Lately, automakers have been trying to provide more customization options. In particular this has been part of an effort to reach out to the youth market. In a sea of boring cars in the same old colors, personalization touches can help your car stand out a bit. The Dodge Dart is an example of an effort to do this. One problem Rolls Royces have never had though is needing to stand out. You can always pick one out in a crowd. That said, that fact isn’t stopping well-heeled buyers from wanting to take things a step further.

Rolls has always had bespoke operations that enabled buyers to tailor vehicles just the way they wanted them. According to new information from the company numbers for that program are on the rise, with some 56 percent of buyers are customizing the Ghost. And that is the more “volume” Rolls Royce. The Phantom is seeing even higher numbers.

Why Rolls-Royce would want to show off a pink Ghost beats us…..we think it looks horrible. But back to the point, with customization taste isn’t necessary – only your checkbook! You can pick any color you’d like, along with a myriad of other things like changes to the interior, unique leather, wood and the like.

Take rates for Phantom are even higher. In 2005 75% of Phantoms in the Middle East were customized – in 2011 it was at 99 percent. In North America it was at just 40 percent, while it stands at 84 percent today. Worldwide, 8 out of 10 Phantoms are personalized by owners. With all this business, Rolls-Royce has had to expand its bespoke operations.

Late last year, it increased workers to 50, and an expansion of its factory is in the works. Overall Rolls-Royce sales are up significantly. The Ghost is powering these gains. It is more modern and affordable, while really sacrificing nothing versus its Phantom counterpart. More models are said to be in the works for the Ghost range, including a convertible and coupe.

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Supplying 21st century with once-unobtainable access to a vehicle, a dizzying assortment of smartphone and tablet apps provides the driver with an out-of-car experience. Over the course of the past two years, virtually every automaker is now engaged with a brand-specific mobile application making their automotive products more accessible than ever before. Managing fuel consumption, connecting car breakdown cover companies or customizing a virtual car to the liking of a potential buyer, today’s merger of automotive and computer technology has spawned multiple apps worth highlighting.

OnStar RemoteLink

Developed as one of the early widespread adopters of vehicle telemetric technology, General Motors launched OnStar on 1997 model year Cadillacs. Becoming a technology that would be credited for saving lives in crashes and recovering vehicles through Stolen Vehicle Tracking, OnStar handed smartphone users their own free app designed to work in conjunction with existing plans.

Working on most Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles equipped with OnStar, their RemoteLink mobile app feeds real-time information including fuel tank contents, oil life and tire pressures. Also available on the OnStar RemoteLink app is the ability to remotely lock or unlock a vehicle from anywhere within phone signal. For Chevrolet Volts, the OnStar RemoteLink app allows the user to monitor battery capacity and dictate electric charging times. A new feature available through the OnStar RemoteLink app relates to navigation. A mobile app use of OnStar RemoteLink can refer a destination to the OnStar center and will receive directions immediately on an in-dash navigation system or through the OnStar Turn-by-Turn service.

Rolls-Royce Ghost App

While even this so-called entry level Rolls-Royce Ghost’s six-figure price tag is beyond the means of many motorists, an Apple app allows practically anyone to bask in the glow of excess glamour. Designed for use on the Apple iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, the Rolls-Royce Ghost app operates as a sales tool for the lucky of us who can even consider the super-luxury sedan. Providing a photorealistic virtual model of exterior as well as interior surfaces that can be tailored to an assortment of available colours and materials, the magnificence of Royce-Royce’s Ghost sedan is obtainable for all in the app world.

BMW i DriveNow and MyCityWay

A bold undertaking for the Munich, Germany automaker BMW, their radical sub-brand will become an epicenter of innovation. Presenting distinctive electrified vehicles to the marketplace by 2013, BMW i is also involved in spearheading several indirect ventures. The mobile apps DriveNow and MyCityWay fit into the planning for rethinking the way people commute.

