Motorsports fans with deep pockets were treated to an array of shiny new vehicles with impressive speeds and horsepower.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, is part of Monterey Car Week in California.

The event showcases historic classics, bespoke manufacturers, and the latest concept cars.

For many brands, it is as much about meeting potential buyers as it is about making world premieres.

But beneath the sun soaked showmanship and champagne clinks, a very real shift in the luxury auto world is accelerating, and it is one that has gearheads and tech futurists locked in debate.

Traditionally a playground for V12 engines, hand stitched leather, and carbon fiber dreams, The Quail this year became a staging ground for a new kind of power: autonomous luxury.

Tensor, a Silicon Valley AI startup, unveiled its Tensor Robocar, one of the first self driving vehicles built from the ground up.

With over 100 integrated sensors including cameras, lidars, radars, microphones, and even collision and smoke detectors, this autonomous crossover is designed to drive itself. The cabin includes heated massaging seats, ambient lighting, and a retractable steering wheel and pedals.

The design aims to take over during routine journeys, from commutes to airport runs, allowing the owner to step back from driving when they choose.

Cadillac also introduced its Elevated Velocity Concept, a fully autonomous design that transforms the cabin into what designers describe as a recovery lounge.

Other manufacturers used the event to underline their commitment to traditional high performance.

Lamborghini also used The Quail to showcase a new flagship.

Maserati also highlighted its research into combining autonomy with performance.

The company has partnered with Italian engineering universities to push forward the technology.

That divide between human control and machine intelligence was a constant theme at The Quail.

Some attendees welcomed the new technology, while others were clear about their preference.

And as classic racers rolled into the show field, the past, present, and future of driving were all visible side by side.

AP Video shot by Haven Daley