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 |  Aug 17, 12:19 PM

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While the real stars of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance are the vintage autos, the Concept Lawn is a special place where future show-stoppers are put on display. While some of the models are actually concepts, many are rare coachbuilt models and a few are full-production cars.

In the concept category there was the luxury convertible plug-in hybrid, the Fisker Sunset, as well as the absolutely stunning Infiniti Essence Concept - a hybrid in it’s own right, making 600hp thanks to a 440hp twin-turbo direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and a 160hp electric motor.

Included in the list of Coachbuilt creations was the edgy Corvette ZR1-based Stile Bertone Mantide. This is no kit car, however, as the vehicle was designed by Jason Castriota, the man who also penned the Pininfarina P4/5. Plus, it weights 220 lbs less than the ZR1 for even more performance.

Also on display was the Devon GTX (pictured above), arguably the arch-nemesis of the Mantide, as it is based on the Dodge Viper. With a more shapely body than the Mantide, the 650hp GTX is scheduled to attempt to set a new fastest lap time at the Nürburgring. No doubt there’s some ego involved in this announcement as Devon attempted to buy Viper from Chrysler but the deal was never completed.

In the production category cars ranged from the reasonably well priced (Lotus Evora) to the ridiculous (Bugatti Sang Bleu). The four-seater Lotus is scheduled to be released early next year, while the ultra-limited edition Bugatti is based on the convertible Grand Sport model. Other production or near production models included the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder, V-10 powered Audi R8, the 750hp carbon-chassis Aston Martin One-77, a Morgan, the all-new 510hp 2010 Jaguar XJL Supersport, the Mercedes-McLaren SLR Stirling Moss and the Rolls-Royce EX200, aka, the Ghost. And who could forget the misplaced SMS 570X Dodge Challenger.

GALLERY: Pebble Beach Concept Lawn

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 |  Mar 05, 11:16 AM

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As we previously reported, Rolls-Royce did in fact bring it’s EX200 design study to the Geneva Auto Show. The company didn’t have much to say other than what it had already distributed in its press release – which included one of the most basic lists of specifications we’ve seen since the Aston One-77 teaser.

The baby Rolls, code named the RR4, is a four door (duh!) and seats five (double duh!). It is 212.6-inches long, 76.7-inches wide and 61-inches high. The wheelbase is listed as 129.7-inches. The platform for the car is the same used by the new BMW 7 Series.

It sits on a set of typically-dull 20-inch rims with 255/45/20 tires up front an 285/40/20 tires in the rear.

Rolls has confirmed that the luxury saloon will be powered by a new V12 engine, which one can assume with be rather torquey.

One interesting bit of information that did come up during the press conference, however, was that Rolls is working on a thermo-electric generator for future use in the company’s cars. CEO Ian Robertson stated that this new technology (currently in development and not scheduled for any road car for at least five years) would generate energy from the excess heat from the exhaust system and then use that electricity to power certain things on the car. Ideally this would represent a reduction in emissions by roughly five percent.

As for the EX200, it is scheduled to go on sale in 2010 and so we should expect to see a production model in the near future – possibly as early as at Frankfurt in the fall.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce EX200

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More on the Rolls-Royce EX200 after the jump:

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 |  Feb 19, 5:43 PM

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Roll-Royce has just released these photos of it’s new “entry-level” vehicle. Code-named the EX200, the concept vehicle will be on display at the Geneva Auto Show in March ahead of its Spring 2010 on-sale date.

This yet-unnamed Rolls-Royce sits on an entirely new chassis that is larger than an extended-wheelbase 7 Series and yet smaller than a Phantom. It will share some parts with the new 7 Series, such as some of the suspension hardware and the steering rack , but will feature the cushy air springs found on the Phantom.

Power will come from a torquey V12 engine that will eventually find its way into the 7 Series.

In terms of style, the resemblance to the Phantom and the rest of the Rolls-Royce family is undeniable. And yes, it does have those sick suicide-doors.

Pricing is expected to be around 180,000 British Pounds or roughly $250,000.

Rolls-Royce EX200:

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[Source: CAR Magazine]