Operating only in Munich and Berlin at this time, DriveNow is a vehicle by-demand service that allows users to quickly rent a car. Similar to several drive-sharing services set up in major cities, the BMW i supported business of DriveNow uses the mobile app to direct customers to available BMW and MINI products. Drivers will be billed by the minute for vehicle usage through the service.

MyCityWay is a comprehensive mobile application providing a complete collection of information relating to specific city areas. Merging as many as 50 Apps or more, MyCityWay provides mobile users everything from locating the nearest public restroom to the hippest events in town. Transit, weather and traffic alerts are also part of this extensive mobile app intended to minimize time traveling between destinations. Available for 40 cities at the end of 2011 on continents in Asia, Europe and in the Americas, MyCityWay is preparing for greater expansion in the near future along with the DriveNow service.

Ford Mustang Customizer App

Introduced in mid-September, Ford conceived a fun and interactive way for the tech world’s young citizen to relate to a vehicle that caused such uproars in the mid-1960s. Appearing first as a web-based program for desktop and laptop computers, the Mustang Customizer experience has migrated to the an app available through iPhone and Android supported devices. Providing an assortment of exterior dress-up equipment, 2012 Ford Mustang products (including the Boss 302 edition) can be customized to countless colour and factory available accessories.

Audi Roadside Assistance App

Designed to work with Audi Roadside Assistance coverage packages, the new service app available on Apple iPhones, Android and select Blackberry phones is free for use by covered motorists. Providing expedited breakdown coverage, owners in need of jump-start, fuel delivery or tire repair will have help arrive even in hard to distinguished locations thanks to a phone’s GPS capability. A great companion with Audi’s breakdown insurance plans, the Audi Roadside Assistance App can also allow owners of the luxury brand vehicles find the closest service center.

MyFord Mobile App

Prepared for the upcoming Ford Focus Electric vehicle, the MyFord Mobile App was devised to help future owners navigate with their zero emissions lifestyle. Relaying information pivotal for allowing users to optimize the capacity of the lithium-ion battery pack, MyFord Mobile App provides a driver the ability to calculate routes in relations to the available battery power storage. Recording your recent driving, the MyFord Mobile App allows you to download your vehicle’s data. Users can also share ownership milestones over social media networks Twitter and Facebook. Other basic features presented through MyFord Mobile App also includes door lock/unlock capability as well as GPS location of the Ford Focus Electric vehicle.

Information and photo source: Audi AG, BMW, Ford Motor Company, General Motors

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Recalls and Rolls-Royce. These are two terms that normally never are seen together, and for good reason. For one, Rolls-Royces are known for uncompromising quality. Secondly, volume is a lot smaller than most automakers, which makes the likelihood for problems to go down. They are very expensive, and customers expect the best. While significant recalls aren’t a problem, electrical issues are something that British automakers aren’t strangers to. With mass-market experience bMW has helped with that, along with other reliability niggles associated with low-volume automating.

Rolls-Royce is finding out that increased volumes, brought about by sharing heavily with BMW, can bring some downsides though. A few days ago, BMW announced a recall of 32,000 vehicles equipped with 8- and 12-cylinder engines.

The recall included 2008-2011 5 Series, 5 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X5 and X6 models. The problem was the overheating of an auxiliary water pump. BMW says it first saw the issue on test vehicles in June 2009, and the first instance on a customer car happened in April 2010.

Since then, 102 cases have been logged, resulting in two engine compartment fires. Not good. Rolls-Royce’s issue is similar, and it has to do with the BMW-built twin-turbocharged V-12. The problem is with a circuit board that controls operation of a dedicated water pump meant to cool the turbocharger after the car has been shut off. The board has the potential to overheat the pump, causing a fire. If the problem arises, the driver would be most likely warned by a light in the instrumental panel.

So far, no Rolls-Royces have experienced these issues, but the company is replacing water pump systems in the vehicles impacted to make sure there are no cases. The recall is in effect for Ghost models starting with the 2010 model year, and it includes 1,900 vehicles worldwide, 589 which are located in the U.S. Those numbers are up significantly on anything Rolls-Royce has experience before. That’s all down to the lower (if you can call it that) $245,000 asking price, which is enabled thanks to a good deal of components sharing with the 7-Series.

