After losing the title of most valuable car brand to German competitor BMW in 2012, Toyota has knocked its German rival out of the top spot to reclaim the title of Most Valuable Car Brand once again for the 2013 calendar year.

That’s according to Brand Z’s Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study, which revealed that Toyota’s overall value increased by 12 percent to $24.5 billion.  That’s higher than all of its competitors and represents an impressive increase versus last year. A majority of this increase can be attributed to the brand’s diverse lineup of hybrid vehicles, as well as the company’s talent at marketing and promoting these vehicles to customers, especially buyers that are new to the Toyota brand.

Peter Walshe, global brand director for the company Milward Brown, provided further details regarding Toyota’s performance in this study in a statement to the folks at Automotive News, stating “Toyota is carving out a very big position in hybrids across its range, which is tapping into the consumer need for value by saving fuel cost” while also adding, “its hybrids are reinforcing the experience of the brand, and in so doing, Toyota continues to magnify what is special and different about it.”

As for the former holder of the title, BMW, the study revealed that the company actually saw its overall value slide by 2 percent to $24 billion. Walshe explained that BMW’s drop in value was due to the make not having any new model launches.  That served to adversely affect its position when compared to Toyota. Walshe claimed that, “the automotive brands that grew the most were ones that launched the most models.” However, he was quick to point out that despite the company’s performance in this study “BMW remains a very powerful and distinctive brand”.

This latest swing in fortune is the latest chapter in a long running and heated battle between the two companies for the Most Valuable Brand title. Toyota fired the first salvo by winning the title in 2006 and holding on to this honor until 2009 before BMW wrestled the crown away from Toyota in 2010, no doubt helped by Toyota’s recall crisis. The Japanese firm recovered in 2011 before losing the title once again to BMW in 2012. In addition to Toyota’s impressive performance, BMW’s arch-rival Mercedes-Benz also posted stronger numbers in the study, with the company’s value increasing by 11% to $18 billion, which helped the firm nab third place. Meanwhile, Toyota’s key rivals Honda and Nissan took 4th and 5th places, with values of $12.4 billion and $10.2 billion, respectively.

BMW has officially unveiled the revised 2014 BMW 5 Series lineup. The company claims that the styling revisions, new technology, and performance hardware the car has received are part of its “Precise modifications to the design” and aim to make the car stand out from rivals such as the Audi A6 as well as the redesigned Mercedes E-Class when it arrives on dealer lots this fall.

The exterior styling of the 2014 BMW 5 Series receives several subtle styling tweaks, and it will take a trained eye to spot all of the changes BMW stylists have made. These changes include a new rear bumper which now features an additional crease, smaller tail lights, a reworked lower air intake and twin kidney grilles for the front fascia, and other cues that emphasize the overall width of the 5 Series. All flavors of the 5 Series will arrive on dealer lots with Xenon Adaptive headlights as standard equipment, however buyers can replace them with optional LED adaptive units that promise better illumination and a more distinctive appearance at night.

The interior of the 2014 BMW 5 Series mirrors the subtle tweaks made to the exterior styling with its own host of relatively minor changes that aim to enhance the time one spends behind the wheel. BMW stylists have added new chrome trim to brighten up the cabin while also adding new cup holders and storage cubbies that now feature increased capacity and versatility over the units that they replace. Navigation is also standard across the board, and the company’s familiar I-Drive system now features a new touch pad surface that allows drivers to enter addresses and other navigational related information with their fingertips. Clearly designed as a response to Audi’s MMI Touch feature, it will be interesting to see how the two systems match up when compared side by side. Rear passengers also benefit from these changes thanks to a new rear entertainment system that features special tablets that are attached to the front seat backs.

Performance has also been updated for 2014 which should please buyers looking for muscle when driving down their favorite back roads. A key change is that the formerly Europe-only 535d diesel model has been added to the company’s U.S portfolio and will arrive alongside its gasoline-powered siblings in the United States. That model will only be available in sedan guise and features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine that is good for 255 horsepower and a healthy 413 lb-ft of torque. All of this muscle is channeled to the rear wheels (AWD is available as an option) through an 8-speed automatic transmission that should allow the diesel to achieve impressive fuel economy numbers. In addition, the 528i and 535i versions of the 5 Series can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which will be available as a no cost alternative to the eight speed automatic. Lastly, the uplevel 550i model and its potent 4.4 liter turbocharged V8 will receive a power boost, with overall horsepower checking in at a healthy 445 horsepower (an increase of 45 versus last years model).

