Other advances included rubber cone independent suspension, designed by Alex Moulton (who incidentally, went on to design the Moulton bicycle -- another of my favorite designs), rack and pinion steering and a monocoque body that eliminated the need for a costly separate chassis.

CNN: A design classic

The 2013 Nissan LEAF again uses an independent strut suspension with stabilizer bar in front and a torsion beam rear suspension with integrated stabilizer bar.

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Instead of a central engine each wheel is powered by "wheel robots", independent motors and suspension systems that would allow the car to maneuver in tight streets and even park sideways by turning 90 degrees.

CNN: Reinventing the wheel