Rolls-Royce News

News cruisers are parked-up and beaming pictures before 6am as the temperature hovers around minus 10 and snow flurries drift through the pre-dawn blackness.By 9am there are union workers carrying placards in support of the Big Three outside Cobo Hall in downtown motown, as the great and the good from the world's motor industry arrive for the first major event of 2009.The buzz is down from recent years, with less security and fewer journalists jetting in for the action, but still there are major unveilings, technology, important speeches and so much more over the first two days.The North American International Motor Show is more than just glitz and glamour for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in 2009 - this is the day when they have to deliver for the first time on the promises in Washington which have earned a government-backed rescue package.That means GM opens the action with a rolling cavalcade of 17 models which promise exactly what the government wants - hybrids, electric cars and regular production models which do better than 10 litres/100km in fuel economy.The headliner once again is the Chevrolet Volt, except this time it is wrapped in Cadillac bodywork and called the Converj - with the added bonus of a plug-in connection to its onboard battery system.Lexus is next and does its number around the brand's first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, which was originally only planned for America but will now go to more than 80 countries.Then Ford becomes the second of the Big Three to present its position for 2010 and beyond, with an all-new Taurus family car - perhaps a pointer to something on the Falcon front - and the promise of an all-new electric car with a 160-kilometre range by 2011.Company chairman Bill Ford takes the stand to deliver on the company's promises to Washington, even though it was the only local not to take a multi-billion dollar loan."Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future. I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge," Ford says.Then Chrysler, which many American analysts believe cannot survive the global economic meltdown, gets its turn and does a top job with the great looking new 200C family car and a range of electrics which shows it has not given up hope.It's best looker is the Dodge Circuit, which is most like a battery-powered Lotus sports car."The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment,” says the vice-president of design at Dodge, Ralph Gilles.By now, after just two hours of the first press preview day, the pattern for Detroit '09 is set.The home team is going big on the cars it needs to make - even if Americans are still buying BIG with the drop in pump petrol prices - but there is more sizzle than steak because they have started way behind the Japanese and Europeans.And Cobo Hall looks sparse. There are fewer brands, fewer cars and none of the bold-and-brassy unveilings - Chrysler has always led the world in motor show stunts - which have been a signature of the Detroit show.“All I know is we took about 50 per cent out of the cost of our stand,” says the car boss at General Motors, Bob Lutz.“We took away a lot of the structures, such as salad bowl-shaped Saturn stands, and towers with holographic displays.”But he still applies some positive spin as everyone talks up the chances for the Big Three, even in the face of a selloff of the Hummer and Saab divisions at GM.“The fact that we don’t have any of that stuff gives our stand a much more businesslike and cleaner appearance. I think they cluttered up the stand. I imagine it’s going to be much the same around the show," Lutz says.As usual, the 80-plus former fighter pilot is right.BMW joins the hybrid rush at Detroit with news of its petrol-electric X6, thankfully with the all-new Z4 sportster to provide some glamour, as Volkswagen provides the best looking car of the show with its Concept BlueSport.The gorgeous VW is most like a Mazda MX-5, but promises Prius-buster fuel economy in the 4.3 litres/100km range and, without any promise of production, it clearly could have a future.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability," says Volkswagen.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability.”The next big mover in Cobo Hall is Kia, which shows a funky pick-up built on its baby Soul. The Soul'ster is never going to be an Aussie workhorse but will hit the Gen-Y button for America, and California in particular.As the first day in Detroit winds into darkness and more frigid weather, Subaru kicks the action with a preview of its new Liberty - called the Legacy in the USA - Jaguar runs out its high-performance R version of the landmark XF and Volvo shows the most adventurous concept car in its history, pointing to the next S60."The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise," says Volvo boss, Stephen Odell.Ford goes again to start day two at Cobo, with its Lincoln-Mercury models, then its back to Maserati and then GM pushes the home game hard with an announcement that the batteries for its Volt will be built in the USA. It's a boost for local jobs, more hard news on the Volt, and just what Washington will want before the Big Three report back on their survival plans at the end of March.And then there is a shock - at least for the Americans - as Chinese cars make the mainstream in Detroit for the first time and little-known BYD confirms it will be selling the world's first production plug-in electric car by 2010.The last big event of Detroit '09 is the one everyone already knows about - the new Toyota Prius.The list of 'firsts' is impressive as the car is unveiled, from its drag co-efficient to more luxury and a more-efficient battery system. But Honda has already undercut the third-generation Prius on price with its Insight, which is headlining for the brand in Detroit, and there is no sign of a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack.But the Prius has solar-powered air-conditioning to cool the car when it is parked, is bigger and quieter inside, and is certain to become the world's best selling hybrid. The car comes with more than 1000 new patents on technology and a claim of 3.9 litres/100km economy."Prius is more than a hybrid, it’s a solution. No longer is it a second car or a passing fad. In many households, it has become the primary family car," says Bob Carter of Toyota USA.There is other stuff to see in Detroit, and some things are obviously missing _ the Mercedes E-Class was an invitation-only event and Rolls-Royce is holding its all-new RR4 for the Geneva Motor Show in March - but the overall verdict on 2009 is surprisingly positive.Cars are still big news, look good and make promises of a better and more enjoyable life on the road.But the big question remains. Did the Big Three do enough, and show enough in Detroit, to convince the American government that they deserve the support it will take to get them through the biggest crisis in the history of the automobile? 

