Motor Authority - blog Category: Rolls-Royce

Old-world charm, resolute styling and blue-blooded buyers may not be the first things one mentally associates with hybrid cars, but Rolls-Royce thinks the combination makes perfect sense.

Instantaneous torque, quiet operation and excellent fuel-economy all work in favor of a gasoline-electric Rolls, so it comes as little surprise that the automaker is working on a hybrid version of its latest luxury sedan, the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The gasoline-electric Ghost will reportedly borrow hybrid technology from BMW’s ActiveHybrid 7. It’s no coincidence that the two models already share much in common, including the same rear-wheel...

Old-world charm, resolute styling and blue-blooded buyers may not be the first things one mentally associates with hybrid cars, but Rolls-Royce thinks the combination makes perfect sense. Instantaneous torque, quiet operation and excellent fuel-economy all work in favor of a gasoline-electric Rolls, so it comes as little surprise that the automaker is working on a hybrid version of its latest luxury sedan, the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost. The gasoline-electric Ghost will reportedly borrow hybrid technology from BMW’s ActiveHybrid 7. It’s no coincidence that the two models already share much in common, including the same rear-wheel drive platform. The new hybrid powertrain will combine the Ghost’s 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine with an electric motor in a ‘mild’ hybrid configuration. This means that the Ghost hybrid won’t be able to drive on electric propulsion alone. An autonomous engine stop-start system will also feature to help improve fuel economy further. The electric motor, which will be rated at 27 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, will be mated to the Ghost’s 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and run on a small lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the trunk. Brake energy recovery technology will be used to top these up. The end result should be an improvement in fuel economy of about 15% but the biggest benefit will come from the extra torque sourced from the electric motor, especially during off-the-line acceleration. No word on any release date but expect its launch to be several years away at the least. Interestingly, Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves has already professed his love of all-electric powertrains, revealing only last month that he would love to see such an option available in a car like the Phantom. [Autocar] Read More

As an official Rolls-Royce coachbuilder, Mutec features world class craftsmanship with modifications that look like they came straight from the factory. One of the German-based coachbuilder’s most important modified vehicles is the armored version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Engineered to VR7 level, the ‘Phantom Armored’ is virtually indistinguishable from the standard version, inside and out. The car features advanced fiber composites and special purpose steel to provide protection for the bodywork, while the glazed area is constructed from sheets of thickened glass. In addition, a polycarbonate layer is fitted to the...

As an official Rolls-Royce coachbuilder, Mutec features world class craftsmanship with modifications that look like they came straight from the factory. One of the German-based coachbuilder’s most important modified vehicles is the armored version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Engineered to VR7 level, the ‘Phantom Armored’ is virtually indistinguishable from the standard version, inside and out. The car features advanced fiber composites and special purpose steel to provide protection for the bodywork, while the glazed area is constructed from sheets of thickened glass. In addition, a polycarbonate layer is fitted to the inside for extra passenger protection. To be certified for VR7 protection, the car must be independently tested to withstand armor-piercing bullets and underbody grenade resistance. The Phantom’s aluminum spaceframe chassis and suspension components have been strengthened to cope with the additional weight of the modifications. However, the powertrain remains unchanged, providing 453-horsepower and a phenomenal 531-pound-feet of torque. Rolls-Royce builds the original Phantom, which is then shipped off-site to a coachbuilder for modification. The growing Middle East market was one of the first to receive this car. This latest video shows the vigorous testing that went into developing the Phantom Armored. [Mutec]  Read More

Silently cruising in a seemingly impregnable fortress of fine leather, sensuous wood and hand-built steel and glass is the ultimate goal of the hyper-luxury carmakers like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, so it's not surprising that talk of an all-electric Rolls-Royce Phantom is once again emerging from the company.

Captured at the Goodwood Revival by Auto Express, the talk reiterates the key points we brought you from Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves last October: the silent, smooth and clean power provided by electricity fits hand-in-glove with the company's mission statement of stylish, luxurious transport.

Fitting the mass and bulk of an all-electric...

Silently cruising in a seemingly impregnable fortress of fine leather, sensuous wood and hand-built steel and glass is the ultimate goal of the hyper-luxury carmakers like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, so it's not surprising that talk of an all-electric Rolls-Royce Phantom is once again emerging from the company. Captured at the Goodwood Revival by Auto Express, the talk reiterates the key points we brought you from Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves last October: the silent, smooth and clean power provided by electricity fits hand-in-glove with the company's mission statement of stylish, luxurious transport. Fitting the mass and bulk of an all-electric battery pack into the Phantom's 19.1-foot long, 5,622-pound frame should be an easy matter once you replace the 453-horsepower, 6.7-liter V-12 engine. The only question then would be supplying enough electricity to yield a useful range. Given the often short, urban nature of many Phantom trips, however, a short range might not be a serious issue for many buyers. In the event that it is, a range-extending engine could be added to the package without much difficulty. Beyond the ease of fitting the system into the Phantom and the good fit of electric power with Rolls-Royce's goals, there's the looming consideration of emissions regulations driving the decision. With Europe and the U.K., and lately, even the U.S., driving emissions requirements ever-lower, finding a way to remain relevant and viable will be key to the survival of the hyper-luxury car segment, and Rolls-Royce in particular. [Auto Week] Read More

Rolls-Royce has developed a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year. The Ghost was revealed for the first time in full production trim and with official details ahead the currently running Frankfurt auto show. New live shots from the show today reveal the car in even more fantastic detail.

Rolls-Royce first announced that work had begun on a new model series as far back as 2006. However, little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the...

