Autoblog

To call Rolls-Royce a small automaker would be an understatement as big as their cars are. Its model line-up, recently expanded to include the Drophead Coupe, consists solely of two derivatives of the Phantom. For the first time in the company's history, production in 2007 capped the 1,000 mark. So when Rolls-Royce confirms a new model, it's a big deal.

Earlier this week at the Detroit show, Rolls-Royce chief Ian Robertson confirmed that the anticipated "baby Rolls", which we saw in spy shots as recently as yesterday, is slated for unveiling in 2010. Code-named RR4, Robertson also announced that the car would receive a brand new engine, presumably because the Phantom's 450-hp V12 doesn't fit. The car is expected to be based on the BMW 7-Series, which explains why the mule seen in yesterday's spy shots was accompanied by BMW's big sedan, slotting in between the Bavarian sedan and the Phantom limo.

While he was at it, Robertson also confirmed that the fixed-roof Phantom coupe previewed by the 101EX concept would begin delivery by this coming summer.

[Source: Inside Line]

Hours upon hours of lying prone on the frozen tundra of the Arctic Circle have paid off for KGP's hardcore spy shooters. An upright test mule has been spotted running around at BMW's facility in the frozen hinterlands. There have been rumors of a smaller Roller swirling about, and these shots seem to support the conjecture. BMW's 7-series will reportedly serve as the basis for the new luxury whip, and the car in the photos appears identical to the surrounding 7's from the A-pillar back. The stiff upper lip has likely been grafted on to facilitate cooling and airflow for the engine room. Plus, you could do worse than an E65 with a better schnoz and an old-world interior. Check out all five spy shots in the gallery below.

The Range Rover has long held the high ground in the luxury off-road segment, holding its own quite honorably against the constant onslaught of latecoming rivals from mainstream luxury carmakers.

It might have a more difficult time of it, though, if the other Double-R of British luxury automobiles were to join the fight. This jacked-up Silver Shadow shouldn't leave Land Rover's range-topper with much to worry about, though.

[Source: Automobiles De Luxe]

Wait a second, doesn't this spy shot look a lot like the Phantom Drophead Coupe that's already out on the market? That's what Rolls Royce would have you believe, but EVO is certain this is the Spirit of Ecstasy's upcoming hard-top two-door, previewed by the 101EX concept and recently confirmed for production. These shots follow similar ones from last month, indicating that BMW's best engineers are hard at work.

What's the big difference, you ask? Word on the street is that, while the DHC is built for leisurely cruising from the yacht club to the golf course, the new model will be more driver-focused. A driver's Rolls? Interesting...We'll just have to sit tight until March when the new mega-coupe is scheduled to debut at the Geneva show, two years after the concept's unveiling at the same event, to find out more. In the meantime, follow the link to check out the shots in depth.

[Source: EVO via Automobiles De Luxe]

BMW is expected to release its new corporate strategy later this year, and when it does, it might include expanding to swallow up some more brands. What those brands might be has not been revealed, although reports indicate that the Bavarian automaker could be looking to take over Volvo cars from Ford's rapidly disintegrating Premium Auto Group, which has also recently shed Aston Martin and may be prepared to offload Jaguar and Land Rover, as well.

Munich has had varied success with expanding its family tree. It's had seven years to recuperate from the Rover Group fiasco, and would evidently be hoping for more success along the lines of its MINI and Rolls Royce ventures.

[Source: Börsen-Zeitung via Motor Authority]

All that money, and it looks like a lowered Ford Courier with a nice paintjob -- from the side, anyway. This Silver Shad-amino (Shadero?) has just undergone a two-year restoration by Florida's Foreman Motors. It'd be just the thing out on the Estate, cruising the grounds surrounded by sumptuous leather and wool with the Spirit of Ecstasy up on the prow. We think it's great; it's not like these particular Rollers are rare cars, anyway. The duPont Registry, want ads for those with excess filthy lucre, has it listed at $49,000, or a dollar per accrued mile. It could be worse, at least the Silver Shadow has handsome, stately lines and the conversion appears to be high-quality. Imagine what a Camargue's blockier profile would do without its fast C-pillar. Although, that rakish rear window may make a nice Cam-a-Lanche. It'd likely beat the truck in fuel economy, too.

