Nissan has revealed a new livery for its unconventional Le Mans racer set to tackle Circuit de la Sarthe next month.

In a time-lapse video that follows the construction of a NISMO GT-R LM, the new livery is revealed to be a traditional Nissan tricolor that dates back to their earliest racing exploits. Blue, white and red have decorated Datsuns dating back to the late 1960s on 2000 Sports roadster, 510 and 240Z race cars.

This particular colorway, however, is an homage to the Nissan R90C racer. That particular Group C prototype, powered by a 3.5L twin-turbo V8 good for 1,100hp, competed in the 1990 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Nissan fielded five examples built on two different continents; three finished, with the Oppama works-built car piloted by Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, and Toshio Suzuki placing as high as fifth place. The cars would later go on to place first in class at the 24 Hours of Daytona with Bob Earl, Derek Daly, Chip Robinson, and Geoff Brabham at the wheel.

But while the R90C and all Le Mans racers are either rear- or all-wheel-drive, the new NISMO GT-R LM sends its 1,250hp from its hybrid 3.0L twin-turbo V6 to its front wheels. The layout allows engineers to devote the entire back half of the car to aerodynamics, which will create downforce, save fuel and result in fewer pit stops. The Nissan GT-R LM NISMO will compete in the LMP1 class at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will be held June 13-14, 2015.

Live images by Ben Hsu.

A recent Subaru owner’s survey revealed that the company is considering a 7-seater crossover for the US market.

In the survey, which was shared to Jalopnik, Subaru asks, “In thinking about the Subaru brand and the possibility of a 7 passenger vehicle being offered in the future, please rate how well you like these names for the new vehicle? [sic].” The survey then asks for a rating from 1-10 for seven potential names: Centauri, Cypress, Ascent, Meridian, Sojourn, and Columbia.

The car in question is likely a version of the recently launched Japan-market Crossover 7, based on a concept from the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. That vehicle itself was based on a three-row Exiga wagon that’s been on sale since 2008, but Outback-ified with a raised ride height and more durable body cladding.

The Crossover 7 is powered by Subaru’s 2.5-liter boxer four mated with a continuously variable transmission. The company has hinted as early as 2013 that there’d be a three-row crossover launching as a 2016 model.

Subaru has not had a three-row, 7-seat vehicle in its lineup since the B9 Tribeca ended production in January 2014.

Mercedes-Benz will travel to the Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce the facelifted A-Class, a premium compact hatchback aimed right at the Audi A3 and the recently-updated BMW 1 Series.
The visual changes will be minor at best. Official pictures are not available, but sources close to Mercedes have hinted the A will get revised headlights, a redesigned grille, new bumpers on both ends and new-look LED tail lamps.

Buyers will have more options to choose from, including LED ambient lighting, a long list of comfort- and safety-oriented electronic driving aids and a wi-fi hotspot, a first in the nameplate’s history. The A will also benefit from the latest generation of Mercedes’ infotainment system.

Generally speaking, the current A-Class’ gasoline- and diesel-burning engines will be carried over to the updated model with only small modifications. However, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger that powers the range-topping A45 AMG will be tuned to pump out at least 375 horsepower, a generous 20-pony increase over the current model. A seven-speed automatic transmission will send power to all four wheels via a sport-tuned version of Mercedes’ 4Matic system.

The updated Mercedes-Benz A-Class will be introduced online over the summer, and it will greet the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show that will open its doors next September. Mercedes is still not planning on selling the A-Class on our shores, where the market for premium hatchbacks is small at best, but the 375-horsepower turbo four will most likely find its way under the hood of Mercedes-AMG’s CLA 45 and GLA 45 in time for the 2016 model year.

Jaguar-Land Rover parent company Tata has introduced an updated version of the Nano city car dubbed GenX.
Visually, the Nano GenX benefits from a more modern-looking front end characterized by a strip of piano black trim at the bottom of the hood, revised headlights as well as a new bumper with a U-shaped air vent and a pair of round fog lights. The air vent isn’t just for looks, it’s part of a new cooling system designed to direct more air to the engine bay.

The rear end gets roughly the same U-shaped air vent seen up front, new light clusters and piano black trim on the hatch. New paint colors and plastic hubcaps round out the exterior updates.

Tata has not made any major changes to the engine, meaning the Nano is powered by a rear-mounted 624cc two-cylinder engine that makes 38 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 37 lb-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Base models come standard with a four-speed manual transmission, but buyers looking to go clutchless can select a five-speed automatic manual gearbox. This marks the first time the Nano is offered with an automatic transmission, and makes it the cheapest automatic new car on the Indian market.

The GenX carries on with drum brakes all around, though Tata points out it’s the safest Nano ever built thanks in part to the addition of side impact beams.

The Tata Nano GenX is on sale now across India.