Autoblog

Click to view the Hemi-powered Rolls in hi-res

Remember back in the day when the engine output on a Rolls-Royce was listed as "adequate" or "more than adequate"? We don't know what the old guard would make of this, but adequate doesn't even come close.

This vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow has had its "ordinary" 6.75-liter V8 swaped out for a 592 Hemi, complete with dual-stage nitrous system for a reported output of over 1,000 horsepower. The chrome engine popping out of the hood might not be the average Rolls buyer's cup of tea, as it detracts from the usually-dominant classic grille, but the leather-covered roll cage is pure class. And here we thought the modern day Phantom was powerful enough as is....

[Source: SouthFloridaStangs via CarScoop]

Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

We were lucky enough to ride in the concept car two years ago, when the now Phantom Coupe was called the 101EX. Our words that day were "You have to build this car." And we've been waiting ever since the end of that sentence for this day to come. It was evident even as a concept that no other coupé -- with two syllables, please -- promised such a return to Jazz Age glamor, when a gentleman motored from Antibbes to Monaco in a Hooper bodied Phantom II to visit that Polish countess he'd had his eye on. So, when Rolls-Royce called with the invite to Goodwood to drive the new Phantom Coupe from England to Crozet, in the South of France, it would be our chance to see if the promise was delivered. Follow the jump to find out.




All photos copyright Jonathan Ramsey / Weblogs Inc.

Pininfarina announced yesterday that the legendary Italian design house has been commissioned to create a one-off version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for an unnamed client. Said client apparently wants to make a big splash with his (or her) bespoke coupe, so they've given Pininfarina the go-ahead to debut the Hyperion at the Pebble Beach Concours in August.

The press release (posted below the fold) doesn't reveal any more details about the swoopy Roller, aside from saying that it is "firmly rooted in the history and heritage of the two Brands" and that the Hyperion is an homage to the pre-war cars of yore. We'll be on hand to see the unveiling of the Hyperion when it makes its debut in less than two months.

[Source: Pininfarina]

Pininfarina is working on a new privately-commissioned one-off based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Ordered by an as-yet unnamed collector, the vehicle will bear the name Hyperion from ancient Greek mythology and is stylistically inspired by the pre-war Rolls-Royce automobiles.

Coachbuilding for individual clients is becoming an important part of Pininfarina's business, as automakers worldwide are outsourcing to independent carrozzerias less than they used to. Following in the footsteps of Peter Kalikow's lightly modified Ferrari 612 K and Jim Glickenhaus' more radical Enzo-based Ferrari P4/5, the Hyperion is anticipated to debut at Pebble Beach in August.

[Source: Automotive News Europe – subs. req'd]

The baby Rolls-Royce, perhaps called the Silver Ghost and arriving in 2010, will more than double the firm's sales according to Rolls-Royce CEO Ian Robertson. While sales figures currently hover around 1,000 per year for Rolls-Royce, we don't know if the figure he's talking about doubling will include the Phantom Coupe, which goes on sale later this year. The RR4 -- the baby Phantom's code name for now -- will share a platform with the upcoming 7-Series and is expected to give the scales a workout at 5,000-plus pounds.

The engine choice is still a mystery. Some speculate that there will be a twin-turbocharged version of BMW's 4.4-liter V8. However, Robertson has said that Rolls-Royce engines will remain unique to Rolls-Royce, in which case a 12-cylinder motor, unshared with any BMW product and smaller than the Phantom's, has been suggested. And in a nod to green, a diesel option is being floated after the car's introduction.

The car with which the RR4 will compete, Bentley's Continental Flying Spur, has suffered no ill-will for using a VW engine in its Continental series, so perhaps Rolls-Royce will be more welcoming of BMW power when the time comes. The new Rolls is expected to be priced between $250,000 and $300,000, which is considered "entry-level" for this brand.



[Souces: Motor Authority and eGM Car Tech]

We've seen plenty of photoshopped renderings of Rolls-Royce's next effort, the RR4, but this morning, the BMW-owned British luxury icon released the first official sketches of the new car. The RR4 won't be coming to market for another two years, but its design is complete and vehicle development and testing is well underway. The marque's Goodwood factory is undergoing renovations that will allow its production lines to accommodate the full Phantom range as well as the new RR4.