For the person with everything you cannot go past this $183,000 18-karat white gold Girard-Perregaux because it comes with the perfect accessory - a car. But it's no ordinary car, it's the Pininfarina Hyperion, based on the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe. The Italian design house built the one-off two-seater for European Rolls-Royce owner and collector, Roland Hall. The interior was largely unchanged, except for the commissioning of a special watch. The watch sits proud on the dashboard but can be removed and attached to a bracelet to be worn on the wrist. Girard-Perregaux personalised one of its sophisticated watches, a white gold Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with gold bridge, especially for the car. Pininfarina took the regular production Drophead and removed the body, designing and building the sleek Rolls, which is named after Greek mythological Titan, Hyperion. Hall has decided to dedicate the car to the memory of late Andrea Pininfarina, 51, who died in a motorcycle accident in August. Although the car has created quite a sensation, the regional director of Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific, Collin Kelly, says there is no chance it might make it into low volume production. “Our research has not shown there is not enough demand for such a car, Kelly says. He says Pininfarina had a history of designing exclusive cars, which Rolls-Royce applauded. “But there is a big difference between this and bringing a new series mode to market, with the high development costs that this implies as a vehicle manufacturer,” he says. However, Kelly says the company has left the door open to future one-off projects. “Rolls-Royce can't comment on Pininfarina's work but if we were approached on a similar unique project such as this we would certainly consider the possibility.” Pininfarina personally designed the car's custom carbon fibre body. The car made its sensational debut at the recent Pebble Beach Concours in California. The Hyperion is designed to pay homage to the majestic pre-World War II luxury cars like the Hispano Suiza, with long bonnets and lavish interiors. To repeat the proportions Pininfarina extended the roof and shortened the rear end, moving the driving position back 400mm and removing the rear seats. A team of engineers designed a new hood, which folds behind the seats under a wood-lined cover. In front of the windscreen two compartments were built to house sports equipment, including Hall's hunting rifles. The bodywork is made of carbon fibre, while the details are applied using a technology adopted in boat building. The doors are made of solid wood by craftsmen who specialise in luxury boats. The Hyperion follows the debut of the technologically advanced Pininfarina Sintesi concept car at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Next month the Italian styling house will unveil an electric car concept, the Ferrari California and the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte at the Paris Motor Show.  

The world's only metallic white Phantom Pearl Rolls-Royce, one of 11 Rollers delivered to Australia last year, is being auctioned online.It is from the exclusive bespoke collection, with mother-of-pearl inlays adorning the dash and centre console.CEO of graysonline, Cameron Poolman, said it was the company's first world-exclusive sale.The car, which was part of a liquidation, cost about $1.1 million new and is expected to fetch more than $600,000, he said.“This is a business asset and so due to downturn in the financial markets the business is in liquidation,” he said. “It is currently registered in Victoria but will be sold unregistered.”Features include 21-inch chrome-vaned alloy wheels and the Phantom aluminium 6.75L, V12 engine.The vehicle has travelled fewer than 6000km and log books are included.“We are expecting mainly local interest, however, overseas parties are welcome to bid,” Poolman said.The auction closes on Friday.Visit: www.graysonline.com.au 

