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Road & Track names its 2013 Performance Car of the Year

Road & Track recently staged its first annual Performance Car of the Year test, pitting 13 new and updated performance cars against each other on track, then graduating the top six to a road test before picking a winner. Additionally, the magazine staff picked the best automobiles of the year in eight categories.
But first, let's cover the PCotY segment. Here's the list of cars brought to the comparison test: Audi R8 V10 Plus; BMW 435i; BMW M6 Competition Package; Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51; Ferrari F12 Berlinetta; Ford Fiesta ST; Jaguar F-Type V8 S; Jaguar XFR-S; Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model Wagon; Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series; Mini John Cooper Works GP; Nissan GT-R Track Edition; and Porsche Cayman S.
To find out the results of the comparison, head over to Road & Track's website or check the press release below, where you'll also find the magazine's top-rated vehicles in eight categories. Want more? Head over to the 2013 PCotY hub. But before you do that, take a stab at guessing the winner of PCotY (we'll give you one hint: it isn't a Porsche).

Elvis Presley's BMW 507 has never looked better

After two grueling years of work, BMW Classic is finally finished restoring the 507 roadster that once belonged to Elvis Presley. Now that it is restored to original condition, the vehicle will be on display at this year's Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA, on August 18. The 507 will be in the exact same shape as when the King of Rock 'n' Roll took delivery of it on December 20, 1958. Not only did BMW Group Classic bring the 507 back from the scrapyard, it also went to great measures to ensure that the classic was restored in an authentic manner. The vehicle was painted once again in Feather White. But the primer coat, filler, and top coat were applied using methods that were used roughly 60 years ago, giving the 507 a truly original shine. The 150-horsepower 3.2-liter V8 was restored to its original spec, but utilizes a variety of old and new components. Other notable features include a black-and-white interior, center-lock rims, and a Becker Mexico radio. The 507 will be on display alongside numerous vintage BMWs as the company celebrates its centennial. Related Video: Featured Gallery Elvis Presley's Restored 1957 BMW 507 View 20 Photos Related Gallery Elvis Presley's 1957 BMW 507 View 59 Photos News Source: BMWImage Credit: BMW Auto News Celebrities BMW Convertible Classics Pebble Beach bmw 507

This BMW 2 Series ad has run afoul of Aussie ad watchdogs [w/poll]

A complaint by an Australian movie-goer has put the brakes on an extended in-theater ad campaign by BMW, and drawn the attention of the country's Advertising Standards Board. According to the anonymous complaint, the ad "portrays an unfavorable message, contrary to safe and sensible driving."
The ASB upheld the complaint, which said the ad for the new M235i showed driving "typical of hoon activity," thanks to the burnouts, dusty drifts and runs up to redline. It's that last one that seems to have gotten the spot in the most trouble, with the ASB acknowledging that even though the car wasn't shown breaking the speed limit, the ad was in violation of a voluntary code of conduct for automotive advertising, according to Australia's Go Auto.
BMW doesn't seem to agree, pointing out that the ad uses creative editing, aggressive camera angles and other filming tricks to "add visual impact."