Does this storyline look familiar? A German or Japanese automaker announces some hot-sounding variant of a vehicle we already love, but then they follow that news up by telling us that the new model won’t be making its way to the U.S. We thought this tired and disappointing plot was once again unfolding with the recent announcement of a Volkswagen 35 Edition GTI, but Car and Driver cites sources who say we’re likely to receive the hot hatch after all.

The big news for the 35 Edition GTI is a jump in horsepower to 235 horsepower, or 25 more ponies than the already awesome standard GTI. The name of the special edition VW comes as a tribute to the fact that the GTI has been available in Europe for 35 years. Not so in the U.S., though, so the name may have to change if it indeed reaches our shores. C/D points out that the first GTI hit the States in 1983, so the 30 Edition name could be a strong possibility. Of course, that means the 35 badging on the door sills, seats and fenders will need to go, but we’re guessing the deletes won’t be much trouble at all.

While this report is no clear confirmation from VW, we’re optimistic that C/D’s sources could be onto something. Hope springs eternal and all that…

How many special edition Bugatti Veyrons are there? There’s the Pur Sang, the Bleu Centenaire, the Sang Noir and Fbg by Hermes, not to mention the countless examples that have either been painted gold or chrome by bored sheiks who’ve spent too much time in the sun. The targa-fied Veyron, otherwise known as the Grand Sport, has been around a lot less time than its closed roof counterpart, but it’s about time the open roof Bug got a special edition of its own. Enter the Grand Sport “Sang Bleu” that’s being unveiled by Bugatti this weekend in Monterey.

The “Sang Bleu” is set off by its unique two-tone color combination that isn’t the result of opening a couple new cans of paint back at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France, but rather combining two materials: carbon fiber and aluminum. The shiny parts are, of course, the al-yoo-mini-um of which we spoke, but the royal blue you see is a specially tinted carbon fiber. The only other differences between the “Sang Bleu” and a normal Grand Sport are that the rear airscoops are also body color, and the wheels are a unique design with a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut finish.

Only 20 standard Grand Sports have been ordered and far less actually delivered, so the “Sang Bleu” stands as the rarest Veyron of them all right now. There’s only one and Bugatti doesn’t mention anything about it going into limited production, but considering the brand’s penchant for making special editions, we expect the “Sang Bleu” will be available for anyone with anyone with a couple million bucks to trade.

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In keeping with the special edition theme that seems to pervade the German car industry these days, BMW has announced that it will be releasing a quartet of M3 Coupes dubbed ‘M3 Edition Models.’ Available in four body colors with matching interior designs and a special features that include new light-alloy wheels and an even lower chassis, the M3 Edition Models will go on sale worldwide this summer with production limited to just six months. Depending on the respective Edition model, the body comes either in Alpine White Non-Metallic, Black Non-Metallic, Dakar Yellow Non-Metallic or Monte Carlo Blue Metallic.

Unique exterior features include the black finish on the openings on the engine compartment lid and the exterior mirror caps while the BMW kidney grille, the side gills and the dual tailpipes on the exhaust system come in dark eloxy-plated chrome.

The M3 Edition Models rides on 19-inch forged M light-alloy rims in double-spoke design that are available either in black or in the classic rim color. Furthermore, on the Alpine White, Black and Monte Carlo Blue models, BMW offers the same rims in a special white contrasting color with polished spokes.

BMW has also upped the M3 Coupe’s interior. All models come with black leather seats feature contrasting seams (white on the Alpine White and Black models, yellow on the Dakar Yellow and blue on the Monte Carlo Blue) as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest.

Same goes for the leather/ plastic trim on the center armrest, the center console and the armrests on the door panels. The entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3″ model designation round up the interior upgrades.

The special edition M3 Coupe models also come with a sportier suspension set up that lowers the entire body by 10 millimeters or 0.4-inches. Other than that, there are no other mechanical changes with the M3 Edition Models holding on to the 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 420HP with power being transferred to the rear wheels either through the standard six-speed manual gearbox or via the optional M double-clutch seven-speed gearbox. As a reminder, the manual version goes from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.8 seconds while the twin-clutch gearbox model in 4.6 seconds.

Saab may be better known for station wagons, turbochargers, and torque steer, but the company wants people to know it has been cranking out convertibles for 25 years now, with a worldwide total of over 250,000 units. To celebrate, the Scandinavians will show a special-edition 9-3 convertible at the upcoming L.A. auto show.

Although the 25th is traditionally the silver anniversary, apparently it is the “Bright Champagne” anniversary in Trollhättan. Bright Champagne is one of three color choices on the special edition 9-3T—the others being Jet Black and Carbon Grey—although it is the only one exclusive to the anniversary car. The specialness of this edition is rather limited: power comes from Saab’s base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and dress-up is minimal. The car wears a front bumper the company says is influenced by the Turbo X—which itself is barely differentiated from base 9-3s—and dual exhaust tips and a gray bumper insert like those found on the 9-3 Aero.

At $47,500, it is at least priced like a special edition, and that includes—hot dog!—floor mats like those found in the Turbo X. We’d have traded them for the Turbo X’s drivetrain.