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Rolls-Royce is known for its long-held position at the top of the automotive luxury heap. What better embodies opulence and grandeur than Rolls-Royce? Its rival (and long time sibling) Bentley maybe, but few others come close.

Recently Rolls-Royce has made efforts to become a bit (but just a bit) more accessible by introducing the smaller Ghost. The Ghost joins the Phantom in being a big success for Rolls, with the helping to increase Rolls-Royce sales significantly.

The marketplace has responded well to a smaller Rolls. The company is making further efforts to increase its appeal with a certified pre-owned program. Nearly every automaker offers a certified pre-owned program, and now Rolls-Royce joins the gray.

The move is smart because it helps those looking to spend a less than a new Rolls-Royce a way in, as well as those looking to avoid depreciation. Rolls’ program is dubbed Provenance and it includes a rigorous inspection process.

Factory-trained technicians look over the vehicle and conduct a road test to ensure it meets the company’s standards. Rolls-Royce verifies mileage and vehicle history and there is a requirement for maintenance records in strict adherence to company requirements.

Each car sold through the program includes “fully-inclusive” servicing, a 24 month warranty and 24 hour roadside assistance.

Jolyon Nash, Director, Sales & Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commented on the program, saying: “We are delighted to announce the latest details for Rolls-Royce Provenance. Our customers expect the very best motor cars in the world and we are pleased to be able to offer the same support and peace of mind for approved pre-owned cars that we offer for new vehicles.”

Unfortunately, a Rolls-Royce is still well out of reach for us – no CPO program can fix that. Interestingly enough, the program is limited to the United Kingdom only – for now. We’d imagine Rolls-Royce will roll this out globally after seeing how it fares in the UK.

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1. Rolls-Royce Sees Rising Levels of Customization For Phantom, Ghost
2. Rolls-Royce Releases an iPhone App for the Ghost
3. BMW Recalls V8 & V12 Powered Models Including Rolls Royce

Throughout its existence, Rolls-Royce has relied on the use of internal combustion engines in propelling their automobiles to the highest of heights in luxury motoring. The 107-year of building vehicles to the ultimate zenith of uncompromised luxury, Rolls-Royce’s history has gravitated to gasoline. Even as modern trends seek a new definition of luxury through more compact sizes and alternative powertrains, British luxury badge Rolls-Royce was never seen on a provocative design study until the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Experimental concept car Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom reveals what could be the grandest electric car ever produced.

Composing the form of the production-going Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan, the 102EX project car major notable difference is found through underneath the enormous 229.7 inch body. Gone from under the Rolls-Royce’s bonnet, the 6.7 liter V-12 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission is replaced with a more experimental propulsion. The 102EX Phantom EE (Experimental Electric) features an all-electric transplant consisting of two electric motors and a Lithium-Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese-Oxide battery. Rolls-Royce contacted British-based Lotus Engineering for the outfitting of this zero-emissions electric powertrain. Foregoing the 453 horsepower which would be been on tap if the V-12 gasoline engine was retained, each electric motor produces 145 kilowatts of energy collecting in moving the converted Phantom EE with 389 horsepower. Projected charging time for the Rolls-Royce 102EX Electric’s lithium ion battery is estimated at 8 hours on a three-phase power supply.

Balancing the electrical power hardware in the engine compartment and behind the rear seat, Lotus Engineering maintained 50:50 weight distribution on the Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom EE sedan promising some rather impressive performance. According to Lotus Engineering, 0 to 62 mile per hour acceleration is under 8 seconds inside Rolls-Royce’s 102EX concept car. Behind strong but silent acceleration, this Rolls-Royce achieves an electronically-limited top speed of 160 kilometers per hour (just under 100 miles per hour). Slightly subdued compared to the production Phantom model, the Rolls-Royce 102EX concept’s powertrain achieves quiet, graceful movement befitting the product’s ‘Phantom’ name.

