You don’t have to drive to work in a Porsche to impress your coworkers. The new Porsche mouse pad and mouse will be the talk of the water cooler and the envy of fellow cubicle dwellers.

Designed in the Porsche studio at Weissach, the new mouse pad takes its cue from the automaker’s luxury vehicles, using the same leather found in the cars’ interiors.  Sporting an embossed logo at its top, the mouse pad is shaped in the form of a Porsche crest. The mouse pad retails for $100.

The perfect complement to the mouse pad is the new mouse. Taking its inspiration from the Porsche 911, the mouse is adorned with the Porsche logo. It’s PC- and Mac-compatible, and comes with an aluminum scroll wheel, high resolution 2,000 dpi sensor, 2.4 GHz technology and plug-and-play installation. The mouse also retails for $100.

You can order both online at Porsche Design Driver’s Selection.

It’s becoming commonplace to do all your shopping online. But as we become more comfortable with making an online purchase, we also need to be wary of new scams. And if you’re planning on buying a car, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is warning shoppers that scams using the names of well-known automotive sites are on the rise.

According to the FBI, these types of scams were up 25 percent in 2010. Here’s how it works: These scams lure car buyers using a popular site, such as Craigslist, to post a fake listing that promises vehicle protection program from a site such as eBay. The scam even uses eBay’s official logo to make it look legit. Once contact has been made, the scam seller asks the buyer to wire money to them. There’s no car, and that’s the last the buyer ever sees of the money … the scam seller is gone. Someone falls for this scam every 90 minutes, and every hour, a perspective car buyer loses more than $1,000.

You can protect yourself against this kind of scam. Here are a few tips:

1. Go see the car: Never buy a car sight unseen. Go in person to check the car’s mileage and condition, and be sure to review the title and the car’s history.
2. Do a background check. While you’re doing your online research, be sure to check out the seller’s ratings and comments from past buyers. Always insist on talking with them on the phone or through a secure web site.
3. Pay in person wire services. Never use wire services. Always pay in person and get a receipt.

If you come across one of these car-buying scams online, you can file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Arguably the most prestigious of all concours, the annual Pebble Beach show has grown considerably since its semi-humble beginnings back in 1950 when 30 cars were displayed at what was then the Del Monte Lodge. Fast forward 61 years and over 200 cars (and even a few motorcycles) are on display, all vying for the prestigious Best of Show prize.

This year’s event drew vehicles from 27 states and 14 countries (plus Monaco). Featured vehicles included the Ferrari F250 GTO (above) with 22 on display, not to mention the Jaguar E-Type and a special display by Mercedes-Benz highlighting 125 year of the automobile.

But perhaps what makes Pebble Beach so special are the true rarities. Enjoy a selection of them below.

GALLERY: 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

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MINI had not one, but two surprises in store for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, debuting both the Goodwood model and the new Coupe at the annual historic auto show.

Looking expectantly similar to the hardtop hatch, the Coupe is distinguished by its trademark roof, which is style to look like a backwards ball cap. It also gains an active rear spoiler that deploys at speeds above 50 mph. Plus, JCW models gain an aggressive aero kit.  Oddly, despite its name, the Coupe still opens in the back like a hatch.

With dimensions essentially the same as the hard top, the Coupe also shares its powertrains with a Cooper Coupe using the a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder making 121-hp and delivering a 8.3 second 0-60 mph time. The Cooper S Coupe gets a turbocharged 1.6 to deliver 181-hp with a 6.6 second 0-60 time. Topping out the range is the 208-hp JCW model, with a 6.1 second 0-60 time, making it the fastest production MINI ever.

Look for the MINI Coupe to get its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with our first drive shortly after.

GALLERY: MINI Coupe

Take the new MINI Cooper Goodwood to any other car show and its price tag will send potential customers running, but not at Pebble Beach. With some of the wealthiest people in the world on hand to check out the historic automobiles, you’re likely to find that the MINI’s $52,000 sticker isn’t far off what the attendees would drop on a watch.