Look for the 2014 BMW 5 Series to begin arriving on dealer lots later this summer with prices starting at $50,425 for a base 528i model while the range topping 550i will have a base price of $67,125 when equipped with the company’s X-Drive all wheel drive system. Meanwhile the 535d will feature a $57,525 base price for rear wheel drive models while all wheel drive versions will have a slightly higher base price of $59,825. Customers looking to enhance their 5 Series further will be pleased to hear that BMW stylists will offer special Luxury, Modern Line, and M Sport Packages which are very similar to the packages offered by the smaller 3 Series as well as other BMW models.

BMW has lifted the veil off of the refreshed 2014 BMW M5 sport sedan, which brings new style and performance to the M5 lineup when it debuts later this fall to once again battle against competitors such as the Audi RS6 and the redesigned Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Following in the standard 5-Series lineup’s footsteps, the 2014 M5 receives several subtle exterior tweaks to enhance its performance oriented design which include touches such as new lower air intakes, reworked twin kidney grilles that now feature the M5 badge within the grille slats, a slightly revised rear bumper, and new LED tail lights that feature a bolder sportier design. The headlight choices also mirror those of the standard 5-Series with Xenon Adaptive headlights standard equipment while LED adaptive units are available as optional equipment.

The interior of the 2014 M5 also receives relatively minor updates with BMW stylists adding a reworked three spoke M steering wheel as well as a center console storage area that now boast more capacity and versatility than before. In addition to these tweaks, the M5′s I-Drive system now features a special touch pad to increase system functionality. Designed to take on Audi’s similar MMI Touch feature, BMW’s version allows drivers and occupants to enter addresses and other navigation related information using only their fingertips which should eliminate a key advantage MMI has over I-Drive.

Performance for the 2014 BMW M5 comes from the familiar 4.4 liter twin turbocharged V8 which still makes a solid 560 horsepower and an equally stout 500 lb-ft of torque. However for buyers that equip the M5 with the newly optional Competitionn package will see horsepower rise slightly to 575 horsepower while torque remains unchanged. The company claims that the slight bump in power helps shave 0.1 seconds from the car’s 0 to 60 time while the stiffened and lowered suspension sharpens the car’s handling manners and should reduce unwanted body roll during hard cornering. The package also features model-exclusive 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system that aims to improve the cars soundtrack especially when under full throttle. While BMW did not reveal pricing for the Competition Package, it did confirm that in addition to its appearance on the M5, the Competition Package will also be available on its two door sibling, the M6.

Look for the 2014 BMW M5 to begin arriving on dealer lots sometime this fall with details such as official fuel economy ratings as well as final pricing to be released closer to the vehicles official launch. Stay tuned to Autosavant for the latest developments on the 2014 M5 and M6 as they become available.

Following the earlier unveiling of a lone teaser sketch, Aston Martin has taken the cover off of its stylish CC100 Roadster Concept which was designed by the company to celebrate its 100th anniversary and to serve as a rolling tribute to the legendary 1956 DBR/1 open top race car when it made its official debut alongside the iconic race car at the past weekend’s 24 hrs of Nurburgring race in Nuremburg Germany.

The exterior styling of the CC100 is a classic exercise in retro styling cues while also showcasing small glimpses of the future design direction that may trickle down into future Aston Martin models especially in the reworked front fascia. The company claims that the sleek little roadster was designed and constructed in less than six months, an impressive feat that Aston engineers should be proud of. Chief Exterior Designer Miles Nurnberger emphasized this point further stating  ”The brief was very simple, yet enormously testing: create something that reflects the 100 years of Aston Martin heritage and signals the future of the brand.” As a neat bonus piece of visual eye candy, the concept features “butterfly” doors which add a stylish and exotic flair to the overall styling of the CC100.

The interior of the CC100 concept was also designed to reflect the pinnacle of Aston Martin design and is crafted largely out of carbon fiber which has been bestowed with a distinctive weave to further embody the performance intentions of the concept. The car also shelves typical features such as climate control, radio, and other convenience features to shed weight as well as make the car as driver oriented as possible. Keeping occupants in place during spirited driving are a pair of supportive racing seats that are slathered with Bridge of Weir leather to provide a solid mixture of comfort and world class support which is bolstered even further by the built in full safety harness system. The CC100 also retains many of the features seen in other Aston Martin vehicles including the familiar glass control buttons as well as the company’s trademark glass starting switch for the Emotion Control Unit (ECU).

