2002 Polaris 500 Ho Primary Clutch on 2040-parts.com

Creature comforts now top car-shoppers' 'must-haves'

New technologies come with a learning curve, but once we tackle the initial challenge it's amazing how quickly new features become “must-haves.” From cars that unlock as we approach to those that keep themselves between the lines and a safe distance from what's ahead, we have already become accustomed to high-tech driving. So which features would most drivers refuse to live without? Surprisingly, it's the simplest creature comforts most people hold dear—at least for now.

Aston Martin Rapide Frankfurt launch

The Aston Martin Rapide launches in Frankfurt Looking just like it has since we first saw it – with very few detail changes – the Rapide shows just how good a four-door supercar based on its two-door sibling can be. Take note, Porsche. The exterior of the Rapide is a joy, with hidden door handles keeping the lines sleek, LED sidelights and bi-xenon headlights and big, 20″ alloys.

2011 Honda Civic at Detroit

The 2011 Honda Civic - debut at then 2011 Detroit Motor Show Honda are previewing the Honda Civic Concept at next month’s Detroit Motor Show and have releaed a sketch to let us know what to expect. But this isn’t really a concept, it’s the 2011 Honda Civic and it will be on sale in the US by the Spring. Although it’s never particularly sensible to judge a car from a sketch – car companies do like to employ a little artistic license when rendering product yet to be – it seems clear that the 2011 Civic is going to get styling evolved from the Honda CR-Z with a bit of current Civic Type-R aggression thrown in as standard.