Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CONFIRMED: Rolls-Royce RR4 getting 500+HP turbo V12, 8-speed gearbox]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/confirmed-rolls-royce-rr4-getting-500-hp-turbo-v12-8-speed-gea/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/confirmed-rolls-royce-rr4-getting-500-hp-turbo-v12-8-speed-gea/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/23/confirmed-rolls-royce-rr4-getting-500-hp-turbo-v12-8-speed-gea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rolls-Royce 200EX live on Geneva Show Stand
Rolls-Royce 200EX Geneva debut - Click above for high-res image gallery

Historically, Rolls-Royce has somewhat smugly declined to quote horsepower numbers, utilizing amusingly evasive language like "entirely sufficient" to describe its engines' power outputs. Perhaps a sign of the times, Rolls is now being a bit more forthcoming about details for its upcoming "baby" RR4 model, including approximate horsepower numbers.

The company has disclosed that the RR4 will be powered by a new, 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 engine that gives "upwards of 500bhp." Further, it will route that prodigious output through a ZF transmission with no less than eight forward ratios. Despite its ability to generate big power figures, Rolls says that one important drivetrain figure will be smaller than any other Rolls on the market: C02 output.

The news came from CEO Tom Purves himself at a New York press event for the 200EX, where the Geneva concept car is making its first stop on a world tour designed to get prospective clients in the car and booking orders for the production RR4 version.

The BMW-owned British automaker has long been famous for its peerless interiors and isolated ride, but Purves promises that the RR4 will bring with it a new emphasis on driving entertainment: "... we have consciously engineered this car to be more involving and dynamic for those owners around the world that will wish to drive it themselves."

While we don't expect Porsche Cayman-baiting dynamics, we look forward to seeing what the company views as more involved driving dynamics when the car starts rolling out the front doors of its Goodwood production facility. Official press release after the jump.


Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX concept


[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading CONFIRMED: Rolls-Royce RR4 getting 500+HP turbo V12, 8-speed gearbox

CONFIRMED: Rolls-Royce RR4 getting 500+HP turbo V12, 8-speed gearbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>200EXBMWgenevageneva motor showGenevaMotorShowGoodwoodRollerRollsRolls RoyceRolls-RoyceRollsRoyceRR4Tom PurvesTomPurvesZFMon, 23 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rolls-Royce CEO wants an electric Phantom]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rolls-royce-ceo-want-an-electric-phantom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rolls-royce-ceo-want-an-electric-phantom/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/rolls-royce-ceo-want-an-electric-phantom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of RR Phantom in the Autoblog garage

Short of the biggest SUVs, Rolls-Royce stands out in the mind of the eco-conscious public as a symbol of earth-munching decadence. But that may change if Tom Purves has anything to say about it. And he does, being the company's new CEO. Bringing in a fresh perspective to the ultimate luxury brand after taking the helm just a few months ago, Purves recently drove sister-company MINI's new electric vehicle, and a lightbulb aptly lit over his head with the idea to create an electric Phantom. Not a hybrid, but a full megawatt-powered limousine.

The way Purves sees it, we're not far away from cities banning polluting vehicles altogether. And as many Rolls-Royce owners live in major metropolitan centers, an electric Rolls makes perfect sense. With a little help from parent company BMW, Purves figures they could engineer the e-Rolls in-house. And far from betraying the Spirit of Ecstasy, Purves says an electric powertrain would offer the epitome of Rolls-Royce motoring - whisper quiet with instant torque delivery. Realization of the battery-powered Phantom is probably still a few years away, but it could be here sooner than we think.

Gallery: Review: 2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom


[Source: CAR magazine]

Rolls-Royce CEO wants an electric Phantom originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric phantomelectric rollselectric rolls royceelectric rolls-royceElectricPhantomElectricRollsElectricRolls-royceElectricRollsRoycepurvesrolls-roycetom purvesTomPurvesThu, 23 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/22/bmw-north-america-chairman-to-become-rolls-royce-ceo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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]

BMW North America Chairman to become Rolls-Royce CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWCEOChairmanHiringRolls-RoyceTom PurvesTomPurvesTue, 22 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW's expansion, diesel proliferation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/05/bmws-expansion-diesel-proliferation/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/05/bmws-expansion-diesel-proliferation/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/05/bmws-expansion-diesel-proliferation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

During yesterday's press conference, BMW confirmed much of what's already been known or assumed, including the upcoming production of the X6 and its subsequent launch in 2008, as well as its plan to grow the number of diesel-powered vehicles it sells in the US over the next two years.

The soon-to-be-released oil burners will come equipped with BMW's dual turbocharger (one small snail, accompanied by another larger one) and although BMW was mum on which models will receive this relatively new powerplant, one can assume that the 3-, 5- and X-series vehicles are under development.

The big news was during Tom Purves' talk, when the U.S. Chairman and CEO said that the automaker intends to bring over 30 new models between now and 2010. This expansion plan includes investing $25 billion over the course of 2005 through 2010 on both research and development, and expanded "business activities."

More BMWs and better fuel economy was the crux of the press conference, both topics that are easy to get behind if executed well.

[Source: Detroit News]

BMW's expansion, diesel proliferation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwdieseltom purvesTomPurvesx6Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:57:00 EST