It seems that Auto Express recently sat down with an anonymous spokesperson who told them that Rolls-Royce is in fact working an all electric version of this iconic Phantom. There aren’t many details regarding the fabled car but reports suggest that it will feature a very large lithium-ion battery (similar to the ones found in the BMW’s Mini E) along with a range extender (as found in the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept).

Now before you get too excited and started whipping out your Black AmEx, make note that this is just a rumor which means we won’t put my stock in it until we hear official word from Rolls-Royce or anyone involved.

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Our friends over at Bornrich have recently let us know that the above custom made Rolls-Royce Star of India has been put on auction for a staggering €10 million ($14million+ USD). This particular vehicle features a 7.7-liter engine, custom interior, additional headlights and had previously called the Rolls-Royce museum its home.

If this vehicle sells for the $14 million+ that its bid is at, it will effectively be the most valuable car in the entire world. On that note, don’t expect to see it driving around your neighborhood streets anytime soon.

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Pictured above is the fender of Rolls-Royce’s forthcoming Phantom Hybrid. But wait, Rolls-Royce hasn’t said anything about a Phantom Hybrid, have they? Nope, that’s because what you see above probably isn’t a Phantom Hybrid.

Does the hybrid badge in the picture look familiar? It should, because its the same exact badge GM currently slaps on their hybrid vehicles. According to Autoblog the driver apparantly calims the car was given to a VIP by Rolls-Royce for testing.

Is that the truth? Probably not, it seems a lot more likely that the driver just felt like playing a joke on the unsuspecting public, pryed the hybrid logo (or pruchased) off an existing automobile and had it put onto their Phantom. Then again, I could be wrong, but until Rolls-Royce says anything of a hybrid, this should be viewed as nothing more than a joke.

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Bentley and Rolls Royce owners who are looking for that hard to find spare part may be in for a treat with this special announcement. Apparently there will be an open house at the Crewe factory for all Bentley and Rolls Royce models ranged from 1955 to 2002.

With so much inventory and parts available, you are bound to find that part you are looking for. This event comes in the midst of the expected release of the Grand Bentley next month, one of the reasons why the factory must be cleaned up from old stocks and parts.

Everything associated with the two models are for sale. So if you have been unsuccessful in landing that elusive car part, here is your chance.

(Source) Luxist

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Rolls Royce "Visualizer" Website

While the Rolls Royce production model of the Ghost isn’t expected to debut until the Frankfurt show this coming September, the company has already launched an online configurator on its website to let potential customers and inquisitive enthusiasts alike dabble with the various color and trim options that are likely to appear on the production version.

Dubbed the “visualizer”, the website allows you to select from a range of exterior paint colors, interior leather trims, dashboard wood veneers and even the brushed aluminum front bonnet trim. Although not nearly as glamorous as driving around town in an actual Rolls-Royce of your own, it may help you to visualize it.

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2009 Phantom Interior

The 2009 Rolls Royce Phantom seems to be caught in an odd moment in time.  On one hand it honors traditional grilles and the winged hood ornament yet the Phantom also tries to work in modern geometric shapes on its front end and dashboard. The classic details end up being more plausible than the hipper bits, especially inside. Quality and comforts are plenty inside the 2009 Phantom. The front seats offer up regal perches and sit high enough to offer an ideal view of the iconic hood ornament.

The rear seats are even more impressive, with more than ample leg room.  Finish details are everywhere you turn: leather and cashmere surfaces, sheets of beautiful veneer applied everywhere but the windows and the chrome poured over buttons to give them a cool massiveness.  Extra touches include sunroof, automatic climate control, andLexicon audio system as well as the customary satellite radio, Bluetooth and DVD screens.

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Another car manufacturer seems to be picking up as far as business is concerned as they have announced that they will be hiring an additional workforce for its new Rolls Royce Ghost. The company plans to increase workforce by 50%, creating 150 new jobs that should be great news in the car industry.

The majority of the new positions have been created in the wood, leather and paint shops as well as the assembly areas. In addition there will be a number of new positions in the headquarter offices, also based at Goodwood. Rolls-Royce is keen to fill all positions within the next few months and anticipates drawing on the considerable pool of highly skilled automotive industry personnel available in the UK.

This welcome news is sure to put laid off workers and the jobless back on track. The number of laid off employees from the car industry has swelled and to date, a lot of them are still looking for a job. Apparently, Rolls Royce may be their best ticket for now so expect a lot of these jobless workers lining up to be possibly hired.

