Sitting in stark contrast to the heritage machines on display on the 18th fairway at the Pebble Beach Concours are the assembled exotics on the “Concept Lawn”. The best example of this is the Lamborghini Aventador, which is joined by a rolling chassis of the 700-hp Italian exotic, displaying the ultra-modern technology that makes it such an incredible performance machine.

Car geeks can revel in the carbon fiber monocoque, joined at the front and rear by a complex and light weight aluminum chassis. This structure allows the car to weigh in at just under 3,500 lbs, despite a truly massive 6.5-liter V12 engine out back.

Also on display is the pushrod suspension setup, with Lambroghini claiming the Aventador is the first production car to make use of this design, which has until now been reserved for race cars.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador Rolling Chassis

Click here for all the specifications on the Lamborghini Aventador

Originally started by Lorie Seadale as a way to raise awareness for the Orleans County Fair in Barton, Vermont, the Cadillac parade has now brought back a world record to America. The previous record set consisted of 102 Cadillacs on parade back in September of 2002 out in the Netherlands. This time around, the folks in Vermont gathered 298 Cadillacs from across United States and Canada to bring the world record back home.

What made the parade even more special was that several descendants of Leland took place in the parade. Models of Cadillacs ranged from complete classic, vintage Caddies to modern day CTS coupes.

“Cadillac congratulates the residents of Barton and all of the Cadillac owners who participated in the parade for setting the world record in Henry Leland’s home town,” said Cadillac Vice President of Marketing Don Butler. “The success of this event demonstrates that Cadillac still fuels the same passions that Henry Leland inspired in the brand.”

Of note, Barton also happens to be the home town of Henry Leland, who founded Cadillac in 1902.

GALLERY: World Record Cadillac Parade

After having revealed the SLK350 model, Mercedes‘ AMG division has just announced the new SLK55 AMG. Like the previous SLK55, this model gets a 5.5-liter V8 engine, but that’s where the similarities stop. Making 415-hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, this motor is a naturally aspirated version of the twin-turbo 5.5-liter found under the hood of the E63 AMG, CLS63 AMG and S63 AMG.

But much like its biturbo counterpart, this 5.5L V8 also features a start/stop system in order to save fuel. In the Controlled Efficiency mode, the V8 will manage its cylinders by cutting off cylinder-two, cylinder-three, cylinder-five and cylinder-eight between 800- and 3800-rpm, helping conserve fuel while still offering enough performance for day-to-day driving. The powerplant is mated to a seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus transmission, enabling a 4.5 second 0-60 mph time.

Standard brakes are 14.2-inchers in the front while the rear features 13-inchers while suspension enthusiast looking for a true driving experience can opt for AMG’s Handling Package that features stiffer tuning, rear differential lock, two-piece front disc brakes and a leather/Alcantara-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel.

To help the SLK55 stand out from the crowd, the AMG model features a special body kit and badging. The SLK55 AMG plans to make its grand debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month and should be at the dealerships by early 2012. No pricing was announced, but look for it to be in the $70,000 range.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

First unveiled at the Concorso Villa d’Este, Aston Martin gave its first North American viewing of the custom V12 Zagato at a private event just outside Monterey, as a part of the week long Pebble Beach festivities.

The bespoke exotic is the latest in a long line of collaborations between the classic Italian design house and the British automaker. It might also be the best looking. While still a genuine Zagato, the firm’s often excessively classical design cues have been traded in for some more 21st century style. In particular are the stunning 20-inch wheels. The rounded front and pointed rear are true Zagato traits, integrating some very functional aerodynamics for the race track. In fact, this is the very car Aston Martin competed with at the Nurburgring 24 Hour Race. And yes… it’s had a bit of a touch up since then.

Based on the V12 Vantage model, like that car the Zagato version makes 510-hp!

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Zagato

See video fo the V12 Zgato after the jump:

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Sure there are plenty of Ferraris and Lamborghinis at Concorso Italiano, but there’s lots more to be seen at this exotic car show, especially if your interests veer towards the ironic or obscure.

On the more modern side there was everything from a Mansory-tuned Mercedes McLaren SLR, to the stunning Ferrari 599-VX – a car modified by the carbon fiber experts at Vorsteiner.

