BMW just revealed that there will be a no-cost optional six-speed manual for its 2013 M5 sports sedan, giving old-guard driving fans something smoking hot to dream of and hopefully drive.

At a private event in Santa Barbara, Calif., the automaker showed the setup, which gets one less gear than the seven-speed DCT mentioned in the car’s order guide we brought you late last month.

The first two months worth of production, which begins this summer, are already sold out.

“Worldwide only one in every 100 customers wants a manual M5, but strangely the demand in the US is much higher. It’s a kudos thing, it’s about having something rarer and more collectable,” said Matt Russel, U.S. brand manager for BMW’s M Division.

Running through the same differential as the dual-clutch transmission, the manual is actually a tenth of a second slower in the 0-60 mph sprint because it doesn’t have launch control.

Given the assumed 560-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 we’re expecting under the hood, it’s probably going to be tough to care about that fraction when the car lunges forward as the clutch pedal comes up.

[Source: AutoExpress]

It’s hard to believe that the R8 has already been in production since 2006 and so the Audi flagship sports car is long overdue for a makeover.

Caught in full camo, these latest spy photos show the updated 2013 R8 sporting a new grille similar to that found on the recent R8 e-tron we spied. In addition, the facelifted R8 gets new LED headlights, plus exhaust pipes similar to those on the R8 GT.

With the current 4.2-liter V8 engine still rated at 430 hp, look for a slight bump in performance to 450 hp. With the current R8 having just Audi’s R-tronic single-clutch automated manual, past reports have suggested we could see the addition of the brand’s S-tronic gearbox. A dual-clutch unit, that transmission would retain the ultra fast gearshifts while adding a touch more civility to the drive.

We expect more spy photos to follow, with the R8 shedding more of its camo in the lead-up to a possible debut at the Paris Motor Show this Fall.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi R8 Spy Photos

Our photographers caught pictures of the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 today, and in the spy photos you can see an unmasked version of the front spoiler.

The same outlet we’ve seen on the front of the car in previous glimpses is present to push air over the car and increase downforce at high speeds. This time we also see the car wearing a large rear wing missing in previous shots. With nothing actually covered, this is probably the closest version to the actual production model before pictures of a fully finished version start to circulate.

With an expected 450 hp coming from its naturally aspirated flat six, the new GT3 will be more athletic than its predecesor and certainly the best 911 to date.

GALLERY: 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 spy photos

Mustang fans and Ford loyalists may decry the automaker’s modern new style language but the changes we’ve seen in Ford’s lineup until now are only the beginning.

It’s hard to argue that the Focus doesn’t look better with it’s more European look, while many are still taking stock of the 2013 Escape‘s sleek new body. The biggest shock, however, will come when Ford unveils the 2015 Mustang, with styling inspired by the Evos Concept. What that means, is that you can expect a nose similar to that found on the 2013 Fusion sedan, which it’s hard to argue takes cues from the Aston Martin lineup.

While some amateurish renderings have been floating around the Internet since the 2015 Mustang styling revelation came to light, we’ve employed the services of artist Jon Sibal to provide a better idea of exactly what Ford is planning. Trading its extra long nose for one more appropriate for a sports car, our 2015 Mustang rendering takes the Evos grille and adapts classic Mustang lines for an aggressive yet dynamic front.

Ford has said the 2015 Mustang will be more modern, tossing aside its current retro looks, in part due to previous announcements that it will join Ford’s One Ford global model policy. The current Mustang may work well in North America, but its styling simply won’t sell overseas.

With the redesign Ford is also smartly planning for a bright future for its staple sports car. Boomers and the Gen X crowd may still find the Mustang’s retro look appealing, but Generation Y wants nothing to do with it. With that in mind, a modernized Mustang should help change attitudes. Without this shift in design philosophy, Mustang sales would slowly disappear.

But big styling changes aren’t all Ford has in store of the 2015 Mustang. Rumors they may just be, but there’s continued talk of a full independent suspension that will help transform the Mustang into a true modern era sports car. In fact, with the car’s new powerplants, including the high-output 420 hp 5.0-liter V8, as well as the tight steering and responsive pedals, perhaps the only things outdated on the Mustang are its solid rear axle and retro styling.

Don’t expect Ford to stop the development process there either. No confirmation is available yet, but look for a return of the turbocharged Mustang, starting with the V6. Ford is reportedly working on an EcoBoost 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that could certainly produce over 300 hp. As to whether an EcoBoost V6 could replace the V8, only time will tell.

