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New Mercedes S-Class Plug-in Hybrid to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Mercedes S-Class (pictured) will arrive with a plug-in hybrid version in September We’ve known Mercedes were planning a plug-in hybrid version of the new S-Class as far back as 2009, and it now appears it will debut – as a 2014 model – at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. When Mercedes revealed the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at Frankfurt in 2009, they had fitted it with a V6 petrol engine mated to a 44kw motor and a bank of lithium-ion batteries, and promised the hybrid S-Class would do 90mpg, have emissions of under 75g/km and manage 18 miles in EV mode. That means the hybrid S-Class would have performance comparable to the V8 petrol-engined S500 but attract no BIK or VED in the UK.

2013 BMW M5 facelift & new M6 get Competition Package

The BMW M5 (left) & M6 with new Competition Packacge But the 2013 BMW M5 – and its coupe sister, the BMW M6 – will also be getting a Competition Package option for 2013, which is probably more interesting than the minor tweaks to the 2013 5 Series. The Competition Package adds more power to both the M5 and M6 – a whole 15bhp, taking it up to 567bhp – enough to improve the 0-62mph by 0.2s on both M5 and M6 as well as re-tuned dampers and springs – which lower ride height on the M5, but not the M6 – stiffer anti-roll bars, new M Diff and an improved Dynamic Mode which should allow you to play a bit more. On the cosmetic front, just like the 5 Series facelift, you’ll have to look quite hard to see what the Competition Package adds, but you do get a black finish on the tail pipes and a slightly different set of 20″ alloys.

Toyota FT-1 sports car: How it happened

Editor's note: The inner sanctum of an automaker's design studio is as classified as a top-secret government spy shop. Even many top executives aren't allowed inside, much less civilians or the media. But after months of negotiations, Toyota Motor Corp.