Volkswagen Jetta Tdi Engine Brainbox, Electronic Control Module; 2.0l, Diesel on 2040-parts.com

Lotus Elise S Cup R poised for US consumption

Lotus can’t sell its road cars in North America anymore (dang safety regulations!), but that won’t stop them from sending some hardcore track vehicles here for the true enthusiasts. Enter the Lotus Elise S Cup R. The Cup R variant of the Elise sports a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 217 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque with help from a Magnuson R900 supercharger.

New 2013 Nissan LEAF goes the ‘Battery Lease’ route UPDATED

Even though you will be paying the same rate as you did in the first year, you’ll have to make do with the old batteries unless they fall below the 9 bar level, when Nissan will replace them under warranty. There is no doubt that Nissan are still convinced the future is the electric car, and the LEAF – the world’s best-selling electric car – is the future of motoring. And the LEAF is a convincing car if all you want is a well-built family car to transport you round your local area, even if it will cost an arm and a leg to buy in comparison to an ICE car.

Škoda 2013 Octavia

The 2013 Škoda Octavia has been unveiled ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show in March. Škoda design chief Jozef Kabaň and his team completely redesigned the outgoing second-generation model and it has grown in length and width by 90 mm and 45 mm respectively. The wheelbase has also grown by 108mm, making more room for the occupants inside.