(May 13, 2016) NORFOLK, England — A significant anniversary requires a significant car and, Lotus is marking 50 years since the founding of its famous factory with a limited Hethel Edition of its benchmark Evora 400. Available in three exclusive colors, with matching trim options and a special commemorative build plate, the Hethel Edition Evora 400 combines high performance with Lotus’ legendary chassis development.

Winning the praise of customers and the motoring press since its launch, the Evora 400 weighs in at just 3,075 pounds and epitomizes Lotus’ approach to efficient engineering.

(May 12, 2016) YOKOHAMA and TOKYO, Japan — Nissan and Mitsubishi announced today that they have signed a basic agreement to form a far-reaching strategic alliance between the two Japanese automakers.

Following an Mitsubishi share issue, Nissan will take a 34 percent equity stake in Mitsubishi for 237 billion yen ($2.2 billion).

The strategic alliance will extend an existing partnership between Nissan and Mitsubishi, under which the two companies have jointly collaborated for the past five years.

(May 12, 2016) DETROIT — Chevrolet has revealed the Silverado High Desert package, which will arrive in dealers this fall. Based on the concept vehicle revealed at the 2014 SEMA show, the High Desert package brings unique content and capability to Silverado’s lineup of special editions.

Available on LT, LTZ, and High Country trim levels, the High Desert package combines refined exterior styling, an all-new cargo system that is lockable and water resistant and available Magnetic Ride Control suspension on High Country.

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(May 12, 2016) One area where FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) chairman Sergio Marchionne may have outwitted everyone is in his tie-up with Google’s parent Alphabet to produce Chrysler Pacifica-based autonomous vehicles. Though the initial agreement has the two companies working together to produce 100 self-driving Pacifica minivans in order to develop Google’s autonomous driving (AD) software and hardware, it’s very likely that this is only the first step in this partnership.