Named for a Titan in Greek mythology, the Pininfarina-etched Hyperion is designed to evoke memories of cars from the 1930s with its long majestic bonnet, short rear overhang and low rooflines. Based on the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, the changes needed to create the Hyperion include the removal of the rear seats and a shift in driving position, which is now 400mm further back in the Hyperion than in the Drophead.

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Chrysler has announced that its senior vice president of design, Trevor M. Creed, is set to retire at the end of the month after spending 23 years with the company. Creed is credited with being involved with the design of some of the carmaker’s most memorable concept and production cars since the late 1980s including the PT Cruiser, Dodge Viper (pictured) and Ram pickup.

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General Motors will offer employee discounts to everyone for all its brands starting this Wednesday and is expected to run the promotion until September 2. The information was first revealed in a memo to Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers, which revealed that the discount would be applied to all 2008 models plus the 2009 Ponitac Vibe.

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High oil prices are causing people to drive less, and many are quick to point out the emissions saved as a result, but the latest traffic figures reported by the NHTSA indicate another savings may be taking place as well - 1,600 fewer road deaths occurred in 2007 than in 2006.

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Taking inspiration from an old design and applying it to a new chassis is nothing new in the automotive world - one need only look to the new Camaro, Challenger and even the Mustang for prime examples. But the combination of C2 corvette body and C6 Corvette chassis envisioned by a company called Blue Fusion has the potential to create a car several orders of magnitude more impressive than any of the mass-produced examples mentioned above. Provided it ever gets built, that is.

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Almost completely undisguised prototypes of Porsche’s facelifted Boxster have been spotted by spy photographers undergoing final testing ahead of the car’s reveal planned for later this year. Like the recently revealed 911 facelift, the upgrades planned for the Boxster (and its Cayman sibling) will be minor with only a few revisions to the bodywork.

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We got our first sneak peek at the production Chevy Volt last week, but a recent presentation by Bob Boniface, director of design for the Volt, has revealed a bit more. We've pasted a video of the presentation and slide show after the break, and in it Boniface notes how the concept's straight lines and tight corners have been smoothed over and rounded out in an effort to reduce turbulence. This streamlining improves the Volt's fuel mileage, range on electricity and the amount of regenerative braking that can be captured.

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The Moscow International Auto Show is shaping up to be a serious event. Audi is showing off the RS6 sedan, Mazda is bringing a new crossover concept, Mitsubishi will debut the redesigned Pajero Sport and plan on plenty of Lada love to spread around. Lexus is joining the ranks of other top-tier automakers showing their wares in Moscow with the unveiling of an all-wheel-drive version of its LS460 flagship.

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Yet another example of a Homeowner's Association run amok... A Texas homeowner in Frisco (just north of Dallas) has been told by the Stonebriar HOA that his new Ford F-150 isn't allowed to be parked in his driveway. The Association, established to protect Jim Greenwood's interests (that's the theory at least), will allow his neighbor's Cadillac Escalades, Honda Ridgelines, and even a HUMMER or two, but his new pickup violates a rule that prohibits pickups in the driveway.

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Another British track tool is going up against the drool-worthy Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow and the Lotus Elise. The Jetstream SC250 is styled by Brian Rossi, the same man behind the retro-tastic modern Ford Thunderbird, and although it's not exactly pretty, the SC250's wedge-shaped bodywork is sure to produce a good bit of downforce. Sitting over the rear axle is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger cribbed from the euro-only Astra VXR, giving the SC250 the same front/rear weight distribution as the aforementioned Elise.

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Toyota is struggling to sell trucks and SUVs like everyone else, but unlike the competition, no full-time workers from stalled factories are getting laid off. The 4,500 workers at idled plants are instead bettering themselves through eduction by taking classes on safety, diversity, and Toyota history. They're also doing community service while on the clock and even some gardening.

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In the book of Genesis, man was given dominion over all the plants and animals, so we're guessing that dead, liquified ones count, too. Since Rocky Twyman started his Pray At The Pump effort in April, average fuel prices have certainly fallen. Twyman believes that his groups' prayers have effected the change, and that no other factors like shifting consumer behavior, international conflict, or speculators has anything to do with it. Right.

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Safer vehicles and increased law enforcement has resulted in the lowest driving fatality rate ever last year. There were 41,059 traffic deaths in 2007, down 1,600 from 2006. Fatalities are now at 1.37 per 100 million miles traveled, which is the lowest number since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started keeping track

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The 250 GT California Spyder is one of Ferrari's most celebrated (and valuable) models, most often remembered by the general public for its starring role in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This year marked the Spyder's 50th anniversary, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance celebrated the occasion by giving the car its very own class.

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A rich arab customer paid 30,000 euros to get the oil changed on his Lamborghini Murcielago - not the car’s fault but that of its owner as the vehicle was sent all the way from the Emirates to the London dealership. 25,000 euros was needed for the air delivery, and 5000 euros for repairs. I guess when you can afford a Lamborghini, money isn’t really an object.

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