Rolls-Royce is letting the current-gen Ghost cross over

In not-so-surprising news for those who have been paying attention, Rolls-Royce has officially announced it’s planning to ship the current Ghost out to pasture, and soon.The farewell declaration was sandwiched within the announcement of the Black Badge Ghost, which will debut at the 2019 NEC Classic Motor Show in the U.K.The internet had already got ahold of some spy shots of the current-generation Ghost’s successor. Now it’s just official. “Ghost has been selected because 2019 marks the end of the model family’s remarkable ten-year tenure in which it has secured uninterrupted commercial and critical success,” said Rolls-Royce in a press release. The Ghost first debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 and quickly earned a reputation as the British luxury manufacturer’s more youthful-feeling and approachable car, partly due to its design, but mostly because of its price. In 2011, Rolls-Royce dropped a long-wheelbase version, followed by a fully updated Ghost Series II in 2014. Five years (how long is that in new-car years again?) and one last special edition later and it’s time for the first-gen Ghost to step aside to let the next one take over.Similar to its brethren in black, the Black Badge Ghost will deliver more power and torque, and come finished in all the shades of black.
Origin: Rolls-Royce is letting the current-gen Ghost cross over

Rolls-Royce gives the Cullinan the Black Badge treatment

Rolls-Royce’s interpretation of super-luxury in 2019 is this: black. Actually, that’s been the British automaker’s idea of ultimate luxury for a few years now. It created the Black Badge series back in 2016 with the Wraith and Ghost, followed by the Dawn in 2017. Now, after a two-year hiatus, R-R is back in black, this time with its SUV having received the shadow treatment to become “the darkest and most urban statement of Black Badge yet.”The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan is all-around more ominous, with a black exterior that’s been hand-finished at Rolls HQ in Goodwood; darkened chrome on details like the grille surround and exhaust pipes; a high-gloss black chrome Spirit of Ecstasy badge; and 22-inch forged alloy wheels finished in black and dark chrome. Power gets amped a decent boost, too. The Black Badge model boasts an upgraded 6.8-litre V12 good for 600 horsepower and 664 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the 563 hp and 627 lb.-ft. delivered by the standard Cullinan model. To fully appreciate the symphony of that turbocharged V12, Rolls-Royce has installed a ‘Low’ button on the gear selector that amplifies the sound to give off a deep growl to match its sinister look. Now, some have referred to the Cullinan as “the world’s most expensive mullet,” which it may be, but even mullets, if given the proper attention, can look respectable in a tailored black suit. Think John Wick, but with more business in the front. “Black Badge reflects the desires of a distinct group of Rolls-Royce clients: men and women who take risks, break rules and build success on their own terms,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, in a press release, unintentionally playing straight into my John Wick reference. “Indeed, before we launched Black Badge in 2016, the idea of creating a product that would satisfy this subversive cohort (…) caused a great deal of internal debate. However (…) it became clear that these motor cars could not only exist comfortably beneath this revered and historic brand but they would define a new space within the super-luxury market.”“In this spirit, the time has come for Rolls-Royce’s boldest and darkest expression of Black Badge yet. The King of the Night, Black Badge Cullinan.”King of the Night or mullet in a black suit? You be the
Origin: Rolls-Royce gives the Cullinan the Black Badge treatment

