Autoblog

VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:49:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Etc., Europe, Videos, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Not a Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above to watch the video

Right, so this isn't really a Rolls-Royce. We know, we know -- you thought it was. And that's understandable. But no, it's a fake, a phony, a fraud, etc. And with the owner spending at least, say, $3,000 to turn an old Mercedes-Benz E-Class into a Roller, we understand why you were duped. We aren't surprised, however, that this car exists in a former Soviet Bloc country (supposedly Kazakhstan).

All joking/sardonic comments aside, we always wonder why people bother with stunts like this. The other day we saw a BMW E39 525i with a M5 badge. Now, the only people that will be impressed by an M5 badge are the exact same people who will notice that the E39 is missing the requisite four tail pipes. So, who exactly are they fooling, besides themselves? This Phantom conversion's one redeeming quality is that the finished product (somehow) looks pretty good. Make the jump to watch the video. A tip of the Kalpak to Pasi for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good

VIDEO: Borat-class "Rolls-Royce" actually looks good originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom could arrive within a year

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Electric

2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above for high-res image gallery

Adding fuel to the rumormill fire, Autocar reports that a pure electric version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom could hit the streets within 12 months. Rolls' parent company, BMW, has been getting heavily involved in EVs and the Phantom would be an obvious choice to launch its new drivetrain considering the price premium already tacked onto the brand's offerings.

Since Phantom owners tend to be driven rather than drive and rarely use their luxo-barges for long road trips (that's what the jet is for), the decision to offer an EV Phantom makes sense on many levels. Given the size and mass of the Phantom, the bulk of the batteries wouldn't affect performance or comfort, and cost... well, that's not an issue when you're dealing with $300,000+ vehicles. In spite of that, Rolls-Royce may end up only leasing the initial batch of electric Phantoms in small numbers just as BMW has done with the MINI E.

Gallery: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom could arrive within a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: German armor company blows the crap out of a Rolls-Royce

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Rolls-Royce, Specialty

Click above to view the video after the jump

Why on earth would you deliberately shoot a Rolls-Royce and try your darnedest to blow it off the road? Well, because it looks like fun, that's why. But at a third of a million dollars, you should have a better reason than an appetite for destruction and a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket like so many rounds from an assault rifle.

Fortunately, Mutec has such a reason. The German firm armors up luxury sedans and vehicles of all kinds for customers around the world. In this case, they've worked an undisclosed amount of bulletproofing and bomb-resistant armor into an extended-wheelbase Phantom, and then went to work on it with more fire power than Donald Trump commanding a marine batallion. And since we're not likely to do the same in this lifetime, we might as well enjoy the video after the jump, with our thanks to Patrick and Julio for sending in the tip.

[Source: Bentley Spotting via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: German armor company blows the crap out of a Rolls-Royce

VIDEO: German armor company blows the crap out of a Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Nat Geo airing Ultimate Factories on Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Camaro and Porsche

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Videos

Lamborghini Factory in Sant'Agata - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's a reason cable is kicking so much network butt these days. No, not Deadliest Catch. Well, okay, Deadliest Catch and shows like the National Geographic Channel's Ultimate Factories. What is Ultimate Factories you ask? It's a show where a camera crew runs around the world checking out some really cool factories, that's what. Think Budweiser, Ikea and the place where they build M1 tanks. However, the show spends most of its time (and rightly so) on cars.

For example, we chose the Lamborghini picture as the lead for this post because A) that's the (drool) LP670-4 SV B) the Lambo factory episode already aired last week. From all accounts, it was super fantastic good, especially if you're into raging bulls. Missed it? Do not fear, however, as reruns are currently (re)running. But even if you missed the Lamborghini episode, there are some upcoming shows that will certainly pique your interest.

This Thursday, October 8, is the Rolls-Royce factory where Nat Geo explores the Rolls-Royce Phantom, a car that takes 450 hours to build. On October 15 they visit the Oshawa plant where the new Chevrolet Camaro is built. Unlike the largely hand-built Phantom, it takes 734 robots (plus a human or two) just 18 hours to build a Camaro, with one coming off the line every minutes. Check this out: every Camaro produced so far has an owner.

