rolls royce

Burj Al Arab Gets 4 New Custom Rolls-Royces

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

The ultra-opulent Burj Al Arab hotel, symbol of Dubai's excess, has just received four new custom Rolls-Royce Phantom limousines, pushing its total fleet of Phantoms to 10. Produced by Rolls' Bespoke Programme, the cars' interiors feature Grecian key marquetry applied to the wood veneer, and the distinctive Burj Al Arab logo embroidered into the leather headrests. The cars are all white like the exterior of the hotel itself, which is home to the $18,000-per-night Royal Suite, one of the world's most expensive hotel rooms. Last year we wrote about the bespoke Rolls created for the Four Seasons George V in Paris with a custom Hermès interior.

Tags: bespoke, Burj Al Arab, BurjAlArab, Dubai, hotel, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, RollsRoyce, UAE

The Brothel Prince & His Louis Vuitton Rolls-Royce

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Spotted in Monaco recently was this pimped-out Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe customized in a Murakami multicolored Louis Vuitton monogram, belonging to the infamous Prince Marcus von Anhalt. Von Anhalt, who's said to have essentially bought his title - Prinz von Anhalt, Herzog zu Sachsen und Westfalen, Graf von Askanien in full - by paying Zsa Zsa Gabor and her ninth husband Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt millions of dollars to adopt him, is one of Germany's largest and most high-profile brothel and nightclub owners.

He refers to himself as "Prince Germany" and apparently uses the Rolls to promote the Royal Race, a Gumball 3000-style exotic auto rally he launched last year. The Prince, who's been known to pal around with Pamela Anderson, claims to be a millionaire "in the three digit range" and to own 26 cars plus luxury real estate in several countries including Monaco and Dubai, attended by 12 bodyguards and 25 servants. This looks to us like not only a crime against taste but exactly the kind of thing LVMH's lawyers love to sue over.

[via JamesList]

Tags: Germany, Louis Vuitton, LouisVuitton, Monaco, Murakami, Pamela Anderson, PamelaAnderson, Prince Marcus von Anhalt, PrinceMarcusVonAnhalt, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, RollsRoyce, Royal Race, RoyalRace, Royalty, takashi murakami, TakashiMurakami, Zsa Zsa Gabor, ZsaZsaGabor

Shanghai Motor Show 2009: New Rolls-Royce to be named Ghost

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Rolls Royce 200EX (Ghost) Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Today in Shanghai China, Rolls Royce CEO Tom Purves announced that the company's new model would be called Ghost. The new smaller Rolls which had been referred to previously as the RR4 was shown as a concept called the 200EX at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will debut in production form at the Frankfurt show this fall. The Ghost uses a stretched version of the platform from the new BMW 760Li including a modified version of the 6.0-liter twin turbocharged V12 engine.

Ghost is a traditional Rolls-Royce name that like Phantom was meant to convey the extremely smooth and quiet operation of these British luxury machines as they slip through the world. The Ghost will eventually spawn coupe and convertible variants as well some time after the four door sedan goes on sale late this year.

Tags: rolls royce, rolls royce 200ex, rolls royce ghost, rolls royce rr4, RollsRoyce, RollsRoyce200ex, RollsRoyceGhost, RollsRoyceRr4

Continue reading “Shanghai Motor Show 2009: New Rolls-Royce to be named Ghost”

Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce introduces the 200EX

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click the 200EX for a high-res gallery

Rolls Royce officially unveiled its 200EX concept in Geneva this week as the precursor to the fourth model in its lineup and the first not based on the immense Phantom. For the moment the 200EX is just a concept but this fall the production version will be revealed with a proper name, one likely to start with Silver. Compared to the Phantom this new model is some 18" shorter and is designed to be far less formal.

In spite of that "informality" this is absolutely a Rolls-Royce through and through. The interior is trimmed in the finest hides and wood veneers. This is clearly a more driver oriented car as evidenced by the thicker rim and smaller diameter on the steering wheel. However, those that prefer to have someone else handle the piloting duties will still find the rear compartment of the 200EX a very hospitable location with the lounge style seating well back of the C-pillar along with the coach style rear hinged doors.

