When Nissan announced the Leaf RC we, naturally, were expecting a little radio controlled version of the battery-electric sedan that's making its way to driveways now -- slowly. We certainly didn't expect a race version of the thing, but that's what Nissan created, and now here it is at the New York International Auto Show, sitting on a turntable and spinning away. In fact you could envision that spinning stretching it out. It's rather... longer than the stock Leaf. In fact, it really looks nothing at all like the stock car, but if it did it'd be all the more strange on the track than this long, low, spread-out, carbon fiber wedge. They are at least both pure electrics and both painted blue, though under the cerulean lights here just about everything is looking decidedly cool. Okay, so 107HP, a top speed of 93MPH, and a maximum duration of just 20 minutes on the track will hardly see this winning any WTCC races, but with a weight of just 2,068 pounds (some 700 less than a Tesla Roadster) we'd certainly take one for a spin -- even if it were a short one.

Another day, another car of the year award. The Nissan Leaf just won the World Car Of The Year award at the New York International Auto Show. An unnamed World Car juror notes Leaf’s tech specs of 100 mile range, 8 hour battery charge and that it’s the first mass-produced 5 seat EV hatchback. “It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.” This award is now in it’s 7th year, previously crowned mainly compact cars with the notable exception of the Lexus LS 460 in 2007 and the Audi A6 in 2005.

he Nissan Leaf charged past two German luxury sedans to win “World Car of the Year,” a huge validation of the car — and of electric vehicles in general.

A panel of 66 automotive journalists from 24 countries named the Leaf the best thing on four wheels, choosing it over the BMW 5-Series, Audi A8 and 34 other automobiles from around the world. The jurors called it “the gateway to a brave new electric world.”

They’re absolutely right. We’ve spent a lot of time driving the Leaf and several other cars with cords, and it is the benchmark for electric vehicles. A whole lot of people who may not have considered an EV ought to, because the Leaf is that good. Nissan is to be commended.