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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Each week, we recap the most popular videos from AutoGuide‘s YouTube channel just in case all seven days passed you by and you missed out. This past week, AutoGuide had a little fun putting two hot hatches in a shootout – the Ford Focus ST and the Mazdaspeed3. Which one prevailed?

2013 Ford Focus ST vs 2013 Mazdaspeed3

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SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs 2013 Mazdaspeed3

2013 Ford Fusion vs 2014 Mazda6

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SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Fusion vs 2014 Mazda6

2014 Chevrolet Silverado Review

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Make sure to subscribe to AutoGuide‘s YouTube Channel for the latest in car news and reviews.

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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We are back with this week’s instalment 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 become a weekend Autocross machine and which one should be blown up by a 500 shot of nitrous.

Remember, the commuter car you must live with every day. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use on weekends or car meets and the final car would be the one you’d leave the keys in the ignition in a shady neighborhood.

This week we select icons of affordable performance from the late 1980s that represent three different continents. First, from North America is the Ford Mustang 5.0. Yeah, the storied Foxbody ‘Stang. Next, from Asia is an incredibly fun-to-drive light weight hatchback, the Honda CRX. Finally, representing Europe is the highly engaging Volkswagen Corrado. So what are your choices going to be?

1987-1993 Ford Mustang

The ‘foxbody’ Mustang (which refers to its ‘fox’ platform) was in production for a long time. In 1987 it was refreshed and modernized, but that didn’t matter too much. The 5.0 L V8 (4.9 L to be technical) was all the Mustang faithful cared about as it made this budget sports car not only a good performer, but also a great vehicle to modify into an absolute terror.

1988-1991 Honda CR-X

In 1987, the CRX received modern sheet metal, a better suspension and a significant bump in power; especially in Si models. Although power still barely exceeded the 100 hp mark, the fact the CRX weighed in at only 2,000 lbs. meant it was still fairly quick. This light weight also meant the CRX was incredibly nimble in the corners and fuel efficient. Later in life, this car became the darling of the import tuner community.

1988-1995 Volkswagen Corrado

When the Corrado first came out, many claimed it to be one of the best handling front-wheel drive cars ever made. Twenty-five years later and many are still in love with this three-door veedub. If handling prowess wasn’t enough, two letter and number combinations still set Corrado fans hearts a flutter; G60, which refers to the 158 hp 1.8 L supercharged four-cylinder and VR6, which was the name of the 178-192 hp narrow angle V6 engine.

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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Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has revealed its Gen-F model lineup, based on the VF Commodore but packing plenty more power under the hood.

The lineup consists of the Clubsport sedan, Maloo pickup, Clubsport R8, Maloo R8, Senator Signature, and the ZL1-powered GTS. The Clubsport and Maloo models are powered by General Motor’s 6.2-liter, LS3 V8 engine with 425 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Standard on those models is four-piston brake calipers, launch control for manual-equipped vehicles, bucket seats, and an eight-inch infotainment system.

SEE ALSO: Holden HSV GTS is a ZL1-Powered Chevy SS

The R8 variants feature the same motor tuned to 436 hp and also have upgraded tech such as a heads-up display, forward collision and blind-spot warning systems, and LED taillights. There is also an SV Enhanced package that adds a new air intake to boost power to 456 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The HSV Senator Signature is the luxurious model of the lineup and is equipped with the 456 hp version of the LS3. A more subdued bodykit accents the exterior while projector headlights and a subtle trunk spoiler adds to the aesthetics. Luxury upgrades inside include power front leather seats, heated front seats, nine-speaker Bose audio, and dual-zone climate control.

Lastly, the HSV GTS is powered by the Camaro ZL1′s 6.2-liter V8 supercharged engine with 577 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque. An aggressive body kit sets it apart from the rest of the lineup along with six-piston front brake calipers, a quad-tip exhaust setup, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather sport seats, metal pedals, and nine-speaker Bose stereo.

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GALLERY: HSV Gen-F

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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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Since the McLaren P1′s official debut at the Geneva Auto Show, American supercar fans have been clamoring to get a taste of the F1-bred plug-in hybrid, which will make its US debut at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance. 

A company spokesman confirmed as much to AutoGuide at a private event today. While McLaren made headlines at last year’s Pebble Beach with the outrageous one-off X1 model, the British company will once again try to steal the show with it’s LaFerrari-fighting P1 supercar.

The numbers still amaze: the combination of a twin-turbo V8 motor and a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and electric engine make a stunning 903-hp, which help blast the P1 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, and up to 120 mph in 7 seconds. The sprint to 190 mph comes quickly as well, taking just 17 seconds.

SEE ALSO: McLaren P1 Selling Quick, 100 Units Left

Top speed is limited to 217 mph, and the car is also capable of running about 12 miles solely on electric power. McLaren is limiting production of the P1 to just 375 examples, each one costing about $1.15 million.

There’s no doubt that the P1 will look right at home at Pebble Beach, which runs in August this year.

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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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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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With all the attention the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 have received in recent months, it’s hard to forget that Porsche is working on its own hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder.

Powered by a 4.6-liter V8 paired with an electric motor, the 918 Spyder will pack 875 hp and accelerate to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. But according to the German automaker, it’s the 918 Spyder’s technology that will allow it to be faster than its European counterparts in certain conditions, despite being a heavier vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Porsche 918 Spyder Still Available

The 918 sports torque vectoring and independently-driven front wheels, allow it to “maintain better drive and achieve higher entry and mid-corner speed,” according to James Eastwood, Porsche’s product manager. The Porsche 918 Spyder is expected to weigh in at around 3,750 pounds, though a lightweight Weissach package will be available to knock off around 110 pounds.

Though the 918 Spyder isn’t sold out yet, Porsche is still confident that it’ll have no issues selling them all. Eastwood didn’t reveal any actual sales figures, but did mention that half the orders placed so far have opted for the Weissach package.

[Source: CAR]

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