BMW has revealed its Competition Packages for the 2014 M5 and M6 models designed to enhance handling and improve performance, shaving 0.1 seconds off its 0-62 mph sprint time.

Power output is upped from 560 hp to 575 hp with the Competition Package and is available for the M5, M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible, and M6 Gran Coupe models. Vehicles equipped with the Competition Package are lowered about 0.4 inches with more aggressively tuned damping and sway bars. Improved traction comes from a modified control unit for the Active M Differential.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Officially Revealed with Minor Updates

20-inch M alloy wheels are outfitted onto each corner of the Competition Package-equipped vehicles along with a sport exhaust system featuring M twin tailpipes in black chrome. Those looking for even more performance from their M models can opt for the M carbon ceramic brakes.

No pricing was announced by the German automaker on the Competition Package.

GALLERY: BMW M5 Competition Package

GALLERY: BMW M6 Competition Package

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Mazda is looking to set a new world record for the “largest parade of Mazda cars” with its MX-5 Miata.

Hoping to gather up 800 Miatas in Lelystad, Netherlands on June 13, 2013, the automaker wants to best the current record of 459 MX-5s that gathered in Essen, Germany in 2010. Close to one million Miatas have been sold since it first hit the market, making it one of the most popular sport cars in the world.

Those interested in joining the meet in Netherlands and the world record attempt can register here - cost is 30 euros ($38) and includes lunch and drinks for two people.

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The Jaguar F-Type is hitting dealerships in America this month with a starting price of $69,000, so the British automaker is launching an advertising and marketing campaign to promote its convertible sports car.

The campaign, titled “Your Turn” will shine the spotlight on Jaguar’s newest sports car. The campaign will be seen on television, movies, print, digital, mobile and tablet, in addition to a social media campaign.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Jaguar F-Type Priced From $69,000

Stars featured in the advertising campaign for the F-Type include San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, ESPN commentator Stuart Scott, and Playboy playmate of the year Raquel Pomplun. The F-Type will also be incorporated into a Jimmy Kimmel Live commercial, integrated with the USA Network’s Covert Affairs, and highlighted on Speed TV.

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GALLERY: Jaguar F-Type Ad Campaign

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Porsche has designed a new hybrid module that will fit into all of its future cars, suggesting that all Porsche models in its lineup will inevitably have a hybrid variant.

The module, which combines an electric motor and clutches in one unit will reduce fuel consumption while driving at normal speeds. The first phase of Porsche’s hybridization efforts is shown off in the new plug-in Panamera, where the German automaker’s engineers reduced the “revolutions per kilometer” of the engine.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Starts at $99,000

The next phase, which is due in 2016-2017, Porsche models will interact more intelligently with its environment by using data from a variety of sources, such as detailed road maps. By analyzing data such as inclines and corners, Porsche models will select the correct driving mode for the circumstances, maximizing fuel efficiency and performance.

The new hybrid module will be both water- and air-cooled and will be more powerful than the 94-hp hybrid electric motor that will be used in the upcoming plug-in Panamera, which is set to hit dealerships this summer. The automaker is also working on an induction charging system that can be used in home garages.

And in case you’re thinking the 911 range isn’t getting hybridized, it is.

[Source: Autocar UK]

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Strategic Vision has announced the winners of its 2013 Total Quality Index (TQI), with American automakers reinstating their position in some very competitive segments.

Measuring quality since 1994, Strategic Vision not only factors in counting problems but includes multiple aspects of influence and perception that customers use as a base for their purchasing decisions. This year’s Total Quality Index was calculated from 17,568 buyers who purchased 2013 model year vehicles from September to November 2012.

Topping the charts regardless of category was the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with a TQI score of 959, while the Porsche Boxster was not far behind with 957. Both vehicles were in the Premium Convertible/Roadster category. Scoring a 955 was the Lexus LS which dominated the Luxury Car category.

Surprising winners include the Kia Soul (868) in the Small Multi-Function category, while the new Dodge Dart scored an 884 to claim the Small Car category. American automakers also took over the Mid-Size Car category with the Ford Fusion scoring a 908 and the Chevrolet Volt notching a 907.

