2004 Nissan Maxima Heater Switch Control on 2040-parts.com

Europe's Car of the Year 2011 shortlist announced

The 41 contenders for Europe's 2011 Car of the Year trophy have been whittled down to the final seven as the European CoTY shortlist is announced today. The winner will be voted for by 59 of Europe's most influential motoring journalists, including two CAR writers: editor Phil McNamara and European editor Georg Kacher. The 2010 winner - by just 10 points ahead of the Toyota iQ - was the Volkswagen Polo. Like the Eurovision Song Contest, Car of the Year has proved controversial in the past with accusations of block-voting and blind patriotism, yet the award remains one of the most prestigious in the motor industry.

Kia Soul facelift (2011) first official pictures

Kia picked the 2011 New York auto show to real the facelifted Kia Soul. As well as packing some visual scrub-ups, there's a bit of new tech too. The 2011 facelifted Kia Soul matches a six-speed manual transmission to a 1.6-litre direct-injection engine.

Lamborghini Veneno Roadster gets its public debut on an Aircraft Carrier in Abu Dhabi

The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (pictured) debuts in Abu Dhabi Depending on your point of view, the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is either the summit of Lamborghini’s extreme cars or a cynical exercise to milk cash from those with more money than sense. An open-topped version of the equally cynical Lamborghini Veneno Coupe, Lamborghini say the Roadster has the aerodynamic efficiency of a racing prototype thanks to its perfect airflow and downforce and its stiff and light CFRP monocoque and body panels. But at £3.35 million, the Veneno Roadster costs ten times the equivalent – and just as quick – Aventador Roadster, so you’re paying a huge premium for one of the nine Veneno Roadsters Lamborghini are planning to build in 2014.