In classic Rolls-Royce manner, the electric-powered concept sedan continues to feature fine interior and exterior details few automobiles would dare to replicate. A painstakingly applied 16-coat paint scheme over the Phantom’s aluminum body blends a compound called Atlantic Chrome into the gentle blue exterior. A ceramic nano particle said to be up to 80,000 times thinner than a hair, the 102EX Phantom EE is given a highly reflective shimmer. Special outer design attention was also directed at the electric recharging port. Located on the passenger side of the rear roof pillar, a five-pin socket is accompanied by tri-coloured LED lighting behind a clear access door. Rolls-Royce is also said to be testing a version of induction charging which requires no physical contact through the electrical recharging process.

Inside, the Atlantic Chrome treatment is found within the dash dials, a battery charge indicator appropriately takes the place of the fuel gauge. Unique wood veneers and leather is chosen by Rolls-Royce for the Phantom EE suiting the more environment conscious theme. Using a upholstery called Corinova leather, vegetable-based tanning is brushed on the providing a colouring which is not only petroleum free but recyclable.

Shown at the Geneva Motor Show without true intentions of production, the 102EX Phantom EE concept demonstrates that Rolls-Royce could be connecting with its history more than some would believe. Amusingly enough, that co-founder Henry Royce humble beginning involved working as an electrical engineer.

Information and photo source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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BMW just announced that they will be issuing a voluntary recall of around 198,000 V8 and V12-powered BMW models, including the Rolls Royce Phantom. The cars effected:

BMW:

• 2002-08 BMW 745i/Li, 750i/Li, and 760i/Li
• 2007-08 BMW Alpina B7
• 2004-10 BMW 645i and 650i
• 2004-10 BMW 545i and 550i

Rolls-Royce:

• 2003-2010 Rolls-Royce Phantom models

The problem? A leak in the power braking system that may cause you to lose power brakes. Your brakes won’t give out completely, but don’t be surprised if suddenly you have to push that pedal really hard to stop. If you own one, they’ll send you a letter in the mail shortly. In the mean time, call BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 if you have any questions.

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The August 15th edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance once again provided a vivid look into the prestige of past motoring. For those who could afford the $150 admission price to see the lavish one-day event in person, its fair to say that the present economics have been gentler on this audience than some Americans. Being so lucky to have a few dollars in pocket, there are a few of privileged individuals can afford to bring home a rather sizable memento of their trip. With classic and luxury cars for sale, a special one-off creation by Rolls-Royce asserts itself while beyond the souvenir t-shirt or ball cap.

More than just a typical Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, the British architects of ultra-luxury cars added some custom touches in crafting their Pebble Beach 60th Anniversary edition darling. Under the guidance of Rolls-Royce’s in-house customizing department Bespoke, the detailing started with an exclusive exterior paint colour. Wearing a striking colour named Stillwater Blue, created with the Monterey Peninsula’s Stillwater Cove in mind as inspiration, Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke complemented the custom painted body with Crème Light leather interior. Expertly fashioned cross-banded Santos Pallisander veneer wood trim is also found within the Pebble Beach commemorative edition Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe.

The crowning touch of the Bespoke modifications is actually found in the truck. When catered meals and five-star hotel room service has lost its charm, this special Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe provides all the essentials for an up-scale picnic in the style of 1920s coach-built vehicles. Floored with oil teak decking hand-crafted to near perfection, a swing-out picnic kit is designed by Bespoke specifically for this car. Underneath the floor is a refrigerated compartment ideal for preserving the ideal temperature of foods and beverages. Champagne service set with crystal flutes and cutlery supplied by David Mellor CBE can be used on top of fold-out Indian rosewood tables providing four with a super elite form of tailgating. For when a little rain must fall, a cashmere-lined soft top deploys over the Drophead Coupe’s interior with a tasteful navy blue outer appearance.

