What It Is: This sleek two-door coupe is nothing less than the M4, which will replace the M3 coupe. BMW is renaming the coupe version of the 3-series to 4-series, and a similar fate is in store for the 1-series coupe, which will be known as 2-series in the future—thus implicitly acknowledging that the 6-series is the coupe version of the 5-series. This, of course, turns what would have been the next M3 coupe into an M4. The renaming is an idea that has been bandied about internally since the days of the E36, but it was never carried out because the 3-series and M3 badges carry such incredible equity. That hasn’t changed, but the brand’s lineup has become so remarkably cluttered that updating the nomenclature makes more sense than ever. We can live with it, and we believe that even the most vocal of critics will begrudgingly accept it rather than turning to the competition. READ MORE ››

Setting the 50th anniversary 12Cs apart from their less-special brethren are a set of ultra-lightweight, black-finished wheels that McLaren states are about four pounds lighter than the regular car’s optional super-lightweight rims; a unique front bumper that provides more downforce; and a black hood badge similar to the one offered on the mighty McLaren F1. The 12C’s carbon-ceramic brake kit and full-leather interior are standard, and the floor is made of carbon Kevlar. A smattering of “McLaren 50″ decals adorn the car’s side intakes, doorsills, and floor mats, and every buyer receives a special key with a carbon-fiber box, a monogrammed automobile cover, and a commissioned print signed by McLaren’s design director. Just three colors are available: Carbon Black, Supernova Silver, and McLaren Orange.

Road Test: 1000 Miles in a McLaren MP4-12CFirst Drive: 2013 McLaren MP4-12C SpiderComparison Test: 2011 McLaren MP4-12C vs. Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT2 RS

The limited-production 12Cs will be available globally, so McLaren fans with deep pockets had better hurry if they want a piece of the automaker’s birthday cake.

We’ve already seen the five-seater, which will go on sale early next year, as a concept and a heavily disguised test car, but this bigger model – due later in 2014 – hasn’t been seen before.

At the front, both five and seven-seat versions of the automobile feature a low-set version of BMW’s trademark kidney grille, shortened bonnets and a steeply rising beltline.

However, towards the rear the seven-seat model has a much more vertical rear window to increase boot space, and room for passengers sitting in the two rear-most seats.

The seven-seater model also appears to have a slightly longer rear overhang, and bigger rear doors, while both vehicles have similar rear wings that extend down each side of the rear window to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.

BMW is still deciding what its first front-wheel drive automobile will be called. Although BMW 1 Series Gran Turismo is the most likely candidate, as it’s a paradigm shift for the firm, BMW is still evaluating a completely different naming strategy.

Whatever it’s called, the new seven-seater will be the third of 11 new models built on the new UKL front-drive platform, after the five-seat version of the CAT that arrives early next year, and the all-new MINI.

The new automobile will also use BMW’s new modular 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, while the hybrid system used by the CAT concept is also likely to make production in some form.

Texas is a huge say with huge ambitions—the home of huge trucks with huge horsepower. Thanks to John Hennessey, the pride of Sealy, Texas (at a population of 6019, we might point out that’s not so big) the list of bigs now includes his VelociRaptor, a custom-built SUV converted from Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor that will carry up to eight people and produce up to 600 horsepower. Hennessey states that this is meant to be “the ultimate car to drive from Aspen to Telluride in January.” He also points out that his Frankenstein of a truck is meant for the streets and suggests, “Don’t plan on pre-running Baja or negotiating Rubicon with our SUV.”

The crew at Hennessey starts with Ford’s Raptor SuperCrew pickup, keeping as much of the stock pick-up as possible, and grafts on an SUV-like tail—much like the one that was fitted to the armored VelociRaptor 575 APV. Base models come standard with Ford’s 6.2-liter V-8, which churns out 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque, and will complete the 0-to-60-mph sprint in a claimed 7.5 seconds. On top of that, there is an available 600 Supercharged package that adds a TVS2300 supercharger, an air-to-water intercooler, improved airflow, and remapped engine management. True to its name, the blower package ups output to 600 horsepower; and while the weight of the VelociRaptor is some 600 pounds heavier than that of the Raptor SuperCrew, this monster, according to Hennessey, will scoot you to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds.

