The automaker has previously announced it is not planning on launching new models in the immediate future for a slew of financial reasons, so it will use a big chunk of the grant to improve its existing Exige, Evora and Elise sports cars and launch new variations such as the track-only Elise S Cup R.

Long dependent on the United States and its home country, Lotus is eager to expand its operations to lucrative markets in Asia and in the Middle East. It sees improving the build quality, handling and performance of its lineup as the best way to return to lure new buyers into showrooms and generate high profit margins.

“This grant is part of a wider strategy for Lotus created to ensure we thrive and grow. We are responding to increased global demand for our cars and engineering consultancy services and this grant will help to position Lotus at the forefront of global automotive innovation,” explained Lotus CEO Aslam Farikullah. “We’re in a position to create new jobs and to significantly contribute to Britain’s automotive industry,” he added.

Earlier this year, Lotus owner DRB-HICOM injected £100 million (about $163 million) into the automaker to help it hire 45 specialist engineers, 40 manufacturing operatives and 18 college graduates. The new recruits have been put to work on Lotus’ sports car programs and engineering projects for other companies.

Decades after the last original Beetle was sold in the United States, Volkswagen is aiming to live up to its “people’s car” name once again. To do so, the company’s efforts now stem around building high-volume cars for the masses – like its midsize sedan, the Passat.

If you’re an automotive historian, you’ll know that Passats of yore have often been likable, if distinctly European-feeling sedans slightly out of touch with needs, wants and demands of American buyers. To rectify this, the latest Passat has been engineered for us – and it’s even built here at a brand new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Not content with letting the Passat stay unchanged, VW has introduced for 2014 an all-new turbocharged engine that nets vastly improved fuel economy. That’s the kind of thing Americans truly need, want and demand.

What is it?
Introduced for the 2012 model year, the Passat was designed specifically for buyers in the United States and in China. Despite our differences, we demand much the same out of our midsize cars.

To that end, it emphasizes interior volume rather than feeling genuinely premium like Passats of years gone by. Initially, Passat launched with a dated and thirsty five-cylinder engine, but 2014 sees the gradual phasing out of that motor in favor of an all-new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.

Unrelated to the VW Group’s 1.8T of a decade or so ago, this new engine puts out the same 170 horsepower as its five-cylinder predecessor, but torque is up 7 lb-ft. to 184 lb-ft. Moreover, the new 1.8T offers a vastly wider torque band, which means that it feels – and truly is – much faster.

The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, the former of which will only be available on low-spec, low-volume models. VW also offers the Passat with a 40 mpg-plus turbodiesel and a 280-horsepower gasoline V6. As much as we like the turbodiesel, we don’t doubt that the 1.8T tested here will be the highest-volume model.

Speaking of volume, our SEL grade tester tops the range at just shy of $32,000; go easier on the options and you can find a Passat for under $22,000.

What’s it up against?
Without a doubt the toughest segment, the midsize sedan market includes such stalwarts as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima. We’re also partial to the high-mpg Mazda Mazda6, the stylish Kia Optima and the all-wheel-drive Subaru Legacy.

What does it look like?
Conservative and distinctly Teutonic, the Passat’s taut design wastes no sheetmetal on extraneous curves or scallops. To some, the low-frill, trend-free look is a little boring, but it’s also highly inoffensive even when loaded up like our SEL tester with its 18-inch alloy wheels, LED running lamps and subtle chrome accents.

The Passat won’t stop you in your tracks like the Fusion or the Mazda6, but it will also undoubtedly age well. Plus, there’s something to be said about motoring along under the radar. In a silver Passat like our test car, that’s an easy task.

And on the inside?
We could use the same accolades to describe the Passat’s interior. Distinctly Volkswagen in its ergonomic simplicity, it manages to feel a little more upmarket when swathed in black leather and synthetic suede.

Dark wood-like accents and an aspirational analog clock give the Passat’s dashboard an old world feel that we don’t necessarily mind. In some ways, it’s like a downmarket Audi, only without the flair.

On a functional level, the Passat continues to score. Passenger room is top notch, especially for outboard rear seat passengers. The middle seat is a little more cramped given that the Passat’s interior is slightly narrower than some rivals, but only big passengers will find reason to complain.

What the dashboard lacks in trendy style it more than makes up for in usability. Every control is easy to reach and see; even the Passat’s navigation system is a breeze to operate, although we found its voice controls had a tough time recognizing some inputs. On the other hand, the Fender-branded audio system included with the SEL Premium trim level is among the best in its class.

As good as the Passat looks inside, it comes up a little short in terms of material selection. Hard plastics are mostly well hidden, but some cost cutting is evident. Where rivals put padded vinyl on the door panels, the Passat uses plastic. A bevy of switch blanks surrounds the gear lever reminding you of what you didn’t buy – even though this is a loaded Passat. Exposed metal on the trunk lid is something we rarely see in economy cars, let alone those costing $30,000-plus. And the plastic parcel shelf behind the rear seats not only looks cheap, it reflects light onto the rear window in sunny climates.

