
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The wheels are a take on the Concept IAA's shuttered designs
The Acura Precision Concept points to the new direction the brand wants to take its styling
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The Acura Precision Concept points to the new direction the brand wants to take its styling
The car has a slammed roof and suicide doors
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The car has a slammed roof and suicide doors 
The Honda NSX GT3 looks means and ready to race
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The Honda NSX GT3 looks means and ready to race
Jewel-like lights have become a staple of Acura's design
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Jewel-like lights have become a staple of Acura's design
The fin running along the rear window is one of the crazy touches that never reaches production, but looks good on the stand
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The fin running along the rear window is one of the crazy touches that never reaches production, but looks good on the stand 
Acura has gone all out on the detailing with the Precision Concept
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Acura has gone all out on the detailing with the Precision Concept
The headlamps appear conventional at first glance, but there's a lot more going on when you look closely
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The headlamps appear conventional at first glance, but there's a lot more going on when you look closely
Acura has the Precision Concept sitting proud in the sun at Monterey
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Acura has the Precision Concept sitting proud in the sun at Monterey
BMW is proud of the 2002's role in bringing turbocharging to the mainstream
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BMW is proud of the 2002's role in bringing turbocharging to the mainstream
The original 2002 looks delicate and purposeful on the motorshow stand
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The original 2002 looks delicate and purposeful on the motorshow stand 
The BMW 2002 Hommage benefits from this special Jagermeister paintjob
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The BMW 2002 Hommage benefits from this special Jagermeister paintjob
The carbon running around the edge of the 2002 Hommage's cabin is designed to mimic the chrome on the original 2002
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The carbon running around the edge of the 2002 Hommage's cabin is designed to mimic the chrome on the original 2002
The turbo motif on the splitter is an unashamed throwback
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The turbo motif on the splitter is an unashamed throwback 
Gold wheels aren't subtle, but they're beautiful to our eyes
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Gold wheels aren't subtle, but they're beautiful to our eyes
The 2002 inspired BMW's current generation of cars
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The 2002 inspired BMW's current generation of cars
Expect to see Turbomeister on the doors of every clapped out 3 Series in the next few years
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Expect to see Turbomeister on the doors of every clapped out 3 Series in the next few years
View gallery - 79 images

Every August, classic-car lovers flock to Monterey Car Week hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the beautiful, historically significant metal on display in the Californian sun. Alongside the classics, though, manufacturers will often try and draw some attention to their modern offerings with crazy concepts and beautiful one-off creations. Check out some of the best in our gallery.

BMW 2002 Hommage

Expect to see Turbomeister on the doors of every clapped out 3 Series in the next few years
Expect to see Turbomeister on the doors of every clapped out 3 Series in the next few years

Few brands do retro-throwback cars as well as BMW. With a rich back catalogue to choose from, the auto giant has its Hommage series down to a fine art. The latest car to be recognized is the 2002, arguably the most significant car in the brand's modern history.

The original 2002 is a legendary car, and not just because of its elegant good looks. Think of a modern BMW, perhaps with the exception of the 2 Series Active Tourer, and it draws on the 2002 for inspiration. With a chuckable chassis, it set the precedent for a generation of Ultimate Driving Machines designed with driver fun as a priority.

This particular concept pays tribute to the 2002 Turbo, which lays claim to being the first series-produced car in Europe to make use of a turbocharged engine. To make that link clear, the bulbous wheel arches and carbon-fiber trimmings are finished off in an orange and black Jagermeister livery.

Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6

The classic streamliner looks hide a modern powertrain on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6
The classic streamliner looks hide a modern powertrain on the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6

In a world dominated by downsizing, the Mercedes-Maybach proves bigger is sometimes better. In an attempt to evoke a sense of olde-world grandeur, the designers at Mercedes have drawn their inspiration from old fashioned aero coupes. Measuring up at six meters long, there's certainly no missing it.

Although its exterior looks to the past, the car's underpinnings are thoroughly modern. Instead of stuffing a big V12 under the bonnet, Mercedes has packed the floor full of batteries for an all-electric range of more than 500 km (200 miles under EPA testing). Not surprisingly, acceleration hasn't suffered because of the EV switch, either, with Mercedes claiming a 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint of just 3.7 seconds.

Acura Precision Concept

Jewel-like lights have become a staple of Acura's design
Jewel-like lights have become a staple of Acura's design

Acura is best known for slightly more luxurious Honda Accords, but this year's Detroit Auto Show proved it has bigger aims. Look past the standard over-the-top concept car features, and the Precision Concept will shape the next generation of cars that will take it up to Infiniti and Lexus.

Predictably for an Acura, the main attraction in the car's beaky nose. It's a part of the new "Precision Crafted Performance" ethos, which has also informed the slammed roofline and big wheels. It looked good under lights in Detroit, it looks great sitting in the Monterey sun alongside a pair of NSXs.

It doesn't stop there - the manicured lawns of Monterey were loaded with showstoppers like the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo, Lamborghini Centenario Roadster, Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato and Cadillac Escala.

Check out our Monterey 2016 concept car photo gallery to see all the best and brightest metal.

View gallery - 79 images
3 comments
3 comments
CharlieSeattle
How well do these silly grilles, like on the Vanquish Zagato, function as a bumper?
eMacPaul
@CharlieSeattle, it will have an actual bumper behind the grille.
toyhouse
The best moment for us over car week was a ford gt complete with racing numbers pulling up to a light next to us in our little rv - a bit embarrassing. The idle alone made my teeth rattle. Then they opened up the throttle in the Monterey tunnel as so many folks do and I think the sound almost blew the tiles off the walls. Ironically, they were headed to the same place we were - the tiny car show.