Based on the sketches, it looks like the RR4 will be retaining the same long-hood, high-beltline proportions as the Phantom series cars. Although rumors have had the RR4 being built on a derivative of the new 7-series platform, Rolls isn't saying anything about that right now. The car will apparently have a unique new engine not shared with any other models. You can read Rolls-Royce's official press release is after the jump.


[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Don't get your knickers in a bunch. What you see above is not a prototype for a new Rolls-Royce station wagon, but what appears to be a one-off coachbuilt custom. The car was spied in Lausanne, Switzerland – one of the many beautiful places we pass every year on our way to the Geneva Motor Show.

From the looks of things, this unique Rolls-Royce shooting brake was based on the Silver Seraph, which, produced between 1998 and 2002, was one of the shortest-lived mainstream models in the company's history. It was produced in tandem with the Bentley Arnage, which remains in production, but after Rolls-Royce switched to BMW ownership it was replaced by the Phantom we have today. And despite its penchant for segment-busting niche models, BMW will be making a Phantom wagon any time soon, so rest easy.

UPDATE: Thanks to Autoblog reader Charles who proved the above image is actually a photoshop of this picture.

[Source: CarScoop]

Tom Purves, Chairman of BMW North America, is getting a new desk -- one that is adorned with a silver Flying Lady. As of July 1, Purves will take over as the CEO of BMW's Rolls-Royce brand in Goodwood, England. Replacing Tom Purves as the CEO of BMW's North American Unit will be Jim O'Donnell, who has occupied the No. 2 seat since the beginning of this month.

Purves is no stranger to Rolls-Royce. He spent the first 17 years of his career there occupying several different management positions. The timing for his departure from BMW is interesting, though. BMW has a mandatory retirement age of 60. Coincidentally, that just happens to be the age Purves will celebrate on his birthday this November. Rolls-Royce, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, doesn't have a mandatory retirement age.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

As far as hood ornaments go, it's hard to top the Rolls-Royce "Spirit of Ecstasy". The flying lady is so highly valued, that on the latest models, the ornament can electrically retract into the top of the grille. But you know how it is; for some, enough is never enough. Count among them Manhattan Motorcars, as the New York dealership commissioned this $200,000 diamond-encrusted ornament.

To create it, jewelry designer Jean Kemanjian used 150 karats worth of VVS1-quality, D-color diamonds and a handful of yellow diamonds for the wings, all laid down in pavé style over platinum for a smooth surface. Although the designer says it's not for sale or reproduction, somehow we doubt that the financially-enabled would have trouble getting one made. Until then, the Manhattan Motorcars has the only one in existence, and put it on display at its booth at the New York Auto Show.

[Source: Epoch Times via Luxist]

Click above for high-res spy shots of the Rolls-Royce RR4

We've shown you spy shots before of the upcoming "Baby Rolls", dubbed internally by Rolls Royce as the RR4, but none as good as these. Caught in clear view by KGP photographers, the upcoming "entry level" car by Rolls Royce that's based on the same underpinnings as the next BMW 7-Series looks for all the world like a little Phantom, just wearing less conspicuous consumption on its sleeve. What we have here is a Rolls Royce that should more of a driver's car than the Phantom, a true chauffeur-driven chariot if ever there was one. Like Bentley has its Continental line for the up and coming super rich who care about driving dynamics more than lineage and pedigree, so too will the RR4 reach out to those who don't care about monolithic grilles (it's still got one as you can see through the covering) and 2-inch thick carpeting. We do notice, however, that the RR4 appears to be sporting rear suicide doors, which is a nice touch that links the smaller car with its big bro'. A range of engines have been rumored that include all manner of V12s and V8s, as well as a diesel. Time will tell, but for now we're day dreaming of an epic comparison test between a Bentley Continental Flying Spur and the RR4. Check out more pics in the gallery below.


[Source: KGP Photographers]