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  • Rolls-Royce Ghost Six Senses – not scary, just fancy

    In Cars, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 6 comments

    This is the Ghost Six Senses concept from Rolls-Royce, a bespoke ride that “encapsulates the richness of experience that comes as standard with any Rolls-Royce and takes it to a new level of sensory indulgence”. The senses are sight, taste, touch, sound and aroma. And the sixth?

    “Relax for a few moments and you will experience something that is hard to define, but which our customers understand so well. It can be likened to an aura, a sense that the stunning hand-made interior embodies something of the heart and soul of each proud craftsperson involved in its creation. That’s a uniquely Rolls-Royce sixth sense that this car presents so elegantly,” explains Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO.

    Eyes will spot the pearlescent Carrara White finish, new forged alloys, the deep lustre of Walnut Burr veneer complete with diagonally-oriented, brown oak cross-banding. Your ears will notice RR’s trademark silence of course, but there’s more here. The audio system has an upgraded amplifier and the inclusion of ‘exciter’ speakers housed in the leather headlining. This helps raise the centre of sound closer to a passenger’s ear.

    The aroma greeting occupants comes from the most supple natural soft grain leather in enveloping, hand-crafted seats, as well as in the car’s leather headlining, with added hints of the woody spice in the walnut veneer, RR says. For taste, enjoy chilled drinks or vintage champagne from the Six Senses’ coolbox, in flutes featuring a sound-wave etching.

    Besides the usual rich materials one can touch in a Rolls-Royce, this concept features natural grain leather for the first time. Deep pile lambswool rugs encourage occupants to submerge feet, while opening the boot reveals a further lambswool lining to cosset luxury bespoke luggage. Tantalising!

    Read about our surreal Rolls-Royce experience here.

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  • Rolls-Royce Ghost – two-tone bespoke option introduced

    In Cars, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 7 comments

    The spotlight may be very much fixed on the new Phantom Series II range for Rolls-Royce in Geneva, but the show has also seen the introduction of one of the first examples of a two-tone Ghost, a bespoke option offered for the first time for the model.

    Finished in Infinity Black, with a Cassiopeia Silver upper two-tone, the Geneva Ghost features an interior design scheme that reflects the two-tone exterior theme, with items including seashell headlining, sumptuous black leather, black-stained ash veneer with steel pinstripes as well as lambswool floor mats.

    A second upper two-tone Ghost has recently been commissioned for delivery to a client, based in the Middle East. This striking colour scheme starts with Baynunah Brown, with Arizona Sun bathing the car’s bonnet, window surrounds, roof and luggage compartment.

    A gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy and double coach-line in gold finishes the design. Nothing like customisation if you’ve got the means, yes.

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  • Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II – the pinnacle updated

    In Cars, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 4 comments

    The Rolls-Royce Phantom series, comprising the original Phantom, the Extended Wheelbase, Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé, has been updated.

    Debuting at Geneva, the “pinnacle of automotive excellence” sees the introduction of new technology, enhancements to a “peerless” drive-train and improvements in connectivity. Roll out the red carpet for the Phantom Series II.

    The Phantom’s striking front end gets re-styled bumpers and rectangular light apertures that frame full-LED light clusters. These allow the integration of new tech like curve light functionality (headlamp beams are reflected in the direction of travel to provide better illumination when cornering) and adaptive headlamps, where light patterns change automatically according to driving speed.

    The Phantom Saloon and EWB wear a new front wing R-R badge with indicators and there’s also a new rear bumper incorporating a polished stainless steel highlight. Three new rim options have been added to the range of 21-inch wheels, the largest fitted as standard to any production car.

    The Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé now come with a single piece grille surround for a smoother, more contemporary face that arch into sculpted front wings.

    The flagship R-R’s drivetrain has also been enhanced. The addition of a new eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and rear differential complements the 6.75 litre V12 direct injection engine, improving the fabled Rolls-Royce magic carpet ride. Fuel consumption improves by 10% on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions fall from 385 to 347 g/km, or 388 to 349 for the EWB model.