The new grille with the vertical slats set back further from the frame is now meant to evoke more of a jet engine intake than a Greek temple. Rolls-Royce has not indicated a price range yet but it will undoubtedly be in keeping with Rolls tradition.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX

Tags: geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, rolls royce, rolls royce 200ex, rolls royce rr4, RollsRoyce, RollsRoyce200ex, RollsRoyceRr4

Rolls-Royce 200EX Making its World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rolls-Royce 200EX

The newest addition to the Rolls-Royce model lineup still a year away from production but we'll be getting a preview in two weeks at the Geneva Motor Show. The car that until now has been referred to as the RR4 will appear as a concept called 200EX. When the production version of the 200EX hits the streets in 2010 it will be the fourth Rolls-Royce model since the company was reborn under BMW ownership in 2003. Compared to the Phantom saloon, the 200EX is about 18 inches shorter but it remains a big machine spanning 212.6 inches from bumper to bumper.

Rolls-Royce isn't revealing to many technical details yet but we do know that like the Phantom, the 200EX/RR4 will have V12 power. The new car will however get an all-new engine not shared with any other car. The new Roller retains the rear hinged coach (don't call them suicide) doors but its more modest size means this is likely to be more of a drivers car than the Phantom. As with any Rolls-Royce, the interior will be impeccably finished in the finest hides, wood veneers and fabrics. The final production version (and presumably its name) will debut this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Tags: geneva 2009, geneva auto salon, geneva auto show, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaAutoSalon, GenevaAutoShow, GenevaMotorShow, rolls, rolls royce, rolls royce 200ex, rolls royce rr4, rolls-royce, RollsRoyce, RollsRoyce200ex, RollsRoyceRr4

Continue reading “Rolls-Royce 200EX Making its World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show”

Project Kahn "White Pearl" Rolls-Royce Phantom

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Last month my colleague Deidre Woollard wrote about the bespoke Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe from British-based Project Kahn. Now the ultra-high end customizer has come out with their version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom saloon, dubbed the White Pearl (above). Khan boss Afzal Kahn notes that no modification was needed for the Rolls' V12 powertrain, as there is "no need to even worry about the engine as it is without a doubt one of the best engines made today."

The upgrades are cosmetic, therefore, consisting of 22" Silver Mist alloy wheels with Rolls center caps and a "meticulous diamond polish" for each spoke. The luxury cruiser also gets a unique Pearl White finish, hence the name. Interior flourishes are left up to the individual purchaser's whims, via a bespoke design service, though black piano trim is de rigeur. Project Kahn also recently debuted their take on the Range Rover Vogue, finished in white as well.

Tags: Project Kahn, ProjectKahn, Range Rover, RangeRover, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls-roycePhantom, RollsRoyce, UK

Rolls-Royce Updates the Phantom Saloon for 2009

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

With its range of products now expanded to include a coupe, a convertible and a long wheelbase version, and with an all-new model range coming around the corner, Rolls-Royce is turning its attention back on the model that re-launched the brand in 2003. Subtly revised for this year, the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom gets a new grille and wheel options, as well as a host of new luxury touches including LED illumination on the door handles, upgraded in-cabin entertainment system, new electronic controls, adjustable reading lamps and redesigned interior door panels. Nothing revolutionary here, as Rolls-Royce has wisely chosen not to mess too much with perfection.

Gallery: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Source

Tags: phantom, rolls royce, rolls-royce, rolls-royce phantom, Rolls-roycePhantom, RollsRoyce, updated phantom, UpdatedPhantom

Project Kahn Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The latest bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom comes from customizers Project Kahn. Their version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is on 22-inch wheels that are 9.5 inches wide and designed to accommodate Rolls-Royce's original center caps. It comes in either a dark mist or silver mist color with tinted privacy glass and clear side lights. The interior is finished in custom napa leather with a steering wheel done in either piano black or carbon fiber. As Inside Line reports, Project Kahn modifies the cars from the factory and orders them with elm cluster veneer wood and lamb's wool rugs. They also throw in a Kahn keyring and a Kahn golfing umbrella with a carbon fiber shaft.