Performance comes from the company’s familiar 6.0 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine which sends its power to the rear wheels through a six speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters. While the company did not release official horsepower numbers for the CC100, it did state that the concept is capable of completing the sprint to 60 mph in a quick 4.0 seconds flat before reaching a final top speed of 180 mph.

The Aston Martin CC100 Concept  made its official debut at the 2013 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race last weekend with Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez behind the wheel, while the 1959 racer that inspired it was piloted by none other than legendary race car driver Sir Sterling Moss.  While the company currently has no plans to officially produce the CC100, don’t be surprised if positive reaction to the concept compels the company to do a limited production run the same way it did when the One-77 first made its debut a few years back. In the meantime Aston Martin has released a detailed video chronicling the development of the CC100, which can be seen below.

BMW has released three teaser images of its latest collaboration with the Pininfarina styling house, the stylish Gran Lusso Coupe concept which will make its official debut at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance event which will take place in Italy later this month.

While the three images BMW released do not show the concept in much detail, the Gran Lusso Coupe concept appears to showcase a large stylish four door coupe that is based on the flagship 7 Series sedan. If this is indeed the case, the production version of this concept would not only fill a noticeable void that exists in BMW’s current model lineup, but also finally give the brand a formidable and stylish competitor to compete for a slice of the premium four door coupe market.

BMW also did not release any official details on the performance hardware that provides the motivation for the Gran Lusso Coupe concept, the V12 badging that is featured in two of the images though does reveal that the concept will be equipped with a V12 engine, most likely the 6.0 liter V12 found in the current 7-Series that is good for a healthy 544 horsepower, though expect that figure to possibly increase slightly for duty in the Gran Lusso Coupe.

The Gran Lusso Coupe concept is the latest example of BMW’s commitment to this prestigious event and also continues the company’s tradition of using this event to debut a concept car which first began in 2008 with the M1 Concept. While the M1 concept and the other vehicles that subsequently followed never received the green light for official production after their respective debuts, the Gran Lusso concept could buck this trend and follow the 4-Series and the X4 SAV into production and perhaps give BMW a formidable contender that could go toe to toe with the next generation Mercedes CL class which will most likely adopt styling cues from the next generation S Class sedan.

Look for the Gran Lusso Coupe concept to make its official debut at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance later this month with detailed images and information expected to be unveiled closer to the concepts official debut. Stay tuned to Autosavant for the latest developments on the Gran Lusso Coupe concept as they become available.

Following the release of multiple teaser images as well as an equal amount of leaked information, Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan which brings new technology, performance, and refinement to the company’s flagship while also raising the bar when it comes to value and class.

Debuting at the Airbus A380 delivery center in Hamburg Germany, the 2014 S-Class embodies the “essence of luxury” (in its makers’ words), and this is very apparent in the car’s exterior styling which has been heavily redone for 2014. Boasting an evolutionary theme that shares its basic profile with the 2014 E-Class, the front fascia of the S-Class has been reworked to be sportier while a larger front grille gives the S-Class a bolder yet elegant face. Another key change is that the 2014 S-Class now features full LED head and tail lights which are brighter than the units than they replace and promise better efficiency and durability versus the previous generation model. The rear fascia has also been reworked, though on a much more subtle scale than the front end, with a gentle slant cue adding a dash of elegance and sportiness. As an added bonus the S-Class’s new clothes allow the car to have an impressive drag coefficent of 0.24 which puts it very close to the much smaller CLA and its also-slippery drag coefficent rating of 0.23.

The interior of the 2014 S-Class also embodies this newfound “essence of luxury” thanks to a more elegant redesign that features strategically placed wood and metal elements, as well as several new technologies that coddle occupants in world-class comfort. Dual TFT screens in the instrument cluster and center stack work together to provide occupants with comprehensive information while a touch sensitive telephone style keypad provides even more control to occupants and features twelve “freely selectable memory places.” The company’s familiar “Linguatronic” speech recognition system has the ability to process “one shot input” commands that should allow occupants to access various functions in a more efficient and simpler manner. The interior also shelves conventional bulbs in favor of LED’s which can be configured to a wide range of driver tastes.

Audiophiles will be pleased to hear that the 2014 S-Class will feature several high-end stereo choices including a newly-optional Burmester 3D surround sound system that utilizes the new Frontbass resonance chamber that first debuted in the redesigned SL roadster a few years ago to produce maximum sound quality. The car also boasts world class infotainment software that features Google Maps and a new aviation inspired “DriveShow” that features an animated compass.