    Inside, an improved user interface and new driver assistance technologies have been built on the foundation of a new electronics’ platform for Phantom Series II. The satellite navigation system, for instance, has been fully updated with functions that include 3D map display with landscape topography, guided tours, as well as enhanced points of interest and composite route planning.

    Audio visual content, sat nav maps and driver information is presented on a new 8.8-inch control centre display (used to be 6.5), underlined by eight programmable bookmark buttons in chrome.

    Front, rear and top-view cameras help navigation in tight urban environments. When reverse parking for example, rear path prediction automatically deploys on-screen. Good help in a car as big as the Phantom!

    The saloon’s theatre configuration adds two monitors within veneered picnic tables for rear seat passengers. The inclusion of AV connectors, a six-DVD changer housed in the lower glove box and USB port in the centre console, means occupants can view separate content.

    Audio is provided by the LOGIC7 surround sound system by Harman. Seven individual sound signals are processed specifically for the cabin, and a nine-channel amplifier places musical instruments, sound effects and dialogue at different depths. The telephone cradle has been replaced by a standard fit smart phone cradle, which connects directly into the car antennae, and music can be copied onto the car’s HDD.

    Let’s part with a quote. “We should think of Phantom design as a piece of popular, classical music. Over time this has the possibility of different interpretations without losing the essential melody that we know so well,” says Ian Cameron, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Director of Design.

    Rolls-Royce’s first and only showroom in Malaysia is located along Jalan Semangat, Petaling Jaya. Click here to read about our experience with the Phantom.

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  • Rolls-Royce rolls out the ‘Year of the Dragon Collection’

    In Cars, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 6 comments

    Rolls-Royce has announced its Year of the Dragon Collection, a commemorative offering Inspired by the legendary creature revered by the Chinese. Designed in England by the brand’s Bespoke Team, the Year of the Dragon Collection has been created to “celebrate the ultimate symbol of power, prosperity and good fortune”. By the way, the Chinese Year of the Dragon starts from 23 January.

    On first glimpse of the Dragon RR, a prominent feature is the twin coachline with a dragon, in gold colour, hand-painted to the side of each Phantom or Phantom Extended Wheelbase. In order to achieve perfect symmetry and balance, the dragon will always look forward. The hand-painted dragon coachline is inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing.

    Inside, the dragon is hand embroidered onto the interior leather of every headrest using a combination of four thread colours: Tan, Golden Sand, Black and White. The combination is designed to complement a pallette of recommended leather colour options and the design can be finished with additional seat piping. There are also two hand stitched cushions for the rear passengers, specified with embroidered contrast double R-R logos and piping.

    All four door sills will feature exclusive red illuminated treadplates with Year of the Dragon 2012 highlighted with LED lighting. A dragon inlay will be hand laid to the passenger panel of every car in this unique collection. The Phantom model name is also applied in gold. Wood wise, modern or traditional marquetry matches the customer’s veneer choice, which is laser-cut and then hand assembled into position in the veneer.

    Taukes who want to ride with dragons in the year of the dragon can place orders at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur, located along Jalan Semangat in Petaling Jaya.

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  • Rising demand: Rolls-Royce to expand Goodwood plant

    In Cars, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 5 comments

    The number of mega rich people are rising, and the rich are getting richer! That’s why Rolls-Royce sold a record 2,711 units last year, and is currently on track to beat that 2010 figure this year. And in line with this rising demand for its ultra luxury cars, as well as more orders for highly personalised Ghosts and Phantoms, the BMW owned brand will be expanding its Goodwood plant.

    The famous home of Rolls-Royce in West Sussex will see an increase in size by more than 2,500 square metres for the Assembly Hall. A new extension will also increase the Surface Finish Centre by more than 640 square metres. Total investment in the project will be about £10 million.

    The new space, and some infrastructure changes, will allow the company’s manufacturing and Bespoke operation to expand significantly. This year, Rolls-Royce has seen a significant increase in demand for personalised bespoke models, and the company recently announced a doubling in the number of Bespoke experts. RR is also expanding its network, with several new dealerships recently launched in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe, with more coming in 2011.

