Pebble Beach and Monterey car week 2013 preview: in pictures

Every August, car nuts from around the globe congregate on the Monterey Peninsula, on the west coast of America, to pay homage to the internal combustion engine. A series of events is run, culminating in the most prestigious concours in the world – Pebble Beach. Over the next few days we’ll be bringing you coverage of the key events and some of the smaller ones too, all leading up the grand finale.

2014 Camaro Z/28 boasts slick aero tricks

When the Chevy Camaro Z/28 was unveiled last spring at the New York auto show, we were told how Chevy took stuff out to lighten the car. Trunk carpet and interior sound-deadening material are jettisoned, the sound system has but one speaker, the rear glass is thinner and so on. Despite the decontenting, it turns out the Z/28 is no stripper, at least in terms of aero technology: Chevrolet says the 2014 Camaro Z/28 manages airflow “like few other production vehicles, generating downforce like a race car.” Delving into the hyperbole reveals numerous exterior modifications designed to improve not just aerodynamics, but powertrain and brake-system cooling, as well.

US DoT makes rear-view cameras compulsory

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) has issued a new safety standard for rear visibility that requires mandatory fitment of rear-view cameras. The ruling applies to all new vehicles, excluding motorcycles, weighing under 10,000 pounds (4,536kg) sold from 2018. The ruling has been introduced to cut backover crashes, caused when the victim strays into the blind zone 10-40 feet (3-12m) behind the vehicle that the driver can't see using their mirrors alone.