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Rolls-Royce gives up the Ghost... performance numbers

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:27:00 EST

Rolls-Royce Ghost - Click above for high-res image gallery

The official numbers for the Rolls-Royce Ghost have been revealed, and as expected, you won't need to worry about getting embarrassed. The 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V12 is rated at 563 hp and 575 lb-ft, that latter number, in typical Rolls fashion, being available practically at idle - just 1,500 rpm.

The run to 60 mph takes 4.8 seconds in North America (but 4.7 elsewhere for some reason), which is a couple of tenths behind the BMW 760i and about a second quicker than the company's own Phantom. For a car once derided as "the baby Rolls," its performance looks as if it will be pleasantly adult. It will go on sale later this year for £165,000 in the U.K. (that's $271K U.S.). You can check out our high-res gallery below and the official Rolls-Royce press release after the jump.

Gallery: Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

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Rolls-Royce gives up the Ghost... performance numbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spirit of EcstaSea: Rolls-Royce collaborates on Palmer Johnson mega-yacht

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rolls-Royce

Palmer Johnson Ice Class World Yacht - Click above for high-res image gallery

Teak decks, big engines, luxurious accommodations, leisurely cruising, lots of chrome...we could just as easily be talking about a modern Rolls-Royce as a motor yacht. So it should come as no surprise that renowned shipbuilder Palmer Johnson turned to Rolls-Royce to collaborate on one of its most ambitious projects, the PJ World Yacht.

The result of Palmer Johnson's acquisition of Flekkefjord & Slipp, a Norwegian builder of exploration vessels, the 82-meter Ice Class mega yacht concept features everything a world traveler could ask for, and then some: a helipad with elevator-equipped hangar, submarine garage and a six-floor interior designed by Italian naval architects Nuvolari-Lenard - including a three-deck master stateroom, swimming pool, gym, spa, home theater...the works.

The yacht even comes equipped with such pirate-defense features as water cannons and thermal imaging cameras, along with an environmentally-friendly diesel-electric propulsion system. Granted, the branch of Rolls-Royce with which Palmer Johnson collaborated on this project has more to do with marine equipment than luxury limousines, but against the backdrop of other automotive-nautical crossovers like BMW's Bavaria Cruiser 55 and Porsche Design's Fearless 28, the PJ Ice Class World Yacht looks like the veritable Rolls-Royce of mega yachts. Have a look at the renderings in the gallery below to see for yourself.

Gallery: Palmer Johnson Rolls-Royce Ice Class World Yacht

[Source: Palmer Johnson]

Spirit of EcstaSea: Rolls-Royce collaborates on Palmer Johnson mega-yacht originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shanghai 2009: Geely GE goes for baroque. Again.

Chris Paukert — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Rolls-Royce, Specialty, Shanghai Motor Show

Geely Excellence Limousine - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Asian consumers loves them some baroque styling. How else to explain the popularity of gaudy, over-the-top couture in the continent's major city centers? Indeed, how else to explain the existence of cars like the Mitsuoka Galue S50 and Galue 204? Proving that the love affair is still very much still alive is this, the Geely Excellence (GE) Limousine.

Despite the obvious aping of traditional Rolls-Royce styling cues (square-rigged waterfall grille, Spirit of ~~Imitation~~ Ecstasy hood ornament, wool carpets, etc.) there is some innovation here, in the form of the rear seat "throne," a kingly perch that forms the literal centerpoint of the car's unorthodox 1+2 seating arrangement.

In any case, the 17.5-foot Goliath is widely expected to be the first offering from Geely's new sub-brand, YingLun, or ENGLON (a melding of "England" and "London), but for the moment, the Chinese automaker is stopping short of confirming production.

Gallery: Geely GE Limo

Gallery: Geely GE

Photos copyright (C) 2009 IceBin / Weblogs, Inc

[Source: Autoblog China]

Shanghai 2009: Geely GE goes for baroque. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Chris Paukert — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Rolls-Royce

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.

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2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: 3 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghosts

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Rolls-Royce

1911 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost ROI Des Belges

The history of Lot 264 can be traced its build date of March 3, 1911, when it was shipped to N. Gatti in London on April 24th. From there the 1911 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, Chassis No. 1574 was sold several times, including to Millard Newman in Florida, who had it meticulously restored and added to his collection. After Newman's death, the car's new owner put it through another extensive restoration, won several Concours awards, then brought it to Arizona where it was auctioned for $725,000, Friday. It was by far the best-preserved and most beautiful of three super rare Silver Ghosts auctioned at RM.

Make the jump to check out the two other Rollers that left the auction block.

Gallery: 2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: 3 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghosts

Continue reading 2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: 3 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghosts

2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: 3 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghosts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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