    Construction will commence later this year and will be completed in late 2012. We recently drove the battery powered Rolls-Royce 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric. Click here to read the report.

     

  • Rolling in electric – We drive the battery powered Rolls-Royce 102EX a.k.a. Phantom Experimental Electric!

    In Cars, Feature Stories, Rolls Royce, Test Drive Reviews / By / / 13 comments

    Oil is a finite resource, something we cannot enjoy forever, certainly not at the rate the world is burning today. Downsizing is the “in thing” of the auto industry today, which is producing smaller, more frugal combustion engines alongside hybrid powertrains. What then is the future of a brand like Rolls-Royce, renowned for mega luxury cars with equally big V12s?

    Back in February 2010, Rolls-Royce announced the birth of its 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric. As its name suggests, the Phantom EE is a battery powered version of Goodwood’s flagship Phantom, built not to preview an upcoming production model, but to spark debate, and give us a glimpse of what could be the future.

    Throughout 2011, the fully functioning and drivable Phantom EE will tour the world to give owners, VIPs, the media and enthusiasts the chance to experience an electric Rolls, gathering feedback for the company in the process. One fundamental question the Phantom EE poses is: Can an all-electric drivetrain deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience that customers expect, and an experience that befits the marque?

    “After this program, Rolls-Royce will be in the position to make a more informed decision on its future,” Hal Serudin, Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific’s Corporate Communications Manager told us. Our neighbour Singapore, the nation with the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, was the first city on Rolls-Royce’s 102EX International Tour (China and USA are the next stops), and we were lucky to be among the first in the world to sample the electric Phantom, of which only one unit exists at present.

    Continue reading after the jump.
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  • Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase coming in 2012

    In Cars, Local News, Rolls Royce / By / / 11 comments

    There’s a new Rolls-Royce variant coming to town, and its the Ghost Extended Wheelbase (EWB) that was launched at Auto Shanghai earlier this year. RR personnel say that a year end launch in Malaysia is planned, with the first units expected to reach customers in Q1 2012. Production of the Ghost EWB starts this September in Goodwood, England.

    As its name suggests, the Ghost EWB features an elongated wheelbase for more rear legroom and a revised standard spec sheet. The distance between the wheels has been stretched by 170 mm compared to the standard Ghost, resulting in minimum rear kneeroom (distance between the back of the front seat in its rearmost position and the front of the rear seat squab) increasing from 160 to 330 mm. It’s a substantial increase, as the pics below show.

    The standard equipment list has been boosted to now include a panoramic sunroof, rear entertainment system and lamb’s wool carpets (the latter feels truly lovely), all previously on the options list. There are new alloys and slimmer wing mirrors, too.

    Despite all that and the bigger body, we’re told that the weight increase in just 35 kilos. By the way, the Ghost is powered by a twin-turbo V12 with 563 hp and 780 Nm of torque.

    In China, the EWB is about 20% costlier than the standard Ghost. In Singapore, where the Ghost is tagged at $998k, the EWB is expected to carry a price of $1.2 million.

    In Malaysia, the standard Ghost is priced from RM2.6 million, so you do the +20% math. Bear in mind that some options on the SWB is standard on the EWB, though.

    We previewed the car when it made a pit stop in Singapore. Gallery of live snaps after the jump.
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  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars opens first showroom in Malaysia

    In Cars, Local News, Rolls Royce / By / / 65 comments

    Rolls-Royce has officially opened its first showroom in Malaysia, one of only 81 dealerships in the world. Located along Jalan Semangat, Petaling Jaya, the showroom is part of the Quill 9 building and is owned by Quill Motorcars. Quill also has a BMW dealership in the same building.

    If you’re wondering, yes, the showroom has been around for quite some time now – it was the venue of the Rolls-Royce Ghost preview we covered back in January 2010 – but it gets an official opening today with ribbon cutting by Deputy Minister of Finance Dato Donald Lim, Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific Regional Director Paul Harris and Group Executive Director of Quill Group Dato’ Michael Ong, among other VIPs.

