Morgan Aero Coupe and Plus 8

Whilst looking decidedly vintage, the Morgan Plus 8 is one of three new models that will debut in Geneva. Moving away from the traditional ash chassis (yes, as in the wood) of the previous car, the new Plus 8 features a bonded and riveted aluminum chassis, similar to the high-performance Aero variants. Externally, the car retains the retro styling that is to be expected of Morgan, but sits on a wider track with deeper rockers.

Design Services: Car Menu launched

Within almost every automotive design department throughout the world, their comes a time when a junior designer is dispatched to find a picture of some new model's tail lamp, the side view of a particular class leading competitor or examples of several new cars' colour and trim packages. Whilst looking at the competition is not necessarily a healthy way of finding ideas, it is often essential to demonstrate what is feasible, check in-house proposals are not too derivative, or show how advanced a design theme is relative to the same type of cars on the market. But even if the particular aspect of a car can be found, press packs and magazines typically show cars in the flattering light of an exotic location or being drifted around a corner on opposite lock; rarely are these images particularly useful.

Nissan Leaf gets lower base price

Nissan Motor Co. will cut the base price of the slow-selling Leaf electric car by 18 percent, or $6,400, the automaker said Monday. Nissan will sell a 2013 base Leaf S for $28,800, down from $35,200 on the 2012 base model.