The prototype wowed the crowd. And they'll likely love it even more when they hear the rumor circulating that Pininfarina is in talks with Maserati about a possible limited-edition production run of the one-off study, which was first revealed at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show in March.

What this means to you: These works of art will likely be snapped up by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, if they ever become reality.

The economic effects of unrest in faraway Nigeria are immediate. Crude oil prices soar above $80 a barrel. June's then-record $60 a barrel is a distant memory. A gallon of unleaded gas now costs $3.31. Americans shell out $75 to fill a midsized SUV.

If all this sounds like a Hollywood drama, it's not. These scenarios unfolded in a simulated oil shock wave held Thursday in Washington. Two former CIA directors and several other former top policy-makers participated to draw attention to America's need to reduce its dependence on oil, especially foreign oil.

Fast-forward to Jan. 19, 2006. A blast rips through Saudi Arabia's Haradh natural-gas plant. Simultaneously, al Qaida terrorists seize a tanker at Alaska's Port of Valdez and crash it, igniting a massive fire that sweeps across oil terminals. Crude oil spikes to $120 a barrel, and the U.S. economy reels. Gasoline prices hit $4.74 a gallon.

The number one worst drivers were Geminis, "typically described as restless, easily bored and frustrated by things moving slowly," explained Warren Duke, Suncorp's national manager of personal insurance. "They had more car accidents than any other sign."

1. Geminis (worst drivers)
2. Taurus
3. Pisces
4. Virgo
5. Cancer
6. Aquarius
7. Aries
8. Leo
9. Libra
10. Sagittarius
11. Scorpio
12. Capricorn (best drivers)

High speed frontal accidents, like those being tested at 40 miles per hour, are among the deadliest out there. But with today's technology, you should be able to walk away from them with no significant injuries.

Brian O'Neill runs the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit group funded by insurance companies looking to improve safety and reduce claims. The Institute buys cars right off dealer's lots and replicates what might happen if two identical cars run into each other.

To recap, every large car in this round of tests is rated good. The only one that didn't get a "best pick" was the KIA Amanti. KIA tells dateline it's "disappointed," but "confident" that the Amanti is a "safe vehicle."

The problem is not the quality of the Phaeton--it's the quality of the VW badge. And it's the mediocre reputation Volkswagen dealers have, especially when compared with the better reputation of Audi dealers, who are located right across the showroom floors. But perhaps more than any other factor, the Phaeton's sticker price is driving people away.

VW is known for cheap, populist cars, and always has been. Put it this way: if General Motors decided to build a $70,000 Saturn, would you buy it? Neither would we.

The average price for regular self-serve unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area dipped 1.2 cents to $2.361 on Friday from $2.373 one week ago. The price was $2.508 per gallon one month ago and $2.319 one year prior, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

"The prices of crude oil and gasoline on the wholesale market have jumped 15 percent in the past two weeks," said Auto Club spokesperson Paul Gonzales. "Pump prices appear to be at or near their low point. It's likely that gas prices will rise steadily for the next few weeks."

Women of the baby boom generation have made no small effort to seize the freedoms once reserved for men, so it is not surprising that as this vast group graduates from the soccer-mom years, many are doing what men have traditionally done at midlife: buying a sexy and indulgent car meant more to trumpet their liberty than to haul kids around.

In recent years there has been growth in sales of "fun" or extravagant cars among middle-aged women that are a far cry from family leviathans like the sport utility vehicle or minivan. Industry analysts report sales of luxury vehicles are up for women over 45, and dealers report that more of them are walking into showrooms with more interest in horsepower than trunk space.

"Porsche is known for its sports cars," said Mark Perleberg, lead auto expert, NADAguides.com, "but people are increasingly becoming familiar with the brand for its superior SUV, the Cayenne. Dad would love this vehicle -- it's sleek, fast and, believe it or not, offers impressive towing capabilities with a sizeable cargo area to boot ... all the features a luxury SUV should offer."