In addition to all of this technology, the 2014 S-Class also boasts several new comfort-oriented features that should please buyers looking to relax after a long day at the office. Heated and massaging front seats are available (along with heated door panels and armrests), while buyers can choose five different rear seat configurations, with the top of the line “First Class” setup boasting features such as a full center console and special thermo cupholders that utilize Peltier technology to instantly warm or cool beverages. In an interesting feat of creativity, Mercedes engineers have equipped the reworked climate system with a new “active perfuming system” that discreetly delivers a mild fragrance to keep the cabin fresh and inviting. For those that might have allergies or may find the fragrance too overpowering, the system can be manually turned on or off to suit a wide range of occupant tastes.

Performance for the 2014 S-Class will come from a variety of engines, but the luxury laden flagship will initially arrive here in the U.S as the S550. Contrary to the 550 numbering, it will utilize the company’s 4.7 liter twin turbocharged V8 which is good for a solid 455 horsepower and a healthy 517 lb-ft of torque. All of this power is routed to either the rear or all four wheels through an eight speed automatic transmission which allows the S550 to make the sprint to 60 mph in a brisk 4.8 seconds before reaching a final top speed of 130 mph. To make sure that the S-Class can deliver equally impressive handling behavior, an electro-mechanical rack and pinion steering system is standard equipment while a multi-link front and rear suspension setup with continuously adjustable damping shock absorbers soak up road imperfections and promise to deliver a ride that is even smoother than the previous generation S-Class.

While Mercedes has not released the official pricing for the 2014 S-Class, the company did reveal that the first batch of S550s will begin arriving at a Mercedes dealership near you this September with AWD variants arriving shortly after in November while other S-Class variants will gradually trickle down into dealer showrooms in the near future.

In an unexpected move late yesterday, Lamborghini surprised 350 of its loyal customers at a private dinner by unveiling the Egoista concept car which was designed by legendary Volkswagen designer Walter de Silva to commemorate the brand’s 50th anniversary.

The exterior styling of the Egoista (which means “selfish” in Italian) retains many of the basic lines and creases that define Lamborghini’s current design language, but unlike past efforts such as the Aventador and even the recently unveiled Veneno hypercar, Lamborghini designers upped the ante and made the Egoista a rolling homage of extreme styling. The Egoista is largely built out of lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, and features numerous angular accents and sharp creases while raising the bar even further by incorporating a special radar-absorbent material into its overall construction. The look is enhanced further by bold orange wheels and an orange tinted windshield that flips forward for easy access to the interior while recessed LED lights located on the front fascia finish off the styling and also give the Egoista a distinctive yet muscular profile.

The performance-oriented interior of the Egoista further embodies the selfish nature of the car by only offering one seat for the driver with no accommodations available for passengers that want to come along for a ride. De Silva claims that the overall theme, as well as the minimalist setup of the cabin was inspired by the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter which is similarly spartan in its setup and is a textbook example of function over form styling. To keep the driver in place during spirited driving, the Egoista features a four point harness with each component being constructed out of a different hue of fabric. A consequence of the Egoistas aggressive lines is that it has no formal doors, and the driver will have to remove the steering wheel and place it on the dashboard before flipping open the windshield to exit the vehicle.

While Lamborghini did not reveal too many details about the Egoista’s performance hardware, the company did state that power for the Egoista comes from a mid-mounted 5.2 liter V10 borrowed from the Gallardo which is good for 600 horsepower in this particular application. It is unknown if Lamborghini plans to bring the Egoista into some form of production like it did with the limited edition Veneno or if it will be just a one-off example, but if the Egoista generates the same amount of fanfare that the Veneno did when it originally debuted, perhaps Lamborghini could do something similar with this concept. Stay tuned to Autosavant for the latest developments on the Egoista as they become available.

Scion has officially unveiled the final pricing ladder for the redesigned 2014 Scion tC coupe which made its world debut earlier this year at the 2013 New York Auto Show and promises to bring new technology, performance, and styling to the tC model family when it arrives at a local Scion dealer near you later this month.

The newest iteration of the tC has been heavily updated for the 2014 model year and features new exterior styling that sheleves the previous generations bland lines for FR-S inspired cues, a sport tuned suspension and a more driver friendly six speed automatic transmission which all work together to increase the TC’s fun factor especially during spirited driving. In addition to the increased fun that can now be experienced from the tC, pricing for the model has also increased slightly for the 2014 model year with base models beginning at $19,210 (an increase of $485 versus the old model) when equipped with the six speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, tCs equipped with the optional six speed automatic transmission begin at a slightly higher $20,965 which is also a $485 bump in price versus last years model.

