And yes, here's yet another ridiculously tuned classic. Spotted somewhere in Belgium, this 1960s Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II has been ill-treated with rice-racer-esque aero-parts such as a front apron and a large rear wing complemented by a set of contemporary five-spoke alloy wheels, a stupendous hood scoop and as if that wasn't enough, the owner of the classic Rolls also added flame graphics to the sides of the vehicle. Hit the jump to check out the rest of the pics and weep...
Since there's no point in releasing teaser photos of the Ghost as changes over the pre-production concept will be extremely limited, Rolls Royce is bombarding us with new information on its 'entry-level' sedan model. This time the BMW Group owned British automaker confirmed details on the performance figures for the Phantom's baby brother. More specifically, the new 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine will produce an output of 570PS at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 780Nm or 575 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm.
The V12 engine that will be linked to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox, will help the Ghost to deliver a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and a governed top speed of 155mph or 250km/h.
"First and foremost Ghost is a Rolls-Royce. This means that despite its extraordinary performance figures it has been engineered for effortless composure and refined power delivery," said Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering, Helmut Riedl. "This is illustrated by the significant levels of low down torque available which makes pulling away very smooth and for an exceptionally relaxed driving experience."
Previously, Rolls-Royce confirmed that the Ghost will ride on an "intelligent" four corner air suspension system using multi link aluminium front and rear axles.
In Europe, deliveries of the Ghost will begin late in 2009 with prices in the UK starting from £165,000 ($272,000 US or €191,000) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Ιn other markets including the USA and Asia Pacific region, the Ghost will begin to arrive at dealerships from the second quarter of 2010.
The public debut for Rolls Royce's new, smaller-sized and lower-priced luxury sedan isn't due until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but nevertheless, the BMW Group-owned British firm has created an online configurator for the Ghost's preview model, the 200EX concept study. Judging by the most recent spy shots, there aren't any visible differences (at lease none of any importance) between the Ghost and the 200EX, so what you see here, is what you'll be able to get in a few months time.
If you feel like fooling around with the 200EX configurator that allows you to change the exterior and interior colors of the Rolls, click the link below and then choose 'Design' and after that, 'Visualizer'
Link: Rolls Royce , Via: Autoblog.it
Talk about a 'hot and cold shower' story... Just as we were getting ready to post the first photos of the rumored MINI Rolls Royce limited edition model that appeared on the 'Total Mini' forum, we discovered a report from the MINI-loving crew over at 'Theswitchback' saying that the car will not go on sale. More specifically, the report said that while a company spokesman confirmed the production of the Rolls Royce Edition model for a recent dealer event, he claimed that MINI has "no current plans" to release the car into the market.
"MINI is known for successfully marketing special edition models. But for every 100 that are proposed, 99 don't make the final cut," the unnamed spokesman was quoted as saying.
Nonetheless, if you're were wondering what a $50k MINI Rolls Royce Edition would look like, these shots from 'Totalmini' forumster 'Posts001' give us a pretty good idea. Aside from the RR blue finish, the special edition MINI features a bodykit and new alloy wheels while the interior of the car seems to be upgraded with premium materials and new trim. Unless we're missing something, it doesn't seem as special as some speculated.
Photos: Totalmini , Via: Theswitchback
Tuners are leaving no stone unturned these harsh economic times in their pursuit to make a buck or two. And what better candidates for some extra cash than the Rolls Royce Phantom limo and its convertible offspring, the Phantom Drophead Coupe. Though Hamann Motorsports has yet to disclose something official, these photos made their way into the net revealing the two cars. Aside from the massive 23-inch alloy wheels that are available in various designs, we didn't any other exterior changes on the Phantoms. A photograph of the interior though reveals that the German tuner has developed a new three spoke sport steering wheel for both models.
It is also said, but not verified, that Hamann Motorsport's Phantom package also includes an engine kit that boosts the 6.75-liter V12's output from 460HP to 535HP and maximum torque from 720Nm to 835Nm (615-lbs/ft). Along with the removal of the speed limiter, it is claimed that both Phantoms reach a top speed of 300km/h or 187 mph.
In spite of the financial crisis that has cost thousands of jobs in the auto sector, British luxury carmaker Rolls Royce is planning to increase its manufacturing workforce by 50 per cent. More than 150 new jobs are being created by the BMW Group owned company to support the production of the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost that will be revealed in production form at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The company said that by the end of 2009, it will have created nearly 400 new jobs in under two years, bringing the total workforce at Goodwood to 900.
Most of the newly created positions have been created in the wood, leather and paint shops as well as the assembly areas while Rolls Royce said that there will also be a number of new positions available in the firm's headquarter offices also at Goodwood.
