Ford; Chrysler; Gm; Studebaker; Old Car Light Bulb, Pn 1911. Item: 0076 on 2040-parts.com

Global car launches at Pebble Beach 2013

Not content with playing host to hundreds of the world’s rarest classic cars, the 2013 Pebble Beach motoring week in Monterey, California, also saw the first global public outings of several new cars and concepts. Here’s our pick of these high-profile unveilings with cars from established mega brands like BMW, Aston Martin and Cadillac as well as exotic specialists like fiercely independent Dutch brand Spyker and Moroccan supercar marque Laraki.

Alfa Romeo MiTo gets a bit of a facelift for 2014 & more powerful TwinAir

The 2014 MY Alfa MiTo (pictured) get small tweaks and a more powerful TwinAir engine. We like the Alfa Romeo MiTo; it’s an underrated car and should be higher on most buyers’ wish lists. What we also like is that the MiTo has the fun little 875cc TwinAir engine as an option, which works pretty well, makes a good noise and promises stunning economy.

Armor-plated SUV among extravagant debuts at Top Marques Monaco show

While AutoWeek editors were pounding the pavement at the New York auto show last week, the world's silly rich were nodding polite approval at the Top Marques Monaco show. Included in the debuts were Gemballa, Fisker, Keating, Tirrito and Conquest, the latter of which showed off a ridiculously large, armor-plated SUV called the Knight XV that reportedly took organizers three hours just to maneuver it through the hall doors. Lest we forget that we're all human, Top Marques Monaco also had its “Black Friday at Wal-Mart” moments: According to organizers, Gemballa's world premiere of the Tornado was cut short after it was purchased “within 16 seconds of the show doors opening by a sheikh eager to have a piece of the action.” Full wrap-up release from Top Marques Monaco below.