Toyota Liteace 2011 A/c Compressor [0560700] on 2040-parts.com

Skoda confirms prices for two new models

SKODA has announced prices for its two latest models; the Rapid Spaceback and the facelifted Yeti. The Spaceback, which is 180mm shorter and smaller of boot than the ‘notchback’ Rapid, is designed to be the brand’s long-awaited direct rival to the likes of the Ford Focus and Kia Cee’d. It will start from £14,340 on the road for the 1.2 TSI petrol S model with 85bhp.

Lincoln aims at luxury crossovers with MKT

In an effort to grow the brand to customers who normally buy imports, Lincoln will offer up a full-size crossover, the MKT, that is due in dealerships in late summer. We saw the Lincoln MKT at the Detroit Auto Show. As sales of full-size sport/utility vehicles decline--Lincoln says industry-wide sales are down 5.2 percent for 2008--sales of crossovers are growing.

European Car of the Year shortlist 2010

The shortlist of entries for the 2010 European Car of the Year award were announced today. No doubt bound to cause controversy with our readers, the cars which made it onto this year’s seven-strong shortlist are: • Citroën C3 Picasso• Mercedes-Benz E-class• Opel/Vauxhall Astra• Peugeot 3008• Skoda Yeti• Toyota iQ• Volkswagen Polo Chosen by automotive journalists from all over Europe, the competition will come to a close at the end of the year when an all-out winner is announced. Vauxhall took top honours in 2009's contest, with its Insignia stealing top spot from Ford’s new Fiesta by a single point.