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Michelin Challenge Design 2009 preview

Michelin is continuing to profile the work of some of the leading contenders for its annual Michelin Challenge Design competition, which asks the design community to come up with proposals for "America's Next Iconic Vehicle". All 11 of the scale models and 24 two-dimensional drawings in the running will be exhibited at the 2009 NAIAS in January. Earlier this month, we featured three of these scale models following their selection by a jury of top automotive designers.

One Lap of the Web: The Weird World of Wheels

-- Introducing the greatest television show you've never heard of: "Operation: Mystery!" Imagine if the "X-Files" took place in 1960s Japan, and had its own cool custom car the heroes rolled around in: the Tortoise, a pudgy little thing that resembled the unholy combination of an Opel GT and a Dustbuster. It was bulletproof (not really), had gullwing doors (really) and was based on a Subaru 360 (really!). Sadly, its whereabouts are unknown, and it might have disappeared into the ether along with the UFOs its heroes probably investigated.

Peugeot 508 (w/ Gallery)

The new Peugeot 508, previewed by the 5byPeugeot Geneva show car earlier this year, is the replacement for the D-segment 407 and the larger E-segment 607. The 508 retains many of the design themes of the concept: a more restrained grille outline, diving headlamp graphic and embossed lion emblem surface convey a similar DRG. The sedan's three-light DLO is also intact as is the trunk lid's unusually high-set trim highlight, although the taillamps have lost their body color inserts.