Road Test: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2Feature: Baja Blitzkrieg—Taking the Reins of a BMW X6 Trophy Truck in MexicoInstrumented Test: 2013 Ford F-150 Limited SuperCrew 4×4 EcoBoost V-6

There are plans to build just 30 examples of the VelociRaptor each year with a starting price of $149,500. Oh, and did we mention that there’s a VelociRaptor 800, too? If you guessed it produced 800 horsepower, you’d be wrong. Its twin-turbo V-8 cranks out a hefty 810 horsepower. Trucks don’t get much more Texan than that.

Just as it did to the 5-series, BMW is making subtle yet significant changes to the M5 for 2014. But while those upgrades border on inconsequential, the brand will offer an optional Competition package that reinforces the M5′s position as the purest among high-performance sedans. It’s the Bavarians’ latest response to the high-performance luxury arms race, if you will. READ MORE ››

The current model is the best-selling 5 Series of all time – BMW has sold more than three million examples of the 5 Series saloon worldwide in the past three years alone – so changes are predictably minimal.

Most of the tweaks concern engines. The 520d saloon and Touring estates are powered by the familiar 181bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, but now emit 119g/km of CO2, whether you opt for the manual or automatic gearbox.

This figure matches the current EfficientDynamics model, which has now been discontinued. BMW states the improvement is thanks to improved aerodynamic efficiency inherited from the ED model, which takes the 520d’s Cd to 0.25. A 141bhp 518d is also expected to join the line-up later.

Prices for the 520d SE Saloon now begin at £31,530 – up from £30,430 now – while the 520d SE Touring costs £33,855 – up from £32,955.

The rest of the 5 Series engine range – both petrol and diesel – is now Euro 6 emissions regulations compliant, even though the legislation doesn’t come in to force until September 2014.

In addition to a revised M5 line-up, BMW has also updated the 4.4-litre V8 used in the 550i Saloon, Touring and Gran Turismo. The new V8 develops 443bhp and 650Nm – increases of 41bhp and 50Nm – but BMW claims “significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.”

In addition to the tweaks to the engine line-up, BMW has added sat-nav and the firm’s more detailed, colour head-up display to all 5 Series models. All 5 Series now get xenon lights as standard, with full LED headlights available as an option.

Styling changes to the 5 Series and 5 Series Touring include a new front air intake in the bumper and new tail-lights, while the 5 Gran Turismo gets a new tailgate design which helps increase boot space from 440 litres to 500 litres.

The BMW Gran Turismo range now starts at £37,605 for a 520d SE and rises to £60,010 for a 550i M Sport.

The current model is the best-selling 5 Series of all time – BMW has sold more than three million examples of the 5 Series saloon worldwide in the past three years alone – so changes are predictably minimal.

Most of the tweaks concern engines. The 520d saloon and Touring estates are powered by the familiar 181bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, but now emit 119g/km of CO2, whether you opt for the manual or automatic gearbox.

This figure matches the current EfficientDynamics model, which has now been discontinued. BMW states the improvement is thanks to improved aerodynamic efficiency inherited from the ED model, which takes the 520d’s Cd to 0.25. A 141bhp 518d is also expected to join the line-up later.

Prices for the 520d SE Saloon now begin at £31,530 – up from £30,430 now – while the 520d SE Touring costs £33,855 – up from £32,955.

The rest of the 5 Series engine range – both petrol and diesel – is now Euro 6 emissions regulations compliant, even though the legislation doesn’t come in to force until September 2014.

In addition to a revised M5 line-up, BMW has also updated the 4.4-litre V8 used in the 550i Saloon, Touring and Gran Turismo. The new V8 develops 443bhp and 650Nm – increases of 41bhp and 50Nm – but BMW claims “significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.”

In addition to the tweaks to the engine line-up, BMW has added sat-nav and the firm’s more detailed, colour head-up display to all 5 Series models. All 5 Series now get xenon lights as standard, with full LED headlights available as an option.

Styling changes to the 5 Series and 5 Series Touring include a new front air intake in the bumper and new tail-lights, while the 5 Gran Turismo gets a new tailgate design which helps increase boot space from 440 litres to 500 litres.

The BMW Gran Turismo range now starts at £37,605 for a 520d SE and rises to £60,010 for a 550i M Sport.

Porsche will be celebrating 50 years of its 911 with displays of some of the most famous versions on the rally course, the hillclimb and in the Cartier Style et Luxe concours. The massive sculpture outside Goodwood house this year will also be 911-inspired.

