Scott Drake 64-65 Convertible Kick Panels (blue) on 2040-parts.com

Ford at CES: Charge your car with science and wash your dishes while you sleep

Ford's C-Max Solar Energy Concept is a "plugless plugin," said Donna Bell, which initially sounds silly -- as if the carefully structured chaos and noise of CES may have finally gotten to her. But as someone who has been managing Ford's electric vehicle infrastructure for the past 20 years, she isn't being facetious. Solar panels on the roof of a car aren't anything new -- the Fisker Karma used them to power the radio and other in-car accessories, to cite a soon-obscure example.

Mercedes confirms SLK55 AMG’s new 5.5 V8

Mercedes has announced details of the new eight-cylinder engine that will power the upcoming SLK55 AMG. It’s a 5.5-litre lump, and AMG promises that its new naturally aspirated engine delivers not just the performance of a V8, but also the ‘economical fuel consumption of a four-cylinder’. How much power can we expect from the new SLK55 AMG’s engine?

Lexus CT200h (2011): UK prices, spec announced

Lexus has revealed prices for its new CT200h - and they're pretty punchy. The base CT200h clocks in at £23,485, rising to a startling £30,635 for the SE-L Premier. Lexus says it's the first sporty hybrid, but can the new CT really woo drivers out of their cheaper Audis and BMWs?  The CT200h is aimed squarely at the A3 and 1-series, but comes with just one drivetrain for now. The Lexus uses Prius hardware, so there's a 1.8-litre petrol mated to an electric motor to produce 134bhp - enough for the 1420kg CT200h to hit 62mph in 10.3sec.