03 Honda Civic Hybrid on 2040-parts.com

Michelin Challenge Design 2007: The not so ugly truth about rising vehicle safety standards

Can cars be safe and beautiful at the same time? That may not have been the case a few decades ago when automakers were forced to hang those big, ugly so-called federal bumpers off the ends of their vehicles.  With vehicle safety standards on the rise around the globe are designers today feeling a little '70s deja vu when it comes to meeting the challenges of making cars safe as well as more fuel efficient? "(Back then) we said it was the end of automotive styling," says Patrick Le Quement, senior vice president for corporate design at Renault and one of the world's most influential automotive designers.

Amazing barn-find auction totals £1m

THE LARGEST collection of ‘barn find’ cars ever assembled in one auction has raised more than £1 million. The auction, which included amazing and rare lots including Aston Martins and Jaguars, was the first of its kind and took place at Silverstone Auctions’ Practical Classics Restoration Show. More than 85% of the cars put up for sale have found new owners.

Tesla Model S finally revealed

The Tesla Model S, a full sized Electric Saloon car, unveiled in California The Tesla Model S is a full size saloon which, at the projected price of $50,000 (including a federal tax break), should make a significant impact on the market. I say projected simply because the car will not be ready for sale until 2011, so there is plenty of time for ‘adjustments’. We’ll see.