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2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom ’Project Kocaine’ by Specialty Car Craft
 
Before you jump up and protest the name of this tune-up project, understand first the concept behind its name. California-based Specialty Car Craft (SSC) – not to be confused with Shelby Super Cars – has prepared a razzle-dazzle kit for the Rolls-Royce Phantom called “Kocaine”. While it’s hard to dismiss the nefarious implications of the name, SSC makes certain that there’s no connection between their project and that of the illegal substance. The Phantom was dressed up in a clean, matte Pearl White finish that has been customized by SSC themselves. To keep up to the car’s outstanding new custom-painted matte white finish, SSC also added a set of 26” Asanti wheels, giving it the proper stance befitting of a high-end, luxury Rolls-Royce Phantom. Odd as the name choice was, the car nevertheless looks remarkably clean. It may not have the sophisticated options that other tuning company’s boast of, but for a car like the Phantom, sometimes, clean, white dress-ups are a good thing, especially if they come in a matte finish. 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX
For all the attention electric cars have generated over the years, one niche group has never dared to tread those waters out of fear that they would compromise the luxurious and old-world lineage these brands are so often associated with. Well, it looks like one luxury automaker is prepared to dive into uncharted waters after Rolls-Royce announced that the brand will be developing an all-electric version of the Phantom. The car, which has been dubbed the Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric (EE) or the 102EX, was recently revealed at the Geneva Motor Show and will serve as a test vehicle for the brand to gather as much relevant data as possible with the hopes of determining whether jumping through the electric car world will prove to be a worthy endeavor. According to Rolls-Royce, the extensive testing done on the 102 EX, which comes with a revolutionary wireless charging system called ’induction charging’, will also cover a number of public test drives for potential customers to give them the opportunity to experience the company’s alternative drivetrain technology first-hand and provide that all-important customer feedback. Rolls-Royce explains ’induction charging as a technology that allows the car’s battery to be charged by just parking it over special pads buried in the ground. This process uses magnetic coupling instead of a regular cable with a 90% efficiency. UPDATE 03/03/11: This review has been updated with the Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX’s specs, as well as new images. UPDATE 07/04/11: The Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX isn’t headed for production, but that hasn’t stopped the British luxury maker from proceeding with the testing phase for the electric Phantom. According to Rolls-Royce, the tests have nonetheless given important data on the workings of the car’s battery and management systems, important elements considering that despite its concept status, the Phantom 102EX could still end up in production down the road. Full story 2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview
The biggest international auto show of the 2011 calendar year is getting closer and closer to opening its doors when the event kicks off on March 1st, 2011. Unlike recently concluded auto shows we’ve had since the calendar turned to 2011, the Geneva Motor Show is always the one that gets our juices flowing. Not that those other events weren’t any good, but Geneva brings out all the goods. All the big boys come out to play at this event, so much so that making this preview took more days than we expected because everyday, a new model was being announced as attending the event. Now that the Geneva Motor Show is less than two weeks away, we feel like it’s time to give you a sneak peek on what cars to expect at the event. A lot of brands that routinely skip other auto shows will all be in attendance at the Geneva Motor Show, proving that without a shadow of a doubt, this Swiss spectacle is one of the most important - if not the most important - events in the automotive calendar. Hit the jump to check out just who will be in attendance when the show opens its doors on March 1st, 2011. Full story 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Extend Wheelbase by Wald International
Sometimes, you can’t help but wonder how much more exclusive a rare car can get if you decked it out with a new styling package. It may sound like its over-splurging, and some may not argue with that, but for other people, there’s no such thing as ‘less is more’. For these guys, bigger, brighter, and fancier is the way to go. One car that belongs to the aforementioned ‘rare-of-a-kind’ group is the Rolls Royce Phantom Extend Wheelbase. Just by its mere presence alone, this special Phantom can already draw an audience, but if you add this exterior styling package to the Phantom EW courtesy of Wald International, then that’s just rubbing it in. The package is called the ‘Sports Line Black Bison Edition’, and it comes with a bevy of new modifications, including a new front bumper, front fender vents, LED daytime running lights, modified side skirts, an extended rear bumper, a trunk-mounted spoiler, and a set of 24” forged Renovatio wheels. While the package came with plenty of styling modifications, the powertrain was left largely untouched. What this means is that this Wald International tricked-out Phantom retains the same 6.75-liter V12 engine that produces 453 horsepower with a top speed of 150 mph. Rolls Royce Apparition Concept
So maybe it’s not as obvious and toy-like as the BMW X1 or the Bugatti Veyron built straight from Lego blocks, but this Rolls Royce Apparition Concept bears some strong resemblance to the construction toys we used to play with when we were young. Except a Rolls Royce is nothing to play around with so we are not sure what Jeremy Westerlund was thinking when he put together this boxy contraption. Then again, he provided a little synopsis of the inspiration behind his creation. He sees the Apparition Concept as "An ultra luxurious chauffeur driven limousine evoking the glamor and sophistication of chauffeur driven cars in the past that has since been lost. This vehicle is about being seen, but at the same time being invisible or an "Apparition" in the sense that you’re safely tucked away in its palatial and private interior. Exterior model-milled foam from Alias data." Thankfully, this is just a 1:4 scale model concept, so the chances of anyone building this Phantom-based vehicle is slim to none. Actually it’s more like none to none, since it looks like the driver would be the only person able to ride around in it and he may only be able to jump in it to sit down. Radio, navigation system, and even simple luxuries such as cupholders seem to be completely out of the question for this ride. This car would only exist to make a statement, and that statement would be: "Because I can." 2011 Rolls Royce Ghost by Mansory and Vellano
