Michelin Challenge Design announces 2007 theme and call for entries

At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Michelin Challenge Design announced its theme for the 2007 Challenge. Michelin Challenge Design will ask entrants to explore the future of transportation design using safety as the focus and inspiration. For 2007, the challenge is to design a vehicle for the North American market that enhances overall road safety, incorporating safety features for the occupants, but also for others who share the road.

James Bond Aston Martin DB5 sells for £2.9m

The famous James Bond Aston Martin DB5 sold last night at a London auction for nearly £3 million. American businessman Harry Yeaggy paid £2,912,000 ($4,608,500) for the 1964 DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball. The 007 DB5 is best known for Q's gadgets, including revolving number plates, rocket launchers and an ejector seat.

Hiromu Naruse: ‘Godfather’ of the LFA ‘Not Famous Enough’

Hiromu Naruse & Lexus LFA Last year we reported the death of Hiromu Naruse, Toyota’s chief test driver and a man considered to be the ‘Godfather’ of the Japanese performance car, and particularly the Lexus LFA, a car which consumed the last decade of his life and became the final testament to his enormous skill. At 67, Naruse-san was still as involved as ever, and it was whilst driving a Lexus LFA with the Nurburgring Package he met his end on a public road near the Nurburgring. A track, incidentally, he had driven more than any other Japanese driver.