Rolls-Royce published preliminary details about a limited-edition performance-focused variant of the Ghost dubbed V-Specifiaction.

The most notable modification is found by popping the Ghost’s long hood. The sedan’s direct-injected, twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine has been massaged to churn out 601 horsepower, an increase of about 30 ponies compared to the regular-production model. Linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the twelve-cylinder engine propels the Ghost V-Spec from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds while returning 17 mpg in a mixed European cycle.

The bulk of the aesthetic upgrades are found inside the car, where the smallest member of the Rolls family gains a panoramic sunroof, massaging seats upholstered in silver leather with contrasting black stitching, a bespoke clock and V-Spec running boards. Piano black trim on the dashboard and the door panels, a 360-degree camera and a V-Spec logo proudly embroidered into the rear armrest round out the major upgrades in the cabin.

Outside, the Ghost V-Specification retains a low-key appearance and the only major upgrades are two chromed exhaust tips and 21-inch part-polished five-spoke alloy wheels lifted straight from the Wraith parts bin. The car can be ordered with a regular or a long wheelbase and buyers can choose from Graphite, Black Sapphire (pictured), Black Kirsch, Arctic White and Infinity Black.

The Ghost V-Specification will only be available from January to June of this year. It is listed at €330,820 in Germany, a hefty sum that converts to roughly $450,000. At the time of writing Rolls-Royce has not revealed whether the V-Specification will be sold in the United States.

The North American International Auto Show – known colloquially as the Detroit Auto Show – might be in the Motor City, but the new cars that debut in Southeast Michigan’s manufacturing metropolis come from automakers all across the globe.

True, some of the biggest unveilings expected in Detroit bear American badges, but this show has taken an increasingly international twist over the last few years. As such, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Honda, BMW and other European and Asian brands will take to the stage with major international unveilings.

We’ll know more next week once the show officially kicks off Monday morning, January 13 for two consecutive media days.

If you’re near Detroit and interested in attending the show, it will be open to the public at the city’s downtown Cobo Center from January 16 to 23.

The Big Debuts

• BMW M4 – BMW’s high-performance coupe gets a new name and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine.
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – Given that the current Corvette Stingray Z51 pretty much matches the outgoing Z06, expectations are high for the 2015.
• Chrysler 200 – Chrysler hasn’t fielded a truly competitive midsize sedan in recent memory, but the new 200 sure looks shapely.
• Ford F-150 – America’s best-selling vehicle will boast extensive use of aluminum as a means of improving its fuel economy. Expect the bar to be raised.
• Lexus RC F – Lexus is officially getting serious about becoming the “new BMW.”
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Ready for a “budget” S-Class?

Other World Debuts

• Acura TLX Concept
• Audi allroad crossover concept
• Audi Q3
• BMW 2-Series
• Cadillac ATS Coupe
• Dodge Dart Blacktop
• GMC Canyon
• Honda Fit
• Hyundai Genesis
• Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept
• Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
• Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
• Mercedes-Benz S600
• MINI JCW Concept
• Nissan Sport Sedan Concept
• Porsche 911 Targa
• Ram 1500 Mossy Oak Edition
• Subaru WRX STI
• Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept
• Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion Concept
• Volvo XC Coupe Concept

Volkswagen’s Spain-based SEAT division has lifted the veil off of the Leon Cupra and Leon Cupra 280, two compact hot hatches designed to slot at the top of the automaker’s lineup.

The regular Cupra is only offered as a three-door hatchback while the Cupra 280 can be ordered with either three or five doors. Both models stand out from the existing Leon hatch thanks to large air intakes, LED headlights, red brake calipers, two oval tail pipes and an imitation air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. Buyers can choose from a wide array of large, Cupra-specific alloy wheels to complete the sporty look.

Cupra 280 models push the envelope further by adding 19-inch alloys and a host of aerodynamic add-ons including a roof-mounted spoiler, the Cupra emblem painted on the calipers and black mirror caps.

The performance-inspired look continues inside with aluminum pedals, sport seats finished in Alcantara, a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a driver-oriented center console. The instrument cluster consists of two easy-to-read analog gauges and a configurable thin-film transistor (TFT) screen.

The Leon Cupra is powered by a Volkswagen-sourced 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder engine that sends 265 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The car can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.

The more expensive Leon Cupra 280 uses a 280-horsepower version of the aforementioned TSI, making it the most powerful regular-production SEAT ever built. Offered with either a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch DSG gearbox, the Cupra 280 reaches 62 mph from a stop in 5.7 seconds and tops out at 155 mph.

The Leon Cupra relies on a standard start/stop system to return up to 35 mpg in a mixed European cycle.

A dynamic chassis control (DCC) system similar to the one found in the seventh-gen Volkswagen GTI lets the driver adjust the suspension settings, and the electronic stability control (ESC) can be deactivated in two stages. All Cupra models come standard with a progressive steering system.

On sale now, the 2014 SEAT Leon Cupra carries a base price of £25,690 (roughly $42,000) in the United Kingdom.

Audi’s Detroit show-bound concept car has hit the web ahead of its official premiere next week. The Audi allroad crossover concept was leaked out by a Russian website today.

The images were leaked by Autowp.ru, but little information has been disseminated.

Though not that much is known about the concept car, its TT-like cues are very clear. At the rear, its tail lamps nearly preview the next-generation TT, while even its front fascia is TT-esque. Is Audi thinking about a more “lifestyle” oriented coupe direction for its next TT? We’re not entirely sure.

Underneath its hood, the Detroit show concept will boast an e-Tron hybrid powertrain, which could preview a future production model.

The images also reveal what is believed to be the concept’s interior, which is nearly identical to what Audi has said its third-generation TT will wear.

Audi will also display the U.S. showroom-bound version of its Q3 crossover at the Detroit show, which opens its doors to the media on Monday. Stay tuned for more details.

Jeep still has not started a recall issued last June to fix a potential fire hazard in 1.56 million utility vehicles.

After a short battle with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler’s Jeep brand agreed to fix 1.56 million vehicles that could be prone to catch fire if involved in a rear-end collision. That settlement came seven months ago, but Chrysler has yet to fix a single Jeep as part of the campaign.

Chrysler told USA Today that it “has finalized replacement-part design and is initiating the tooling process to deliver the required volume.” However, the Auburn Hills-based automaker failed to give a specific date for when the parts might be available.

The fix for the Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models involved is essentially attaching a factory-offered trailer hitch.

The NHTSA declined to comment if it planned to take further action against Chrysler to speed the recall process.

“NHTSA does not comment on the details of open investigations. Throughout this process, NHTSA has been in close communication with Chrysler.”

Chrysler maintains that the Jeep models included in the recall are just as safe as other vehicles on the road.