Handlebar Switch Housing, Lower Rh, 71553-08/to on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin Rapide – First official image – again!

As we’ve said before, the Aston Martin Rapide has been so long coming it feels like it’s already here. But it’s not, despite the spy pictures of the Rapide we’ve seen, and now comes the first official picture – apparently. We’ve seen an ‘official’ Aston Martin Rapide image before, but this looks more convincing, even though it is obviously a rendering.

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn

Germany plans to charge foreigners to drive on the Autobahn It seems Germany is planning to charge to use the Autobahn network – just as France does – but it plans to levy the charge just on foreign visitors. The plan is part of a deal by Angela Merkel’s Social Democrat party to form a new coalition and would see all non-German drivers paying a fixed toll to use the Autobahns. But the plan is coming under fire from neighbouring countries (Germany has borders with nine other countries) and even from its own version of the AA – the ADAC – who say the revenue likely to be raised – around £220 million – will do little to address the costs.

Nissan Leaf is European Car of the Year 2011

The Nissan Leaf has won the 2011 European Car of the Year gong, it was announced today. It's the first electric car to win the award. The European Car of the Year whittled down 41 contenders to a shortlist of seven.