Some truly rare birds included an Alfa Romeo GTV6 that has been modified by famed Corvette tuner Callaway. Or if you’re looking for American cars with some Italian flare we counted five Cadillac Alantes, with bodies that were not only designed by Pininfarina (the well-known Ferrari, Maserati designer), but even manufactured in Italy and shipped to Detroit for assembly.

Other obscurities included a bright yellow Vector (complete with 3-spoke wheels) and two Alfa Romeo JR Zagatos that will have you feeling like your looking at a retro Italian CRX.

Check out all these cars and more in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Concorso Italiano

With a focus on functionality, innovation and safety, Infiniti has revealed its new JX crossover in Monterey as part of the week-long Pebble Beach festivities. Targeted at well-heeled families, the JX is just a concept for now, although Infiniti is promising this vehicle is nearly identical to the production version that will be revealed at the LA Auto Show in November.

Notable highlights include a 7-seater, three-row arrangement, with second row seats that can move forward and back by as much as 5.5-inches. In addition, the second row splits and folds, allowing for a child seat in the second row, while retaining access to the third row. On the safety side, the JX gets a Backup Collision Intervention system that not only detects if you are about to reverse into something, but will actually apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle.

Power will come from a V6 engine (presumably the brand’s 3.7-liter unit), while the JX will be offered as either front- or all-wheel drive. Of note, the JX will not get Infiniti’s 7-speed automatic transmission, but rather a newly developed CVT unit.

GALLERY: Infiniti JX Concept

Watch video of the Pebble Beach unveiling after the jump:

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Any Lotus enthusiast will tell you that the brand would be wise to stop pumping resources into Formula 1 and IndyCar, an instead get more heavily involved in road racing. After all, in many respects it represents a better bang-for-the-buck for the marketing folks, with a direct correlation between the cars that race and the cars sold through dealers.

Lotus has already initiated a sports car racing program in Europe with several renditions of the Evora, including the most recent Evora GTE, which competed first at the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium and then at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Lotus has now confirmed with AutoGuide that it is planning a U.S. stop this year, where it will look to challenge the Ferraris, Corvettes, Porsches and BMWs at the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

Lotus did not give any indication of how many vehicles it would run at the 10 hour endurance race, which will be another step in the Evora GTE’s development as Lotus looks to seriously take the fight to its rivals and cease to be an afterthought in the exotic and sports car segment.

In not-so-shocking news, Chrysler has officially pulled the plug on the Dodge Dakota compact pickup’s production. The expected move will result in 39 temporary workers losing their jobs and could lead to additional layoffs at Chrysler’s Warren Truck Plant where the Ram 1500 pickup is also produced. The union currently believes that layoffs could reach 150 or more at the plant with the Dakota’s production now discontinued.

Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson did state that in the event of layoffs, many of those employees will be redeployed to other Chrysler facilities – perhaps some good news from all of this for the workers. It had already been announced back in May that Chrysler plans to replace the Dakota with a car-based “lifestyle” vehicle for the Ram brand, but no decision has been made as to where production will be done for that particular vehicle.

In 2000, Chrysler had sold more than 177,000 Dakotas, but when compared to last year’s sales of 13,000, it’s no surprise that the Dakota’s plug has officially been pulled.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Because owning the world’s fastest car just isn’t enough for some people, Bugatti has crafted the Grand Sport L’Or Blanc.

The supercar’s body isn’t just unique because of its looks, but because of what it’s made from, with porcelain used for the body and throughout the passenger compartment.

Built in collaboration with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, it’s said to reflect Bugatti’s desire to not only be unique, but to explore new the use of new materials in vehicle design and creation. Plus, we hear it makes a mean Earl Grey.

Is it the world’s most expensive car? Perhaps. With a price tag f $2.4 million it’s certainly worth more than Gram’s tea pot.

GALLERY: Bugatti Veyron L’Or Blanc

Photo Credit: Frank Filipponio

Like a package of Skittles tossed into a sea of red Ferraris, the presence of Lamborghinis at Concorso Italiano might be small in number, but it’s big in impact.

Originality is something Lambo owners take tremendous pride in and it shows, with custom touches on the cars ranging from a brown Murcielago with gold wheels, to aftermarket exhaust pipes big enough to fit an iPhone. Plus, there were plenty of classic models, not to mention the latest, including the Aventador. And let’s not forget the Super Trofeo factory race car.

Browse through a selection of all most of the Lambos at Concorso Italiano below.

GALLERY: Lamborghinis of Concorso Italiano