On October 22, Ultimate Factories visits Stuttgart to spend some time with the Porsche 911. Turns out that National Geographic is smarter than they look because the very next week - October 29 - they visit Bowling Green, Kentucky where the Corvette is made. Why smart? Would you want eleventy billion Corvette owners writing you hate mail all stating, "OMG. My C5 can smoke that Volkswagen. LOL?" Make the jump to watch some previews - including one with a guest appearance by our pal Valentino Balboni.

Gallery: National Geogrphic Ultimate Factories

[Source: National Geographic]

Continue reading VIDEO: Nat Geo airing Ultimate Factories on Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Camaro and Porsche

VIDEO: Nat Geo airing Ultimate Factories on Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Camaro and Porsche originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom cometh?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury

2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above for high-res image gallery

Yes, an electric Rolls-Royce. And why not? The torque curve of an electric motor - making maximum pulling power right at zero RPM - would seem to suit the R-R mission perfectly, as would the distinct lack of noise, vibration and harshness. Sounds like a match made in heaven, no?

Naturally, there are issues to overcome, not the least of which is sourcing a suitably large battery for the three-ton Phantom sedan. According to Auto Express, that battery pack would feature lithium ion cells, which happens to be the same technology used by parent company BMW in its electric Mini E.

These rumors aren't exactly new - we last heard of an electric Roller about a year ago - but this time the addition of a possible range extender is mentioned for the first time. Such a configuration is featured in both the upcoming Chevy Volt and the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept BMW showed off at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The unnamed spokesperson cited by Auto Express doesn't offer any sort of timetable as to when we might see an electric Phantom, but we're not exactly holding our breath.

Gallery: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom

[Source: Auto Express]

Rumormill: Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom cometh? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Bentley Mulsanne puts in some face time at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Bentley, UK, Luxury

2010 Bentley Mulsanne at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel - click above image for hi-res gallery

Bentley invited a few of us auto journo types down to the decadently posh Beverly Wilshire Hotel to meet its COO Christophe Georges and admire the company's new super land yacht, the 2010 Bentley Mulsanne. Not only that, but they spilled the beans on all the juicy technical details that makes the Mulsanne, well, special. And please trust us, the Mulsanne is special.

One small catch, however. All them juicy details are embargoed until next week during the Frankfurt Motor Show. So even though we know the exact, staggering amount of power the Mulsanne will be sending to its rear wheels - and trust us again, it is staggering - we can't tell you. Yet. Infuriating, no? But, we did learn a couple of juicy details that we can share with you in this here teaser post. Better than nothing, right?

Gallery: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne at the Bevery Wilshire Hotel

Gallery: Monterey 2009: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne

Continue reading 2010 Bentley Mulsanne puts in some face time at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

2010 Bentley Mulsanne puts in some face time at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caption Contest: Rolls-Royce Phantom at Wal-Mart

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Humor

We don't normally have caption contests around here, but when we saw this photo of a $350,000-ish Rolls-Royce Phantom parked in from of a Wal-Mart, well, we just had to do something. Like, say, run a caption contest. You would think that anyone able to afford something as (frankly) laughably priced as a Phantom would send the domestic servants out to schlep home pallets of toilet paper in the R63 AMG. But hey, times are tough so maybe they laid off the domestic servants. Or sold the R63 AMG. Anyhow, talk about culture clash.

And now, as we do, we'll start you off with a few not-so-funny, deprived under duress captions of our own, knowing full well that y'all can do much better.

Maybe if I park three spaces away from everyone else, I won't get any poor on me.

It's actually a Geely GE and on sale inside for $99.99.

Sam Walton's heirs pay a visit to the family business.

The filthy rich have a constitutional right to cheap Chinese crap, too.

Do you have any five pound tubs of Grey Poupon?