[via Inside Line]

Source

Tags: phantom drophead coupe, PhantomDropheadCoupe, project kahn, ProjectKahn, rolls royce, rolls-royce, RollsRoyce

Rolls, Ferrari & Bugatti in Boca Raton Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

On Jan. 1 - 4, Kruse International will auction off almost 1,000 cars at the Boca Raton South Florida Collector Car Auction, held at the Royal Palm Polo Club. There are several valuable and notable autos on offer, including the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner from the 1981 Dudley Moore movie Arthur (above), estimated at $200,000. Other big ticket items include a 1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Landault, one of only five built and formerly the official car of the President of Gabon in Africa, est. at $2 million; a brand new 2009 Bugatti Veyron, est. at $1.7 million; a 2003 Ferrari Enzo, est. at $1.3 million; a 1973 Ferrari Daytona Spyder, formerly the property of Rod Stewart, est. at $600,000; and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, est. at $450,000. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Boca Raton Auto Auction

Tags: Boca Raton, BocaRaton, Bugatti, Ferrari, Kruse International, KruseInternational, Mercedes-Benz, Rod Stewart, RodStewart, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, RollsRoyce

Rolls-Royce Cuts Production

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in October it seemed the news from Rolls-Royce was just fine but now the Telegraph brings the news that the luxury car company will be cutting production. It has already extended the Christmas shutdown at its plant in Chichester, West Sussex from two weeks to three and is planning a number of f "non production" days. Also 40 of the company's temporary staff have been laid off but no permanent layoffs have been announced. There will be more production cuts planned for the new year but so far no comments from the company on whether or not orders have been cancelled or if the factory will be shutting down more regularly. Because Rolls-Royce vehicles are built to order they were insulated from the economic crisis for a little while but now the slowing down of orders from the dealers is starting to have an effect.

Source

Tags: rolls royce, rolls-royce

The World's Fastest Rolls-Royce

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Spotted at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Assoc.) auto show in Las Vegas this week was this highly-modified 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which at 1350 hp. is far and away the world's fastest Rolls-Royce. Owned by a Floridian enthusiast, the car is powered by a 9.3-liter supercharged V8 with a nitrous injection system, air suspension and bespoke chassis. There's a full custom leather interior, including the trunk which has fitted luggage and a TV set - one of four positioned inside the toally unique vehicle. Experts estimate the cost of the modifications at over $300,000.

Gallery: World's Fastest Rolls

Tags: Las Vegas, LasVegas, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Rolls-royceSilverShadow, RollsRoyce, SEMA, SEMA 2008, Sema2008

The Classicist: Four Seasons + Hermes = The
Ultimate Rolls-Royce

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, The Classicist

The Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris has just unveiled the ultimate luxury automobile - the world's only Hermès-designed, hand-built Rolls-Royce Phantom. The one-of-a-kind car was custom made to the famed hotel's specifications by Rolls-Royce in collaboration with the legendary French fashion house.

The project, which took a year to complete, was overseen by the luxury hotel's in-house Artistic Director Jeff Leatham. He first selected the car's color scheme to match the famed hotel's "personality". The team at Hermès' Interieur & Design department then conceived and created customized upholstery and accessories based on the aesthetics and rich heritage of the Four Seasons George V.

Leatham selected two tones of elegant gray for the Rolls' exterior, anthracite and titanium, and a deep rose leaf gray was chosen for the full Hermès glove-soft leather interior. Key elements such as the steering wheel and passenger consoles were finished in Hermès Taurillon Plume calfskin to complement the rest. A romantic touch was added in the form of a "starlight headliner": a canopy consisting of 800 lights on the Rolls' roof liner as a tribute to the City of Lights.

