As expected, BMW has unveiled its 2014 M5 sports sedan, giving it a rather quick update to the new body style that debuted just a year ago.

The changes are rather subtle for the 4.4-liter V8 powered sedan with 560 hp. Mated to a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission, the new M5 can also be had with a Competition Package that cranks power output to 575 hp.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Facelift Leaked

As for changes, the front kidney grilles now feature the double-spoke slat design found on the M6 while there is now an added option for Adaptive LED Headlights. Standard on the 2014 M5 are redesigned taillights with strikingly thin LED strips.

Inside, the M leather steering wheel gets a redesign while storage has grown in volume under the armrest in the center console area. Chrome trim is now seen on the Control Display and for the first time, the German automaker is offering an optional Touch Controller for the infotainment system.

BMW Individual will offer new exterior color shades for the 2014 M5 including Pure Metal Silver, Pyrite Brown metallic, Frozen Blue metallic, and other matte finishes. Exclusive leather shades include Cashmere Beige and Nutmeg.

Pricing for the 2014 BMW M5 was not announced.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW M5

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Infiniti is working on an all-new Q30 model, which is expected to be launched in the next two years.

According to global boss Andy Palmer, the Q30 will sit “between the Audi A3 and Audi Q3″ landing it in a niche market made possible by a three-way adjustable ride height system.

One thing Palmer stressed however is that the Q30 won’t be a rehashed variant of the Nissan Qashqai (sold in Europe), but rather it’ll be a “car that can span established brackets within the market.” The Japanese automaker will base the Q30 off its Etherea concept (above) which debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and proves that Nissan and Infiniti will continue to enjoy success in cross-established car segments.

In the same intervie, Palmer also revealed that Infiniti has no plans to build a flagship sedan larger than the current M model.

GALLERY: Infiniti Etherea Concept

[Source: Autocar UK]

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Yesterday, Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder in production form and now we’ve gotten our hands on even more photos of the hybrid supercar.

Powered by a mid-mounted, 4.6-liter V8 mated to a pair of electric motors, the 918 Spyder makes 887 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. To bring it up to supercar status is a monocoque carbon fiber shell helping bring the vehicle to a respectable 3,615 pounds.

SEE GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder Detailed in Production Form

For a true driving experience, the 918 Spyder offers five different drive modes: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap. As you can tell, the German automaker is not shying away from the fact that its latest supercar is a hybrid.

Best of all, nothing about the 918 Spyder’s styling shows that it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But in reality, the term hybrid isn’t exactly pairing up with being eco-friendly anymore; automakers are turning to the alternative powertrain to enhance performance of their vehicles without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder

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Audi’s high-performance cars will play an important role in both Audi and parent company Volkswagen’s growth goals.

“We aim to increase sales of high-performance cars by one third” in 2013, CEO Rupert Stadler said Thursday in a speech to shareholders.

Audi outpaced Mercedes to become the second-largest luxury automaker in 2011, and the brand is plotting to overtake BMW by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, Volkswagen has an even more aggressive goal: to surpass Toyota and General Motors by 2018.

Volume sales of Audi’s high-margin performance cars will be critical for achieving both of those goals. During the first quarter, Audi accounted for 56 percent of Volkswagen’s operating profit.

“We want to, and we will, grow further in 2013,” Stadler said.

Currently, Audi is outpacing North American market growth with a 16 percent sales climb through april against seven percent overall growth.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Since its founding in 1936, Consumer Reports has become the go-to source for shoppers. From new refrigerators to bottles of wine, Blue-ray players to homeowner’s insurance, if it’s on the market it’s likely the non-profit organization has scientifically tested it. Of course the consumer watchdog is probably most famous for its vehicle reliability ratings.

Conscientious shoppers in the market for a new ride turn to the magazine’s pages for advice. They search out cars and trucks with most the red dots, and shun ones that get black marks. The group’s survey methodology, while controversial, paints a broad and easily understood picture for buyers.

To earn a coveted “Recommended” rating, vehicles must perform well in the organization’s testing and have a reliability score of average or better. But what about cars and trucks that fail to make the grade? Here’s a list of the Top 10 Least Reliable Vehicles according to Consumer Reports. If you’re familiar with their ratings you’ll know products from the Detroit Three typically don’t score as well as their Japanese competitors. Needless to say there’s trouble brewing in Dearborn. Team America… oh no.

