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.

Who's Where: Peter Schreyer appointed President of Kia Motors

Peter Schreyer has been been appointed President of Kia Motors after holding the position of Chief Design Officer since 2006. Schreyer is the first non-Korean to hold the position within the company and one of the highest-ranking designers in the history of the industry. Schreyer, who is now 59, moved from the VW Group to transform the historically 'dull-but-worthy' Kia product range into one of the strongest and most design-led in the industry through stand-out production cars such as the Picanto and Sportage as well as a diverse range of concepts from Pop to GT.

Driven: Renault Megane Coupe concept

Renault design this century hasn't exactly met with universal approval. The Vel Satis, though radical, was largely unloved. The Avantime lasted only a couple of years in production.