Eng Mount Frt Left Dea/ttpa A5847 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.

Making the list: AW's Holiday Gift Guide

We're sure there's a gearhead or two on your shopping list for the holidays. Or maybe you just want to eliminate the uncertainty and give yourself a gift. Either way, we're happy to offer some inspiration on clothing, tools and cool things to get for your high-octane friends and family.

Bugatti takes a pair of Veyrons to Shanghai show

The growth of manufacturing in Asia has minted more than a few wealthy people--the target audience for Bugatti. The French-based boutique carmaker took two examples of the Veyron to this week's Shanghai motor show--the Asian debut for the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport and an individually customized 16.4 Grand Sport. The Veyron 16.4 Super Sport in Shanghai wears black-colored carbon-fiber bodywork, accented with polished and anodized aluminum trim such as the badges and wheels.