Rolls-Royce has developed a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year. The Ghost was revealed for the first time in full production trim and with official details ahead the currently running Frankfurt auto show. New live shots from the show today reveal the car in even more fantastic detail. Rolls-Royce first announced that work had begun on a new model series as far back as 2006. However, little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the spring of 2008, when the company released the first official sketches. The styling was instantly recognizable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. What the design team was seeking to create was a modern Rolls-Royce that achieved a new dynamism but remained true to its luxurious heritage. Earlier this year, a concept version, dubbed the 200EX, was unveiled. Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to 200EX, very few changes were made in the transition to the production model. Power for the new Ghost comes from a 6.6-liter turbocharged V-12 engine matched to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Output at the crankshaft is rated at 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, which makes the Ghost more powerful than the Phantom despite being positioned below it. This is enough to accelerate the Ghost from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and see it easily reach its electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. Fuel economy is estimated at 17.3 mpg for a mix of highway and city driving. In keeping with its ‘entry-level’ positioning, the Ghost is smaller all around when compared to the Phantom. While the Phantom's dimensions stretch to around 5,834 mm, the Ghost measures in at 5,399 mm in length, 1,948 mm across, and stand 1,550 mm in height. Its wheelbase stretches 3,295 mm and inside there is generous seating for five adults. Rolls-Royce has also revealed that the car makes use of the very latest developments in chassis engineering, including a new four corner air suspension system matched to multi-link aluminum front and rear axle geometry. A new chassis management system is fitted and is designed to control the car’s anti-roll stabilization and the suspension stiffness to ensure the best possible comfort for occupants. The new air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes. For example, the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other can be detected and system modified to compensate. The on-board computer system reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car - the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. The air suspension system also incorporates a lift and kneel function, raising or lowering the car by 25mm for those steep driveways. Inside the Ghost, the interior design team has come up with a contemporary ambience while staying true to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ traditions of fine materials and peerless comfort. There are elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles, traditional violin key switches and eyeball air vents, frosted white dials and refined instrumentation. Deep-pile carpets can be complemented by optional lambswool floor mats for a truly luxurious feel. Enhancing the interior’s ambience is an audio system delivering an exquisite experience. 600 Watts of sound are delivered through a 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers, including two floor-mounted subwoofers. USB and auxiliary inputs allow for the integration of external audio devices and a 12.5 GB hard drive enables storage of music files from USB or CD player sources. Available as an option with both seating arrangements is ‘Theatre Configuration’, which allows all settings that do not directly affect the driver to be controlled from the rear seat. The functions are displayed on two 9.2 inch LCD screens in the back of the front seats; these can be angled to suit the viewers by a central, armrest-mounted, rotary controller. The screens can be regulated independently of each other and the entertainment can also be listened to individually with most headphones. A six-disc multi-media changer, mounted in the glove compartment, is fitted as part of this option. Customer deliveries of the Ghost in Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 (approximately $271,106) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the U.S. and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010. Read More

Rolls-Royce is currently developing a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year and is revealed for the first time in full production trim thanks to this leaked official promo video.

In the short clip, Rolls-Royce product manager Dan Balmer takes us through a short ride in the upcoming model, giving us a clear look at the car ahead of its expected Frankfurt Auto Show debut. While its official reveal is still over a month away, we already have...

Rolls-Royce is currently developing a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year and is revealed for the first time in full production trim thanks to this leaked official promo video. In the short clip, Rolls-Royce product manager Dan Balmer takes us through a short ride in the upcoming model, giving us a clear look at the car ahead of its expected Frankfurt Auto Show debut. While its official reveal is still over a month away, we already have plenty of details on the new car. We know that it will come with a 6.6-liter turbocharged V-12 engine matched to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Output at the crankshaft will be rated at 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, which makes the Ghost more powerful than the Phantom despite being positioned below it. This will be enough to accelerate it from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and see it easily reach its electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. In keeping with its ‘entry-level’ positioning, the Ghost will be smaller all around when compared to the Phantom. While the Phantom's dimensions stretch to around 5,834 mm, the Ghost will measure in at 5,399 mm in length, 1,948 mm across, and stand 1,550 mm in height. Its wheelbase will stretch 3,295 mm and inside there will be generous seating for five adults. Rolls-Royce has also revealed that the car will make use of the very latest developments in chassis engineering, including a new four corner air suspension system matched to multi-link aluminum front and rear axle geometry. A new chassis management system will also be fitted and is designed to control the car’s anti-roll stabilization and the suspension stiffness to ensure the best possible comfort for occupants. The new air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes. For example, the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other can be detected and system modified to compensate. The on-board computer system reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car - the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. The air suspension system also incorporates a lift and kneel function, raising or lowering the car by 25mm for those steep driveways. Customer deliveries of Ghost in Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 (approximately $271,106) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the U.S. and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010. Read More

With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design

world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based.

Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the... With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based. Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the lightweight materials meant designers were able to shave almost 250lb from the kerb weight of the already lightweight ZR1. Furthermore, aerodynamic aids similar to the ones used in F1 sees the Mantide feature 25% less drag and 30% more downforce than the ZR-1 on which it’s based. Not surprisingly, Castriota insists the Mantide is faster than the ZR1 and is very excited about the prospect of the car now tackling the Nurburgring. “It has been a dream of mine from the outset of this project,” Castriota told PistonHeads. “The logistics are not easy, as we’ll need to hire a professional driver – somebody who’s truly a Nurburgring expert like Stefan Roser – and then get the circuit closed for a few days.” Luckily for Castriota, the car’s owner, British-born financier and ‘gentleman racer’ Dan Watkins, is equally excited about the car racing at the Nurburgring and is willing to let a team push it to its limits around the ‘Green Hell’.Inside Jason Castriota's Project M Read More