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Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification dialed up to 593-hp

Just before a refreshed Rolls-Royce Ghost debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the British automaker has rolled out a performance edition of its "entry level" sedan with 593-hp underhood. The standard Ghost sedan wasn't exactly short on power until the announcement of the V-Specification version -- the company's 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine produces 563-hp and 575 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque in standard form. Yes, gone are the days when Rolls-Royce declined to disclose exact power figures and simply listed their powerplants' output as "adequate." Now Rolls-Royce is forced to compete in this cutthroat market with its performance stats, it seems.

VW Beetle Dune at the Detroit auto show

Of all the production-leaning concept vehicles at the Detroit auto show, the Volkswagen Beetle Dune's the sort of flight of fancy nobody was looking for. Nissan's Sport Sedan heralds the look of the next Maxima, which will likely trickle down in some way to future Altimas, Sentras and Versas. It looks as if Nissan will put one of its techno-retro RWD IDx concepts into production.

Techno group Daft Punk's Ferrari 412 being auctioned for Japan fundraiser

Here's a car that will appeal to Ferrari fans and techno fans--the 1987 Ferrari 412 shown at the start of the 2007 movie Daft Punk's Electroma. The Ferrari is one of several musician-related items being auctioned off by EMI Group as a fundraiser for disaster-relief efforts in Japan. The car is in mint condition, still wears the HUMAN license plate as seen in the movie, and it has been signed by Daft Punk members Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter.