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Nissan’s new lightweight philosophy revealed

The leaked official drawings of the new Nissan Micra might have revealed the conventional styling of the company’s new supermini, but they gave little clue to the dramatically lightweight new platform that underpins it. The new Micra will be significantly lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car due to a ruthless pursuit of weight reduction on the new V-platform (V = versatile), which on average has slashed 50kg from the new car's weight, and up to 70kg on some models. Project leader Noritaka Tsuru described the new package as a 'breakthrough car' that required a complete 'change in mentality' in how Nissan makes cars.

The hot-rodding world's Great 8: Video

February in Detroit means a few things: winter is almost over, the Red Wings are making a playoff push and the Detroit auto show has come and gone. There's no better time for tens of thousands of customizers to descend on the city's Cobo Hall for the annual Autorama, the premier hot-rod and custom show in the country. We told you about this year's Ridler Award winner, Dwayne Peace of Tyler, Texas.

Seat Ibiza SportCoupe (2008): the first pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 04 June 2008 11:32 Seat has spiced up the Ibiza with the addition of a new three-door model. Dubbed SportCoupe, the new car offers a unique silhouette and the first seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the supermini class. The SportCoupe takes inspiration from the Bocanegra concept, unveiled earlier in 2008 at the Geneva motor show, although it somehow seems to have lost the wow factor of that slinky show special.