[Source: duPont Registry via Winding Road]

Think a Rolls-Royce Phantom is expensive? Well, yeah...it is. One of the most expensive on the market, as a matter of fact. (Hey, it's a Rolls-Royce. What did you expect?) But if you think the Phantom is expensive on the American market, you should take a look at what it costs elsewhere in the world.

Our new friends over at Automobiles De Luxe have compiled what they're calling "the Phantom Index", taking the example of "the Big Mac Index" from The Economist and carrying the formula through to the most bling-tastic of motor saloons.

You might be surprised that the Phantom is cheapest to buy in the United States, undercutting the equivalent price of the same automobile in the United Kingdom and in the European Union by over a hundred thousand dollars. Not that such concerns would factor into the equation for most buyers of a new Rolls-Royce, mind you... perish the thought.

[Source: Automobiles De Luxe]

When supersonic wasn't enough, we got "hypersonic." When luxury wasn't enough, we got "ultra-luxury." If we aren't there yet, we will soon come to a time when "bling" is not enough. The first candidate for what we will call "superbling" is STRUT's line of automotive jewelry.

With offerings aimed at the Unique Whip and 300C-to-Bentley set, STRUT creates a high-end line of accessories. Triple-chromed stainless steel, crimped mesh, polished surrounds, engraved shields, and the requisite enormous wheels mix and mingle with the most expensive car bodies in the world. Its new Knightsbridge Collection has been created for the Phantom, with a delicate, polished link grill, chrome-tipped exhaust, side vents, and STRUT badges everywhere. What will it cost you to strut like that? Twenty-five thousand British pounds sterling. They don't call it strutting for nothing. If you'd like to shuffle for a bit longer instead, we will understand.

[Source: Gizmag]

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In most countries around the world, if you've got the cash and the chutzpah to be rolling in a Roller, you're an instant target for theft, carjacking, kidnapping and various forms of armed extortion. No wonder, then, that Rolls-Royce is finally launching a fully armored version of the Phantom luxury limousine.

The beefed-up Phantom starts its life as any other does at the factory in Goodwood, but is then sent to an undisclosed independent contractor for fortification. There, specialists install sheets of the latest fiber composites, steel plating, bullet-proof glass and an additional polycarbonate laminate inside the cabin. All the extra protection gives the armored Rolls-Royce the highest VR7 security rating. To cope with the extra weight, the suspension and chassis have been beefed up, but the 453-hp V12 engine carries over unchanged to pull the extra mass.

From the outside the armored Phantom is indistinguishable from its unprotected counterpart. Inside, Rolls-Royce redesigned parts of the cabin to maintain the same standard of comfort and luxury despite the thicker door panels, and customers can still customize their rides to the same degree as any other. The "Phantom Armoured" is going on sale first in Europe and the Middle East, but we doubt it'll be long before Rolls-Royce would respond if American buyers demanded the armored VIP carrier.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Most carmakers produce automobiles for a wide variety of customers and adjust their marketing strategies accordingly. While a Viper may be used to promote the brand, Dodge isn't trying to sell one to the same customer considering a Caliber, for instance. A handful, meanwhile, only market to the über-rich. Brands like Ferrari and Bentley may come to mind, but compared to the crème-de-la-crème marques like Bugatti and Rolls Royce, they're a dime a dozen.

Rolls Royce, as was recently revealed in the Los Angeles Times, only targets potential customers who have liquid assets in excess of $30 million. That segment wouldn't be considered a mass market, and so the way Rolls Royce sells a car is markedly different from how, say, Dodge would.

[Source: LA Times]