Adding to our long list of Rolls Royce Phantom wannabes from all over the world (bad taste has no ethnic boundaries...) is this creation that's said to come from Kazakhstan. A fitting (luxury) proposal for Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional character Borat, the Phantom appears to be based on the late 1980s - early 1990s, W124 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Watch the video after the break.Via: Autogespot
Just like any other product, armored cars have to pass rigorous tests to make sure they deliver what they promise - even if that means destroying a six-figure vehicle like the Rolls Royce Phantom during the process. In what looks like a real life 'shootem up' video is in fact a ballistic test performed by Mutec which is a German coach builder that specializes on armored vehicles. Watch the armored Phantom being shot at with several types of guns as well as being blown up in the video after the break.Via: es.Autoblog.com
It's not only volume brands that are reducing their average CO2 performance across their fleet, so are supercar and luxury vehicle makers, according to a report by auto consultancy JATO Dynamics that compares the average CO2 output of vehicles sold by selected specialty car brands in the first half (H1) of 2008 to the same period in 2009. With the exception of Maserati that recorded a 20g/km increase in CO2 output, all other makers included in the study showed a reduction in the average CO2 emissions of the cars they sold in the first half of 2009 compared to H1 2008."Of course, supercars are starting from a high base and have more scope to reduce emissions than mainstream cars, but the speed with which they are improving their CO2 performance should be credited," commented David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult.
"Sales volumes might be on a smaller scale, but those manufacturers we studied sell close to 100,000 cars combined each year, and we know well that the days of supercar makers being excluded from the environmental debate are over," Girolamo added.
Ferrari showed the highest reduction in CO2 emissions as the Italian supercar maker recorded a 40.4 g/km improvement in CO2 output of new cars sold in H1 2009 over the same period in 2008.
JATO Dynamic claims that this is the greatest volume reduction of any brand on sale in Europe representing a 9.5% improvement matching that of the best performing volume brand of H1 2009 (in Europe) which is Chevrolet.
This also shows that Ferrari is well on its track to achieving its goal to trim down CO2 emissions from 400 g/km per vehicle to 280-300 g/km, by 2012.
Percentage-wise, the overall winner in CO2 volume reduction is Alpina, a German maker that sells modified BMW cars, with a 14.1% improvement over H1 2008 - although notably on a smaller scale than many of the other companies included in the study.
However, readers should be aware of a significant factor when it comes to CO emissions and that is none other than the annual km / miles covered by these specialty cars. Meaning a Ferrari or a Lamborghini may deliver for example 350g of C02 per km, but many of these cars are driven less than 30,000 km / 20,000 miles in a period of ten years. Do the math and that comes to a (theoretical) average of 7 tons of CO2.
A VW Golf 1.4 TSI 122HP with a manual transmission for example returns 144g of CO2 per km but will cover an average of around 20,000km or more per year which comes to 28.8 tons of CO2 in ten years of use (that is, if the car has been well serviced during that time).
Rolls Royce is giving us another preview of its 'baby' Phantom with a new video that shows the luxury sedan's product manager Dan Balmer taking a pre-production prototype for a spin on the road. Scheduled to be revealed to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Show next month before going on sale in Europe at the end of the year and the rest of the world in spring 2010, the Ghost is powered by a 570 horsepower 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. Watch the video after the jump. 
Even though we're getting very close to the Ghost's official launch date, Rolls Royce continues to polish up its all-new "baby" Phantom that was scooped here in production-ready form testing in Germany. Sans the black tape on the grille, the prototype model was completely undisguised and unless we're missing something, the Ghost is virtually unchanged from the 200 EX concept study that was unveiled at this year's Geneva Salon.
The production model retains the prototype model's suicide rear doors as well as the brushed aluminum bonnet and A-pillars that will most likely be offered as an option when sales begin in Europe in late 2009 and the rest of the world, from the second quarter of 2010.
Measuring just under 5,4 meters in length, the Ghost is 187 mm longer than a LWB 7-Series (5,212 mm) but almost half-a-meter shorter than the Phantom (5,83m).
The Phantom's baby brother will be offered with a newly developed 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. The V12 produces an output of 570 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 780Nm (575 lb-ft) at just 1,500 rpm.
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olls Royce has revealed that the Ghost will accelerate from 0 to 60mph 4.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and reach an electronically governed top speed of 155mph or 250km/h.
The BMW Group owned British automaker also announced that the Ghost will be equipped with "intelligent" four corner air suspension system and multi link aluminum front and rear axles. The company claims that hat the newly developed air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes, including the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other compensating accordingly.
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... Via: Autoblog.nl & Autojunk
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.
Looks like some uber-rich, uber-spoiled and probably uber-bored fellas found a new way to enjoy "The Spirit of Ecstasy". The 'richouligans' attempted to have a bit of slideway fun with a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe at a parking lot by performing donuts around other parked cars. Not the best way to enjoy a luxurious behemoth with a kerbweight of close to three tonnes with fuel and passengers on board, but whatev. Video after the jump.Via: Jalopnik
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
As we're getting closer to the Frankfurt motor show, Rolls Royce is releasing further technical details on its new 'baby' model. This time, the British automaker revealed that like the larger Phantom, the 2010 Ghost will make use of an "intelligent" four corner air suspension system and multi link aluminum front and rear axles that promise to offer driver and passengers alike the ride of the their life - or so to speak. 
"The Ghost will be as refined and as cosseting as anything that this marque has ever produced," said Rolls-Royce CEO, Tom Purves. "But it will have a dynamic vitality afforded to it due to the latest technology and engineering techniques. We are very proud of our engineering team's achievements with Ghost. The balance of refinement and dynamic ability is astonishing," he added
Rolls Royce claims that the newly developed air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes, including the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other, and compensate accordingly.
The system uses an on-board computer that reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car with the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. Rolls Royce said that the air suspension system also incorporates a so-called "lift and kneel" function, raising or lowering the Ghost by 25mm. This can either assist those folks that have a problem getting in or out of the car -or at least that's what the company suggests...- or allow the Ghost to travel over rough ground.
In an earlier release, Rolls Royce revealed that the Ghost will be powered by a new 6.6-liter V12 engine churning out "more than 507HP". Series production of the new Rolls will begin in late 2009.
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.
Via: Autoblog.nl
