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Rolls-Royce Alpine Trial Centenary Collection celebrates century-old Austrian race

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Specialty, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

Among the harvest of premieres at the Shanghai Motor Show was a special-edition Rolls-Royce Ghost to celebrate the 1913 Austrian Alpine Trials. Four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts entered the race a century ago, and in completing the 1,820-mile challenge flawlessly earned the sobriquet "The Best Car in the World." The new Ghosts commemorating the feat represent two firsts for the brand: Rolls-Royce has never created a bespoke homage to one of its own cars, and it has never released a car with a black grille.

Those two features, as well as blue paint and black wheels, are in tribute to James Radley's privateer entry in that 1913 race that drove alongside the three factory teams. Other special features include the coachline (pinstripe) that evokes the four cars from the 20th-century race, and inside, a color-matched headliner, a clock with the rally stages and times, and topographical inlays on the front fascia and rear picnic tables.

The 20-Ghost Club will be reenacting the event this year, the parade including Radley's 1913 car. It kicks off in Vienna, Austria on June 14. For the time being you can read the press release below and check out the high-res photos above.

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Rolls-Royce Alpine Trial Centenary Collection celebrates century-old Austrian race originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost is 100% Roller so far

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce

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

What is a brand? Beyond the badge, what separates a Louis Vuitton bag from a purse that might be just as good, but made by someone else? We come to that question on the occasion of the Rolls-Royce Ghost which, in some quarters, is being considered a Rolls only in name. Autoblog got a chance to crawl around the Ghost - not the "baby Rolls," not the "entry-level Rolls" - and see if the car really is what its makers claim it to be: every bit a Rolls-Royce motorcar.

Gallery: Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost

Continue reading Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost is 100% Roller so far

Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost is 100% Roller so far originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce to double workforce ahead of Ghost production

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce, UK

Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost will not only mean more sales for the company, it will mean more workers. Rolls is adding 300 production workers to the payroll, bringing its Sussex workforce to 900. The majority of new positions will be in the wood, leather and paint shops, but there will be assembly positions opening up as well since the Ghost gets its own line. It might not be the best time to bring a top-end luxury sedan to market, but it is a very good time to apply for a job, and Rolls wants to fill them over the next few months. If you have a luxurious way with wood, leather, or paint (or all three), you can peruse the job openings on the Rolls-Royce site, www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX concept

Rolls-Royce to double workforce ahead of Ghost production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce expects RR4 to more than double sales, might get twin-turbo V8

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce

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.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce RR4 sketches

Gallery: Rolls Royce RR4 - spy shots

[Souces: Motor Authority and eGM Car Tech]

Rolls-Royce expects RR4 to more than double sales, might get twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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