Audi introduces two new limited-edition packages for the RS6

It wouldn't take much to convince us to lay down the money for an Audi RS6 if our pockets were deep enough (and if it was available in the United States). After all, what's not to like? The twin-turbo V10 puts out 580 horsepower and 479 pound-feet torque through a rear-bias all-wheel drive system, and the super sedan and wagon can reach 60 mph in the mid-four second range. As some extra incentive, Audi has announced that it is launching a pair of new equipment packages that make us North America-bound types even more jealous than we were before.

Limited to just 500 units, the Sport and Audi exclusive packages will each feature carbon fiber trim in the engine bay, 20-inch five spoke wheels and an uprated sport suspension. The Sport package also gets a leather-covered instrument panel hood and center console, while the Audi exclusive option allows customers to specify unique colors for both the exterior paint and leather interior.

Honda UK releases Civic Type-R Mugen 200 to celebrate return to BTCC

When Mugen's UK-based tuning arm turned up the wick on the Euro Civic Type-R late last year, the result was a 220-hp, stripped out hatch that was only available to 20 lucky consumers. Riding on the critical success of that limited-edition model, Honda UK will begin offering another Mugen-fettled Civic Type-R this March, but it's decidedly less impressive than its track-worthy predecessor.

Included in the package is a set of front and rear Mugen bumper skirts, lightweight 19-inch wheels, limited slip differential and a Championship White exterior, the last Type-R to receive the storied hue. Unfortunately, no mods have been performed to the engine, exhaust or ECU, so output remains unchanged at 200 horsepower.

Naturally, an assortment of badges and plaques are included on the 200 limited-edition models, which are being released to celebrate Honda's return to the British Touring Car Championship this April. Make the jump for all the details, along with ordering information... assuming you live across the pond.

Toyota reportedly mulling longer warranties, cash incentives to rekindle consumer confidence

In light of the litany of recall-related problems Toyota is facing right now, executives at the Japanese automaker are predictably being very selective about what they say – and when they say it. But while Toyota brass is playing its cards close to the vest, dealers are apparently starting to spill the beans about the automaker's plans to spur sales. Bloomberg is reporting that three executives from retailer groups with Toyota franchises reveal that the Japanese automaker is mulling the idea of extending warranties to as long as 10 years to gain back customer trust. If the extended warranty materializes, the Hyundai-like coverage could add quite a bit of money into Toyota's warranty costs, but that cost could be made back in augmented consumer confidence and higher sales totals.

Toyota is also reportedly looking into ways to get metal moving again, and cash incentives of thousands of dollars may be used to accomplish the feat. Toyota sales suffered in a big way (down 16 percent for the month of January) in part because it couldn't sell eight models affected by a stop sale related to the recall of 2.3 million vehicles covered under the sticking gas pedal recall. Toyota will reportedly wait until after its meetings with Congress from February 24 though March 2 to make any announcements.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Chicago 2010: Chevrolet rolls out Caprice Police Car

Late last year, General Motors announced that it would build a Zeta-based Police Car for North American duty. Though there was already a perfectly good Pontiac G8 available before GM decided to shutter the brand, this Zeta would be based on the longer version of that platform as used by the Holden Statesman and be known as the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicle.

Well, what do you know. Chevy brought just such a vehicle to the Chicago Auto Show, and we managed to snap off a series of photos to share. According to the personnel manning the booth, the Caprice PPV is still in concept form, complete with a refurbished Toughbook panel from Panasonic attached to the center console.

Being a long-wheelbase Zeta, the Caprice PPV has plenty of room for a divided cockpit with what appears to be a plexiglass barrier protecting the driver and front passenger from whatever or whomever happens to be confined to the rear. Other interesting tidbits include a number of storage locations, including one for weapons between the two front seats.

We're sure the cops will appreciate the E85-compatible 6.0-liter V8 and the 355 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque it puts out. Now if only GM could find a way to put just such a Caprice (or, would that be a proper Impala SS?) in every single Chevrolet dealership around the country, they may really be on to something.

Chicago 2010: Kia shows off new Forte Koup racecar

Kia has been making waves this past year or so with introductions like the Soul and the Forte Koup, and for 2010, they hope to be make an impact on the racetrack as well. Here at the Chicago Auto Show, Kia is displaying their new Forte Koup racecar that is competing in Grand-Am's Continental Sports Car Challenge series for 2010. The Korean manufacturer's first foray into motorsports will be managed by Georgia-based Kinetic Motorsports who will field a pair of cars in the Street Tuner (ST) class against cars like the Mazda3, BMW 330, and Volkswagen GTI.

