Geneva Preshow: Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX with Full-Electric Drive

Rolls Royce will be showcasing a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The British automaker said the car will serve as a working test bed to explore the feasibility of battery-powered Rolls Royce models in the near future.

“We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Goodwood. “With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.”

The 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will go on a world tour in 2011 offering Rolls Royce owners and enthusiasts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America the opportunity to test drive the car and share their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly with the company.

According to Rolls Royce, these include the 102EX's ability to deliver an acceptable range between re-charges and to operate in extreme weather conditions, as well as to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations.

“I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,” added Müller-Ötvös. “It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.”

Rolls Royce said it will reveal photos and full technical specifications for the 102EX at the Geneva Salon on March 1.

Here's another car I'd never heard of, the "Chinese Eye" 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud

Read about it http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/1965-rolls-royce-silver-cloud-chinese-eye-drophead-coupe-and-its-for-sale/ but it doesn't say if this was a coachbuilt custom, or a factory design

100 Rolls Royces Take to the Streets of London to Celebrate Centenary of 'Spirit of Ecstasy'

A selection of one hundred Rolls Royce cars from all eras and generations including examples of Silver Ghosts, Silver Clouds, Silver Shadows and Silver Spurs, took to the streets of London on Sunday, February 6, to celebrate the centenary of the brand's famous hood mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The hood ornament, also called "Flying Lady", was first fitted to Rolls-Royce models in 1911. It was designed by Charles Sykes and legend has it that the figurine was inspired by Eleanor Thornton, a co-worker of Sykes at the time.

“The Spirit of Ecstasy is a genuine icon, a graceful goddess who has adorned the prow of Rolls-Royce cars past and present,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “She is recognized the world over as a symbol for the pinnacle of automotive aspiration and is an inspiration to those of us working for the company today. The centenary drive was a fitting tribute to such an important figure for our company.”

The Rolls Royce drive started in Belgravia and ended at the Great Conservatory at Syon House in West London, making its way pass significant locations for the British brand including the birthplace of one of the founders of the automaker, Charles Rolls in Hill Street, Mayfair, the site of the studio where Charles Sykes is believed to have created the design of the Spirit of Ecstasy on Brompton Road and Berkeley Square, and the 21st century home of Rolls-Royce in London.

2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

Well, it seems that Bugatti has decided to withdraw from the new Veyron 16.4 super sports long before the official debut at the weekend at Pebble Beach Concours in mid-August. And not only reveals the official data on this, but the supercar entering the Guinness Book of Records, with an average speed of more than 431 km / h (267 mph). The new model will go into production this fall, and the first five units are sold as limited edition world record. "This will display the orange-black carbon fiber and especially thorough, and yes, while they last!

New Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is equipped with a turbocharger and intercooler, four more renewable energy is used to fix the 16-cylinder engine with a casing of 1,200 total HP has been completely redesigned to maintain security so quickly - thank you for the main course in the spring is high enough , new bumpers and stabilizer that is more robust, with complex architecture originally developed for racing cars. Be precise control over the wheel and the car in general. In the lateral acceleration up to 1.4 G and a better interaction between the wheels and intelligent AWD system, Super Sport offers excellent handling and acceleration, stronger more than 1,500 miles at sea from the relationship now.

New Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is equipped with a turbocharger and intercooler, four more renewable energy is used to fix the 16-cylinder engine with a casing of 1,200 total HP has been completely redesigned to maintain security so quickly - thank you for the main course in the spring is high enough , new bumpers and stabilizer that is more robust, with complex architecture originally developed for racing cars. Be precise control over the wheel and the car in general. In the lateral acceleration up to 1.4 G and a better interaction between the wheels and intelligent AWD system, Super Sport offers excellent handling and acceleration, stronger more than 1,500 miles at sea from the relationship now.

Out of the car extended and modified front air intake, rear diffuser, checked twice, and the sewer system planned center.

Before and after photos of the incredibly unusual 1925 Jonckheere Rolls-Royce Phantom Aerodynamic Coupe

the Raja of Nanpara Estate had already contained a polished aluminum 40/50HP Silver Ghost when he ordered Rolls-Royce’s latest Phantom. Upon arrival, the owner probably didn’t like the conventional Hooper cabriolet bodywork because it was eventually scrapped and replaced with what you see here.

Almost 10 years old, this rolling chassis was then shipped to Belgium to the shop of Henri Jonckheere and his son Joseph Jonckheere. They were well known throughout Europe for making bodies on both cars and busses. The later of which is still in production today as VDL Jonckheere. The commissioning owner of the car is uncertain due to war damage at the factory, but the design is not. The Jonckheeres created an extravagant body which has just as much impact 75 years after its constuction as it did in 1935. The car was finished in time for the Concours on the French Riviera where it won the ‘Prix de Cannes’ award.

The doors, which are actually oval, required two half-moon pieces of glass that closed towards each other within a complex winding mechanism. Other details included sliding left and right sun vents, a sloping fastback profile and an enormous rear tail fin. It was also one of the few Phantom Is which featured a modified front grill.

Eventually the car made its way stateside and was saved by Max Obie fro $8500 before being scrapped. He restored the car in a brilliant hue of metallic gold and refurbished details like the silk headliner and seats that folded into beds. From here, the car was shown as a sideshow at fairs where anyone with a dollar well spent could have viewed the Coupe. After its freakshow days were numbered, the golden behemoth was stored away for long time.

In the 1980s, the car was resurrected and sold at auction. The description incorrectly listed it as “the 1954 World Motorsport winner in NY” and “Built for Prince of Wales”. With just 5000 miles on the odometer, it was picked up by a Japanese collector for $1,500,000 USD who retained the car for 20 years

Before photo from http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585

Info from http://www.supercars.net/cars/4054.html

Somebody got bored with their Rolls Centurion (half million dollars), kicked it to the gutter. Like I've said before, rich people are stupid

Notice that this is the same car below, same licence plates.

from http://autozine.com.br/fotos/rolls-royce-abandonado#more-4460

1939 Rolls Royce Phantom III Labourdette Vutotal

Rebodied in 1947 by Labourdette of Paris, this Phantom III was the designer's last and arguably most daring work. It was commissioned by the flamboyant Louis Ritter who let Labourdette go all out, so much so, the body alone cost $44 000 which made it one of the most expensive of its time- equal to around $375 000 in 2003

After it was transformed into Labourdette’s creation, the car was sold off to different owners, including a New York plastic surgeon, a drug dealer who ended up in a Cuban prison and even S. Mars, possibly of the candy empire. In the winter of 2005 John W. Rich of Pottsville, Pennsylvania purchased the car for his extensive collection.

this car was at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours

read about http://www.supercars.net/cars/3606.html

photos from http://www.tuningforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=112&t=78130 via http://stipistop.com/

The tv show Top Gear had a great advertising gimmick to get the attention of everyone at SEMA, they gave rides in REALLY expensive cars

1914 boat tail Rolls Royce that complimented the 1914 Benz