Rolls-Royce cars

Rolls-Royce SUV Still Has a Chance Depending on BMW X7

Tell us if you’ve seen this song and dance before.

The Rolls-Royce SUV, which has been killed and brought back to life more times than the villain in a slasher movie, appears to be back on the optimistic side of Rolls Royce management.

According to Automobile Mag, the British luxury maker is back to considering the possibility of building the Rolls Royce SUV, provided that the BMW X7, which has had its own uncertain future, hits the market.

Remember, BMW initially had plans for a super luxury SUV a few years ago but ultimately canned those plans. But now, Automobile Mag points out that the market has changed with the introduction of high-end SUVs, including one from Maserati.

So, speculation of BMW revisiting the X7 might not be as farfetched as they once were. And if Bimmer does push forward with it and builds the SUV, Rolls Royce may finally follow suit and built its own, especially if it has a platform - the X7’s - that it can use.

Also, don’t sleep on how the Maserati Levante does as far as sales are concerned. In the event that it ends up becoming a hit, will Rolls Royce just sit back and let its competitors have the spoils? We think not…

About the only thing we know at this point is that the Rolls Royce SUV is neither alive nor dead. It’s stuck in limbo and for those waiting for it, that’s probably the best place for it to be on at this time.

Click past the jump to read about the Rolls Royce SUV’s potential rival: the Maserati Levante

Rolls-Royce To Sponsor Bloodhound SSC Project

The Bloodhound SSC Project has been around for the past couple of years. It goes without saying that the team behind this project has been determined to break the 1,000 mph barrier.

But for the better part of those years, the project has yet to take off. All that, though, appears to be changing now that Rolls Royce has entered the picture.

The British luxury automaker has signed up to support the Bloodhound Project in the latter’s attempt to break the barrier. As part of its involvement, Rolls-Royce will be supplying a modified of its EJ200 engine for the project, which will then be complemented by a Cosworth F1 engine driving the rocket-oxidizer pump. Together, the powertrain can produce up to 135,000 equivalent horsepower, which as you can see, is ridiculously mental.

Ultimately, the Bloodhoud Project aims to achieve its lofty goal and break the existing 763 mph record set by the Thrust SSC in 1997. And break it convincingly, might we add. The team hopes to begin runway testing sometime in 2014 before it heads off to Kaksken Pan, South Africa to set out on its record-breaking attempt.

Click past the jump to read more about the Bloodhound SSC Project

Rolls Royce Confirms Wraith Convertible but Has no Plans for an SUV

Two weeks ago it was rumored that the new Rolls Royce Wraith could also get a convertible version. Also tossed out there was that the company is also planning either a crossover or a hatchback. However, it appears that those rumors weren’t completely true.

Speaking at the British launch of the new Wraith coupe, Rolls Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, has confirmed that indeed the next model to be developed by the company will be a Wraith convertible, and at the same time he denied any possibility of an SUV.

In fact, he said that Rolls Royce never considered an SUV because it will be impossible to make it have the "gravitas or the effortless driving characteristics that make a true Rolls-Royce.” However, in the near future we expect to see an updated Rolls Royce lineup.

Rolls Royce hopes that the new Wraith coupe and the future convertible version will enjoy great success in the U.S. market and hopes it will sell around 1,500 units a year.

Click past the jump to read about the Wraith Coupe

2014 Rolls Royce Ghost

The Rolls Royce Ghost was officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and since then, it received no major updates. However, it looks like parent company, BMW, has decided it is time for a small update. And when we say “small,” we really mean it.

As you can see, this prototype is wearing little camouflage and what it is wearing it only on the parts that are going to be updated. Expect to see new headlamps and a revised front bumper with a design inspired by the recently revealed Wraith. The exterior mirrors also seem to have received a new shape. On the rear, the exhaust tailpipes are now hidden, giving it a cleaner look.

For the interior, Rolls Royce will offer an updated sat-nav and infotainment system.

We expect some smaller changes under the hood too, most likely in order to obtain more power and less CO2 emissions.

Click past the jump to read more on the revised Rolls Royce Ghost.

2013 Rolls Royce Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Edition

Back in 1913, four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts were writing history at the Austrian Alpine Trials - the most arduous test of automotive endurance at the time. The four cars managed to travel over 1,820 miles, proving once again that Rolls Royce was indeed developing the best cars in the world.

This year, as a celebration to the event’s centenary, Rolls Royce has prepared an Alpine Trial Centenary Collection that takes inspiration from the 1913 Alpine Trials cars. The first car to be unveiled will be a special Ghost and we are going to see it at Auto China 2013.

The new Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Edition is painted in the same blue used for James Radley’s Silver Ghost. The blue is be combined with a distinct black grille and wheels also inspired by the classic car.

