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The fall and rise of the budget car

Twenty years ago, the classic bargain brands like Lada seemed to be going the same way as the Soviet empire that spawned them. Woefully dated and badly made, only a weirdo would have bought a new Lada rather than a second-hand model from Ford, Vauxhall or VW. However, one of the big trends in the car industry today is the re-emergence of bargain cars.

Nissan Townpod concept preview

Nissan has just released this image of its new Townpod concept, which offers insight into how the brand could expand its portfolio of zero-emission vehicles. It will be displayed at the Paris motor show.  Designed to offer zero-emissions mobility to a future generation of home-based, innovative entrepreneurs who are creative and tech-savvy, the Townpod "combines eye-catching design with a spacious and practical interior," Nissan says. "[It's] more than just a car and it's more than just a van – it heralds a new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses." We'll bring you more information, our critique of the design and our own unique photographs of the Townpod in a few weeks' time.

SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS costs from £22,075

The SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS (pictured) arrives in the UK from £22,075 The 2013 SEAT Leon arrived at the Paris Motor Show last year as the Spanish take in the VW Golf. And now the SEAT take on the Golf GTD is in the UK – the SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS. With a dose of Spanish flair making the SEAT a more flamboyant, and appealing, car than the Golf, it comes with the same 181bhp 2.0 litre diesel as the GTD, offering 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and 67.3mpg.