Rolls-Royce is planning an update for its flagship Phantom range.

Some people probably rolled their eyes when Rolls-Royce announced the Year of the Dragon Phantom, believing it would just be another poor-selling limited edition vehicle. But never underestimate just how strong the Chinese culture and beliefs are. Or rather, just don’t underestimate the wallets of those strong-believing Chinese.

It turns out that owning a Rolls-Royce isn’t rare enough on it’s own for the majority of people buying these ultra-luxury cars.

Rolls-Royce has been quietly planning a faelift for its flagship Phantom model, as our spy photographers found out when they came across a camo-clad version of the luxury behemoth testing in Europe.

Wald’s creations are known to be aggressive but for the most part they tend to keep the luxury still intact with their styling packages. This time however, they may have gone too far with their Black Bison kit for the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Thanks to the Chinese market, Rolls-Royce had a record setting year for sales in 2011 with 3,538 luxury cars delivered to customers. In 2010, Rolls-Royce only managed to sell 2,711 cars, 31-percent less than 2011.

Over in the United Kingdom, Hertz has teamed up with Premiere Velocity in order to offer their customers the ability to rent some of the world’s finest exotic supercars. The list of exotics being offered is impressive including Lamborghini‘s LP560-4 Bicolore and Aventador, Porsche‘s Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Ferrari‘s 458 Italia, Range Rover‘s Evoque, Mercedes-Benz‘s Brabus S-Class and SLS AMG Roadster, Rolls-Royce’ s Phantom and even McLaren’s MP4.

Back in 1907, Rolls-Royce presented the Silver Ghost as the “Best car in the world.” Unfortunately, more than a century later, the Rolls Royce Ghost models manufactured between September 2009 to September 2010 are now facing a recall pertaining to an electric auxiliary water pump that can overheat and potentially cause a fire.

Rolls-Royce‘s Spirit of Ecstasy is the inspiration behind renowned photographer Rankin’s newest exhibit, which is being showcased at the Rankin Gallery in Los Angeles.

He’s only been in the job since March, but Rolls-Royce Chief-Executive Officer Torsten Muller-Oetvoes says that so far, the ultra luxury marque has weathered the current economic storm rather well.

Bijan Pakzad is well known for his exclusive boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, but to automotive enthusiasts, we know him as the designer of a custom yellow Bugatti Veyron which is often seen in front of his store – the same one was that sadly vandalized after his untimely death.

While the volatile economy has made for a rough year for many, the gentlemen of Goodwood tell a different story. According to Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Rolls-Royce projects a record number of sales for 2011.

Prestigious carmaker Rolls-Royce has announced that British comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson will be in attendance at the company’s stand during the Frankfurt Motor Show press preview on Tuesday September 13th .

Qatar is slowly becoming the land of outlandish and brazenly modified vehicles, despite the modifications normally consisting of an insane paint job or wrap. This time around though, we’re almost speechless, as the world’s classiest and most luxurious vehicle has received a turquoise treatment.  That’s right, this Rolls-Royce Phantom was delivered to the Rolls-Royce showroom in Doha, Qatar sporting the wonderful shade.

On the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the ‘Year of the Dragon,’ which celebrates one of the most celebrated mythical creatures in national folklore. Symbolically, in Chinese culture, the dragon represents power, prosperity and good fortune.

When you’re dealing with higher echelons of motoring, like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, then usually, more than a few customers want something that’s just a little bit exclusive, to set their particular car apart from the Jones’ example next door in Mayfair. And that means spending  a little extra on Bespoke touches.

Stuart Hughes, based out of the United Kingdom, is known for its bespoke customization of high-end luxury products from iPhones to yachts, liquor to furniture, and everything in between. But this Rolls-Royce Phantom may just be one of the company’s most extravagant creations, featuring over 260-lbs of 18-karat gold on the outside and inside of the of the armored luxury limousine.

Imagine you’re Indian royalty. Your favorite hobby is the Most Dangerous Game, the hunting of wild tigers in the wilderness—as befitting a maharaja. Such a gentlemanly pursuit requires only the most luxurious and extravagant of conveyances: when blasting tigers with a Browning 30-06 machine gun (the choice of professionals!), why would you settle for anything less than a coachbuilt 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom?