Finished with Pebble Beach badging on the seats and the dash, the Bespoke-designed Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe show within mere minutes at this August’s show. There was no published price for these Pebble Beach special Drophead Coupe. It’s fair to assume that the fact anyone who has to inquire will certainly be above the $400,000 plus price tag for the Drophead Coupe.

Information and Photo Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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VW and Audi have both released iPhone apps to launch their new cars, why shouldn’t Rolls Royce? Well, they’re doing just that. The “Rolls-Royce Ghost Design App” is released on the App store today for free, allowing potential customers and gawking teenagers to download the app and design their own Ghost.

Unveiled last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Ghost is Rolls-Royce’s “baby” in the line-up of ultra-luxury cars. Calling it a baby is only relative of course, because this baby “only” sports a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 spitting out around 570 horsepower. Even though it’s the “cheap” Rolls, don’t expect to pick one up any time soon – they start at around $272,000.

I played around with the app for a while and while it takes a bit more time to load than I’d hope, the visuals are very well done and the configuration function is great. It’s similar to what you’d see on most car maker’s website to configure the car and works quite well.

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As expected Rolls Royce has debuted its new “baby” Roller at Frankfurt. So, if this is the baby, it’s one big baby, especially in the engine department. Outside of the engine department, it’s all Rolls Royce with a big hulking presence lots of wood, leather and all around opulence more befitting an English gentlemen’s club than a car.

This car was rumored for a very long time … The Paris show of ’06 to be precise, so to see it finally rolled out is a bit of a relief. Not to mention just how slow things move at the RR factory. But anyway, here it is, the new “entry level” or “baby” Rolls. Although how many car companies can produce a car that costs in the six-Euro range and call it entry level. Or for that matter, stuff a twin turbo V12 into the engine bay and say that it’s the “baby.”

Rolls Royce has been, for the longest time, carmakers for the old money and landed gentry. They’re the kind of company that had a wild and crazy side, and that was Bentley (you know, if you really wanted to get daddy all up in arms). They’ve been wanting to shed that image for a while and have looked to the new “entry level” or baby Roller as the way to do that. There’s nothing really wrong with that. And on the face of it, there’s nothing wrong with mounting a twin-turbo V12 into a car, any car. But isn’t this supposed to be the “baby” of the line up?

Anyway, now that it’s out, we can see what RR meant by wanting the all-new Ghost, to be the first “driver-orientated” Roller. Looking a lot like its corporate sibling, the Phantom, the Ghost has similar detailing on the front-end and also has the same rear-hinged coach doors that open very wide … you know, so your driver can let you out in a more elegant fashion.

On the inside, the Ghost’s styling features all the “usual” luxury appointments and lavish materials expected from a car with a price tag normally associated with a Manhattan condo. Your choices include such goodies as either individual lounge seating or standard lounge configuration, there’s a massage function and perforated leather for a stream of cooling air to the seat surface.

Naturally, the most interesting details are in the engine bay. Although this is a “baby,” the Ghost still tips the scales at a tank-like 5.368 pounds, so maybe using a twin-turbo V12 to motivate you down the road isn’t such a bad idea. The plant in question is a brand-new 6.6-liter V12 engine with the aforementioned two turbochargers and direct fuel injection. It cranks out 570 horsepower and puts out a maximum torque of 575 lb-ft at a low-low 1,500 rpm. All that power gets to the to the rear-wheels via an eight-speed, shift-by-wire, automatic ZF gearbox.

RR says the Ghost can do 0-60 mph in 4.7 sec and go all the way to an electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. In case you’re wondering, the mileage is 17.3 mpg US, not bad, considering.

Prices will start at around $272,000.

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Have you ever happened on to a garage sale, and amongst all the old magazines and picnic jugs is that distributor for that 54 Chevy your restoring, and you count your blessings and pay the nice old lady the $1.25 she’s asking for it? Well, Bentley is having a garage sale, of sorts, and the stuff they’re doling out is even rarer and more unpredictable than that.

