Volkswagen 2012 Beetle with Limited Run Black Edition

Is based on the 2.0L TSI model fitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine pumping out 200-horsepower and 207 lb-ft. of torque, coupled to a standard dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Only 600 examples will be built, all finished in an exclusive black pearl paint with gray Turbo decals on the side. Other standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, beefed up brakes with red calipers, a “kaeferfach” additional glovebox that is similar to that of the original Beetle, sport cloth seating surfaces, foglights, and alloy pedals. Bluetooth technology, iPod connectivity, three-color ambient lighting and an RCD 310 sound system with eight speakers are also offered as standard.

Pricing for the 2012 Beetle Black Turbo Edition is set at $24,950 plus a $770 delivery charge. Volkswagen asks potential buyers to pay a $495 reservation fee that goes towards the final purchase of the car, with the company promising a “no hassle” refund policy for those that change their mind down the road.

Once the car goes on sail this fall, U.S. customers will also be able to purchase the 170HP 2.5-liter model at a starting MSRP of $19,765, the standard 200HP 2.0 TSI version priced from $24,165 and the 140HP 2.0-liter diesel model, the price of which has not yet been announced.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Black Arrow 722HP by Edo Competition

Edo Karabegovic and his team over at Edo Competition started out with the SLR McLaren’s body, which gains a stealthy looking flat black coating and an overdose of red livery combined with new black colored 21-inch alloy wheels with a red ring that are shod in high-performance sport tires. There’s also new exhaust tailpipes and carbon trim.

The interior of the German supercar has been refinished in a combination of black leather and alcantara with custom-made carbon fiber pieces for the dashboard, center console and door panels. The cabin is further accented with a new custom infotainment system with navigation, phone, TV and iPod integration as well as a parking camera.

Under the skin, Edo Competition fiddled around with the V8 engine by modifying the supercharger, remapping the ECU and adding a variety of special parts such as a revised intake system, new exhaust headers, high flow catalytic converters and air filters. The result is an output of 722 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 890 Nm (656 lb-ft) of torque.

Edo Competition says that after the modifications, the SLR McLaren Black Arrow can complete the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in just 3.4 seconds, while the 300 km/h mark (186 mph) is reached in 24.5 seconds. Furthermore, top speed has been increased to an electronically governed 345 km/h (214 mph).