The automotive Aladdin’s cave that is Monterey Car Week will shift into top gear on Saturday, Australian time, when a range of concepts and hypercars start popping up at The Quail gathering in Carmel, California. Here’s our pick of the bunch…  

Acura concept car

Abstract dark scene with red neon light bars and the letters 'ACURA' along a curved edge, suggesting a stylized car brand logo edge.
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Mystery surrounds what Acura is bringing to the famous Monterey gathering, with the company publishing a very short and dark teaser video showing the logo surrounded by what appears to be some radical, arrow-like taillights. The brand says the concept will showcase “a bold new era for Acura design” with the new look led by creative director Yasutake Tsuchida. Whatever the result is, it will influence upcoming models, beginning with the four-generation Acura RDX hybrid.

Aston Martin DB12 S Tributes

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The bespoke service Q by Aston has delivered three special-edition models to celebrate the racing heritage of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with the trio inspired by DB2 racers from the 1950s. They get Carbon Black paint jobs with a choice of three shades to accent the effect, plus graphics marking the 75th Concours. Painted paddle shifter tips, fancy embroidery work in the shape of the DB2, and unique sill plaques round out the look.

Bugatti Destrier

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The third one-off from Bugatti’s Programme Solitaire is based on the track-only Bolide, but gets even more radical, with a silhouette that resembles a work of art. The new hypercar has been transformed into a road-focused showpiece with an entirely new exterior and a lavishly appointed cabin, but it doesn’t feature the large active aero vehicles of its type have become known for. It’s powered by one of the final applications of the 1175kW, 8.0-litre W16 engine and should remain close to the Bolide’s 1450kg dry weight. You’ll need about 1450kg worth of $100 notes to buy one.

Eccentrica V12 Roadster

Light blue convertible sports car parked on an elevated highway with a cloudy sky around.
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The restomod masters have reimagined the first-generation Lamborghini Diablo as a convertible, using more than 3540 bespoke components and cutting-edge modern engineering. Powered by a re-engineered 5.7-litre, naturally aspirated V12 making 410kW and 600Nm, the Roadster packs a six-speed gated manual transmission as part of its promise to deliver an “unfiltered” analogue drive every time you hit the ignition.

Gordon Murray Special Vehicles

Silhouetted woman in an elegant gown stands beside a sleek car by the ocean, bathed in blue light at dusk.
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We can’t even list a model name for this one, it’s so far undercover. The brand-spanking supercar will be the centrepiece of the Gordon Murray display at The Quail during Monterey, where it’ll debut on Friday, California time. Murray himself has called the car “something very special” and the teaser image (pictured) has led to speculation it’s been inspired by the McLaren F1, just like its S1 LM stablemate. 

Hennessey Blackbird

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Hennessey has turned its back on hybrid tech with the Blackbird, which has been made for drivers who prize engagement behind the wheel… not to mention the sort of grunt that could tow an aircraft carrier. Inspired by the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance jet, the marque’s third bespoke hypercar sports a 6.2-litre V8 that revs to 9000rpm and makes up to 636kW, fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual. Instead of chasing speed records, Hennessey has focused on the driver with a very tactile cabin that features exactly no touchscreens and runs old-school analog gauges and a steering wheel devoid of buttons.

Lamborghini Revuelto Miura 60 Homage

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Created to mark 60 years of the Miura – which many good judges still say is the best-looking car ever created – the Homage takes the Revuelto and adds styling cues from its legendary predecessor. That means a contrasting body treatment that harks back to the gold or silver side sills seen on many Miuras, with matching alloy wheel finishes that drive home the retro theme. There are also traces of the Miura’s distinctive Cannelloni seat design, nine exterior colours that pay tribute to the original, Miura logos on the side sills, and glossy black badges. All 99 examples from the Ad Personam program will get the hybrid V12 that makes 746kW.

McMurtry Spéirling Pure

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It broke cover in July, but McMurtry’s latest piece of automotive insanity is making its official in-the-flesh debut at Monterey. Twin electric motors make 746kW of power, propelling the Pure from standstill to 100km/h in just 1.6 seconds and on to a top speed of around 306km/h. It weighs just 1350kg (kerb), can be charged at up to 350kW, allowing a full recharge in around 20 minutes. At LMP2 pace, that charge lasts for approximately 48km. The Pure can even be driven upside down on the roof of a tunnel thanks to its fan-forced vacuum at the rear axle.