The BMW Group has posted a 26-percent increase in operating profits for the second quarter, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reaching 2.6 billion euros (~$3.48 USD) for the three-month period.

Overall vehicle sales for the company’s BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands increased by 5.3 percent, setting a new record of 533,187 units for the quarter.

BMW-badged models helped drive the gains, with deliveries up by 8.3 percent to 458,088 units. The company suggests new models helped boost sales, along with an increase in demand from buyers in China and Europe.

The company has also succeeded in growing its EBIT profit margin to 11.7 percent, up from 9.6 percent for the same period past year. Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz are still working to get their respective margins above 10 percent.

“After our record sales volume performance in the first half of the year, we are now targeting a significant increase in the number of vehicles delivered to customers in the current year and hence a new sales record of over two million vehicles,” said BMW AG chief Norbert Reithofer.

The company plans to introduce a total of 16 new or redesigned models from its various brands in 2014, including the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the BMW i8, as it attempts to hold its lead in the luxury segment.

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that it is working on a new model that will arrive on the market by mid-2016.

The company has not explicitly named the new car, however the announcement wording suggests the mystery model will be the Wraith Drophead Coupe.

“The car will build on the success of Phantom, Ghost and Wraith by continuing to boldly shape the future of the marque with contemporary, graceful and sensuous styling,” the company notes. “It will deliver effortless, open-top touring through the perfect marriage of modern Rolls-Royce luxury, style and elegance with an engaging and exhilarating driving experience.”

The open-top variant was quickly highlighted as a logical next step after the modern Wraith hardtop was announced in 2013. The Drophead is expected to share the same twin-turbocharged V12 powerplant, which sends 624 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.

“We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership,” says Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos.

Aston Martin will show its latest 2015 V12 Vantage S Roadster for the first time at this month’s Pebble Beach show. The British automaker first announced the high-performance version of its V12 Vantage Roadster in July.

Powered by an up-rated, 565-horsepower version of Aston Martin’s 6.0L V12, the V12 Vantage S Roadster is capable of accelerating from 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds. Keep your foot buried and the V12 Vantage S Roadster will carry on to a top speed of 201mph.

Shifting duties are handled by a paddle-shifted automatic, replacing the six-speed manual typically found in the regular V12 Vantage Roaster. Aston Martin promises an “enviable sports ‘soundtrack’” thanks to an exhaust system adapted from the One-77 supercar.

When it launches later this year, the V12 Vantage S Roadster will hail as Aston Martin’s fastest accelerating and fastest flat-out series production roadster ever.

The V12 Vantage S Roadster won’t be the only high-performance vehicle on display from a British automaker at the Pebble Beach show. Land Rover announced earlier this week that its Range Rover Sport SVR will greet the public for the first time at the annual show

Volvo has confirmed US pricing details for its special-edition S60 Polestar and V60 Polestar, though the limited inventory appears to have been reserved.

The S60 Polestar carries a $59,300 MSRP, while the V60 wagon variant fetches $60,900. Both are available with a choice between Black Sapphire or Rebel Blue exterior colors.

The company allocated 120 examples for the US markets, including 40 sedans and 80 wagons. A reservation site confirms that most have already been sold to customers, but a few may become available after serving as dealer demos.

The Polestar editions feature a long list of upgrades, ranging from Brembo brakes to 20-inch wheels and refined suspension. The tweaks aim to improve handling and overall performance compared to the basic S60 and V60.

The engine has not been ignored, with a new twin-scroll turbocharger that helps bring output up to 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The transmission has also been calibrated for faster shifts, while the stability control and throttle were similarly adjusted for a sportier experience.

Volvo has not announced plans to allocated additional Polestar stock for the US market.

Hyundai will travel to this month’s Moscow Motor Show to unveil a stretched version of its range-topping Equus sedan appropriately dubbed Equus Limousine.

Hyundai stretched the Equus’ wheelbase by 11 inches, bumping its overall length to 214 inches. Wheelbase aside, the Limousine stands out from the standard Equus thanks to a sizable hood ornament and a thick B-pillar with a “Limousine” emblem.

Inside, the Equus Limousine boasts a luxurious cockpit unabashedly designed to coddle the rear passengers. The short-wheelbase Equus’ bench seat has been replaced by two power-adjustable individual seats separated by a wide center console that doubles as an arm rest. To create a premium ambiance, the entire cabin is upholstered in plush leather and fitted with real wood trim.

The Equus Limousine is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that develops 430 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque. Linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the eight-cylinder mill sends the Equus Limousine from zero to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds and on to a top speed of about 140 mph. The stretched Equus comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The Hyundai Equus Limousine will go on sale across Russia shortly after greeting the show-going public in Moscow. It will carry a base price of 4,040,000 rubles, a sum that converts to approximately $113,000.

Although the Equus Limousine will likely be offered in other markets including South Korea, Hyundai is not currently planning on importing it to the United States and it will not be sold across Europe.