1936 Plymouth Rear Bumper on 2040-parts.com

World Car of the Year 2014 – the contenders

The provisional list of entries for the 2014 World Car of the Year awards has been revealed – this is like the European Car of the Year awards, only judged on a global scale. Each candidate for the main awards must be available for sale on at least two continents. In addition to the main category, the World Car – or WCOTY – awards also includes separate prizes for the World Car Design of the Year, World Green Car and World Luxury Car, the last a change from the World Performance Car of previous years.

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.

Nissan LEAF: UK prices

The Nissan LEAF EV will sell at £21,350 in the UK after subsidies are taken in to account Agree with their focus – some would say obsession - or not, you can’t help but admire Nissan’s intentions to make the electric car a mainstream reality. It’s a big commitment and a bold move which could actually make or break Nissan in the coming years, in the same way as the hybrid obsession at Lexus. But putting aside the business sense of a headlong tilt in to electric cars, we have to admit that the headline price for the Nissan LEAF in the UK – just announced as £23,350 (after taking in to account Government incentives) – is a very competitive price point.