Audi has announced US-market pricing for its new S8 Plus and RS 7 Performance packages.

The S8 Plus is the more affordable option, carrying a $115,825 MSRP (including $925 freight), essentially matching the standard 2015 S8′s price tag. The RS 7 Performance jumps to $129,925, representing a significant premium over the entry-level RS 7, though the package includes a broad range of upgrades aside from the retuned engine.

Both are powered by the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter TFSI V8 engine, tuned to deliver 605 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque — briefly jumping to 553 lb-ft thanks to an overboost system. The numbers represent a 45-horsepower upgrade for the RS 7 and an even better 85-pony jump from the basic S8.

The extra power promises to launch the S8 Plus to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds. An available dynamic package lifts the top end from 155 mph to 190 mph, adding carbon-fiber brakes and an upgraded exhaust with a more aggressive tone. The package is visually distinguished by a body-color rear lip spoiler and silver mirror housings, with carbon-fiber elements among available options.

The RS 7 Performance is slightly quicker, hitting 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and eventually reaching 190 mph. The package includes carbon-ceramic brakes, RS sport suspension and sport seats, among other enhancements. It can be identified by unique 21-inch aluminum wheels, a redesigned bumper, rear diffuser inserts, black tailpipes and carbon mirror housings.

Both models are slated to arrive in showrooms by December.

Following hot on the heels of Hyundai’s teaser for its upcoming Genesis luxury brand, our spy photographers have nabbed the first interior photos of the G90 flagship sedan.

At first glance it looks as though the G90 will tick all the requisite luxury boxes. A large LCD screen similar to the one used in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sits atop the G90′s dash, although it looks like the instrument cluster is partly analog rather than totally digital. The rest of the center stack appears to be finished in gloss black and aluminum accents.

The G90′s center console houses a wheel dial to control infotainment functions. There are also dedicated buttons for things like seat ventilation. And, being a luxury car, the G90 is outfitted with plenty of leather and wood accents.

As a bonus, our spy photographers also managed to snap a few shots of this test fleet’s identifying documents, revealing that the G90 will be available with a new 3.3L turbocharged V6. In addition to the new V6, the G90 will also be available with Hyundai’s familiar 5.0L V8, but expect a bump in power to accommodate the turbo-six below.

All-wheel drive will make an appearance in the G90, which has been lacking from the Hyundai Equus‘ options sheet. The AWD system will be optional with the V6 and standard on V8 models.

It’s possible that the Genesis G90 could makes its first appearance on U.S. shores at the 2016 Detroit auto show.

Rolls-Royce has issued an extremely small-batch recall, identifying a potential airbag problem with a single Ghost from the 2015 model year.

The affected vehicle, built on January 23, 2014, appears to have been manufactured with incorrect thorax airbags for front-seat occupants. The issue is said to make the car potentially non-compliant with federal safety regulations for side-impact protection.

“In the event of a vehicle crash necessitating air bag deployment, this may increase the risk of injury to the front seat passengers,” the recall documents warn.

The company has not disclosed how the problem was identified. Unlike most recalls, the campaign does not include a chronology report in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database.

Service technicians will simply replace the driver- and passenger-side thorax airbags in the singe affected Ghost to resolve the safety concern.

Subaru’s BRZ STI Performance Concept appears to have surfaced in a patent application, hinting at potential production intentions for the high-performance coupe.

The Japan filing, spotted by AutoGuide, was submitted by Toyota and lists Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries as the creator. Included drawings closely resemble the STI Performance Concept, with a matching front fascia, rear wing and carbon-fiber roof, among other design elements.

The STI-tuned BRZ was presented with a turbocharged flat-four, delivering 300 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, however Subaru has publicly dismissed the idea of using a traditional exhaust-driven turbo in a production BRZ. An executive recently claimed STI engineers are working on an “advanced technology” as a potential alternative, likely referring to an electrically-driven compressor that takes up less space and helps mitigate turbo lag.

Subaru has promised to deliver more STI models, and the BRZ is said to be high on its priority list despite sluggish sales. If the company is developing a more powerful coupe, it is unclear if the same technology will be used by Toyota for the Scion FR-S.

The Toyota 86 platform is expected to enter its next generation within the next few years, though a more powerful special-edition package could arrive as mid-cycle updates for the current edition.

Live images by Brian Williams.

China’s automotive market appears to have rebounded in October after several months of trouble.

Sales of sedans, SUVs and minivans surged by 13.3 percent to 1.9 million units for the month, up from a modest 3.3 percent gain in September, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers data cited by The Detroit News.

The world’s largest automotive market has been on a roller coaster ride this year, starting off strong before stock-market trouble sent deliveries backwards for three consecutive months.

Many automakers responded to the turmoil by slashing prices to boost sales. The latest report suggests government intervention, namely a tax cut on vehicles with small engines, may have had an even greater impact on the turnaround.

Mirroring US tastes, SUV sales in China surged by more than 60 percent in October as sedan numbers remained flat. Growth is said to have been driven by Chinese brands, partially recapturing market share lost to foreign joint ventures before the slump.

GM appears to be among the leading foreign brands in terms of growth, with October shipments up by 15 percent to 327,000 units. Buick continues to be a particularly strong seller, with brand sales up by 42 percent — exceeding 100,000 units for the first time.