Buyers looking for a world class infotainment experience from their tC purchase will be pleased to hear that the company’s new “Scion BeSpoke Premium Audio System” can be added to either model for a reasonable $1,198. In addition to its built in navigation software, the system also comes equipped with the Aha service which provides buyers over 30,000 free radio stations (17 of them exclusive to Scion) as well as convenience features such as Yelp and TripAdvisor which work together to help buyers plan for long road trips or finding the best restaurant in town.

While the FR-S sports car (a favorite choice among us here at Autosavant) has taken over the tC’s role as the sportiest offering in the eccentric brand’s model lineup, the tC should still please buyers that want a balanced mix of performance and styling at a reasonable price while also offering buyers the latest in infotainment and other technology.

Bentley has always had a long history of success both on and off the track. In particular, the brand has won the grueling 24 hr of Le Mans race an impressive six times with four of those wins occurring consecutively between 1927 and 1930. To celebrate this impressive racing accomplishment, Bentley has officially unveiled six different Le Mans packages that will be equipped to the brands flagship Mulsanne sedan as well as the equally exclusive Continental lineup.

While exterior styling for each of these limited edition models will be virtually identical to what has already appeared on the standard Mulsanne and Continental, Bentley stylists have made several minor tweaks to allow the Le Mans edition of these two cars to visually stand out from lesser Bentley models such as model exclusive exterior hues, unique rim designs, and special Le Mans badging on the tread plates. The interior has also been tweaked and boasts even more Le Mans edition badging on the headrests as well as a numbered plaque on the dashboard, a special Le Mans inspired clock face for the dash mounted time piece, and several choices of special interior trim and veneers depending on which Le Mans inspired trim is selected.

We’re very proud of our motorsports heritage and we’re excited to celebrate our historic wins at Le Mans 24 Hours,” said Christophe Georges, President and COO, Bentley Motors, Inc. “The Le Mans Limited Edition models showcase our performance and handcrafted luxury through these unique, heritage inspired specifications.”

Continentals equipped with this package will begin trickling into a Bentley showroom near you this summer with Mulsanne variants arriving later this year. Production will also be limited with the company only producing 48 copies of each Le Mans edition model with pricing being revealed closer to their official launch. In the meantime Bentley has released a brief video further detailing their illustrious racing history as well as featuring both cars in action which can be seen below.

News like this gives gearheads the world over reason to rejoice. Jaguar will reportedly be creating more high performance “R-S” and “R-S GT” models of both current and future cars. Similar in philosophy to the manic Black Series range from Mercedes-Benz and the M-cars from BMW, Jaguar’s R-S and R-S GT packages will bestow increasingly higher levels of performance to each model.

With this change, the current “R” option will essentially become the entry level performance package offered by Jaguar. Customers looking to turn up the wick on either the XFR or the XKR can tick the “R-S” box on the options list. When the R-S badge is applied to the XF sedan, power output jumps to a whopping 550 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque from its 5.0 liter supercharged V-8 engine. And the results are basically identical with the XKR-S: Jag’s coupe also makes 550 horsepower from a blown V-8, and sprints to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds. According to Jaguar, the big XJ sedan (the R version of the XJ was recently revealed at the New York Auto Show in April), should benefit from the R-S option in the future.

But it’s with the R-S GT cars that things get really good. These models will target the well heeled connoisseur who is looking for a hardcore, track-focused vehicle that can compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The first Jaguar to carry the new name is the wild, track-focused XKR-S GT which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show (the car looks even more menacing in person). Originally, Jaguar was only going to produce 25 of these $170,000-plus track machines, but is reportedly increasing that number due to the car’s positive reception. Under all those scoops and aerodynamic aids lives a 5.0 liter supercharged V-8 that pumps out 550 horsepower, enough to hurl this Jag to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. Other performance enhancing modifications include a wider front track, lightweight wheels, rear diffuser, and carbon ceramic brakes, a Jaguar production car first. The XFR-S is another likely candidate for the bonkers R-S GT treatment, as is the new F Type.

In another exciting piece of news, Jaguar’s sister company, Land Rover, could also introduce a high performance package on some of its models akin to what Jaguar is doing with its R-S cars—spy photographers scooped what appeared to be a hotted up Range Rover Sport circling the Nurburgring last month. Plenty of good news from across the pond then. We can’t wait to see what develops.