There will be plenty of action on the hillclimb, too, thanks to a celebration of 90 years of Le Mans 24 Hours and 60 years of the World Championship for Sports Cars. Attendees can anticipate to see historics like the Jaguar D-Type, Mercedes 300SLR, Porsche 962 alongside more modern winners like the diesel-powered Audi R18 prototypes.

Formula One fans won’t be disappointed, with seven teams already confirming they’ll be at the show. Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, Lotus, Caterham, Marussia and McLaren will all have their racing vehicles on display and driving up the hill.

There will be plenty of road automobile debuts, too, including a first look at the Skoda Octavia vRS and the Lexus IS. McLaren’s new P1 hypercar will be at the Festival, too, along with the Bloodhound SSC land speed record car, which is hoping to break through the 1000mph barrier.

Since its 1993 introduction – where 25,000 people attended – the Goodwood Festival of Speed has grown immeasurably, with visitors now capped at 150,000. As well as the traditional Festival, which runs from Friday 12 July through to Sunday 14, there will also be a Moving Motor Show on Thursday 11 July, offering visitors test drives in all manner of vehicles.

Tickets for this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed can be purchased via www.goodwood.co.uk.

The BMW 5-series has brought the Bavarian factory quite a lot of joy. Stylistically a decisive step forward from its controversial predecessor, the E60, and building upon a cost-efficient if slightly portly architecture, the F10 has fared well against competitors as formidable as the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-class. But, as some three-and-a-half years have passed since the F10’s introduction, of course it’s time for BMW to execute a mid-term face lift on all three body variants. The majority of changes are stylistic, but under the skin, there are some significant updates as well. READ MORE ››

During Aston Martin’s 100 years of existence, it has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans just once, and that was way back in 1959 (with no less than Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori as co-drivers). If it’s shocking that a dedicated sports-car manufacturer with a rich motorsports background only took the checkered flag once at the famed Circuit de la Sarthe, then it likely is entirely un-shocking that the same automaker mined the winning DBR1 racer for inspiration to create a celebratory show car. The result is the CC100 Speedster concept, which by and massive resembles the DBR1 race automobile as formed in the crucible of 60 years of evolution and modernization. READ MORE ››

Design tweaks over the standard BMW X5 include 20-inch alloys, a more aggressive front bumper, cross-drilled brake discs grabbed by blue calipers and quad exhaust pipes.

Under the skin, the X5M will use the latest version of the BMW M 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. It features variable valve timing and a higher compression ratio,which should help it to deliver around 570bhp – up from the current car’s 555bhp.

The new X5M will also weigh less than the old model, which tips the scales at 2,380kg. That should mean the 0-62mph time drops to around 4.5 seconds, while fuel economy should improve from the current figure of 20.3mpg.

Although the X5M and X6M haven’t sold well in the UK, they’re proving popular elsewhere – particularly in emerging markets like Russia and China.

The X5M is expected to join the range in 2014, with a price expected to begin at around £85,000.

The first photos of the all-new BMW X5 reveal a familiar profile but a mixture of design cues borrowed from BMW’s current and future models.

The more rounded front end, featuring headlights that flow in to the double kidney grille, is a feature of the new 3 Series, while the shapely air vents either side of the bumper are borrowed from the 4 Series Coupe. The rear lights look like scaled up versions of the units found on the X3.

We’re anticipating the X5 to grow considerably over the automobile it replaces to help distance it from the smaller X3. A longer wheelbase will free up even more space in the cabin, so we’ll nearly certainly see the return of the seven-seater variant.

The new X5’s interior will focus on improved quality, with better materials used throughout, and tech features like selectable dampers, iDrive and a massive widescreen display for the internet-connected infotainment system all to be offered.

Our latest spy photos show the X5 is shedding its disguise as final sign-off for the automobile approaches.

To make room for the smaller X1 SUV, the latest X3 had to grow in size, and now that domino effect has passed on to the X5, which is considerably bigger than the automobile it will replace.

The car’s nose appears more upright than before, with a more prominent, bigger version of BMW’s trademark kidney grille. Larger doors, a longer wheelbase and a longer-looking roof should give extra interior space, including the possibility of a seven-seater option this time around.

The engine range is expected to mirror that of the current car, with 3.0-litre six cylinder diesels and eight cylinder petrols, while a downsized four-cylinder turbodiesel, to take on the Mercedes ML250 CDI, is possible, along with a petrol-electric hybrid.

The new X5 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show and it’s expected to go on sale at the end of 2013 with a starting price from around £45,000.