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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BMW Performance Driving School instructor Johan Schwartz has set a new world record for drifting 51.278 miles in a new M5.

Of course the term “drifting” should be used loosely here, since competitive drifters would argue that this isn’t exactly drifting. Conducted at the BMW Performance Center, Schwartz kept the M5 sideways for 322.5 laps, which is no easy feat regardless. As far as the Guinness Book of World Records is concerned though, drifting can also describe doing a donut, which is essentially what previous records were.

Even more, the German automaker watered down the track in South Carolina, which undoubtedly helped keep the tires in check in order to sustain such a long “drift.” Considering the previous record was seven miles done by a Chevrolet Camaro in Abu Dhabi that was set in February, the 51.3-mile mark by BMW should hold up for a bit longer.

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GALLERY: BMW M5 Guiness World Record for Longest Drift

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While Mercedes-Benz was officially revealing the 2014 S-Class sedan today, the German automaker was also busy working on a coupe variant that is expected to arrive next year as a 2015 model.

Our spy photographers have spotted the S-Class coupe testing once again heavily camouflaged. But now that the new S-Class has been officially revealed, it’s easier to fill in the blanks as to how the coupe will look once it’s finally released.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes S-Class Officially Revealed

The S-Class coupe essentially replaces the former CL-Class lineup for Mercedes and is expected to share powertrain and models with the S-Class sedan. For now, the only model the German automaker has revealed is the S550, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 with 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Spy Photos

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Porsche is celebrating the 100,000th Panamera leaving its plant in Leipzig, Germany, reaching a production milestone that underscores the Panamera’s success.

The Porsche Panamera is sold in over 120 countries and the 100,000th vehicle was a new Panamera S E-Hybrid finished on Rhodium Silver Metallic. The milestone vehicle drove off the assembly line and through a paper wall that was signed by employees beforehand.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche Panamera Gets Gorgeous Photo Gallery

“In over 120 countries, Panamera customers drive a Porsche that is “Made in Leipzig” and sport this quality seal around the globe. The team and I are very proud of this,” said Siegfried Bülow, Chairman of the Board of Porsche Leipzig GmbH.

The new Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid has a combined system output of 416 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds. The Porsche Panamera has been in production since 2009.

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A full gallery of photos featuring the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class leaked today, showing off the German brand’s updated luxury cruiser. 

While official information hasn’t been released by the company, an early look at the car’s brochure has given us some tidbits of info. Proportionally, the S-Class retains its same wheelbase, though the car is longer, wider, and lower. Regular wheelbase models are 201.4 inches long and 74.7 inches wide with a wheelbase of about 120 inches. The extended version has a 204.6-inch wheelbase and sits at 206.5 inches from front to back.

SEE ALSO:Watch the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Unveiling Live Streaming Online

Under the hood, a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel is expected, along with a 4.7-liter turbocharged gas V8 with 449 hp, and even a hybrid version, which uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 302 hp. The engine info was taken from one page of a Euro-spec brochure, so expect more options to available here in the U.S.

On the inside, the new S-Class gets two 12.3-inch TFT screens, along with a climate control system that features active air filtering and perfuming.

GALLERY: 2014 S-Class Photos

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With leaks, scale models and interior photos, you might have already seen most of the 2014 Mercedes S-Class, but there’s one thing left: the official debut.

Tune in at 10:40 a.m. EST to hear an expert discussion before the unveiling, which is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. EST.

Some of the features you can expect to see include the brand’s flagship sedan adopting similar headlights to the E-Class. The body will adopt a swoopier overall shape similar to the CLS.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes S-Class Details Leaked in Brochure

Aside from styling changes, the new car will alo be longer, lower and wider despite retaining the same wheelbase.

BMW will offer its 2014 M5 with a facelift, and images of the car leaked through an updated version of the brand’s online car configurator. 

The changes are mild and borrow from the more expensive M6. For example, BMW borrowed the same vertical slats for the kidney grilles in the new M5.

In the same way, cabin changes are also taken from the M6 — most notably the cars will now share their steering wheel. The iDrive controller will also be touch sensitive. Aside from that, the cabin looks the same.

Finally, BMW is expected to offer a competition package in the upcoming model year that will bump output up by 15 hp. The package will also offer new wheels, driving modes and suspension.

GALLERY: 2014 BMW M5 leaked photos

[Source: Autocar]