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Renault taking Alpine endurance racing, enters 24 Hours of Le Mans

Renault isn't letting up with the return of its Alpine brand. After announcing a partnership with Caterham to bring a new Alpine to market by 2015 (now expected by 2016), the French firm has announced it is taking Alpine racing again in the European Le Mans Series this year - and that includes The 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It has been 35 years since Alpine last competed in Le Mans, when it won the race outright and dropped the mic as it left the pits, never to return. Before that, in the 11 years it campaigned in the most famous endurance race on the planet from 1963 to 1978, it took seven class wins.
Caterham won't be involved with the race team, however; that will be an effort spearheaded by the Signatech-Nissan team that has been running GT Academy winners in LMS racing. Alpine is preparing an LMP2 chassis that will get a 500-horsepower Nissan engine for this year's championship, with the first two named drivers being Nelson Panciatici (above right) and Pierre Ragues (above left). The third driver for Le Mans will be announced later this month when the racer is launched at the Le Castellet race track in southern France.

Mitsubishi Motors to relocate North America HQ to Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mitsubishi Motors announced on Tuesday that it is relocating its North America headquarters from California to Tennessee, a move that will bring the Japanese automaker closer to its sister company Nissan and strengthen Tennessee's growing reputation as an epicenter of the automotive sector. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe — who made the announcement with Mitsubishi Motors North America — say the headquarters move from Cypress, California, to Franklin, Tennessee, will result in an $18.25 million investment in the region and approximately 200 jobs. Lee and Rolfe added that they met with Mitsubishi's global executives last week to convince them to move to Tennessee while in Japan during the Republican governor's first trade mission. It is unclear what financial incentives state officials offered Mitsubishi to move to Tennessee. "As we drive toward the future, this is the perfect time for us to move to a new home. While we say farewell to the Golden State with a heavy heart, we're excited to say hello to Music City," Fred Diaz, Mitsubishi Motors North America's president and CEO, said in a statement. Franklin is located just south of Nashville, also known as "Music City," and is home to the state's most powerful Republicans, ranging from Gov. Lee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and House Speaker Glen Casada. "Over the years, Tennessee has become the epicenter of the Southeast's thriving automotive sector, and I'm proud Mitsubishi Motors will call Franklin its U.S. home and bring 200 high-quality jobs to Middle Tennessee," Lee, who took over the office this year, said in a statement. Mitsubishi Motors' North America headquarters has been located in California since 1988. The company expects the relocation will begin in August and will be completed by the end of the year. Initially, a temporary office will handle operations to allow the company time to identify a permanent office. Company officials say the move is part an ongoing effort to "reinvent every aspect of Mitsubishi Motors in the U.S.," as well as strengthen the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Nissan has a production plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, and owns a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors. Last week, Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Nissan introduces new Lannia sedan in China [w/videos]

Take a good look at the vehicle you see here, because you may never see it again. That's because it was designed specifically for the Chinese market and is not likely to ever be exported far beyond its borders. It's called the Nissan Lannia, and it's the production version of the Friend-Me concept showcased two years ago in Shanghai and the Lannia concept unveiled in Beijing last year. It's a sedan targeted specifically at trendsetting Chinese buyers in their 20s and 30s, designed and developed locally by Nissan Design China and unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. The styling bears many hallmarks of the Japanese automaker's latest design language, particularly up front with its V-shaped grille treatment and sharply shaped headlights. The C-pillar looks signature Nissan as well, but leads to what looks like rather ungainly rear proportions somewhat disguised by dynamic styling elements. Details remain few and far between, but you can bet it packs a small engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Introducing the All-New Nissan Lannia April 20 – Shanghai – Nissan unveiled the all-new Lannia at Auto Shanghai 2015 on Monday, a culmination of vision taking the car from concept to reality. Two years ago in Shanghai, Nissan introduced the Friend-Me Concept, followed by the Lannia Concept in 2014 at the Beijing Motor Show, and Lannia is the tangible expression of the company's commitment to China. Building on Nissan's longstanding success in the sedan market, it's the first product developed and designed for young Chinese generations, especially those in their 20s and 30s, seen as the nation's trendsetters. "Edging forward is not enough. The market in China is moving very fast, especially with the post-1980s generation," says Titus Liu, Creative Design Manager at Nissan Design China. "They do not want to stick with the status quo, so we are dedicated to finding the next great breakthrough. This is important for us." Design and development was led by Nissan Design China, backed by the Nissan Global Design Center. Lannia's styling speaks to rising Chinese who want to set themselves apart as both edgy and sophisticated, resulting in a stylish new look for a sedan that goes against conventions.