Gallery: Four Seasons George V Rolls-Royce

Leatham followed each step of the fabrication process from the Rolls-Royce motorworks in Goodwood, England to the ateliers of Hermès in Pantin, France. While the car was being hand-built in Goodwood, 39 of its interior parts including the door handles, steering wheel and interior consoles were shipped to France and entrusted to the expert craftsmen of Hermès. As a finishing touch, classic Hermès throws in complementary color schemes were stowed in the passenger area.

"The Hotel's goal in commissioning two of the world's most talented makers of luxury goods to collaborate on the project was to create an experience that is unsurpassed for our guests in Paris," says Christopher Norton, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel George V. ''This Rolls-Royce represents a marriage of like-minded brands that are single-mindedly focused on the very highest of standards and quality. As it is the hotel's 80th anniversary this year, it is fitting to introduce an experience that is unique in the world and only available at Four Seasons George V."

When the car was complete, five drivers were appointed by the George V and specially trained by Rolls-Royce to operate the precious vehicle. The car is available to hotel guests for airport pick-up at a rate of about $1,000, and for day trips or business in Paris, at a rate of about $5,000 per day, via the hotel's Concierge desk.

Tags: Four Seasons, Four Seasons George V, FourSeasons, FourSeasonsGeorgeV, Hermes, Paris, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls-roycePhantom, RollsRoyce

Will Rolls-Royce Make An Electric Phantom?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

It looks very likely that in the near future Rolls fans will have the option of owning an all-electric version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Tom Purves, the Rolls-Royce CEO, has revealed that he'd not only like to build an electric Phantom but thinks it would fit in perfectly with what a lot of Rolls customers are looking for. Thanks to the technology used in the new BMW Mini-E the hard part of developing an electric engine that measures up is already done -- it's really just about refinement and tweaking a few technology details.

No word yet on when an electric Phantom can be expected but it sounds like it could be as soon as the next few years.

Source

Tags: auto, autos, bmw, car, cars, eco-friendly, electric, electric car, ElectricCar, green, mini cooper, mini e, MiniCooper, MiniE, phantom, rolls royce, rolls royce phantom, rolls-royce, RollsRoyce, RollsRoycePhantom, wheels

Ferragamo Slated to Design Dubai Penthouses

by Tracy Chait (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Real Estate Developments

The legendary Italian design house of Salvatore Ferragamo will design the interiors of Trident International's new Dubai-based Pentominium (where expansive penthouses meet the convenience of condo living). The tower for which Ferragamo will design is slated to be the tallest residential building in the world at over 500 meters high. Each floor will comprise one penthouse unit, measuring a luxe 6,500 square feet and offering expansive ocean views.

The building itself will offer a Davidoff-inspired cigar lounge, rooftop observation deck, Swarovski-crystallized grand entrance, indoor pool and spa and fully functional business center. Not that you'd need to leave the tower, but if the need arises, Pentominium residents have use of a fleet of Rolls Royces and Azimut yachts. Residences are expected to be finished by 2012. Though standard units will start at $5.3 million, penthouse list prices have yet to be disclosed.

[via Baller]

Gallery: Designer Residences

Source
Source
Source

Tags: azimut yacht, AzimutYacht, davidoff, dubai, ferragamo, interior design, InteriorDesign, pentominium, rolls royce, RollsRoyce, salvatore ferragamo, SalvatoreFerragamo, trident international holdings, TridentInternationalHoldings

The Rolls Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Here's a classy looking clutch that has absolutely nothing in the way of ruffles, gems, or other frills. It's even a fairly rugged shade of pewter gray. The perfect nice-but-just-a-little-casual clutch to go with a favorite sweater dress or maybe nice jeans and a cute top. The Rolls Clutch by Marc Jacobs features an old-time Rolls-Royce on its foldover front with silver-studded wheels, press stud closure, zipped compartments on both the back and on the inside, and an interior fully lined in smooth brown leather. Bring a small bit of unexpected fashion statement to your next get-together. $1,095

Gallery: Marc Jacobs Rolls Clutch