And there you have it - ha ha ha! Think you can do funnier? Show us below in the comments. The winner will receive 15 laps around a Walmart parking lot in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Or not. Thanks to Matthew for the tip!

[Source: Blood Hound Blog]

Caption Contest: Rolls-Royce Phantom at Wal-Mart originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RM gears up for Automobiles of London auction with rare Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin classics

Noah Joseph — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car (above) and 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (below right) - Click above for high-res images

Pebble Beach may still be in full swing, but Canadian auction house RM is already gearing up for its next big event. Come this October, RM is setting up shop in London with a serious docket of classic automobiles on offer, the extent of which they're just revealing now.

One of the most prominent vehicles to cross the auction block at the upcoming event will be the 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (pictured at right). Nicknamed the "Jarvis Torpedo", chassis 17EX is one of three made, and was owned by the Maharaja Hari Sigh Bahadur, ruler of Jammu and Kashmir in India, where it remained through the Seventies before returning to Europe for an extensive restoration. Since then it's appeared at various prestigious shows, including Villa d'Este in 1996 where it was named the most beautiful Rolls-Royce at the show, and Pebble Beach in 2004 to celebrate the company's centenary.

Racing fans will undoubtedly be more enthralled, however, by the 1950 Aston Martin DB2 (above) that'll be up for grabs at the RM London auction. Raced extensively at Le Mans and the Mille Miglia, this factory works racer also served as personal transport for Aston chairman David Brown (for whom Astons still carry the initials DB). Along with a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Boattail Skiff, a 1962 Chaparral 1, the only right-hand-drive Mercedes CLK GTR Roadster ever built, a '67 Ferrari 330 GTC Zagato and more, these are just some of the most intriguing motorcars scheduled to cross the auction block late this coming October, which you can read about in the press release after the jump.

UPDATED: New images added to both galleries below

Gallery: 1950 Aston Martin DB2

Gallery: 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I 'Jarvis Torpedo'

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading RM gears up for Automobiles of London auction with rare Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin classics

RM gears up for Automobiles of London auction with rare Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin classics originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce launches limited-edition Phantom Bespoke Collection in the Persian Gulf

Noah Joseph — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Middle East, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Phantom Bespoke Collection - Click above for high-res image gallery

While Rolls-Royce prepares to roll out the new downsized Ghost model, in the Middle East demand still soars for the full-size Phantom. But with every sheikh and his cousins driving - or more likely, being driven in - the big Rolls, the automaker has announced a new Bespoke Collection exclusively for the Persian Gulf region.

Enabling wealthy clients to specify all manner of trim and color options beyond the usual range of choices, the Phantom Bespoke Collection will deliver just six special vehicles to customers in the Middle East. Following the gold-finished DHC delivered last year, the first example in the new line - pictured here - is decked out in two-tone Arizona Sun over English White paint, with Creme Light and Saddle Tan leather interior complimented by handmade silk rugs and mother of pearl inlays. So you'd better wipe off your sandals before stepping foot inside, habibi. Check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Bespoke Collection

[Source: Drive Arabia via Autoblog.nl]

Rolls-Royce launches limited-edition Phantom Bespoke Collection in the Persian Gulf originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertible, Sedan, Rolls-Royce

Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With seemingly ever luxury automaker under the sun going after BMW's coveted balance between sport and luxury, it's a little ironic that BMW's own uber-luxury marque is the one to focus purely on cushioned comfort. But not everyone wants that out of their Rolls-Royce, or so Hamann is evidently betting. The German tuning firm has tweaked everything from Bimmer crossovers to Ferrari supercars and everything in between, but has now turned its attention to the Rolls-Royce Phantom range.