    The new 224 square metre showroom houses three Rolls-Royce cars and has a lounge that allows customers to configure their car using colour, wood and leather samples from RR’s manufacturing plant in Goodwood. When buying a Rolls-Royce, anything is possible.

    Here’s a quote from Thomas Jefferson, Bespoke Sales and Communications Manager at RR: “We’re here to make your Rolls-Royce as unique as you are. You name it, we make it happen.”

    Some of the bolder requests they’ve received include leather floors, illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy figurines, a Hermes roof interior and wait for this: veneers made from a tree grown in the customer’s estate! By the way, the options list already has 20 standard veneers and 25 bespoke veneers, so you’ll have to be the fussiest billionaire to require something else.

    According to RR, every Phantom client is invited to witness the “marriage of the car to its engine” at Goodwood and receives a 72-page book charting the production of their unit.

    We can’t possibly detail everything about RR customisation, so potential owners will have to pay the showroom a visit for the full shebang. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is priced from RM2.1 million while the Phantom family (Standard Wheelbase, Extended Wheelbase, Drophead Coupe, Coupe) is priced from RM3.3 million. Each new RR comes with a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance.

    Click here to view live galleries of the Ghost and Phantom Drophead Coupe.

     

  • Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase for China market

    In Cars, China, International News, Rolls Royce / By / / 24 comments

    Chinese bosses love legroom and want lots of it, which is why we see “L” versions of cars like the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Volvo S80. But a long wheelbase version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost? Yes, it’s been launched at the ongoing Shanghai show with “Extended Wheelbase” as the name extension.

    The Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase is the first ever RR to be launched in Asia, and there’s no prizes for predicting that it will be the best selling RR in China, where it will cost 5.118 million RMB, about 20% costlier than the standard Ghost.

    For that premium, buyers get a 170 mm longer wheelbase and increased minimum rear kneeroom (distance between the back of the front seat in its rearmost position and the front of the rear seat’s squab) from 160 to 330 mm. In addition, a panoramic sunroof is standard. From the outside, the Ghost EWB has a new forged alloy wheel design.

    But if they wanted a larger Rolls, isn’t there the Phantom? Autocar UK asked the same question, and here’s what RR CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos told them:

    “For some of our customers, a Phantom is just too much: too big, too ostentatious, too formal, too expensive. The Ghost EWB is a car that’s more usable every day; the sort of car that you can be chauffeured in during the week, and still enjoy as a driver’s car at weekends. And that’s an increasingly popular usage pattern in developing Asian markets.”

    More hi-res pics after the jump.
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  • MINI Inspired by Goodwood: Rolls-Royce limited edition

    In BMW, Cars, Rolls Royce / By / / 22 comments

    Rolls-Royce is the ultimate in luxury, so a MINI blessed with the feel and smell of a Rolls should be a highly coveted luxe accessory with no lack of takers – it’s the perfect partner to that limited edition LV bag! Say hello to the MINI Inspired by Goodwood, a 1000 unit collaboration of the two BMW owned British brands that some say might be priced as high as £50,000.

    This little dose of the good life from Goodwood comes with a bespoke cabin supervised by Rolls-Royce interior designer Alan Sheppard. Here, the standard MINI interior is covered with materials that Phantom and Ghost owners are familiar with, including walnut burr veneers on the instrument panel and door pulls, Corn Silk beige leather on the fascia, seats, centre console, door cards and pillar trim. Also check out those deep lambswool fleece carpets.

    There’s more. The roof lining, sun visors and boot cover are not in standard fabric, but coated in a Rolls-Royce-spec cashmere blend. The instruments feature RR fonts. The standard colour is RR’s Diamond Black, but one can opt for Reef Blue metallic by MINI.

    It’s based on the Cooper S, so you’ll get a twin scroll turbo 1.6L that makes 184 hp and 240 Nm of torque, or 260 Nm on overboost. Sorry, the Rolls-Royce V12 couldn’t fit!

    Gallery after the jump.
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