Just 1,000 of these rare machines will be produced, with 140 earmarked for the U.S., sporting Rolls-Royce goodies like burr walnut veneer. Other highlights include a custom Lounge Leather, lambswood floor mats (that look far worse in person that we had ever imagined) and a cashmere headliner. Outside, the car comes in a Diamond Black metallic color (formerly exclusive to Rolls-Royce) and 17-inch multi-spoke light alloy rims.

The Goodwood model comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine from the 2011 MINI Cooper S producing 181-hp.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2012.

GALLERY: MINI Cooper Goodwood

Considered by many to be the greatest Ferrari of all time, a gathering of 250 GTOs was the must-see attraction at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

With just 36 ever built, between 1962 and 1963, all were invited to attend the prestigious car show, with 22 making the journey, from as far away from Europe and Hong Kong.

Based on the 250 GT SWB, the GTO was designed for racing… and race it did, competing at the world’s most renowned motorsports events and winning at many of them. Some of the 22 models on display were driven by legends like Stirling Moss, Phil Hill and Jackie Stewart.

With such history behind these cars and tremendous enthusiasm for them, some of the cars have sold at auction for as much as $30 million in recent years. So make sure to browse through the gallery below and leave the math to us… you could be looking at $660 million in Ferraris!

GALLERY: Ferrari 250 GTOs

First unveiled at the ‘other’ concours (Ville d’Este), the BMW 328 Homage concept made an appearance at Pebble Beach along side its muse. Taking the finest details of the 1930′s race car and applying them to an ultra-modern design concept, the 328 Homage weighs just 1,700 lbs thanks to an extensive use of carbon fiber.

Key similarities between the two vehicles include the elongated BMW grille and the dish wheels, while the Homage has a notable absence of doors, much like the original 328 race car.

Like the new M5, BMW has promised an official world premiere for the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, however, both cars have made the trip to Pebble Beach.

GALLERY: BMW 328 Homage

A Scion is about the last car you’d expect to see at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, but the FR-S concept has a design worthy of a six-, or even a seven-figure price tag.

Set to be unveiled as a Toyota model at the Tokyo Auto Show later this year, the production FR-S is then expected to be revealed at the NY Auto Show in 2012. Toyota has continued to be nearly silent on details, but what we do know is that this light-weight coupe will be powered by a Subaru-sourced boxer 4-cylinder engine, using a Toyota direct-injection system. Power will be delivered though the rear wheels using either a six-speed auto or manual (your choice) and a limited slip differential will be standard.

Click here for more details on the production Toyota FT-86.

GALLERY: Scion FR-S

Discuss this story at FR-SForum.com

Looking very much like it belongs there, the Shelby Supercars (SSC) Tuatara has been shown for the first time in North America on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

With SSC’s previous model, the Ultimate Aero TT, having been highly criticized for its kit-car looks, the American supercar maker hired the talents of Jason Castriota (formerly of Pininfarina) to design what SSC claims will be the world’s fastest car. Powered by a 7.0-liter twin-turbo V8, the car will reportedly make as much as 1,350-hp. With a curb weight of 2,654 lbs it should hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 275 mph.

SSC’s previous supercar hit a top speed of 257-mph, taking the title of the world’s fastest production car from the Bugatti Veyron. Bugatti has since reclaimed the title, however, with a 267-mph run.

GALLERY: Shelby Supercars SSC Tuatara

It’s perhaps the only automotive venue in the world where the new BMW M5 won’t get the attention it deserves. Then again, it’s hard to compete with the 100 year old rolling sculptures on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Eelgance.

Debuting at the Nurburgring 24 Hour Race, the new M5 is scheduled to get its official world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, but it’s made the trip across the Atlantic, and all the way to the West Coast of California first. Surprise!

On display next to the “Concept Lawn”, this is the first North American showing for what promises to be the most amazing performance sedan the world has ever seen. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 it makes an incredible 552-hp, with 502 lb-ft of torque available at just 1500 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission the M5 delivers a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and can hit 190-mph with an optional M package.

New “green” tech features include an auto start-stop function, as well as a Brake Energy Regeneration system that help to cut fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent.

GALLERY: 2012 BMW M5

Click here for complete details on the all-new M5.