But American giants may be leading the race toward after-market friendliness for an older demographic. In recent years US automakers have taken a nostalgic turn to reach more boomers with money, rereleasing such cars as the Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang.

Mustangs now come with about 50 after-market options, including a variety of body kits made by 3dCarbon, a Newport Beach, Calif., firm recently launched by the founders of tuning giant Wings West. The company also creates kits for Ford F150 and Lincoln trucks, says Ernie Bunnell, a founder.

"Baby boomers really have this kind of staying-young syndrome," says George Moschis, professor of marketing and director of the Center for Mature Consumer Studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta. "They feel free to be themselves, and the things that appealed to them in their youth appeal to them now in their middle years."

Toyota Tacoma PreRunner -- There are darn few inexpensive vehicles that a guy can feel comfortable in, but the Tacoma is a great personal-use truck that rides and handles better than many cars.

Scion xB -- The 2005 epitome of it's hip-to-be-square, the xB breadbox on wheels is the automotive equivalent of Dickies shorts and skate shoes -- if somebody has to explain them to you, you'll never understand.

Ford Focus ZX3 SES -- Pocket rocket American style, the ZX3 SES shows that Ford's U.S. engineers have learned a great deal from their European colleagues, and the styling is distinctive, not "me too."

Kia Spectra Hatchback -- This new-for-05 Spectra offers station wagon-like versatility and space in an inexpensive-to-buy and reasonable-to-maintain package. The big plus is its lengthy warranty coverage.

Chevrolet Cobalt LS coupe -- This good-looking new package is a far cry from its predecessor, the late, unlamented Chevrolet Cavalier. Its taut feel and good response are a revelation.

Hyundai Tiburon -- There's still room in the American market for an inexpensive sporty coupe, and the Tiburon plays that tune about as well as anyone these days.

MAZDA 3 Hatchback -- The MAZDA3 is a huge advance over its predecessor Protege, and while the Protege was a very good car, the MAZDA3's great interior and exterior design, plus good power make it a killer deal.

Scion tC -- Take sophisticated styling, a willing engine, a palatable price; mix in Toyota quality and what do you have? Another winner from the young Scion brand.

MINI Cooper -- When it comes to surprise-and-delight features few cars at any price can top the MINI Cooper; in this car you discover more cool features every time you drive it, and the driving experience itself is remarkable.

Honda Element -- If you want versatility, you're in your Element. The reverse-hinged rear doors make a fashion statement, but the big advantages of the Element are its form-follows-function design and its overall usability.

1. Dukes of Hazzard's General Lee -- from the 1970s TV show
2. Bullitt's dark green 1968 Mustang driven by Steve McQueen
3. Gone in 60 Seconds' Eleanor - the 1967 Shelby GT500
4. Back to the Future's flux capacitor-equipped 1983 DeLorean
5. Batman's Batmobile from the TV series starring Adam West
6. Goldfinger's Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond
7. Smokey & The Bandit's 1977 Pontiac Firebird T/A driven by Burt Reynolds
8. Herbie the Love Bug, the 1963 Volkswagen from the Disney movie
9. Starsky & Hutch's 1974 Ford Torino driven in the original TV show
10. The Green Hornet's Black Beauty - from the 1966 television series

Ford has a huge hit on its hands with the new Mustang, and dealers can barely keep up with demand. In the first four months of 2005, Ford sold 61,820 Mustangs in the U.S. -- an increase of 19% compared with the same period in 2004.

South Korean auto manufacturing will rise 44 percent to more than 5 million units by 2012, with 2.1 million produced in factories overseas, a report said Tuesday.

The predicted steady growth would give brands such as Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia a 7.8 percent share of the global market, the Yonhap news agency said, citing research by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.

South Korean makers made 3.47 million automobiles last year, and the figure will rise to 4 million by 2007, the report said. Output will reach 4.8 million units by 2008, after which production will slow slightly, the it said.