From the archive: A royal Rolls-Royce

Two-and-a-half years after their wedding, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, took delivery of the very first Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. Autocar reported details of the car on 7 July 1950, saying that while Rolls-Royce had longstanding relationships with high society, this was “the first time that a completely new model has been evolved specially for members of the British Royal House”. The all-new chassis, codenamed 4AF2, had been delivered to the chosen coachbuilder, HJ Mulliner, the previous July. Rolls-Royce had apparently planned this to be a one-off, it having been ordered at the personal request of the Duke, but a total of eighteen would go on to be built through to 1958, all going to heads of state, including Generalissimo Francisco Franco of Spain and King Faisal II of Iraq, apart from one that underpinned a truck used at the Crewe factory. “The lines and proportions of the car are so well balanced,” we said, “that its great size is not immediately apparent, but with a wheelbase of 12ft 1in, an overall length of almost 19ft and a height of over 6ft, it dwarfs most other cars on the road”. That is indeed huge even by modern standards – even today’s extended-wheelbase Phantom VIII is only around 8in longer, and you must remember that your average Morris Minor in 1950 stretched just 12ft 4in. “The rear compartment provides drawing room comfort for two people and has two comfortable occasional seats which fold away into the division when not required,” we continued. Ease of entry was aided by coach doors opening 3ft 2in wide and a very shallow roof panel. “The interior is rendered very light by the generous glass areas, supplemented by a transparent panel in the roof, which can be obscured by a motor-driven blind. At night, the interior can be brightly illuminated by a concealed strip light, besides which there are foor roof lamps in the normal pattern. “The general style of finish, in keeping with the desires of the owners, is very simple, with grey cloth upholstery, a grey curled mohair rug and figured walnut cappings and panel work on the division with banded edges. “In front, there are two very larger and comfortable armchairs upholstered in green leather. The driving seat is separately adjustable and a sufficient sliding range has been provided to enable the car to be driven comfortably by a tall driver such as the Duke of Edinburgh himself. Each of the front seats is provided with two armrests which fold away into the backrest when not required. “Heating and ventilation arrangements are very thorough. Two air intakes, one on each side of the radiator, supply fresh air to ducts which feed front and rear compartments, and there are three heaters, drawing warm water from the engine cylinder head. The rear quaterlights incorporate swivelling ventilation panes with a large arc of movement.” Of course, the new Phantom also featured all the latest electronic gadgetry of the time: “Control buttons for the heating system, division, electric window winders and ashtrays are located in the outer two armrests in the rear compartment. “The centre armrest has built into it the controls for the radio set and also includes a glovebox. The radio itself is concealed in the luggage compartment and operates two loudspeakers, one in the cabinet work and the division and another in the driving comparment, which is provided with a separate volume control.” God forbid Her Royal Highness miss the BBC Light Programme, after all. Naturally, cigarette lighters and hand mirrors were also provided. On the mechanical side, we described how the underpinnings were the latest in a line “stretching back to the immortal Silver Ghost (of 1906-26) and reaffirming the position of the Rolls-Royce firm as makers of a car which is not only the finest in the world mechanically, but also one which for size, power and performance can justly be regarded as the most magnificient in the world.” Isn’t it wonderful to read prose so unabashedly confident of something British? That sentence written today would generally be considered laughable, to the great detriment of the little that remains of national spirit and pride. Anyhow, I digress; back seven interluding decades now, and the wonderfully analogue mechanical doings. “A range of four, six and eight-cylinder engines with common valve, piston and connecting rod assemblies was designed to the order of the Ministry of Supply some time ago,” we said, “and major components from this range were used in evolving an eight-cylinder car engine which has run for some time in an experimental Bentley chassis. This same engine has provided the basis for the power unit used in the new Rolls-Royce chassis. “Like those of the other Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars now in production, it has overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and uses a cylinder head of aluminium alloy RR50 with inserted valve seats. The crankshaft is of chrome molybdenum steel and
Origin: From the archive: A royal Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the world’s most expensive mullet