(Source) Easier.com

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Louis Vuitton Monogram Rolls Royce

If you didn’t think it possible that a Rolls Royce could look hideous then take a look at the version that the infamous Marcus von Anhalt has created for himself. He is the man who is believed to have bought a ‘Prince’ title. He got his car customized in a Murakami multicolored Louis Vuitton monogram.

It is such a fashion don’t but, there is no accounting for some peoples taste. Apparently, he is using the Rolls to promote the Royal Race, which, for the uninformed, is a Gumball 3000-style exotic auto rally that he launched last year.

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Rolls-Royce Ghost

It has been called the 200EX, RR4 and even “Baby Rolls,” but the car will now be marketed under a new name: Rolls-Royce Ghost. The Ghost will carry the Rolls Royce signature lines, but in a much slimmer profile than the Phantom.

“We are delighted to formally announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It is one of the most revered names in the automotive industry, evoking images of adventure and technical innovation. The name reflects this new model’s breadth of abilities,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Tom Purves. “The first cars to bear the Ghost name were known not only for impressive dependability and refinement but also great flair and style. This car will be the first in a new generation of models to carry this evocative name and will give us two pinnacle product lines – Phantom and Ghost.”

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Pininfarina Hyperion

A tailor-made Pininfarina Hyperion is currently on sale at Jameslist, with an enormous price tag of €4.5 million. The car on sale is scheduled for delivery in September this year, but it looks very similar to the one-off Hyperion the coachbuilders built for collector Roland Hall. It is based on the Phantom Drophead coupe, but the modifications by the coachbuilders meant the removal of the rear seats, the addition of carbon fiber bodywork instead of the aluminum frame used in the donor and wooden doors.

All of this to create a car inspired by the 1930s Rolls Royce. There is no information on the car’s engine, but it is very unlikely that the coachbuilders would varied from the 6.75-l V12 in the Drophead Coupe. The engine delivers 460hp of power, 720Nm of torque and is paired with a six speed automatic transmission.

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Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept

Rolls-Royce is coming out with its latest concept- the 200EX. The luxury sedan heads into production as the long-awaited ‘Baby Rolls’ rival to the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. The 200EX will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in early March. The official line is that the traditionally styled four-door concept car provides “clues to a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010.” Rolls-Royce design chief Ian Cameron gets the credit for the 200EX.

CEO Tom Purves states, “It might be our smallest car but it will still possess the indispensable Rolls-Royce quality of waftability.” He also adds: “We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce.”

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A limousine might be the last thing you need right now but if you are looking for one you might be interested in the new updated Phantom from Rolls Royce. The sedan has received a minor update, but still an update, for 2009. The Phantom will get a new bumper with a stainless steel grille, LED lights in the door handles and new sets of aluminum wheels. Once inside you will discover redesigned interior door panels and an updated entertainment system. Nothing out of the ordinary then but I bet the upgraded Phantom still costs more than we’d like to pay for a car nowadays.

via Press

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Chances are, you will never own a Rolls Royce. Then again, chances are you will probably never see a Rolls Royce in person, let alone be in one.

Anywho, Auto Express has gotten their hands on what they call the best interior shots yet of the soon to be revealed (at the Geneva Auto Show) Rolls Royce RR4.

I’ve never really understood the fasicnation with these super expensive luxury cars. Sure the interior looks fancy and all but $250,000+? For a fraction of that I could make the fastest Lancer Evolution in existence. 

Anyways, head over to Auto Express to see the rest of the interior shots.

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While all car manufacturers are sulking from dropping sales, there is one car manufacturer that has reported an increase in sales. Rolls-Royce, a car famous for luxury and rarity has reported a 20% boom on new car sales in 2008. They had sold a record 1,212 cars for the fifth straight year, keeping in check their annual increase on car sales.

And if you think that is good news, wait until you hear the best part. With their booming success, they are going to need some workers under their fold.

Rolls-Royce is expected to need extra workers late in 2009 to cope with demand.

The success was a rare glimmer of hope for the battered UK car industry and follows Nissan’s decision to axe 1,200 jobs at its plant in Sunderland.

(Source) The Sun

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With the current (poor) state of the economy on the USA, where is the best place to sell an expensive Rolls-Royce? In Asia, more specifically in China, Japan, and India.

How can we be sure those are the best spots?

1. Because sales went up by 50% in Asia, when compared to last year.
2. Instead of 4 showrooms in Asia Pacific, there are now 17.
3. From all the 1,010 cars sold worldwide by Rolls-Royce during 2007, about 200 were bought in Asia.

By the way, the preferred model is the Phantom that costs close to $985,000. Taking in consideration that 85% of car is pure luxury, it doesn’t look that expensive, or does it?

(more…)

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