» Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Wants More Hands On Deck

UniqueMP — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:11:59 +0000

The economic downturn has not spared luxury car marques from the inevitability of announcing cuts to their workforce, but at least, one luxury marque is bucking the trend.

With the recent introduction of its latest model, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the company plans to double its manufacturing workforce, mainly in the wood, leather and paint shops, and the Ghost’s own dedicated assembly line. This translates to almost 400 new jobs and bringing its Goodwood workforce to 900.

Production of the Ghost begins this autumn in an all-new expanded facility with deliveries expected in early 2010.

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/

Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE

UniqueMP — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:19:15 +0000

Wealthy customers in the United Arab Emirates seem to have a penchant for special editions of the most expensive luxury saloons. As if it wasn’t enough to get the Maybach Landaulet revealed right there on their home turn, one Arabian customer recently ordered a custom gilded Rolls-Royce Drophead. Now Rolls-Royce has followed up with a special edition of its Phantom limousine targeted specifically for the UAE.

Called the Peony edition, the bespoke Phantom borrows its name from the indigenous Asian flower that symbolizes royality in ancient Oriental culture. The car features a special two-tone pearl blue exterior and Seashell interior, emblazoned with the peony floral motif. It even comes with a complementary bottle of perfume specially crafted by Emirate fragrance specialist HIND. The special edition was created by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Program, which does the bulk of its business with Middle Eastern customers. No word on how many will be built or how much it costs, but if there was ever a case of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it”, this is it.

Rolls-Royce 101EX concept

UniqueMP — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:47:48 +0000

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a second experimental car, 101EX, at the Geneva show today. It has been hand built to explore a potential design direction for a future coupe model. “It is a very modern car, a 21st century design that respectfully nods to the past but focuses indisputably on the future,” said Ian Cameron, Chief Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. 101EX uses the same lightweight aluminum construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm. A full four-seat coupé, twin coach doors add to the car’s rakish good looks and streamlined coupe profile.

The roofline is lower than the Phantom’s, with a shallower glass area. Streamlined styling starts at the front with the famous grille, discreetly reclined, and extends back across a brushed aluminum bonnet and windscreen surround. The rest of the sleek bodywork is finished in dark tungsten. New 21-inch forged aluminum wheels complete the exterior look.

Inside, the cosseting interior has been designed for elegance and maximum comfort for all four occupants. Machined aluminum, fine leather and rosewood and red oak veneers are used throughout. Slimline bucket seats offer outstanding comfort for front passengers while the exceptionally spacious rear seat delivers intimate comfort for two. Privacy is assured by the sweeping C-pillars.

The design team has experimented with interior lighting on 101EX, and the car features a ‘starlight headliner’ made up of hundreds of fiber optic cables to give the impression of a star filled night sky.

Ian Robertson, Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, said, “101EX employs the same engineering philosophy as the Phantom, balancing high technology with hand craftsmanship. It illustrates the position of strength from which we operate and points the way for potential new models.