Rolls Royce SUV in White Rock, NM (and Anasazi Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico)Douglas Merriam for Rolls-Royce The classic definition of a “mullet” – business up front, party in the back – typically applies only, at least in the automotive world, to Chevrolet’s ungainly El Camino crowd. But Rolls-Royce, having finally joined this, the automobile industry’s most crowded automobile sector, has staked a claim on four-wheeled mullet-dom with a huge – nay, dominant – ostentatious, glamorous off-roader. And when you wed, and weld, two such disparate concepts into one vehicle, you have to anticipate the raised eyebrows that come along with the applause.Named after the largest diamond ever mined, the Cullinan is the world’s most expensive, gorgeous, ridiculous SUV ever. It’s really not fair to put it in a class with other SUVs. While upscale brands all went SUV later than everyone else, there was no denying there was too much money lying around the segment to ignore. When I interviewed Ian Callum, Jaguar’s long-time chief designer, for instance, at the launch of the F-Pace, he openly sighed and said he’d pushed back as long as he could — against the idea. SUVs are a no-brainer, even among the elite. Even, as it turns out, Rolls-Royce. And, when you have just four models in your lineup and youve been the most celebrated manufacturer since the turn of the last century, to add something like the Cullinan to your parade is a statement. Rolls-Royce, unlike lesser marques, doesnt have to chase after customers. But the introduction of this car is a signal it understands and acknowledge the brand, long the staple of the oldest of old money, simply cant ignore the fact there is a lot of new money out there.Lots and lots of new money. If the traditional Rolls-Royces are sought after by the Downton Abbeys of the entertainment world, its todays athletes and musicians, swimming in fortunes quickly accumulated and sometimes just as quickly spent that prompt the storied manufacturer to retain the status of the brand while appealing to individuals who are themselves a brand.Its tempting to say its a case of if you cant beat em, join em. but this car isnt even close to anything else calling itself a sport utility. The deeply luxurious seating is made from only bull hides (no girl cows need apply); the lambswool carpeting is thick enough to resemble fur; and the wood and aluminum finishes are made from, well, wood and aluminum. There is no faux anything, and you can individualize to your hearts content.No ask is too big with Rolls-Royce, and bespoke finishes can run $40,000 to $50,000 (Canadian). If you chose one of the more exclusive finishes that include glass, silver, gold or even diamonds, that number can go much higher. When theyre hand-building you a car, you truly can have it your way. From the front, it’s classic Rolls-Royce, with the Spirit of Ecstasy unfurling her nightgown as she flies down the road. Or off the road, as we’re going to pretend will be the case. Powered by a 563-horsepower twin-turbo 6.7-litre V12 engine, it flies. The cabin is silent, save for one of the most incredible in-house sound systems you will find in any car, anywhere. As we prowled around the Santa Fe countryside, the run-flat tires finally threw back a little road noise on the gravel fire roads. It’s Rolls-Royce’s first offering with all-wheel drive, and the 637 foot-pounds of torque would effortlessly power even this 2753-kg (6069-lb) comfort kingdom up a mountainside (sand if you’re in Saudi Arabia, snow if you’re in Aspen). Rolls Royce SUV in White Rock, NM (and Anasazi Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico) Douglas Merriam for Rolls-Royce If you manage to wreck a tire, in true regal fashion, you dont change it yourself you cant, since there isnt a spare. You just call for assistance. They say theyll come get you no matter where you are, a promise that will undoubtedly rarely be tested. The point of the Cullinan is to let everyone know you could go conquering the wilderness if you really wanted to, not to actually do it.There is no need to select from the off-road settings you might be accustomed to in lesser rugged rigs. You simply punch a button that says, rather vaguely, “off road” and satellite linkage determines what’s to come, and the car sets itself up accordingly. Attending the Santa Fe Opera House after a day off the road was a fitting close. They let you tailgate here, and the Cullinan has an optional picnic table and two chairs (leather-wrapped, of course) that pop out of that clamshell hatchback. Inside, you can get a fridge, and two champagne flutes are neatly tucked into the space between the rear seats. The overhead panoramic roof is intergalactic, with space for my cowboy-hatted head. Heck, I could even go ten-gallon.You can drop those rear seats if you need to head to Home Depot, though it’s hard to imagine a more not do-it-yourself owner than someone who has just plunked out a half-million or more for this
Origin: The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the world’s most expensive mullet

Rolls-Royce unveils ultra-exclusive Ghost Zenith special

Rolls-Royce has unveiled a limited-run Ghost Zenith Collector’s Edition, which will offer the highest level of bespoke features on the car to date. The Zenith will be limited to just 50 examples and the British firm says it offers more bespoke options than any model apart from the 2016 limited-run Phantom Zenith. The special edition is intended as the ultimate version of the current Ghost before the new model arrives next year. The Ghost Zenith features a number of design details inspired by the 2009 200EX concept that previewed the Ghost. They include an ingot in the interior made from the original concept car’s Spirit of Ecstasy. A section of artwork showing technical details of the 200EX has been engraved in the centre console, too. The Spirit of Ecstasy and clock of the Ghost Zenith are both engraved with its name. There are new illuminated door pockets with perforated leather to emit light into the cabin, while the contrasting leather seats feature embroidery inspired by seat details in the 1907 Silver Ghost. The Ghost Zenith retains the model’s illuminated ‘starlight headliner’, but a new ‘shooting star’ design note has been introduced to add “an extraordinary sense of theatre”. It features a gloss contrast two-tone paintwork, available in three colour pairings, and a Silver Satin bonnet as used on the 200EX. The Ghost Zenith will be available in standard- and extended-wheelbase forms and feature the same mechanicals as the regular Ghost, including the twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 petrol engine. Pricing has not been disclosed but is likely to be substantially higher than the £200,958 base price for the current standard-wheelbase
Origin: Rolls-Royce unveils ultra-exclusive Ghost Zenith special