Already lighter than its key rivals, if only Ford could help the 2015 Mustang shed a couple hundred pounds and the BMW M3 will go from top of the heap to being overpriced and underpowered.

GALLERY: 2015 Ford Mustang Renderings

Caught testing several months back in the European arctic, our latest spy photos show the new Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet out for some top down fun.

Based on the all-new 991 platform the newest Porsche Turbo will be 4-inches longer than its predecessor and make for an even more comfortable ride with a more spacious cabin. With this elongated platform there was some hope that the newest Porsche Cab would lose the bubble-butt stigma, but based on these photos that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Rumors have suggested the new Porsche 911 Turbo will get a tri-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six setup, using one smaller turbocharger and two larger ones. Not only would this setup produce plenty of power, but it would be more responsive than ever before. Look for engine output of at least 530 hp and acceleration times in the supercar level.

Look for the new 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo to bow later this year at the Paris Motor Show, if not sooner.

GALLERY: 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

Remember Subaru’s Advanced Tourer concept from the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show? If not that’s probably because it was widely thought to be a window on the upcoming Legacy. Instead, it seems we were looking at the new WRX.

Subaru’s well-respected rally car split with its Impreza baby brother to sit on a new platform this year after complaints that the latest generation was too soft. Information on the latest-edition boy racer car has been difficult to find, but it seems likely that either an FA series 1.6- or 2.0-liter direct injected turbo boxer engine will make it under the hood. The 2.0 version seems like a strong candidate for the WRX variant, but nothing is confirmed yet.

Confirmation on go-fast parts aside, the WRX’s styling has always been something of hot debate. The love-it-or-leave-it beastly back wing of previous generations and the toned-down version that came after it both had styling that was anything but conservative. Now, according to sources connected to Motor Trend, we know quite a bit more about the new generation’s styling.

Heavy front-end styling influence from the Advanced Tourer will probably mean the chunkier front brake ducts and new headlights. A wider-mouth, more open grille like the one seen above will probably also work it way in. Overall, the car will likely adopt a more angular style than what we’ve seen with the current generation, with sharper hips and a more aggressive look.

GALLERY: 2011 Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Bummed about not being one of the lucky few to snag a Scion FR-S this year? Just be glad you’re not living in the Netherlands where the same car costs an awful lot more.

Americans lucky enough to make the list will pay $24,200 for an FR-S (plus a $730 destination fee). The Subaru BRZ will cost a bit more than that, but also comes better equipped, which is well in line with both car’s goal to be an affordable rear-drive sports coupe aimed at young, enthusiastic buyers. You can’t have the Toyota GT86, but that’s OK because there’s no difference (the Scion badge is just an Americanization).

Hop on over to the Netherlands and that story changes. All three (BRZ, GT86 and FR-S) are available, but not for the same price — not by a long shot.

The tag, which was just announced is roughly double what you would pay for the car in North America. In fact, people can expect to pay €39,990 when it goes on sale July 1, which is about $51,000. The GT86 Limited is even more expensive, jumping about another $2,000 over the already exorbitant base price.

The Subaru BRZ slots right between those two with a price that translates to around $52,700. Yes, the upcoming coupe is awesome, but is it worth that much?

GALLERY: Scion FR-S

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

For more Scion FR-S news and info, visit FR-Sforum.com.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That at least seems to be the theory at Porsche these days in regards to its new flagship sports car. Rather than let details leak out and spy photos appear online the German sports car maker is controlling the flow of info and pictures when it comes to the highly anticipated 918 Spyder.

After released a smattering of info back in March, Porsche has now released a selection of new photos with the official announcement that (duh!) first testing of the prototypes has commenced.

Porsche has confirmed that the project is going according to plan and that the 918 Spyder will begin production in September of 2013 with the first cars being delivered to owners before the year is out.

According to Porsche, “The initial results of the driving trials are in line with the high expectations placed on the 918 Spyder.” That’s saying a lot as the 918 Spyder looks to be a revolutionary product for the brand, using a plug-in hybrid system with a mid-mounted gasoline V8 engine as well as two electric motors – one driving the front wheels and one acting on the rear wheels. Porsche claims power output will exceed 770 hp, while fuel consumption will hit 74 mpg.

