Video Presentations of the 2013 Lexus GS and Infiniti JX Showcar

Leaving aside the elegant Cadillac Ciel which is a pure design study (for now), the big production stars of this year's edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance festival in Monterey, California, are the 2013 Lexus GS 350 and the production-ready Infiniti JX showcar.We have already presented both cars in detail but we now have video footage from the presentation events that took place on Thursday evening ahead of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and which you can watch right after the break.

VIDEO

More Powerful 2012 Kia Soul Priced from $14,650*

After the premiere of the facelifted 2012 Soul at this year's New York Auto Show in late April, it’s time for Kia to talk prices. The revised small crossover enters the new model year with some modest styling changes but more importantly, a new pair of more powerful engines hooked up to six-speed transmissions.Pricing for the entry level Soul with the 1.6-liter engine and a manual gearbox starts at $13,900 or (*) $14,650 after a $750 destination and handling (D&H) fee, while the automatic model starts at $15,700 or $16,450 if you include D&H.

Kia has not yet released pricing from the newflagship Soul equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The updated 1.6-liter unit that features Kia's fuel-saving and emissions reducing gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology, is rated at 138-horses, an increase of 16 ponies over the previous model.

Kia says that mated to the new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the 1.6-liter engine delivers up to 34mpg on the highway and 28mpg in the city.

The new 2.0-liter engine produces 164HP, an increase of 22-horses over the previous model year, and is also offered with a choice of two six-speed transmissions, manual or automatic.

According to Kia's estimates, the two-liter unit returns 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for both the automatic and manual transmission models.

Kia Raises the Stakes with RWD Four-Door Coupe Concept

It should be quite clear to everyone now that Hyundai and its Kia affiliate have lifted the bar and are now looking to compete with brands that used to shun them.At the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September, we're going to get a taste of Kia's newly found ambitions with a dramatic looking four-door coupe concept that may hint at a future production model.

Kia has not yet named the fastback prototype but it did reveal that it features a rear-wheel drive layout.

“No matter from which perspective you look at it – this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off,” says Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer, proudly.

“I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast forward to an all new chapter.”

Along with the sporty looking fastback concept, Kia's stand will also host the world premiere of the three-door version of the all-new Rio and the facelifted Soul crossover.

PHOTO GALLERY