New concepts to be revealed at Pebble Beach

The international auto show in Frankfurt is but a few weeks away, yet for important new cars in the American market there's further proof that traditional auto shows such as Detroit are being shunned as launch venues in favor of more exclusive and pretigious events. That's because Cadillac, Infiniti, Lexus, Lotus and possibly a few others are set to reveal new production and concept cars at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance later this week.

Lexus is set to unveil its production GS350 (previewed by the Lf-Gh concept in New York earlier this year), the fourth generation of its luxury sports sedan, on August 18, while Cadillac's 2013 ATS will also be revealed. The Infiniti JX crossover concept – of which images have been released as teasers for a number of weeks – is also ready to be made public for the first time.

Lotus, fresh from recruiting American rapper Swizz Beatz as its vice president of creative design and global marketing, will bring its own concept car to the auto show. The concept has been named the 2011 Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept, which looks to be a road version of the Evora GTE racecar. The concept indicates that a production version could well be on the horizon.

The concours – held near Carmel, Californai on the third weekend in August every year – is in its 61st year, and despite rivalry from Britain's Goodwood Festival of Speed, continues to be viewed by many as the world's greatest automotive weekend and concours event. This year looks set to be no different, with over 200 concours entries. This 2011 Pebble Beach Concurs d'Elegance's featured marques and special classes include Mercedes-Benz and 125 years of the automobile, Edwardian Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts and Italian Motorcycles.

We'll bring you further news and unveils from Pebble Beach as they happen, and a full in-depth show review and picture gallery next week.

Related Articles:
Show Review: Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach 2010
Show Review: Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach 2008

By Rufus Thompson