More commonly known as Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson is a little hard to take seriously. In all of his acts, the oftentimes silent comedian can generate laughs with his facial expressions alone. That’s why when we heard that he was recently on Top Gear and even set the fastest time in their “Star in a Reasonable Priced Car” competition, we knew we had to see the clip. We all knew Atkinson was an automotive enthusiast, but being able to see him in action while piloting a car around a track is truly priceless.

Piloting a Kia Cee’d, Rowan Atkinson now sits on top of the leaderboard with a time of 1:42.2, besting the likes of Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg. In addition, Atkinson brought a V16-powered Rolls-Royce Phantom to the show, a vehicle he was granted the rights to use through Rolls-Royce themselves. It’ll be seen in his upcoming film Johnny English Reborn, where the 9.0L V16 Phantom will star with Atkinson. Supposedly Rolls-Royce had toyed with the idea of mass producing the 9.0L V16 Phantom but ultimately tossed the idea out the window. But prior to that, Rolls-Royce managed to produce three or four of them, one of which Atkinson was able to get his hands on.

We can’t wait to see what sort of comedy ensues in his upcoming film, despite having a more serious note than the majority of his previous work.

Check out the clip of Atkinson at Top Gear after the break.

[Source: Autoblog]

Rolls Royce Motor Cars has experienced tremendous success, enjoying a record half-year in 2011. The British automaker has seen an increase of sales by 64 percent worldwide, compared to the same period in 2010. Within the first six months of 2011, 1592 cars have been delivered to customers, and there is continued strong demand for both the Phantom and Ghost.

Kim Kardashian’s star-studded wedding will feature a fleet of white Rolls-Royce Phantom and Maybach 62 limousines, as befitting a celebrity wedding.

The Kardashians worked out a deal with Platinum Motorsports (which customizes vehicles for athletes and celebrities like David Beckham) to provide this sterling example of conspicuous consumption, which the company said was not a challenge. All the cars will be chauffer-driven, and will ferry guests around for optimal paparazzi exposure.

Plus, Kardashian insisted every vehicle be white… not matte black.

[Source: TMZ]

Curious about these Platinum Motorsports ballers? Check out the video after the jump:

The Barrett-Jackson auctions are famous for selling rare exotic cars for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Usually the cars that command the highest prices are limited production Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and Aston Martin’s.

Rolls Royce has decided to offer its British customers a very special Phantom Drophead Coupe that “was designed to capture the essence of a perfect weekend get-away, offering drivers and their passengers the ultimate luxurious and relaxing experience in roof-down motoring.”

This super-green version might have been good for the environment, however it had its limitations, like taking 24-hours to fully charge from a household outlet (or eight-hours by using an induction charging system developed by Rolls Royce), and having a range of just 125-miles.

Look, most of the time we try our absolute best to find the bright side of things no matter how awful they might be. But this time, this Rolls-Royce Phantom spotted in Marbella, Spain, has us completely speechless.

With the Gumball 3000 already underway (it started May 26), the folks in charge of the international parade of shenanigans has released a video showing the rally’s start in Covent Garden, London. The 19 minute video shows over 100 of the most magnificent and rare supercars in the world. Even the rain couldn’t stop the massive crowd that gathered to watch the beginning of the world’s most fun and most glamorous rally.

The 3000 mile rally will start in London and end in Istanbul over a seven day period across 10 countries, via Paris, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Milan, Venice, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia. It was also revealed that the 2011 rally would cost £25,000 to take part in.

Participants include the “who’s who” of the international social scene, Sheikhs, entrepreneurs, oil tycoons, and dot com billionaires.

The incredible line up includes Pagani Zondas, Bugatti Veyrons, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Jaguars, Porsches, Morgans and several Lotus’, and this year, over 20 eco and concept electric cars are taking part as Gumball enters a new decade of green motoring!

Check out the video after the jump!

Come on down to Crazy Nigel’s Used Cars, where we got more used and “pre-owned” Rolls-Royce models than you can shake a stick at! Hiya folks, what’ll it take you to get into this long-wheelbase Ghost? Chauffeur-driven, all city miles, and not a single scratch on its German bull-hide leather!

Nowadays, any self-respecting car company has a modern website with a configurater, so customers can sit at home and virtually see what their next car will look like.

Rolls- Royce is expecting a massive sales increase in the second quarter of this year, thanks to increased demand spurred by their “cheaper” Ghost model, which retails for a mere $246,500.