Usually, when car manufacturers do stuff like this, it’s because they’re totally freaking out, on the edge of going under, and going bankrupt, and this is just a last gasp to get some cash, no matter how small the amount. Not so in Bentley’s case. They are, despite the turbulent times and the fact that they sell luxury goods (usually a very fragile sub-market) doing OK overall.

However, keeping warehouses full of old parts only makes sense in certain cases, so why not unload that old, dead wood, free up some storage space, and adjust the books in more of a black-ward direction.

In this case, Bentley’s garage sale is taking place at their 143,000 square foot warehouse in Crewe, England. No doubt Bentley restorers were salivating at the prospects. The enormous garage, which is right next to the main factory, contains something on the order of 55,000 individual part lines and over seven million individual items, covering Bentleys made after 1955. And a lot of these parts work for Rolls Royces as well, since the two companies were under the same roof (mechanically speaking) for years, until they were acquired and broken up in 2002 by Volkswagen and BMW, respectively.

Coming this September, the warehouse at Crewe will open its doors to any gearhead with the inclination and money that’s looking for that last little bit, be it a turn signal, gauge surrounds even up to stuff like whole engine blocks.

It turns out that Bentley is doing this because the all-new Arnage is due in August, and they need the space.

Here’s Bentley’s presser:

RARE GLIMPSE INSIDE BENTLEY AND ROLLS-ROYCE
Owners, enthusiasts and traders invited to Bentley Motors (26-27 September) for unique parts and accessories sales fair

One of the motor industry’s hidden treasure troves will be opened for the first time in September when Bentley Motors holds a one-off parts and accessories sales fair.

The famous Crewe-based manufacturer will be offering professional traders and owners of both Bentley and Crewe-built Rolls-Royce cars, as well as enthusiasts of these iconic British marques, the opportunity to purchase anything from a V8 engine block or replacement gearbox right through to an indicator bulb or pristine, beautifully illustrated 1950s handbook.

Bentley Motors holds over 55,000 part lines for all Bentley models (1955 onwards) as well as Rolls-Royce cars built in Crewe (1955-2002) at its state-of-the-art 143,000 square foot warehouse on the outskirts of the Cheshire town. This equates to an astonishing 7 million items – all stored and catalogued on the company’s database.

The September sales fair will enable Bentley to create additional space for parts and accessories for upcoming cars like the Continental Supersports and the much anticipated all-new Bentley which is due to make its debut in California this August.

“Even Bentley employees describe our parts and accessories operation as a ‘goldmine’ and are slightly overawed by the sheer number and variety of parts and accessories we can supply”, comments Steve O’Hara Director of Aftersales at Bentley Motors.

“However with so many Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars enjoying far longer lives than a typical vehicle and owners seeking to keep them in the best possible condition, we need to be able to support these customers and many more generations of owners. We take real pride in being able to provide anything from a humble speedometer cable through to replacement body panels anywhere in the world.

This event will be a real one-off. It is very rare for us to be able to open the doors like this so we hope that Bentley and Rolls-Royce aficionados will make the most of the opportunity.”

Over the weekend a range of Bentley’s factory trained experts will be on-site to provide visitors with advice on identifying and sourcing the correct parts for their car. All the items will be clearly catalogued and displayed by model type with a range of systems available to source the perfect part.

Unlike a typical ‘autojumble’, all the parts available will be original and unused, backed with a manufacturer warranty and many provided in branded packaging. Bentley’s official logistics partner will also attend the weekend to support any customers needing parts to be shipped.

Richard Lawrie, Heritage Parts Manager at Bentley Motors, comments:

“We will be providing a large marquee to display the parts and hope that the selection will meet the requirements of specialist companies who restore and service these remarkable cars as well as the owner enthusiast seeking a rare item and the opportunity to buy directly from the warehouse.”

Anyone wishing to attend this unique Bentley parts and accessories can register their interest by contacting the team at heritage.event@bentley.co.uk by 21 August 2009.