The car’s cabin is also inspired by the Alpine Trials cars: the clock displays the stages of the rally and timings and it features a very nice "Alpine Trial Centenary" logo. As usual, each element of the interior is meticulously handcrafted by Rolls Royce engineers.

Hit the jump to read Rolls Royce’s press release.

2013 Rolls-Royce FAB1

Automakers are getting more and more involved with charities each and every year, and now Rolls-Royce is chipping in. Rolls has unveiled the FAB1, which is a Ghost Extended Wheelbase that is slated to help raise £1 million ($1.53 million at the current exchange rates) for Breast Cancer Care by making this bespoke Rolls available for hire over the next 12 months.

This Ghost Extended Wheelbase features a pink body with a silver-satin-coated hood with the typical Spirit of Ecstasy on its nose. Inside is where the majority of the modifications come in to play, as it features pink highlights strewn throughout the Crème Light leather interior and pink breast cancer awareness ribbons hand embroidered onto the headrests.

On top of the bespoke items, this beautiful ride also includes the typical Rolls-Royce luxury items. These high-end features include: hand-veneered tables for the rear seats; a pair of 9.2-inch LCD screens; a champagne chiller box; a 600-watt, 16-speaker surround-sound system; and lamb wool floor mats.

Rolls-Royce makes no mention of the FAB1 being offered up for sale after its 12-month-long commission is completed. However, we’re pretty certain it will make its way to an auction block sometime next year with its proceeds benefiting the same FAB1 project.

Click past the jump to read more about the Roll-Royce Ghost and the press release regarding the FAB1 project

Rolls Royce Could Develop a Convertible Wraith and New Gran Turismo Model

Back in 2012, Rolls Royce sold a total of 3,575 units. In order to increase sales even further, the company plans to add new niche models to its lineup.

The first will be a convertible version for the recently announced Wraith. It will arrive in 2015 and will most likely feature the same technology as seen in the coupe, including the car’s 624-horsepower V-12 engine.

The second model will be based on the Wraith, but it will be offered with an all-wheel-drive system and will be built either as a crossover or a hatchback, just like the 3-Series GT or 5-Series GT. The company is currently working on two different concepts of this size and, if approved, the new model will most likely arrive sometime in 2016.

This new model will be specially developed for major markets like Russia or China, while the Convertible Wraith will be built specially for the U.S. market.

2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase Art Deco Edition

Rolls Royce has unveiled in Hong Kong the special-edition Ghost Extended Wheelbase Art Deco. The new Ghost Extended Wheelbase Art Deco Edition will be limited to only 35 units and will be offered exclusively for the Chinese market..

The model continues the tradition started by the cars like the Year of the Dragon Collection and will be offered in two different exterior colors: infinity black or arctic white. The two exterior colors will be combined with dual bespoke coach line and illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy.

For the interior, Rolls Royce will offer handcrafted Art Deco inlays, Olympia-inspired motifs on tread plates highlighting "China Limited Collection – One of Eight" and headrest embroidery. Customers will also get a black and white interior scheme featuring a choice of four seat piping colors taking inspiration from the color palette of the era.

Hit the jump to read Rolls Royce’s press release and to read more about the model.

2015 Rolls Royce Wraith Drophead

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Rolls Royce expanded its lineup with the new Wraith luxury coupe. While no official confirmation is available just yet, we are pretty sure that the new Wraith is going to see more body variations, just like the Phantom did. So, what do you say about a Wraith Drophead? Sounds good, right?

We thought so too, and while Rolls Royce debates bringing it to the market, we have produced a rendering for the Drophead version. As no surprise, it will be pretty much identical to the coupe version, but, just like the Phantom Drophead version, it will be offered with a folding soft-top roof.

We expect everything else to remain identical to the coupe version, including its distinctive fastback profile. Under the hood, the Drophead version will retain the same V-12 engine that delivers a total of 624 horsepower and a peak torque of 590 pound-feet.

Expect the new Wraith Drophead to be unveiled sometime in 2014.

2014 Rolls Royce Wraith

After debuting the Series II for both the Phantom and Phantom Coupe models, Rolls Royce engineers have started to test a new luxury coupe. Initially thought to be called Corniche, the latest creation from Rolls Royce brings back in fact a name that was initially used in 1938: Wraith.

The new Wraith, simply described as "the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history," features a fastback profile, and is wider and lower than the Ghost, making it more aerodynamic and aggressive in the same time.

For its new model, Rolls Royce has made numerous improvements to the suspension and the steering system and for the interior, it has installed the “on-board valet,” - an innovative voice-command system that sends data to the navigation and infotainment systems.

Sales will begin in the final quarter of 2013 and in Europe prices will start from €245,000 (about $320,000 at the current exchange rates).

UPDATE 03/05/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.

Hit the jump to read more about the new Rolls Royce Wraith.