2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Lamborghini Centennario Roadster

The limited-edition Lamborghini Centenario was created to honor founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's 100th birthday. Like the Veneno, the Centenario is based on the Aventador with its mid-engine V12 and AWD system. However, the Centenario produces 759 horsepower, which is an increase of 19 horses over the Aventador SV, making it the most powerful open-top Raging Bull ever made. This vehicle can reach 60 mph in just under three seconds and a top speed of at least 217 mph. It has a redline of up to 8600 rpm and contains Lamborghini's rear-wheel steering system, which aids the car in turning and handling at a high velocity. All 40 units of the Lamborghini Centenario, 20 coupes and 20 roadsters, have been sold before the vehicle was revealed, with the roadster priced at $2.23 million. The fixed-roof Centenario costs $250k less than the roadster. The Lamborghini Centenario is an absolute beast and looks all-around amazing. Lamborghini executed everything brilliantly with the Centenario as a tribute to its founder. On the other hand, Lamborghini has gone overboard with the designs of some of their one-off supercars in the past, but these one-off vehicles fail to disappoint otherwise.

2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance: Cadillac Escala Concept

Every so often, Cadillac unveils a new concept in Monterey during Monterey Car Week. It happened to be the Escala this year, which previews Cadillac's next potential flagship model. The vehicle is based on GM's Omega platform, which underpins Caddy's current flagship sedan, the CT6. Compared to the CT6, the Escala is noticeably larger in every dimension. Under the hood is a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 that is expected to power the CT6 and the production version of the Escala ("scale" in Spanish). The latter has a horsepower estimate of 500. As you can tell, it is technically a hatchback due the rear liftgate, which allows the vehicle to carry more luggage than a conventional sedan. The Audi A7/S7/RS7, Tesla Model S, and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe are a few other cars that contain a power liftgate and may have served as inspiration for the design of the Escala. Additional notable features include three OLED digital screens up front, cloth upholstery (atypical for a luxury car), rear retractable screens in the front seatbacks, and a panoramic glass ceiling. Cadillac plans to roll out the production variant of the Escala in about two years. I think the Cadillac Escala looks stunning inside and out, and makes an excellent luxury cruiser. However, out of Cadillac's most recent concepts, the Elmiraj impressed me the most. If you don't remember which Caddy I'm talking about, it is pictured below. You'll understand why I feel the way I do.