Here are the winners of their respective categories:

Small Car: Dodge Dart (884)

Small Multi-Function: Kia Soul (868)

Mid-Size Car: Ford Fusion (908), Chevrolet Volt (907)

Mid-Size Multi-Function: Honda Accord Crosstour (877)

Large Car: Volkswagen CC (920)

Near-Luxury Car: Hyundai Genesis Sedan (922), Audi A4 Sedan (921)

Luxury Car: Lexus LS (955)

Specialty Coupe: MINI Cooper Hardtop (913)

Premium Coupe: Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (931)

Convertibles: Chrysler 200 Convertible (917)

Premium Convertible/Roadster: Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (959), Porsche Boxster (957)

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country (850)

Entry Utility: Volkswagen Tiguan (885), Toyota FJ Cruiser (883)

Mid-Size Crossover Utility: Chevrolet Traverse (900)

Mid-Size Traditional Utilit: Dodge Durango (881)

Large Utility: GMC Yukon (893)

Near-Luxury Utility: Buick Enclave (928)

Luxury Utility: Porsche Cayenne (948)

Standard Pickup: Toyota Tacoma (847)

Full-Size Pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche (896)

Heavy-Duty Pickup: Ford F-250/350 (892)

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The BMW Group, which consists of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, has posted its best April global sales yet with a total of 155,419 vehicles sold last month.

The strong April, which was an increase of 6.8 percent in sales, gave the BMW Group a new all-time high of 603,619 vehicles sold during the first four months of the year. BMW brand vehicles rose 7.5 percent to 130,598 last month compared to April 2012 while worldwide MINI sales increased 3.3 percent. The BMW Group is enjoying success thanks to strong gains in the Asian and American markets.

Deliveries of the BMW X1 increased 14.8 percent compared to last year, with 11,837 units delivered in April. The 3 Series climbed 16 percent compared to last year to 38,491 units while the 3 Series Touring more than doubled with 104.6 percent growth. A total of 512,000 BMW vehicles have been delivered to customers worldwide in 2013, an increase of 7.1 percent.

Last month, MINI delivered 24,581 vehicles and its worldwide sales increased 3.3 percent.

China accounted for 30,311 deliveries last month while the Americas sold 36,547 vehicles for an increase of 11.7 percent. Europe contributed to the total with 69,957 vehicles.

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We are back with this week’s installment of AutoGuide’s newest, interactive weekly feature ‘Commute, Toy or Destroy’.

Once again, we present to you, our faithful readers, a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily driver, which one would be used to rip up the drag strip and which one would you not even give your mother-in-law to drive.

Remember, that commuter car you must live with every day. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use on weekends and the final car would be the one you’d leave out in the hot Nevada sun to rot away.

This week we present three vehicles that could be the most argued and debated in America. Yes we are talking about Pony cars. So, which one of these V8, rear-wheel drive monsters will find a home as your daily driver, which one is going to become a weekend toy and which one will we left out in cold? And remember, no cheating and showing brand loyalty by picking one vehicle twice; all three must be selected.

Chevrolet Camaro

After returning in 2010 from a short hiatus, Chevrolet eased the Camaro back into show room floors with only regular (V6) and SS (V8) models available. But recently GM has shown it is serious with this Camaro and unleashed various asphalt annihilating monsters like the handling focused 426 hp 1LE, the 580 hp supercharged ZL1 and the upcoming racetrack ready Z/28 featuring a 7.0 L V8 with at least 500 hp.

Dodge Challenger

Although it may lack the one-off performance specials that the Mustang and Camaro offer, there is no denying that the Challenger is one seriously good looking car that has a road presence not match by many vehicles. Plus, the HEMI powered 470 hp Challenger SRT8 392 is a monster in its own right, and makes some glorious V8 music.

Ford Mustang

The Pony car that started it all is still on top of its game as it reaches a half century in production. The V8 Mustang GT rings in with 420 hp and the track ready BOSS 302 increases power to a healthy 444 hp. If that isn’t enough, you could always step up to the current king of the horsepower wars; the Shelby GT500. It produces a ludicrous 662 hp and backs it up with sinister looks.