Photo from Flickr user David Hudson Floyd

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Rolls Royce rolled out a newly face-lifted version of its Phantom at the Geneva show, and we say it’s about time. Big, hulking, Uncle Fester-like, cringe-inducing, these are some of the words leveled at RR’s Phantom when it came out, and a lot of the verbal fireworks was aimed at the front end treatment. So, it seems like Rolls Royce is taking a stab at fixing that.

There’s a new streamlined front bumper that has been designed and integrated with a shallower grille, and is finished in stainless steel. Good, since the grill has long been a Roll’s most prominent and memorable feature, and the current iteration is oddly out of proportion on the Phantom. The new exterior for ’09 will also feature LED door handle illumination and 21-inch cast alloy wheels as standard. You also have the option of choosing different forged alloy wheels available in either painted or part polished finishes.

On the inside, the rear passengers of the 2009 Phantom will get better connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables as well as new front and rear door caps with integrated grab handles and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar. Also the rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches have been repositioned and been given wood veneer paneling.

OK, that’s just the corporate-speak for what the new Roller has got, and it’s never good PR to go over your mistakes, but it is really hard to look at the previous Rolls as some sort of styling triumph.

It’s not just that it appeared huge sitting at the curb, it was the overall mish-mash of shapes and sizes, especially at the front. Sure, Rolls has worked on it with this version, but it’s still fairly hideous. The lights look squinty and beady, the driving lights/fog lights still look like a tacked on afterthought, and the grill looks hugely disproportionate. And the whole rest of the car looks like some sort of idea of what Rolls thought one of their cars would look like in the future.

The new Phantom goes on sale this spring.

Source: CarScoop

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Rolls Royce will show a newly face-lifted version of its Phantom at the upcoming Geneva show, and we say it’s about time. Big, hulking, Uncle Fester-like, cringe-inducing, these are some of the words leveled at RR’s Phantom when it came out, and a lot of the verbal fireworks was aimed at the front end treatment. So, it seems like Rolls Royce is taking a stab at fixing that.

There’s a new streamlined front bumper that has been designed and integrated with a shallower grille, and is finished in stainless steel. Good, since the grill has long been a Roll’s most prominent and memorable feature, and the current iteration is oddly out of proportion on the Phantom. The new exterior for ’09 will also feature LED door handle illumination and 21-inch cast alloy wheels as standard. You also have the option of choosing different forged alloy wheels available in either painted or part polished finishes.

On the inside, the rear passengers of the 2009 Phantom will get better connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables as well as new front and rear door caps with integrated grab handles and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar. Also the rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches have been repositioned and been given wood veneer paneling.

OK, that’s just the corporate-speak for what the new Roller has got, and it’s never good PR to go over your mistakes, but it IS really hard to look at the previous Rolls as some sort of styling triumph.

It’s not just that it appeared huge sitting at the curb, it was the overall mish-mash of shapes and sizes, especially at the front. Sure, Rolls has worked on it with this version, but it’s still fairly hideous. The lights look squinty and beady, the driving lights/fog lights still look like a tacked on afterthought, and the grill looks hugely disproportionate. And the whole rest of the car looks like some sort of idea of what Rolls THOUGHT one of their cars would look like in the future.

The new Phantom goes on sale this spring.

Source: CarScoop

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1. 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom Gets A Facelift
2. Eclectic Meets Electric: Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom
3. Rolls-Royce To Reveal Phantom Coupe at Geneva

Rolls-Royce will unveil their latest experimental model at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March. Rolls doesn’t like to call these cars “concepts” because they’re fully functioning. Dubbed the 200EX, the concept shows Rolls-Royce’s design direction for the upcoming RR4 sedan which will debut for 2010.

The 200EX will be noticed as a Rolls-Royce at first glance, but as you can see, is a bit less formal than other models. You can attribute this partially to a more raked A-pillar, a shorter front overhang, aggressive headlights, and a sleeker tail. The rear doors open in a rear-hinged, or “suicide” fashion for those who are too rich to open their own doors. The exterior is finished in “Darkest Tungsten” paint (of which there is no darker, apparently,) which contrasts rather nicely with the silver satin finish on the hood and A-pillar.

