Filed under: Convertibles, Rolls-Royce
Monterey 2008: Pininfarina Hyperion unveiled
Update: Additional live shots of the Hyperion added from the Concept Lawn at Pebble
Click above for high-res gallery of the Pininfarina Hyperion
The one-off Pininfarina Hyperion made its debut tonight at the Gooding & Company auction tent, and we were on hand to see the cover come off this highly anticipated coach-built convertible. Their was a somewhat somber mood among the Pininfarina team, who dedicated the car to the car to the late Andrea Pininfarina, but their spirits were lifted as the Hyperion received an excellent reaction from the crowd as it was unveiled. The car looks truly stunning in person, and we prefer the styling of the Hyperion over the standard Drophead Coupe. The hood is incredibly long, due in part to the extra 400mm created by moving the windscreen back, and we especially loved the unique headlights. We will have additional photos for you on Sunday when the car is displayed during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Until then, enjoy the gallery below of the unveiling.
Gallery: Pininfarina Hyperion Live Unveiling
Gallery: Pininfarina Hyperion live shots
Photos Copyright ©2008 Drew Phillips / Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
HC 12:38AM (8/16/2008)
Quite stunning. I only wonder about the mirrors, maybe they were inspired by Prince Charles.
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ugg.tryptophan 1:02AM (8/16/2008)
wow, stunning; but i'm reminded by jeremy clarkson's remark on how led headlamps look like christmas lights; still, brilliant
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2004m3driver 1:39AM (8/16/2008)
because when you're driving this, everyday feels like a holiday.
Jason White 1:25AM (8/16/2008)
Personally, to me it looks like that car out of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen".
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wef 1:50AM (8/16/2008)
I think in whole the car screams china and the side reminds me of a z4. Nothing beats the original.
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Mobius_1 1:52AM (8/16/2008)
That's a fabulous design, some may say it's a bit gaudy, which it kind of is, but it looks stunning and totally awesome, and completely out of this world. Fitting name, Hyperion
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Smeagle 5:56PM (8/17/2008)
I agree, I want to hate it because it is a bit "out there" but it does work quite well. Much better than following a safe formula.
andreiz 2:08AM (8/16/2008)
if you want some fun
new Russian crossover from AutoVAZ
Expected to be "Lada C-Cross"
http://auto.lenta.ru/blog/2008/08/14/vazcross/
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Josh 11:58AM (8/16/2008)
Stop posting shoes on AUTOblog ;)
chase 2:10AM (8/16/2008)
I can't help but thinking that it looks like all of those Chinese reproductions (blatant copies) of existing designs. I am usually quite fond of Pininfarina creations, but i don't think that this really does Rolls justice.
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WhyNotTheC63? 5:29AM (8/16/2008)
You wouldn't happen to be referring to this would you?
http://archive.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2005/shanghai/highlights/images/firstauto-hongqi-front.jpg
hans 9:19AM (8/16/2008)
i agree , the front end looks like that chinese car that the "photos" were of a photo shopped lincoln.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SAjIe_PV4UI/AAAAAAAApks/cgY4dh2WtK4/s1600-h/FKCL-123.jpg
euclid 2:18AM (8/16/2008)
I get the feeling that this car tries to be too many things at the same time...
and those LEDs are an added eyesore...
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Jeff 2:23AM (8/16/2008)
The standard Drophead looks Godawful from the side, but this looks pretty good from any angle.
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makfu 4:41AM (8/16/2008)
My thinking exactly. This is everything the Banglesque BMW in-house Rolls-Royce designs haven't been. It's elegant with long flowing lines, owing its heritage to more than a few borrowed themes from several of Britain’s other great marques.
The post-BMW acquisition RR's have been dreadfully tacky caricatures suited to the p-diddy’s of this world (thank god VW treated Bentley with a bit more care). Clearly the Italians have a much better idea of what a Rolls should look like, hopefully Bangle’s design teams take note.
paulmer 3:20AM (8/16/2008)
Beautiful. A big step-up from the Drophead.
RIP Pininfarina.
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3seriesisking 11:05AM (8/16/2008)
Agreed. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L
TheOtherDave 4:39AM (8/16/2008)
The LED outline is a bit gauche... but then again, I'm still a little sore about Bentley being sold to the Germans. :o
At any rate, it seems like the front 3/4 would be the Hyperion's best side. I'll defer judgment until the car can be shot at ground level in better light.
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Dausman 6:06AM (8/16/2008)
Front end has a gaudy awful appearance....rest of car is actually quite nice from what is pictured.
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Abdou Omari 6:27AM (8/16/2008)
not every body may dream of driving such car, only a few people may do.
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