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Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn adds class to the grass

While Pebble Beach is traditionally thought of as the refuge of the pristine and pricey vintage vehicles of the world, there's no shortage of newer vehicles on display. And when we say "new," we mean really new. As in, not even in production new. This is the concept car lawn, and it's home to an eclectic group of vehicles from past and present.
Of course, calling it the "concept car lawn" is a bit of a misnomer this year (as it has been in previous years, too). Production models like the Alfa Romeo 4C were on display, alongside known quantities like the Hennessy Venom GT and modified versions of already-on-sale models, like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Waterspeed Collection.
There were a few concepts on display, though. Toyota debuted the critically acclaimed FT-1 Concept in a new shade, while BMW's Beijing Motor Show stunner, the Vision Future Luxury, was also parked on the expensive grass. Also appearing were the Nissan GT-R in sheep's clothing, the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge, and the recently debuted McLaren P1 GTR.

The next-gen Bentley Continental GT takes a page from Porsche

The way things look to be shaping up, changes to the Bentley Continental GT's styling are going to be like changes to the Porsche 911: minor modifications to a firmly established formula. It seems Bentley customers like a certain style, and, as shown by the Bentayga SUV, Bentley is willing to twist that design into any shape. German influence from the parent company has apparently taken hold in Crewe. The new model takes a lot of influence from the EXP10 Speed 6 concept that debuted nearly two years ago. The profile looks the same, but the new car appears more muscular than the current model, with sharp lines that carry from the fender through the doors. All of the requisite curves are present, just tightened up a little. Despite the camouflage, we can tell that the Continental GT will retain its four round lights up front, similar to the EXP10 Speed 6. The LED ring can be seen through the covering on the coupe, while the convertible has even less camo. Out back, little has changed. The oval tail lights still match the exhaust tips, and the coupe's fastback roofline still ends at the rear bumper. The trunk lid now sits flush with the rest of the bodywork, but other than that, there will be no mistaking this for anything other than a Bentley Continental GT. Likewise, changes to the Continental GTC convertible have been minor. We don't yet know when the car will debut or what will rest under the hood, but expect turbocharged eight- and twelve-cylinder power once again. Don't rule out some form of electrification, given the new Bentley shares a platform with the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Bentley Continental GT and GTC spy shots View 27 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Design/Style Spy Photos Bentley Coupe Luxury Performance

2024 Bentley Edition 8 models signal time's up for the gas-only V8

Bentley might still be bidding its W12 engine goodbye with various swansong vehicles, but now it’s the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8Â’s turn to say adieu. At least in the Continental and Flying Spur models – the Bentayga will continue on with this powertrain for an unspecified amount of time. We donÂ’t have a hard cutoff in North America for the V8, but Bentley says production of its final 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 cars in Europe, the UK and the Middle East is to be completed soon with final deliveries in June. North America “will follow later.” Before you hop straight to the comments, know this doesnÂ’t mean Bentley is abandoning the V8 entirely. It announced alongside this news that an “all-new” V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain is on the horizon and will serve as the companyÂ’s flagship offering, technically replacing the W12. Output is pegged at 740 horsepower with this model, and all-electric range from the battery pack is estimated at 50 miles on the WLTP drive cycle – expect notably fewer miles of range in EPA testing. ThatÂ’s all we know today, but Bentley says more will be revealed in time As for what will replace the soon-to-be-retired gas-only V8 option, Bentley suggests hybrid powertrains would be used and that all of its model lines would offer a hybrid variant by 2024. The only model without a hybrid available yet is the Continental, so expect an announcement concerning that car imminently.  To celebrate the end of the current V8Â’s era, Bentley put together “Edition 8” versions of its Flying Spur, Continental GT and Continental GTC. ItÂ’s a North America-special and comes with lots of Mulliner options as standard equipment. The Continental models feature Edition 8 badges on their fenders, while the Flying Spur wears it on its D pillar. An Edition 8 motif can be seen embroidered on the seat backs and engraved on the treadplates, too. One particularly notable luxury touch is the Palm Fluting pattern (seen in the photo above) on its sumptuous seats, which Bentley says it has never offered on any of its core/mainstream models before. Deliveries of the Edition 8 will begin “imminently,” so if youÂ’re a particularly big fan of BentleyÂ’s current V8 and have money to spend, now is the time. Related Video