Few details are available at this point, but from what we can tell, Hamann has treated the Phantom saloon and Drophead Coupe to a set of 23" rims in case the standard 21" wheels weren't big enough, apparently ditching the self-righting emblem hubs in the process. A power boost is also said to be in the mix, bringing the 6.75-liter V12's output up from 460 horsepower to a more stately 535, and torque up from 720 newton-meters (531 lb-ft) to 835 Nm (615 lb-ft). With the electronic limiter removed, the Hamann-tuned Phantoms are said to be good for 300 km/h (187 mph), to be controlled from the plush interior via a specially-crafted sports steering wheel. Click on the thumbnails below to view in our gallery.

Gallery: Hamann Rolls-Royce Phantom

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Hamann gives the Rolls-Royce Phantom a shot of adrenaline originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That's Rich: Geely reportedly denies copying Rolls-Royce

Michael Harley — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Rolls-Royce, UK, Shanghai Motor Show

Geely GE - Click above for high-res image gallery

With gloved white fingers pointing in their direction, Geely Automobile is in full denial of British accusations. The independent Chinese automaker, which rolled out its luxurious GE model bearing more than slight resemblance to the Rolls-Royce Phantom at the Shanghai Motor Show, seems rather unconcerned. "As it were, they are actually different ... people may feel they are the same at the first glance, but the details are certainly different," Geely spokeswoman Zhang Xiaoshu told AFP.

Keep telling that to the good blokes at Rolls-Royce who are considering legal action against Geely. To most observers in the industry, the production-bound Chinese GE concept clearly borrows the Rolls signature grill, down-sloping rear deck, and the Flying Lady mascot. Unlike the Phantom, the Chinese variant is set to hit the market at a sliver of the cost of the exclusive Rolls. While imitation is often considered the most sincere form of flattery, the British evidently aren't cracking so much as a smile.

Gallery: Geely GE

[Source: Drive]

That's Rich: Geely reportedly denies copying Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phantom gets a Phacelift: Rolls-Royce sedan updated for 2009

Noah Joseph — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce

Click above to view the 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom in high resolution

It's hard to feel bad for something as stately as the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan, but the model that relaunched the most distinguished of British automakers under BMW's patronage has soldiered on without a complaint while all the others got the attention. Since its introduction in 2003, the Phantom has spawned the Coupe and Drophead versions, as well as the Extended Wheelbase model. And with the Silver Ghost due to arrive soon, the Phantom must have started to feel a little left out.

But Rolls-Royce isn't about to forget its core product, so it's giving the Phantom a mild update for the 2009 model year, just to show they care. On the outside, the revised Phantom gets a new bumper with a shallower stainless steel grille like those on its two-door compatriots. Rolls has also added such luxury touches as LED lights in the door handles and three new sets of aluminum wheels for customers to choose from. Inside, the impossibly luxurious cabin gets some updates to the entertainment system and redesigned interior door panels. Full details are available in the press release after the jump, with photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Continue reading Phantom gets a Phacelift: Rolls-Royce sedan updated for 2009

Phantom gets a Phacelift: Rolls-Royce sedan updated for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Phantom Menace: Project Kahn mods the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertible, Rolls-Royce

Click above to view Project Kahn's Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe in high resolution

Few cars epitomize "the good life" quite like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. But for some people, good isn't good enough. And for those people, there's Project Kahn, the blingtastic British tuning house which has just debuted its own custom DHC.

Central to Kahn's package are the special Silver Mist rims, specially made for the Rolls. They measure 22 inches in diameter, a steam-rolling 9.5-inches wide and are able to accept the RR hubs that keep themselves right-side-up. The package also includes a polished grille, special elm-wood veneers, embossed headrests, piano-lacquer steering wheel spokes, iPod connectivity and lambs' wool rugs. Kahn's treatment of the exclusive cabriolet adds another $50k to the bottom line, but somehow we doubt that anyone looking to buy a new Rolls these days would be deterred by some extra pocket change.