But does it go?
Forget any complaint we ever made about the Passat’s underwhelming old five-cylinder. This new engine is a winner. Buttery smooth at idle, it emits only a faint and refined growl when pushed hard. Stomp on the skinny pedal and you’re rewarded with a rush of power, so much so that we question whether the Passat’s specifications sheet is really under-rated. From any speed, a mountain of torque provides effortless passing and acceleration.

Only with a full complement of passengers and their luggage aboard did we find that the Passat felt slightly burdened, but we still feel safe in saying that this is the fastest-feeling four-cylinder midsize sedan currently on the market. Moreover, its six-speed automatic gearbox provides rocket-fast shifts, although sport-minded drivers might appreciate a set of paddle shifters.

That’s not the only place where hotshoes will feel the Passat is lacking, however. While its ride quality is supple, it hardly encourages fast driving. So too the steering, which is nicely-weighted but slow and devoid of feel. If you’re looking to get your sporty car kicks, the Mazda6, Accord and Fusion all deliver a more sensory driving experience.

But if it’s simply comfortable driving you’re after, the Passat comes up strong. Relaxing on the highway, it benefits from limited wind and road noise and arrow-straight stability. Moreover, we netted 36 mpg on a road trip – a little above the 34 mpg the EPA suggests. In the city, we found ourselves more in line with the EPA’s 24 mpg rating.

Those are decent numbers given the Passat’s sprightly feel, but they come up short against the nearly-as-fast-on-paper 38 mpg-plus of the Mazda6 and Altima.

Leftlane’s bottom line
There has always been a lot to like about the Passat. The addition of a vastly more drivable and more fuel efficient engine for 2014 only makes this sedan more appealing.

Light on character and sportiness, the Passat is nonetheless a midsize sedan worthy of serious consideration for its ability to satisfy on so many levels. Just not any emotional ones.

2014 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium base price, $30,895. As tested, $31,715.
Destination, $820.

Photos by Andrew Ganz.

The 9-3 has been modestly updated inside and out in order to stand out from the pre-bankruptcy model but the two cars will share an undeniable family resemblance. NEVS has confirmed the new 9-3 will be powered by a transversally-mounted, gasoline-burning turbocharged four-cylinder engine borrowed from the parts bin of another automaker. Front-wheel drive will be standard, and all-wheel drive might be offered as an option.

Although the new 9-3 will initially launch as a four-door sedan, NEVS has not ruled out resuming production of the convertible and station wagon variants several months after the sedan’s launch. Both the sedan and the station wagon variants of the larger 9-5 model appear to be dead for good.

Production will be initially low because the firm needs to make sure that there are no flaws in the production process, a tedious chain of events that includes everything from sourcing parts from suppliers, building the car and shipping it to dealers. The bulk of 2014 9-3s will go to countries across Europe and Swedish media outlets are reporting the Chinese city of Qingdao has recently placed a very large order, but Saab is unlikely to return to U.S. shores in the near future.

A full set of details about the 2014 Saab 9-3 will emerge next Monday.

Details are nearly non-existent, but NEVS says it is still on-track to launch a Saab-badged electric car next spring.

BMW has released official images and details for the X6 M Design Edition, which will send off the current generation of the German automaker’s controversial X6 Sports Activity Coupe.

Limited to just 100 examples, the X6 M Design Edition is only available in Melbourne Red, Sapphire Black and Alpine White. It gains a host of visual upgrades including a front splitter crafted out of carbon fiber, blacked out kidney grilles and door mirrors and an air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. Standard double-spoke 21-inch alloy wheels add a finishing touch to the sporty look.

Inside, the Design Edition boasts full Merino black leather upholstery with contrasting red stitching on the seats, the dashboard and the door panels. Piano Black A metal plaque with the SUV’s serial number mounted on the passenger side of the dash helps set the limited-edition model apart from regular X6 models, as does a bi-color instrument panel rendered in Black and Mugello Red.

No changes have been made in the engine bay, meaning the Design Edition is powered by the same 555-horsepower 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 that is found under the hood of the regular X6 M. Power is transferred to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, sending the 5,247-pound SUV from zero to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

BMW says it hasn’t yet decided whether it will import any examples of the X6 M Design to the United States. Pricing for the limited-edition model has not been announced.

Called Twin Engine, the drivetrain will consist of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at about 300 horsepower and a small electric motor linked to a compact battery pack. Together, the two power sources will put out around 442 lb-ft. of torque, enough to rival V8 powerplants, while returning what Volvo promises will be “class-leading” fuel mileage.