Updated for the 2014 model year, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class proves to be as photogenic as ever in a mega gallery of photos the German automaker recently released.

Putting a twist to the E-Class signature “quad-eye” look for the 2014 model year, Mercedes took a risk with a single-lens headlight assembly. The redesigned 2014 E-Class will be available in sedan, wagon, coupe, and cabriolet variants with a variety of engines powering the luxury vehicle.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes E-Class Family Revealed in Detroit

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 302 hp while the optional V8 will sport 402 hp. An E400 Hybrid is also available with the 3.5-liter V6 mated to an electric motor to deliver 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Diesel lovers can also rejoice, as Mercedes will be offering an E250 BlueTEC with a four-cylinder diesel packing 190 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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The creative and hands-on group of Volkswagen newbies have just revealed their latest project, dubbed the Volkswagen GTI Cabriolet Austria at this years Wothersee meet.

Donning the national colors of Austria, where the Worthersee meet is held, this convertible GTI sports some fancy work, and isn’t just some amateur hack-job. The red and white themed convertible features 330 hp from a 2.0-liter turbocharged motor, which is paired to the brand’s sporty DSG dual-clutch transmission.  The car is thoroughly done up in Austria’s colors from the exterior paint, to the side-view mirrors and even the brake calipers.

Inside, the project feature some impressive customization with black, red and white Recaro seats with the country’s name stitched into them. The practical rear seats have been swapped out for a bone-shattering 2,250 watt sound system.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen ‘Design Vision GTI’ Revealed with Supercar Performance

This is the sixth project from the apprentice group at VW. The team of thirteen are aged 17-23, and come from both Volkswagen’s Osnabrück and Wolfsburg locations. The project joins other impressive concepts and treats presented at this years GTI meet turned Volkswagen Auto Group showcase which happens annually at Worthersee, Austria.

GALLERY: VW GTI Cabrio Austria

Discuss this story at MyFastGTI.com

Earlier, Porsche unveiled the next iteration of its 911 Turbo and Turbo S, and now the German automaker has released a first look video of its next great sports car.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo features more power than its predecessor, a wider body, rear-wheel steering, and a new all-wheel drive system combined with innovative, new aerodynamics. 20-inch wheels now come standard on the turbocharged sports car with the Turbo model rated at 520 hp and the Turbo S pumping out 560 hp.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S Revealed: 0-60 in 2.9 Seconds

Undoubtedly the new 911 Turbo continues a tradition of exhilarating and breathtaking performance from Porsche. The only unfortunate thing is that it won’t be offered with a manual transmission; both models’ 3.8 liters are mated to a seven-speed, PDK dual-clutch automatic.

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BMW is recalling 42,000 3 Series vehicles from the 2002-2003 model years for an airbag issue that has impacted other major automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

According to the German automaker, no improper deployments or injuries related to the issue has been reported to BMW, which now joins other automakers in the massive recall. Over 3.4-million vehicles have already been recalled, all for a single faulty part in an air bag built a decade ago in Washington State.

SEE ALSO: Toyota, Honda and Nissan Recall 3.4 Million Cars for Faulty Airbags

Air bags from the supplier could catch fire or send metal fragments, further harming people in the front seat. At the initial announcement of the massive recall, BMW didn’t say how many or what models it would recall, but said that it would take part.

Discuss this story at BimmerWerkz.com

The on-again, off-again Volkswagen roadster is now on again according to Volkswagen design chief Walter de Silva.

The 2009 BlueSport roadster concept (above) garnered plenty of attention but has been on hold since the German automaker didn’t have a strong business plan for it. But according to de Silva, the project still has plenty of support with executives within the brand.

“I’m not the only one in our company who is convinced that a small roadster wouldn’t be the worst thing for Volkswagen,” said de Silva in an interview with Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine. “This is a vehicle that we particularly like, and we always have in mind.”

The BlueSport concept was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show powered by a 2.0-liter, turbo-diesel engine with 178 hp and 256 lb-ft of torque. Even back then, it had strong fuel economy figures of 54.7 mpg while accelerating to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 140 mph.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

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