Passenger Side Replacement Power Signal Memory Heated Mirror 09-11 Nissan Maxima on 2040-parts.com

Old is new again: Will a floor-hinged throttle pedal be in your future?

If you think that every little nut, bolt, switch, gear or widget in your new car wasn't scrutinized by a team of highly educated, overworked car geeks (read: engineers), think again. A couple of recent conversations with automotive engineers confirmed that virtually nothing that goes into a car today is taken for granted. During the recent Pebble Beach weekend, I had the pleasure of spending time with an engineer for Jaguar, and the subject turned to materials used for various switches in the cabin.

CAR interviews AMG's ex-boss Volker Mornhinweg

Volker Mornhinweg has single-handedly transformed AMG, turning the in-house tuner into a fully fledged and independent supercar manufacturer. During his five-year watch he built up an outstanding team of engineers and designers, and his enthusiasm for fast and dynamic cars was as contagious as it was never-ending. In April he will leave AMG and take on the new role of overseeing Mercedes’ van operations – a vital, but very different role.

Russia's Dartz Prombron creates a 2,000-hp armored yacht hauler

Looking to make a statement at the yacht club? This will do it. Russian armored-vehicle manufacturer Dartz Prombron has teamed up with Eduard Gray of Swedish luxury-vehicle design firm Gray Design to create the 2012 Sportback, which is made to haul yachts and maybe scare small children.