There’s such a high-demand for limousine-like versions of cars in China that BMW builds a special extended wheelbase version of its 5 Series just for the world’s largest auto market. The Shanghai Auto Show is, therefore, the perfect venue for Rolls-Royce to roll out an extended wheelbase model of its newest model, the Ghost.

Rolls-Royce is testing an extended wheelbase version of their “entry level” Ghost sedan (the term being relative, since the car starts at a mere $245,000).

Set to officially debut at the Shanghai Auto Show next week, MINI has revealed the Rolls-Royce of Coopers. Titled the ‘MINI Inspired by Goodwood’ the car is the extreme expression of the brand’s new MINI Yours program, with the project overseen by the team at Rolls-Royce using materials, colors and accessories that had previously only been exclusive to that marque. The name indicates the connection, with Rolls-Royce being centered in Goodwood in the UK.

Rolls-Royce has just announced the grand opening of its newest and largest showroom and the location comes as no surprise. Situated in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, the new showroom is 10,000 square feet and can house 5 Rolls-Royce models – or approximately 76 regular sized cars.

There might not be a larger void between two automakers than the British brands Lotus and Rolls-Royce. One focuses on bare-bones sports cars, while the other epitomizes excessive luxury. But when Rolls-Royce decided to push ahead with plans to create an electric car concept, it went straight to the engineering minds at Lotus.

Rolls-Royce used to sell its cars with a tagline that bragged about the lack of cabin noise, with only the ticking of the in-cabin clock to be heard during your ride.

Rolls-Royce will take a big step towards bringing to market an electric vehicle, debuting an electric version of its flagship Phantom model at the Geneva Auto Show in just over a weeks time.

There are very few, if any, vehicles in this world that can fall in the same category as Rolls-Royce‘s Phantom. Then you take an Extended Wheelbase version for extra luxury and comfort, team up with luxury-specialist Wald International, and you have yourself a luxury sedan that is simply peerless.

In the world of hood ornaments, Rolls Royce has possibly the most ostentatious decoration of them all, and this year it’s turning 100-years old.

Rolls-Royce has just announced that for the 2011 model year, the Phantom Drophead Coupe will be getting some upgrades, which will make the car more sporty to drive.

In what might be the most perverse story of the day, the New York Times is reporting that the Environmental Protection Agency is classifying the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe as a compact car, due to their standards for classifying vehicles, which measure interior volume.

The Ghost, which went on sale in early 2010, will soon spawn three new models, a convertible, a coupe and a long wheelbase sedan.

Wald International, a famed VIP-themed Japanese tuner, has turned their attention to British’s finest luxury sedan the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Wald didn’t stop at just an ordinary Phantom however, they decided to release their newest Sports Line Black Bison Edition kit for the Phantom EWB – the extended wheelbase model.

Rolls-Royce is well on track to sell 800 cars in China, a figure that would see the country pass the United States as RR’s largest market. While Rolls sold just 100 cars in 2009, the brand sold 500 from January to October of 2010.

Is the standard Rolls-Royce Phantom not good enough for you? The extra length provided by Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB not enough either? How about a stretched Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB that’s been reinforced and armored? This Phantom has been stretched 33.5-inches and is currently being offered for a tad over $875,000 on JamesList.

If you own a BMW vehicle and you have a V8 or a V12 engine, it may be subject to a recall. BMW has just announced that they are getting ready to recall about 198,000 cars due to power braking systems that have the potential to develop a leak.

Rather than introduce a new model at the Paris Auto Show next week, Rolls-Royce will show-off its in-house vehicle customization expertise, allowing owners to ensure their already exclusive Rolls is one-of-a-kind. In total, the regal British coachbuilder will display five bespoke models including the gunmetal metallic long-wheelbase Phantom above.

Bouyed by strong sales in China, Rolls-Royce is set to expand their Ghost range of small(er) sedans – but the company is tight lipped on just what models will be part of the Ghost range.

With Middle East sales of their cars skyrocketing, Rolls Royce is following in the footsteps of their former stablemate at Bentley and introducing a special edition Phantom that celebrates the region.

The four door Phantom will be named after the Baynunah region of Abu Dhabi, with a sand-themed color palate both inside and out. The two-door Phantom, known as the Shaheen (a type of Falcon native to the region) is a little bit more extroverted, with a white exterior, and a striking red interior with “seashell” inserts and a Falcon motif on the headrests.

