Hyundai has pulled the wraps off of a limited edition of its compact Veloster today at the Chicago Auto Show. The Hyundai Veloster RE:FLEX Edition is a style and audio package that will be limited to 3,000 units.

Building on previous special edition cars like the Veloster RE:MIX that debuted at the 2012 SEMA show, the RE:FLEX offers a host of cosmetic improvements over the standard model. Most visibly are a set of unique 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels finished in PVD for a chrome-like surface, complemented by chrome hood accents and door handles.

Inside the cabin, leather seating is offered in a choice of black or red, the latter of which is not available on standard Velosters. Premium options such as a 450-watt Dimension 8-speaker sound system and fog lights come standard on the RE:FLEX. Piano black accents, illuminated door sills, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are part of the package as well, as is a the obligatory RE:FLEX badging throughout.

A new color, Ice Pearl, is exclusive to the RE:FLEX, but Century White, Vitamin C orange, Ultra Black and Boston Red from the standard palette are available as well.

All RE:FLEX models will be powered by the naturally aspirated 138hp 1.6-liter inline-four, backed by Hyundai’s 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Veloster RE:FLEX is set to reach showrooms this spring. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Anti-union groups have intensified their efforts to stop the UAW from establishing a presence in Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant. Drivers around the city are now greeted with more billboards, some showing blighted Detroit, while the Center For Worker Freedom has launched a “UAW wants your guns” campaign.

A CWF billboard spotted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press labels the union “United Obama Workers” and appears to have been hastily designed without checking for spelling errors.

“The UAW spends millions to elect liberal politicans [sic], including BARACK OBAMA,” the sign reads.

The CWF’s anti-UAW arguments mostly focus on the union’s campaign donations to Democrats, tying union support to political positions that are unpopular with conservatives. Chattanooga consistently shows Republican voting majorities in major elections.

Other groups, such as Southern Momentum, have made specific arguments against the UAW’s own policies. The nonprofit claims UAW organizers are approaching workers and implying hourly pay of up to $28 per hour, while referencing Ford’s recent profit-sharing payouts of $8,800.

Anti-union sentiment has grown in recent years, particularly in light of the automotive industry collapse that began in 2008. The UAW had pushed for benefit packages that companies found to be unsustainable during the recession, though the union later agreed to lower starting wages and other concessions. Profit-sharing payouts represent one of the compromises, giving workers a proportional bonus in profitable years while reducing the payroll burden during tougher times.

With a unionization vote scheduled for February 12 at the Chattanooga plant, the outcome may prove significant on a wider scale. Amid declining membership, the UAW may view success as a turning point that could gain momentum and spark similar actions in other foreign-owned plants.

Opponents fear Chattanooga may become the UAW’s first foothold in the traditionally anti-union South, pushing automakers–and their jobs–out of the region.

Chrysler’s go-fast SRT division has detailed a new option package called Satin Vapor Edition that will be available on the Chrysler 300 SRT, the Dodge Challenger SRT and the Dodge Charger SRT in the second quarter of this year.

Chrysler 300 SRT
The 300 SRT Satin Vapor Edition stands out from the regular 300 SRT thanks to 19-inch forged aluminum five-spoke alloy wheels, Satin Black mirrors, bespoke HEMI badges, a Satin Black roof and red brake calipers manufactured by Brembo. The car is available in Bright White, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal, and buyers can order a black body stripe at an extra cost.

Inside, the special-edition 300 SRT boasts black seats upholstered in Nappa leather with suede inserts and a combination of carbon and piano black trim on the instrument cluster, the door panels and the center console.

Challenger SRT
The Challenger SRT Satin Vapor Edition gains Satin Black door mirrors, a Satin Black fuel cap and bespoke badges. Brembo brakes hidden behind 20-inch five-spoke wheels finished in Black Satin Vapor Chrome come standard. Challengers equipped with the appearance package can be ordered in Bright White, TorRed, Header Orange and Graphite.

The interior is upgraded with charcoal Nappa leather upholstery with ultra-suede inserts and an imitation carbon fiber bezel around the instrument cluster.

Charger SRT

In addition to the aforementioned wheels and calipers, the Charger SRT features Satin Black Super Bee graphics on the rear quarter panel, a Satin Black roof and hood and model-specific 392 Hemi badges. Buyers can choose from Bright White, Billet Silver, TorRed and Graphite.

The Charger is equipped with premium black leather seats and it comes standard with a 8.4-inch color touch screen that runs Dodge’s Uconnect infotainment system.

SRT has not made any mechanical modifications and all three cars are powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine that sends 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque to the rear wheels.

The Satin Vapor Edition package will cost $2,300 when fitted to the 300 SRT, $1,700 when ordered with the Challenger and $2,330 when applied to the Charger.

Live images by Mark Elias.

Senator Jay Rockefeller has scolded automakers and tech companies, including Google and Apple, over smartphone integration and distractions caused by vehicle infotainment systems. The West Virginia Democrat threatens to introduce legislation to regulate such technology if the companies do not voluntarily implement controls.

“Why is it so important for kids to drive around and update their Facebook statuses?” Rockefeller asked during a forum that he arranged to focus on the issue, as quoted by Bloomberg. “For teenagers, it’s a way of being cool. For those of you who sell cars, it’s a way of you being cool and making a lot of money from that.”

Although automakers and tech companies have been moving many phone features onto integrated vehicle displays to reduce distractions, the 76-year-old senator believes the approach is still unsafe.

“The connectivity you’re worried about for social media is the very same that enables us to save thousands of lives every year,” quipped General Motors VP of sustainability and regulatory affairs, Michael Robinson.

Apple’s director of federal government affairs, Timothy Powderly, noted Apple’s plans to bring many iPhone features onto the vehicle display through “iOS for Cars.” The platform will provide driver-optimized versions of Maps, iTunes and other iPhone features, taking advantage of the company’s Siri voice-recognition technology to reduce the need for physical interaction.

“If we don’t affirmatively make safe ways for people to use whatever it is they’re using, people will find ways to get around the systems,” added Samsung VP of communications policy and regulatory affairs, John Godfrey.

Rockefeller was strong in his opinion that the companies are responsible for deaths and serious injuries “all for the sake of outdoing each other and making more money,” however he did not fully outline provisions that would be included in his legislation to remedy the problem.