When Mansory unveiled their tuning package for the Rolls Royce Ghost, no one was really impressed by the color they chose for the car’s exterior. Well, we guess Notre Dame fans were jumping at the chance to sit behind the wheel of the blue and gold spectacle, but we’d wager that the majority of the seeing public would rather feast their eyes on this pure white masterpiece. This exquisite Rolls Royce Ghost was created upon request of an unknown customer who seems to have unbelievable taste. As part of the tuning package, the tuner added a new Vellano VTR extended lip by MC Customs, Miami and a new set of 24" wheels. As a reminder, Mansory’s original package included a new front skirt, a modified radiator grill insert, and 22" wheels. The interior combined delicate leather with diamond-quilted ornaments. Next to the exterior changes, Mansory also offered enlarged bi-turbo chargers, an ECU optimization, sports manifold, and the sports catalysers. These features added up to an impressive 720 hp and 780 NM of torque. As a result the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 4.4 seconds and top speed goes up to 192 mph. They may have started off with a nice package, but these add-ons have turned the previously tuned Rolls Royce into the perfect limousine seen here. 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
The Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe was revealed in 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and it was quick to wow the whole world. But now, after four years of production, it was high time for it to receive some improvements. The changes may not be drastic, but they are enough to make the ride sportier than before. For the 2011 model year, the Phantom not only receives interior and exterior updates, but will also get new suspension components and a transmission calibration. No changes were made under the hood, but who needs more than a 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine anyway? The car still keeps its design inspiration it received from the 100EX concept, but will get a restyled rear seat, a new steering wheel with a thicker rim, and new colors for both the interior and the exterior of the car. Of course, these updates come with a higher price tag. The 2011 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe’s price will jump from $443,000 to $452,000. Hit the jump to read more about the 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Full story "Star of India" Rolls Royce sells for ’dirt-cheap’ $850,000
It’s not often that a car sells for $850,000 and gets considered one of the biggest bargains in automotive history. But if the car in question is the famed “Star of India” – it’s a one-off 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental All-Weather Convertible – then you kind of understand why that selling price is ridiculously cheap for this car. You see, this car is one of the rarest vehicles in the world, which gained notoriety when the Maharaja of Rajkot had it built with some pretty fancy coachwork made by Thrupp and Maberley and finished with saffron ochre and polished aluminum wings. About a year ago, the car was on sale for an eye-popping €10 million – that’s about $14 million based on current exchange rates. After making its way to a number of auctions, the rare Rolls Royce was finally snagged for a ‘paltry’ $850,000 by an Indian man who – get this – turned out to be one Mandhatasinh Jadeja, a former prince of Rajkot and an actual grandson of the Maharajah. Turns out, Jadeja brought the “Star of India” Rolls Royce as a present to his father on his 75th birthday, effectively bringing the multi-million dollar Rolls Royce back to the family for the first time since the Maharajah sold it back in 1968. We don’t have $850,000, but if we did and we found out that we could scoop up this car for that amount, we’d be running to the bank faster than a wasted teenager making a beeline for the bathroom. That’s how much of a bargain that price tag is. Of course, the fact that it ended up with its rightful owner does sort of bring a small tear to our eye, albeit a manly tear. 2010 Wald International works on a Rolls Royce Phantom Sports Line Black Bison Edition
Luxury vehicles like the Rolls Royce Phantom rarely ever need any additional tweaking and modding because, well, these types of vehicles are pretty fantastic as soon as they roll off the production line. That’s the beauty of being called a luxury vehicle, any customer will be extremely pleased with the work done solely by the car’s manufacturer. That being said, it doesn’t stop tuners such as Wald International from taking models such as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Mercedes E-Class, and the aforementioned Phantom and applying their sick Black Bison package. The Rolls Royce Phantom SPORTS LINE Black Bison Edition will debut at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon and will only feature exterior changes as seen on previous Black Bison models. Wald International has only revealed its first image of the Phantom so far, but from this image we can see that it will get redesigned front bumpers, new headlamps with LED lights, and new side skirts. We can only imagine that the rear of the vehicle will also receive some modifications as the Black Bison Bentley and Mercedes both received new rear spoilers and a new exhaust system. New wheels are also a given for this package. We doubt that the Rolls Royce Phantom SPORTS LINE Black Bison Edition will be getting any attention to the interior of the vehicle or the engine, as this is not customary for this package, but you never know. More details will be revealed for this package in early January 2011, so stay tuned! 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost by Platinum Motorsport
When it comes to models such as the Rolls Royce Ghost, there’s not much that can be done to improve them. The Ghost is gorgeously elegant and, if someone were to take their chances and provide some modifications, they’d more than likely end up with a disaster such the as Ghost Diva by Fenice Milano. Fortunately for Platinum Motorsport, their tuning kit for the luxury coupe actually accentuates the vehicle’s elegance instead of downplaying it to a ridiculous level. We believe their success is attributed to the fact that very few changes were made. And when we say few, we mean one. Yes, the only change brought to the Ghost by the American tuner is the new set of 22" Agetro V500 wheels painted in matte black. Of course, you can’t expect much else from a tuner that specializes in developing special wheels for special cars. At least they painted the Ghost in a matching matte black exterior paint. The Rolls Royce Ghost’s 6.6 liter twin-turbo V12 engine remains untouched, so it will still power out with 563bhp and 780 NM of torque. | featured reviews:Rolls Royce cars reviews2013
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Rolls-Royce cars
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