Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

2013 Nissan LEAF updated

Nissan has updated the LEAF EV in Japan for 2013 with better range, less weight and a new LEAF S entry-level model. Revealed in Japan – but likely to come to the UK from 2013 when the LEAF starts rolling out of Nissan’s Sunderland factory – there are significant upgrades to the powertrain which result in both less weight and better range. Nissan has had a play with the electric powertrain and made it both smaller and lighter with a new motor that uses 40 per cent less dysprosium (a rare earth metal) than before, and comes in 30 per cent smaller and 10 per cent lighter, and a new streamline battery case and a few other tweaks drops the LEAF’s weight by 80kg.

Ford Focus Electric debut

2012 Ford Focus Electric - debuted at CES Las Vegas We expected Ford to debut the electric version of the new Focus at the Detroit Motor Show next week until they did the whole ‘Electric Focus Tease‘ thing last week. Just like Audi with their latest e-Tron Spyder, Ford has chosen to take the wraps off at the CES in Las Vegas. Which is probably as clear an indication as you need that the car’s place in the marketplace is becoming blurred with the push towards electric cars.

Concept Car of the Week: Toyota EX-7 (1970)

Imagine the roads of today filled with colorful mid-engined two-seaters. That would make your daily commute a lot more exciting, wouldn't it? This was Toyota's optimistic vision in 1970 when it presented the EX-7 concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, a high-speed touring car designed for intercity transportation in the near future.