Gallery: Project Kahn Rolls-Royce DHC

Continue reading The Phantom Menace: Project Kahn mods the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe

The Phantom Menace: Project Kahn mods the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce does another special edition Phantom, this time in Sapphire

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Specialty

Click above for a high-resolution gallery of the Rolls-Royce Sapphire

The bespoke department at Rolls-Royce has come up with another special edition Phantom to go along with the already released Phantom Pearl, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Tungsten. This one is the Phantom Sapphire, and unlike its rarefied stablemates, it gets built on the long wheelbase spaceframe.

The Milori Sapphire exterior wraps itself around two options of interior treatment: navy blue leather with seashell highlights, or seashell leather with navy blue highlights, and each is finished off with walnut burr veneer inlaid with a diamond-pattern. For those in the back enjoying themselves, a cool box below the rear seats will chill two bottles of bubbly in an aluminum billet receptacle. When it is time to imbibe, the parcel shelf hides hand-engraved crystal tumblers, and time is kept with a Rolls-Royce clock set with a diamond-shaped sapphire. And for the driver - who should never be left out of events like this - a Conway Stewart fountain pen set and solid silver key fobs that come in a lacquered, walnut veneer box. The price: No object. Thanks for the tip, James!

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Sapphire Edition

[Source: Sybarites]

Rolls-Royce does another special edition Phantom, this time in Sapphire originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce Phantom mobile phone store in India

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, India, Humor

It's called ingenuity, and it's given us such things as the cell phone and the Rolls-Royce Phantom. So why not combine the two to create a cell phone store in the back of a Rolls-Royce Phantom? That's evidently what some well-heeled entrepreneurs in India did, purchasing a Phantom instead of a brick-and-mortar storefront, painting it up, and traveling the hillsides hawking mobile phones. It got caught in this regrettable pose - with rocks bracing its tires, because after getting a flat tire, the provincial tire shop had no idea how to fix it. But back to the ingenuity, mad props to the folks who came up with this: more attention-getting than Aishyarwa Rai, more convenient than Domino's Pizza, and more comfortable than... a real store. The world is an amazing place, no?

[Source: NFS Cars]

Rolls-Royce Phantom mobile phone store in India originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Bugatti and Bentley join forces to battle Rolls-Royce

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Supercars, Bentley, Bugatti, Rumormill

The whisperers have it that Bugatti may be borrowing from Bentley for a new sedan. What they can't seem to pinpoint is exactly what kind of sharing the two marques will be doing, and whether or not the resulting super Bug will be a supremely high-powered four-door to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. If the two brands do indeed share something, like the next Arnage's platform, for instance, that might make sense. But just a few months ago, Bugatti said that its next product would be even more expensive than the Veyron, and lead man Josef Paefgen has also said that there will be no inexpensive Bugatti.

A $400,000 sedan wouldn't be inexpensive, true, but compared to $1.6 million for a Veyron, it's a flat-out bargain. Besides, the $242,000 Arnage T, after all the bespoke options, would come perilously close to a $400K Bugatti in price, and the next Bentley Arnage is growing in order to fight the Phantom. So if a Bugatti sedan with Bentley underpinnings were that close in price to a Rolls Phantom... then who's Bentley meant to get in the ring with?

[Source: TopSpeed via German Car Blog]

Rumormill: Bugatti and Bentley join forces to battle Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another special edition Rolls-Royce for the Middle East

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Specialty

Yes, this is a Mirage, but no, you're not seeing things. Following hot on the heels of the Peony edition Phantom, Rolls-Royce is introducing yet another special edition of the uber-luxury saloon exclusively for Middle Eastern customers.

Official details aren't available yet, however the Mirage edition Phantom is reportedly named after a famous Arabian horse. It can be had in either black or white, and features 21" wheels, special tailpipes, a carbon fiber interior (yeah, we're serious) and a special emblem stitched into the headrests and assuredly emblazoned elsewhere around the luxury land-yacht. Of course, like the name Phantom Mirage might suggest, the performance image is all smoke and mirrors, with no actual mechanical changes made over the standard model. But like the likewise sporting-pretentious Maybach 57 Landaulet, you can bet buyers will be paying a considerable premium for this special edition.