"This is good news for the British car industry at a time when it is struggling. Britain has an exceptional talent for automotive production and we are keen to maximize this at Rolls-Royce," said Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves. "Our new model, the Ghost, has enjoyed an extremely positive international response and we now need to put people in place to bring the car to market."
Volvo's new owner and China's top private automaker, Geely Automobile, has revealed a reworked version of its GE limousine prototype that drew attention last year for its... passing resemblance to the Rolls Royce Phantom.
For whatever reasons, Geely decided to modify the design of the 5.29 meter or about 17.3-foot long executive limo making it look more Chinese and less British.
The car now features a more bloated front end and a redesigned rear end while the Chinese maker also replaced the single throne at the rear with a more plebian seat bench for two.
The revised Geely GE limo will make its world debut at this month's Beijing Auto Show.
The 'King Julian' of car tuning, Mansory, showcased its individualization programme for the all-new Rolls Royce Ghost at the 2010 Geneva Salon. The Swiss-based tuner revamped both the look and the performance of the Phantom's smaller sibling in a way that's sure to grab people's attention and cause some heated comments.
Obviously a firm believer in the doctrine 'the gaudier the better', Mansory came up with a wild gold-on-blue paint job that sets the Ghost apart not only from its stock brethren but probably from anything on four wheels.
The 'discreet' paint theme is complemented by chunky 22-inch alloys finished in the same golden varnish as the exterior detailing and a bodykit comprising of a modified front bumper with supplementary LED lights and side air vents, side skirts, boot lid spoiler and a new rear apron with an integrated diffuser and unique tail pipes.
Mansory also adorned the Ghost's interior with diamond-quilted leather, light bamboo wood inlays render, decorative carbon trim and plenty of LEDs.
And yes, there's just as much "go" as there is "show" as Mansory's engineers fiddled around with the Ghost's 6.6-liter V12 engine by adding larger bi-turbochargers, a new exhaust system and an upgraded ECU.
These changes increase the V12's output from 570HP and 780Nm to 720HP and 1,020Nm or 752 lb-ft of peak torque respectively.
The tuned Ghost is now be able to sprint from zero to 100km/h (62) mph in just 4.4 seconds (down from 4.9 seconds) and reach a maximum velocity of 310km/h or 193 mph.
The same German-based tuning company that brought you the pinked out gem called the Bentley Continental GT Vitesse Rose is getting ready for another round of pure gaudiness with the world premiere of its Rolls Royce Ghost proposal at next week's Geneva Motor Show.
Mansory's motto for its latest creation is "Unlimited Luxury in a Golden Robe". That translates to a blue colored body finish and more decorative gold (or gold paint, we're not sure) than you would find at a Mr. T lookalike convention in Las Vegas.
The package also includes an aero kit with side skirts, new front bumper with additional LED lights and side air vents, a boot lid spoiler and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses unique tail pipes.
The car is fitted with 22-inch alloy rims shod with low-profile rubber from Dunlop (265/30 R22 at the front and 295/30 R22 at the back).
There are no teaser pictures or sketches of the interior, but Mansory claims that it has refined the cabin with special leathers, diamond-quilted ornaments, ultra-suede lining from the roof line to the dashboard and carbon fiber trim.
Under the bonnet, Mansory's tuners performed several upgrades including enlarged bi-turbochargers, recalibrated ECU, a new exhaust system boosting the 6.6-liter V12 engine's output from 570HP and 780Nm to a whopping 720HP and 1,020Nm or 752 lb-ft of peak torque.
The extra power shaves half-a-second off the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint with Mansory's Rolls Royce Ghost completing the task in just 4.4 seconds while the removal of the electronic speed limited allows the car to reach a maximum velocity of 310km/h or 193 mph.
We'll have more on Mansory's Rolls Royce Ghost after its official presentation at the Geneva Show next week.
We won't even ask you if you remember DC Comics Design's coach-built Rolls Royce Coupe (how can one forget such a gem...), so let's cut to the chase and tell you that the one-off creation by the Indian designer Dilip Chhabria has been listed for sale by a London-based company at a whopping £750,000, equal to US$1,176,000 or €865,000 at today's exchange rates.
The Rolls Royce Coupe, nicknamed "The Black Ruby", is something like bad taste Batmobile meets Nissan 350Z after crashing out with a Maybach Exelero.
According to the seller, the Rolls Royce-based model that comes complete with Ferrari Enzo-style doors, was originally created by the Indian-based designing firm for a Maharajah for his private collection. More photos after the break.
Thanks to Christopher for the tip! - Link: Sparkscars