The #10 car at the show was fresh off the truck from its debut at the Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona Speedway last month, where it finished an underwhelming 31st in class. The #12 sister car fared a little better, ending the race in a respectable 19th place. You can watch both cars in action on SPEED Channel's tape-delayed broadcast of the race on February 13th at 7:00 pm EST.

Chicago 2010: DeltaWing Indycar concept

As we speak, the IZOD IndyCar series is looking over a number of proposals for the next generation of open-wheel racecars. One of those, the design from Dallara, has already been shown. Today at the Chicago Auto Show, DeltaWing pulled the covers off its design proposal, and the machine looks completely different from anything we've yet seen circling the Brickyard.

At first glance, a couple of interesting features jump out, not the least of which are the giant vertical rear wing and super-skinny front track. The cars also seem much longer than current Indycars, though we'd need to see the two machines next to one another to come to any real conclusions on the matter.

In any case, DeltaWing has a pretty radical design on its hands. Plus, Chip Ganassi Racing's Ben Bowlby, who formerly led design at Lola, is behind the effort

Chicago 2010: BMW Alpina B7

Not only will BMW not make an M7, but they even stopped making the incredibly-close-to-an-M Alpina B7 a few years ago. That car could hold its head high against competitors like the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, Audi S8 and Bentley Flying Spur Speed, with extra horsepower, refined handling and unique looks setting it apart from standard 7 series fare. Sadly, that car was only produced from 2007-2008 and since '09 there's been nothing to fill the void.

Today in Chicago we saw a bright light on the horizon. Just in time to do battle with the upcoming Jaguar XJR, Porsche Panamera Turbo and the like, BMW unveiled the 2011 Alpina B7. Functional front and rear fascias and spoilers, 20-spoke, 21-inch Alpina wheels, hand-stitched "Lavalina" leather and Alpina badges and sills differentiate this from lesser 7s.

Underhood there's a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque – 100 hp and 66 lb-ft better than the 750i, with a 0-60 dash of 4.5 seconds. Available in short wheelbase for $122,875 or extended wheelbase at $126,775, it's a helluva car for helluva lot scratch.

[Source: BMW]

PRESS RELEASE

The 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 Sedan

BMW returns legendary ALPINA badge to North America.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 8, 2010... BMW of North America announced today that the 2011 BMW ALPINA B7 sedan will join BMW's North American product range as the most dynamic 7 Series model. The BMW ALPINA B7 represents the second generation of ALPINA automobiles based on the BMW 7 Series to be offered in the US. The first BMW ALPINA B7 was offered as a limited edition for the 2007 and 2008 model years. Newly interpreted and based on the current BMW 7 Series platform, the B7 will again set the benchmark in terms of performance, refinement, technology, luxury and exclusivity.

Yielding exquisite levels of power and torque from the twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8, and in conjunction with the electronically-adjustable suspension with active roll stabilization, the new B7 promises to offer a spectrum of driving experiences so broad as to be unheard of in this class of automobiles. The evolution of the traditional 20-spoke 21" ALPINA CLASSIC wheels underline the fresh design language found throughout the B7 and impart it a distinctive appearance and powerful stance.

Both short- and long-wheelbase models will be offered. The BMW ALPINA B7 will make its North American premiere at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show in February, and go on sale at authorized BMW Centers in Spring of 2010. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

ALPINA and BMW. A history of synergy.

ALPINA – a name famous in Europe and the wider world for putting a particular performance accent on BMWs, though not yet so well-known in North America. BMW – a name famous all over the world for motor vehicles of performance, quality, luxury and safety.

The two companies, both at home in the German state of Bavaria, have a long history of working together to produce special BMW automobiles. Burkard Bovensiepen, son of the founder of ALPINA Business Machines and an enthusastic racing driver/engineer, began his automotive career path in 1961 by developing a dual-carburetor setup for the just-introduced BMW 1500 sedan. It was a predictive beginning: to take an already fine-performing BMW (which also just happened to be a practical sedan) and making it perform even better.

By 1964, BMW had officially recognized ALPINA's contribution to BMW performance. Not long thereafter, Burkard Bovensiepen founded the ALPINA company – ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG – that continues today, creating special versions of BMW automobiles that offer a particular brand of performance for discriminating auto enthusiasts. Yet outside the circle of dedicated BMW enthusiasts, ALPINA has kept a low profile in North America. In addition to racing versions of BMWs, ALPINA has developed a progression of BMW-based cars based on 3, 5, 6, 8, Z4 and Z8 models and offered them on a limited-production basis. ALPINA is located in the small Bavarian city of Buchloe, some 50 miles southwest of Munich, BMW's headquarters