[Source: 4Car]

Another special edition Rolls-Royce for the Middle East originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE

Noah Joseph — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Specialty

Click to view the RR Phantom Peony edition in hi-res

Wealthy customers in the United Arab Emirates seem to have a penchant for special editions of the most expensive luxury saloons. As if it wasn't enough to get the Maybach Landaulet revealed right there on their home turn, one Arabian customer recently ordered a custom gilded Rolls-Royce Drophead. Now Rolls-Royce has followed up with a special edition of its Phantom limousine targeted specifically for the UAE.

Called the Peony edition, the bespoke Phantom borrows its name from the indigenous Asian flower that symbolizes royality in ancient Oriental culture. The car features a special two-tone pearl blue exterior and Seashell interior, emblazoned with the peony floral motif. It even comes with a complementary bottle of perfume specially crafted by Emirate fragrance specialist HIND. The special edition was created by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Program, which does the bulk of its business with Middle Eastern customers. No word on how many will be built or how much it costs, but if there was ever a case of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it", this is it.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Peony Edition

[Source: Motor Authority]

Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Matter of Taste: Rolls-Royce delivers golden Drophead Coupe to Abu Dhabi

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Rolls-Royce, Specialty, Middle East

Click to view the Golden Roller in high-resolution

It says a lot about a place when a gold-gilded Rolls-Royce comes across as the most tasteful thing we've seen there recently, but so it is. Following the gold-accented Camry spotted in neighboring emirate Dubai, a brand new Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has been delivered to its new owner in Abu Dhabi. But this convertible is distinguished by a gold paintjob and an actual gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament (Seriously, the owner couldn't spring for a solid gold hood ornament?).

The car was created as part of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Program, which allows customers to specify all manner of optional extras, both inside and out. Of course, this example was also fitted with the optional stainless steel hood, twin coachlines, teak rear deck and Rolls-Royce emblems etched into the headrests, but the gold touches put it over the top and square into evil arch-villain status.

Gallery: Golden Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe

[Source: Motor Authority and AME Info]

A Matter of Taste: Rolls-Royce delivers golden Drophead Coupe to Abu Dhabi originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe breaks cover

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Rolls-Royce

click above for high-res gallery of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

Rolls-Royce has released pics of the Phantom Coupé, and if any one from Rolls is reading this, you can sign us up for one in every color. And we don't mean the standard colors -- we mean every single color. Sure, the car only has two doors, but even we still experience a bit of a catch when calling this car -- all eighteen-and-a-half feet of it -- a coupe. Which is why we don't: we call it a "coupé." That final accent, like the Alpine summits in the above picture, puts the car in its proper perspective: that of the Jazz Age gentleman racer hopping from Antibes to Nice for dinner with the Polish Countess and a moonlight sail.

Descended from the 101EX concept, the Coupé is nearly all-aluminum on an aluminum spaceframe, with steel apparent in only the A-pillar surround, the hood, and the picnic boot. Behind the raked grill of the Coupé resides the by now well known 6.75-liter V12 with 453-HP and 530 lb-ft to pull its 5,798 pounds. The back end of the car comes up 250mm short of the Phantom's length and manages to pull out a BMW-like 49:51 weight distribution. To keep up those kinds of driver's car credentials, the rear dampers are stiffer, there's a thicker anti-roll bar, and the steering has been given some additional feel. A Sport button on the new, thicker steering wheel enacts a new shift program that holds gears longer, the autobox kicks down faster, and the pedal response is quicker. With the changes, sixty comes up in a rather sporting 5.6 seconds. Three choices of 21-inch wheels will be offered, two of them forged alloy numbers.

Inside are all of the usual Rolls-Royce accoutrements, but the only two words you need to remember are: "starlight headliner." You might not want to have it on all the time, but as a showstopper it will certainly do the trick. But don't take our word for it: the full press release is after the jump, and check out the gallery of hi-res images below.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe breaks cover

Geneva '08 Preview: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe breaks cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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