On the interior, they made sure to place the rear seat behind the C-pillar, which will give the occupant the feeling of undeserved importance and false privacy. As with all Rolls-Royces, interior features are carefully crafted from premium materials such as soft leather, real wood, and baby seal testicles. The only specs Rolls gave us regarding the powertrain was that it will have a V12 engine – no power specs, no displacement info, nothing else.

If you’re one of the few who can still afford a car like this, look forward to more details during the Geneva Motor Show.

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Sometime last year, a few Photoshop gurus got together and made some very funny “mini” versions of their favorite cars. The trend caught on, and soon lots of people were taking their favorite cars, and through the process of image manipulation, made them mini versions of themselves.

Below, you will find a photo gallery full of these micro machines, in all of their hilarious glory. If you have any you’d like to share, please leave a comment.

Just click on the image for a larger version:

If you’d like to learn how to do this yourself, you’ll need to get Adobe Photoshop or a very similar photo editing program and follow these instructions.

Thanks to CelSydney for some of these photos. Check out his Flickr set for more.

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Named after Hyperion, one of the Titans of Greek mythology, this one-off creation of Pininfarina was built at the request of Roland Hall. He apparently decided that his Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe wasn’t so special anymore, so he commissioned the good folks at Pininfarina to make his Roller look more fly than his neighbors’. The result: the interesting (odd?) creation you see here.

One thing of note: Andrea Pininfarina, CEO of Pininfarina S.p.A., died while the car was being made. Roland Hall has decided to dedicate the car to his memory.

According to the press release, Pininfarina’s inspiration came from the classic luxury cars of the 1930′s. They wanted to emulate those classic proportions on the Hyperion— hence the long, surging hood, the smooth, fluid sides, and the classic two-seat grand tourer configuration. To accomplish this, Pininfarina made a rather big change to the interior of the original Rolls, because remember: though the Drophead is a coupe, it still has four seats. Pininfarina removed the rear seats, moved the cabin about 16 inches back, and then proceeded to remodel to whole exterior of the car:

The sides have new creases for aesthetic pleasure, and the whole profile sort of slopes backwards (to create the “surging” effect). Combined with a classic “berlinetta” tail (cut-off but still sloping), the whole car imparts a rather lazy, languid feel, as well as elegance and sophistication. The taillights have been redesigned, they are now long and thin whereas they were short and squat. Pininfarina’s are much better I think. Sportier.

Now we come to the most interesting part of the car: the front. Pininfarina’s design for the nose is rather controversial, and you can see why. Gone is the Rolls-Royce stateliness and sense of power, it is replaced by elongated, somewhat alien looking recessed headlights. The grille is still the same, but the whole face has been slightly inclined. Pininfarina also got rid of the fog lights; basically the front is now simpler and with a rounder, smoothed out feel. Some love it, others hate it, but what the hey: it’s Mr. Hall’s money, and he can have his Roller look whatever the hell he wants.

The last major exterior modifications were to the roof, which needed to be repositioned (it still folds back), the hood, which now has two small compartments to store Mr. Hall’s hunting rifle, and the doors, which are made by luxury boat makers out of solid wood. Oh, and all the external modifications that you see are done in that most glorious of materials: carbon fiber.

And finally, the interior is unchanged (for how could you ever truly improve on the luxury of a Rolls-Royce?), save for the two-seat configuration. As a final exclusive goodie, a wristwatch designed specifically for the Hyperion by watchmaker Girard-Perregaux is stored in the dash, where it can be removed and worn if Mr. Hall ever feels like his collection of Armani and Gucci silk suits aren’t quite flashy enough.

Specs
(all data is that of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe)

Price: Suffice it to say that YOU most definitely cannot afford it.

Engine: 6.8 liter V-12

Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)

Horsepower: 453

Torque: 531 pound-feet

0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds

Mileage: 11 city/18 highway mpg

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