Other performance and technology features include a full carbon fiber monocoque, adaptive rear steering, adaptive aerodynamics an even an interesting “top pipes” system, with the exhaust tips pointing upwards.

See the full gallery of 918 Spyder prototypes below, painted in camo that mimics the historical Porsche 917 race cars.

GALLERY:Porsche 918 Spyder Prototype

One of the most wonderful sensations come when you command a whole handful of power just with the flexing of your right foot. Horsepower is an intoxicating element when it comes to driving, but that doesn’t mean that it’s saved for the most expensive vehicles out there.

Check out the list of the top ten most affordable vehicles with 300 (or more) horsepower. You might be surprised at the deals here, with our leader having a price-to-pony ratio of $73-per-horsepower.  Most of the vehicles here are coupes, but a trio of sedans squeezed in, proving fun can come in four-doors.

First on our list is the rally-tested Subaru WRX STI. The performance-oriented vehicle is the first of three sedans that made the top 10, and features Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.5-liter Boxer engine, which pumps out 305-hp. The cheapest WRX STI is the four-door model, which also has the STI’s instantly recognizable rear spoiler. With a top speed of 160 mph,  the four-door also has a slightly higher top-speed than its five-door counterpart. The WRX STI can get to 60 mph from a standing start in under 5 seconds, and it’s all-wheel drive helps it gobble up the road as fast as anything else on this list. It starts at $34,095.

Poor Lotus. The company that just wants to make cool cars is still caught in the middle of a corporate acquisition that threatens the company’s existence one day and reassuringly cooes to it the next.

At least the latest suggests that the company has a stable future ahead, though for how long nobody can say. The tumultuous story started when Lotus’ parent company Proton was taken over by DRB-Hicom. Since then, production shutdowns and uncertainty have characterized the British automaker’s status.

Last week, a DRB-Hicom executive stopped by the Lotus headquarters to reassure employees of their future. It seems the due diligence that sparked this uncertainty to begin with is still in progress, but that financial support will continue during the process.

Development on new models is moving forward for the company and the 60-day production halt is over. Lotus was a key asset in purchasing Proton according to DRB-Hicom. The company has been in a holding pattern for quite a while, which is damaging to business, but it doesn’t look like anything will change until change drastically until the company comes to a final decision about Lotus.

It’s been a while since we heard anything about the Porsche Pajun, a smaller version of the Panamera that would compete with the Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series, but information is starting to crop up again. 

Previous reports suggested that the car would come around in 2016, but that date seems to have been pushed back to 2017 for now. The latest information also suggests that a range of V6 gasoline engines reaching from 320, 420 and 520 hp will be available alongside a diesel with 313 hp. It will also be built on Audi’s MLB platform.

There wasn’t any mention of a hybrid drivetrain, as was reported last year, but given the demand for efficient vehicles (even in the luxury segmgent) it seems reasonable that something along those lines could be coming too. Then again, the diesel engine in conjunction with Porsche’s dual-clutch transmission could probably offer the fuel efficiency those clients would want.

Still, it’s hard to think that the company is really going to deliver in five years. Last year it was 2016, now it’s been pushed again and the word from Stuttgart seems to be grim for new vehicles. The company hasn’t been shy about emphasizing its preference to focus on cash cows, but then again that’s exactly what this could be with the right price tag.

[Source: Autobild]

What’s more M than M? Why, an M Performance Edition of a BMW M car of course. Confused? You should be.

After BMW’s M performance division announced M packages for non M cars last week, they’ve now taken the customization process a step further offering ultra-custom versions of the super sporty M3 and M5.

After a video teaser surfaced yesterday, BMW has now released photos of the M3 and M5 M Performance Editions. Available in three “Frozen” (matte) paint jobs, just 30 of each car will be built where the cars are first debuting in the UK.

In addition, each vehicle gets accessories like matte-black wheels and piano-black interior trim, plus special badging on the interior.

According to BMW, the car’s will cost a serious premium over even the standard M cars with the M3 priced at £74,080 (roughly $119,482), £19,000 more than the standard car), while the M5 M Performance Edition rings in at £95,140 ($153,449) a shocking £22,000 increase).

BMW has not said if it will offer the M Performance Edition M3 and M5 in North America.

GALLERY: BMW M5 M Performance Edition

GALLERY: BMW M3 M Performance Edition

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 BMW M5 Review Here