2014 BMW M5 facelift shows up online

Is it that time already? Like its predecessors, the current BMW M5 has been endangering US licenses since it first went on sale here in 2012, but its design became a known quantity back at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Apparently that also means that the F10 generation has already grown tired enough to the "Must Have Latest Set" who can afford these sorts of super saloons that a facelift is in order.

If these leaked images sourced from Autocar are anything to go by, BMW stylists have used a predictably light hand to rework their hottest 5 Series, with a revised grille that echoes the M6 along with modestly resculpted headlamps. The rear end appears wholly unaltered. Interior changes gleaned from a look at the cabin photos include an updated touchpad-equipped iDrive controller and a new steering wheel cribbed from the M6.

No new word on changes to the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 powertrain, but in late April, we heard that BMW was readying new competition packages for the M5 and M6. The packages are said to include 15 more horsepower, revised suspension and steering, along with new wheels and blackened exhaust tips. Given that BMW is known for habitually underrating its cars' horsepower outputs (particularly its M models) we can't help but wonder if its engineers will need to do anything other than wave a magic wand to corral those extra ponies underhood...

Dodge announces Blacktop packages for 2013 Avenger, Challenger, Charger

 by: Steven J. Ewing

Dodge first introduced the decidedly sinister Blacktop package on the 2012 Charger V6 sedan, but today, the automaker announced that it will be expanding this option group to a few other models for 2013. The Avenger sedan, Challenger R/T coupe and Charger R/T V8 sedan will all be available with the optional darker appearance package beginning in December of this year.

For the Avenger, the Blacktop pack adds a gloss black grille, dark-tinted headlamp bezels, a body-colored rear spoiler and unique 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels. And if you don't want to go for the full-on murdered out black car approach, Dodge will offer the Blacktop package on Avengers painted in red, white, tungsten and silver, as well. Here on the 2013 Avenger, the Blacktop treatment adds $595 to the car's MSRP, and can even be had with additional options like the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, premium audio system and navigation – for some extra coin.

The Challenger Blacktop starts as an R/T coupe with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and adds unique appearance touches like 20-inch gloss black wheels, a blacked-out grille, blacked-out fuel door and a new matte graphite body stripe with red accents. Blacktop models also come standard with the Challenger's Super Track Pak, adding Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, higher-performance brakes, a better steering ratio, monotube shock absorbers and three-mode stability control. Ticking the Blacktop option will add $1,995 to the Challenger R/T's bottom line.

Finally, Dodge is expanding its Blacktop package to include the Hemi V8-powered Charger sedan, and the same sort of sinister treatment is found therein. Available in a host of colors, the Blacktop option retails for $1,795 on the Charger R/T and includes the same sort of blacked-out treatment as the other models, as well as Beats Audio and a sport mode with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Infiniti drops haute shots of FX Vettel Edition

 by: Zach Bowman

Infiniti has served up a rash of photos of its limited-run FX Vettel Edition. The $155,000 hyper crossover offers buyers a full 414 horsepower and a 5.6-second run to 60 mph. The grunt is also good enough to scoot the hunkered-down CUV to a top speed of 186 mph. As we've heard, Sebastian Vettel lent a hand in setting up the vehicle's suspension, and the Formula One racer's Red Bull team helped pen the carbon fiber body kit. Those bits include a new front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and rear wing.

If you want one – and happen to have more cash than sense – you better get on the horn with your local Infiniti dealer – provided you keep a residence in one of the car's markets. The manufacturer is only planning to build 150 examples, with 50 examples earmarked for the Middle East, Russia and Western Europe, respectively... if you want one in North America, you're going to have to get a bit creative.

Mazda teases SEMA-bound CX-5s

 by: Jeffrey N. Ross

Mazda is getting into the SEMA Show spirit by teasing us with a trio of concepts based on the 2013 CX-5, all of which were hatched at the automaker's design studio in Irvine, California. Looking at the renderings, there is nothing over-the-top about any of these crossovers, but what we do see here is our long-awaited first look at a diesel-powered CX-5.

The CX-5 Dempsey uses Mazda's new Skyactiv-D diesel engine paired with all-wheel drive. As for the show aspect of this concept, it is obviously named after actor Patrick Dempsey who not only races a Mazda RX-8 in Grand-Am, but apparently he is also an avid cyclist. Other than the contrasting black, red and grey paint scheme, this CX-5 is also equipped with a roof-top cargo carrier and a bike rack to carry a similar Specialized Bicycle S-Work Tarmac racing bicycle that helped Russian Olympian Alexander Vinokourov win the gold medal at the London Summer Olympics.

As far as paint jobs go, the CX-5 180 show car is probably the best of the bunch with a unique look consisting of what seem to be colors and designs that actually make up topographical maps of Big Bear Lake and Point Dume State Beach located in Southern California. Finally, the CX-5 Urban goes for more of the dark and sinister look that is made up various triangular shapes that end up looking like some sort of futuristic digital camouflage.

While we only have these renderings to go off of currently, we'll get a better look at all three Mazdas very soon as the 2012 SEMA Show kicks off later today.

Lingenfelter Retrokits ape 1969 Camaro, with or without RS hideaway lights

by: Zach Bowman

 

If by some miracle you find the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro too modern for your tastes, Lingenfelter has a solution. Behold the company's new Retrokits packages; full aesthetic workovers designed to give the Chevrolet a few tweaks from the '69 RS playbook. Those include an entirely new front fascia, complete with a chin spoiler and the buyer's choice of either exposed headlamps or hidden RS-style units. Lingenfelter swapped the original wheels for pieces designed to invoke the rally pieces found on the original '69. From where we sit, we're not sure the look is an improvement, and the stick-on chrome dress-up for the rear quarter gills certainly don't do the machine any favors.

Camaro owners may buy the Retrokits package for installation by a local body shop or have Lingenfelter do the work in house. Prices start at $6,850, not including the man-hours to bolt the bits in place. Ask Lingenfelter to paint and install, and you'll be looking at a sticker of around $8,550. Zing.

Hyundai shows SEMA-bound Veloster by Ark Performance

by: Chris Tutor

 
Want your car to reflect as well as enable your active lifestyle? Then you may want to check out the ARK Performance "Alpine" concept coming to this year's SEMA show.

Ark began with standard 201-horsepower Hyundai Veloster Turbo and, using various bits from the Ark catalog, ramped power up to 232 horses with a torque boost to 240 pound-feet. The extra oomph comes from an ARK exhaust, test pipe and turbo up-pipes, a K&N intake, Nitrous Express Proton kit, Ark oil cooler and a Koyo radiator.

Beneath the coupe is an Ark coilover system, big brake kit and strut bar. The wheels are Gram Light 57Xtremes.

But SEMA is as much about looks as it is about fast. An Ark/Adro body kit and CF Rally Wing was covered in Custom Pearl White by Beyond Coachworks. JPM Coachworks outfitted the Veloster with a matching "Alpine Edition" interior featuring custom seats, instrument panel, steering wheel and headliner. Alcantara, mildew-repelling Italian leather and WeatherTek material. A Seibon Carbon hood and deck lid are accented by 180 Customs head and tail lights.