Ultra-exclusive Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII revealed

Rolls-Royce will use this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este to unveil its latest limited-run Collection Car: the Wraith Eagle VIII. Set to be on public display tomorrow at the event in Lake Como, Italy, the Wraith Eagle VIII is limited to just 50 examples. Rolls-Royce says its purpose is to “tell the epic tale of one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century” – the first non-stop transatlantic flight. In June 1919 – 100 years ago next month – British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown took off from Newfoundland, Canada, in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy aircraft, landing in Clifden, Ireland, nearly 16 hours later after battling with thick cloud cover and freezing fog. The aircraft was powered by two 20.3-litre 350bhp Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines, from which the new car takes its name. The special Wraith gets a two-tone light and dark grey paint scheme separated by a brass feature line – a scheme used because the flight was at night. ‘Translucent shadow’ wheels also feature, while the black X-pattern grille vanes are a reference to the engine cowling of the aircraft. The interior is finished in grey and black leather with brass accents, but it’s the detailing that’s key. Brass speaker covers show the estimated flight distance (1880 miles) while brass is also used on the door panniers. The dash-mounted clock even receives an iced background effect – glowing green at night – designed to imitate the plane’s frozen-over instruments and the green glow from the control panel. The eucalyptus wood dash fascia features gold, silver and copper inlays depicting a view of the earth from above at night, while the starlight headliner is claimed to show the exact celestial arrangement at the time of the flight, with the flight path embroidered across it in brass thread. Even the moment the pilots were able to clear the clouds and navigate via the stars is marked by a red fibre-optic light. The halfway point of the flight is marked with a plaque, while embroidered ‘clouds’ also feature. A plaque (also brass) on the driver’s door contains the following quote from Sir Winston Churchill on the historic flight: “I do not know what we should most admire – their audacity, determination, skill, science, their aeroplane, their Rolls-Royce engines, or their good fortune.” No pricing details have been revealed for the Wraith Eagle VIII – the old ‘if you have to ask, you can’t afford it’ adage probably
Origin: Ultra-exclusive Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII revealed

Rolls-Royce has fashioned a US$47,000 champagne chest

In true Rolls-Royce fashion, the hyper luxury automaker has released a champagne chest so owners of the vehicle can one-up their wealthy friends at yacht parties and high-end picnics. The design of the champagne chest takes inspiration from a V12 engine, the brand explains, and is crafted from carbon fibre and aluminum with accents of wood and leather. The chest is activated by the push of a button, elevating up to four hand-blown crystal champagne flutes embossed with the “RR” emblem as well as a bottle cooler and napkins. The oak lid turns into a tray for your help to serve the bubble-filled flutes to your waiting guests. Just as you can customize the colours and materials inside of a Rolls-Royce vehicle, the chests can be colour-matched to suit your taste, too. For those who aren’t into champagne, the chest can be converted into a caviar station that houses two thermal 30-gram tin containers and comes with mother-of-pearl serving spoons. But if you’re the kind of Rolls-Royce owner who isn’t into frills like champagne and caviar, the chest can be configured in a third way to display three porcelain bowls that you can fill with peasant food like Ruffles chips, Heluva Good french onion dip, and honey roasted peanuts. The custom chest retails for approximately US$47,000 plus taxes, and interested buyers can drop by any Rolls-Royce dealership to place an
Origin: Rolls-Royce has fashioned a US$47,000 champagne chest

Rolls-Royce to auction one-off 115th anniversary 2020 Phantom

Rolls-Royce is marking its 115th anniversary with a one-off 2020 Phantom to be auctioned off online by Canadian firm RM Sotheby’s later this year. R-R and RM Sotheby’s announced the special build during a five-course dinner and anniversary celebration held at RM Sotheby’s recently revamped NYC gallery. Fittingly high-brow. You can’t really see what you probably can’t afford yet, though, as all Rolls-Royce has given us is the above artist’s drawing. The colour is probably close, as it did disclose the bespoke car will be red. The interior will play home to “an original hand-crafted leather work of art” of some sort, and there’ll be multiple anniversary markings like numbered door sills, plaques and perhaps some limited-ed badges on the exterior. Rolls-Royce’s 115th birthday was actually May 4. On that date in 1904, Henry Royce and Charles Rolls got together at a hotel in Manchester and formed the company that would bring us cars like the Corniche, the Ghost, the Wraith and of course the Phantom. “While Roll-Royce motor cars have a history of crossing the block at RM Sotheby’s, tonight we are looking to the future of the brand,” said Martin Fritsches, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas, at the NYC event. “The eighth-generation Phantom will carry the longest running name in luxury motoring into a new era. Built on the ‘architecture of luxury,’ this new Phantom commission offers one special owner the chance to enjoy a motor car that is bound to be a classic over the next 115 years.” As to how much would such a classic cost, there’s been no official word. The base Phantom comes in at over half a million dollars, and that’s before the options. A bespoke anniversary edition Phantom like this has the potential to be the feather in the cap of some immensely wealthy individual’s collection. It will not go cheap. The one-off 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom will go up on the auction block at Sothebys.com this
Origin: Rolls-Royce to auction one-off 115th anniversary 2020 Phantom