And, for them, it will be a relative bargain with a price tag of around $500,000A cut-priced Rolls-Royce sounds like a contradiction, but the all-new RR4 - with a final name still to be revealed - will be less than half the price of today's Phantom limousine.The British brand has just revealed the first sketches of its new 'baby', but they reveal very little beyond the basic outline.What is already known is that RR4 will be smaller than a Phantom but larger than a BMW 7-Series, which could be the donor vehicle for at least some of the car's components. After all, BMW Group does own Rolls-Royce.However a company spokesman says the majority of components will be uniquely Roller.“There is a sizeable amount of hand-built components along with a high level of individual skill required to build this new series,” says Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific corporate communications manager Hal Serudin“Also, unlike other brands, a vast majority of the componentry along with all significant parts – engine, chassis, wheels etc, will be unique to Rolls-Royce.“Although this car will be lower in price than a Phantom, it will be still one of the most exclusive cars available.”The car will have a new engine, expected to be a V8, a move confirmed earlier this year by outgoing RR chairman Ian Robertson.The sketches of RR4 come just a month before Rolls-Royce goes public with its third model, the Phantom Coupe. It follows the original four-door limousine and the Drophead Coupe, which has been a sell-out for close to a year despite a $1.2 million pricetag. 

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It may not be a lot by most motor companies' standards, but Rolls-Royce last year sold 1010 cars worldwide which was a 25 per cent increase and the first time the bespoke builder had reached four figures for a year.It was also the fourth successive sales increase since the company was re-launched in 2003.Australia joined in on the record-making with 17 sales, representing 42 per cent growth from 12 in 2006 and more than double the 2004 figures.Australia is the third largest market for Rolls in the region behind China and Japan with Australian dealer Trivett Classic delivering two Phantoms pictured right, to Queensland and two Drophead Coupes to the Gold Coast.Trivett Classic general manager Bevin Clayton said they expected the growth to continue in 2008.“Already, we are beginning to see inquiry rates on the up, compared to last year,” he said.“We have six confirmed orders at the start of the year.“We have every reason to be optimistic, because Rolls-Royce is expanding its model range to add a two-door, four-seat coupe by the end of the year giving our customers more choice.”This model will complete the Phantom family line-up alongside the Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Drophead Coupe.“We view the (economic) situation as positive but understandably with a little uncertainty due to the changeover in government,” he said.“Our clientele is also optimistic about the economy for the year ahead, the only concern being the continuing rise in interest rates.”A new Rolls-Royce model series will be launched in 2010, currently named RR4. 

The powerplant was confirmed in Detroit this week as work on RR4, the code-name for the sub-Phantom newcomer planned for 2010, moves to the next step. Rolls-Royce is tapping its German owner, BMW, for the basic mechanical package for the new engine but says it will be unique to the brand in everything from its tuning and styling to many of the individual mechanical parts. Details are still scarce, even though Rolls-Royce admitted last year that the 'compact' would still be about the size of a 7-Series BMW. But company chief Ian Robertson is finally opening up to build expectation for RR4 following the runaway success of the Phantom Drophead Coupe and the upcoming Phantom Coupe later this year. “To date I haven't been able to tell you much about RR4, but I can announce today that we are developing a brand-new engine for this model series,” the Rolls-Royce managing director says. “Phantom is already the most efficient car in the super luxury segment and the new engine will be a further substantial advance." “The engineering development is now well under way. I recently drove an early test car and can confirm that it is an outstanding product and an authentic Rolls-Royce.” The new motor will be more compact and efficient than the 6.7-litre V12 fitted to the Phantom, and will produce 338kW and 720Nm. No one is saying officially that it is a V8 but neither are they denying it. Rolls-Royce is cashed-up and aggressive on the new-model front, a total contrast to the tough times at its German rival Maybach, following record sales in 2007 and with the RR4 program committed and moving ahead on schedule. “Building work on our manufacturing plant at Goodwood is now under way, expanding operations in readiness for our new model series,” Robertson says. “This is the largest building program since the plant was built in 2002. But, crucially, we are not expanding the footprint of the building.”

In a new sales record for Australia, 17 cars were sold last year - netting the company in the region of $17 million.Sticker prices for the exclusive cars start at $915,000 for a base model Phantom, and rise to $1.2 million for a drophead coupe.Australia recorded 12 sales for the whole of 2006.The strong demand pushed sales growth to 10.4 per cent in the Asia Pacific region.Australia is the third-largest market in the region for the BMW subsidiary, following China and Japan.Sales in China grew by about 70 per cent, while sales to the Arab Emirates increased by about 50 per cent.Worldwide, Rolls-Royce sales increased by 25 per cent, with 1010 cars sold in 2007.North America remained the biggest single market for the luxury vehicles and accounted for 40 per cent of last year's total sales.Porsche also enjoyed a good year during 2007.The company's sale of 1380 cars included 47 sold in December alone.Just 20 sales were made in the same month in 2006, with a total of 1154 sales.Close to record sales were recorded across the automotive industry in general in Australia last year. Why do you think Rolls-Royce sales have jumped? Are we getting richer?