Rolls Royce customers in Abu Dhabi will also have access to the company’s bespoke program, which allows customers to go above and beyond the traditional options list to create truly custom cars.

[Source: Rolls Royce]

Hit the jump to read the official press release

To celebrate 60 years of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Rolls-Royce has unveiled a special Concours Edition version of its Phantom Drophead Coupé. It goes without saying that the debut locale was none other than the world famous concours.

German luxury and exotic car tuner Mansory has released details of its latest project, a modified Rolls-Royce Ghost and we’re surprised to report that it’s not an outlandish exercise in extravagance. Unlike past models, like the baby-pink Bentley or brilliant blue Panamera, Mansory opted to release what it calls the Rolls-Royce White Ghost, with a tame-by-Mansory-standards aero kit and some rather impressive wheels.

Picnicking has never been so elegant, now that Rolls-Royce has added a picnic set to its Phantom model.

Ordinary folk may be suffering through a recession, but Rolls-Royce announced that their production run is sold out until at least September, with the Phantom unavailable until October.

If you’re a true collector of fine timepieces and Rolls-Royce memorabilia, you won’t want to let this watch get away. Excalibur is offering the Corum’s Rolls-Royce Watch that was released back in 1976.

This is one of those situations where a photo is easily worth a thousand words. Details are scarce considering this was first seen posted on a Chinese forum, but the photos clearly show a wedding convoy filled with no less than a dozen Lamborghinis. It’s no secret that there is now plenty of extra-affluent in China, and this is just a small sign of just how wealthy the rich are in China.

Well this vehicle certainly puts a whole new meaning to the term ‘baller’. Chad OchoCinco has become more of a celebrity than a potent wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals the past couple of years, and now it’s really showing with this beautiful Rolls-Royce Phantom built in collaboration with Platinum Motorsport. Sure his fame started with changing his last name to a Spanish-rendition of the number he wears, and recently good ‘ol Carson Palmer is complaining that OchoCinco is spending more time doing television shows than working out with the team. But hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.

So instead of ranting more about OchoCinco’s antics and how he clearly dislikes leaving his shirt on during Dancing with the Stars, we’ll spend some time focusing on what’s been done to this luxurious automobile. We all know Rolls-Royce’s Phantom is perhaps the pinnacle of luxury cars; the luxury car on which all others are measured against.

Clearly the goal of this build was to have a presence. A menacing, statement-making presence. Platinum Motorsport refinished the entire exterior of the mini-limo in a matte gray finish full of shiny black accents rather than the traditional chrome. A fantastic touch we’re really digging is the refinish on the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls-Royce’s famed moniker on the hood. Massive 26-inch wheels is exactly what the Phantom demands.

It’s fitting that OchoCinco would pick a Rolls-Royce Phantom as his signature ride and this custom build truly reflects his bold and charming personality. There’s no other way to put it than to simply say, this car means business.

[Source: Luxury4Play]

See the documented build process and more pics of the finished vehicle after the jump:

Pimpin’ ain’t easy, even in the U.S. But what about in Kazakhstan? Unless you’re a mobster, a chauffeur, or a car thief, odds are, you’ll never get to drive a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Most people outside of major cities have never even seen one. That fact may work to mechanic Ruslan Mukanov’s advantage, as he’s simply built himself one on a late model Mercedes 300D chassis.

Using only $3,000 worth of plaster and fiberglass, and many weekends of elbow grease, Mukanov has created his own Rolls Royce Phantom. Sure, it’s got a 3.0-liter diesel engine, not a BMW V12, and the leather is standard 80’s Benz “perforated,” but the suicide doors are functional, the Rolls Royce emblems are real, and Kazakhstani girls are dropping their штанишки left and right.

I gotta say, we’ve seen worse.

Video of Mukanov trying in vain to pull into a snowy driveway after the jump.

[Source: JamesList]

After a dismal year in 2009, Rolls-Royce is reporting a sales boom of its products so far in 2010. According to the Financial Times, sales of Rolls-Royce models are up 146 percent for the first five months of the year. The reason for the drastic increase isn’t just the turn-around in the economy, however, but the introduction of the new Ghost model. Not only is the Ghost expanding the Rolls-Royce lineup, but its significantly more “affordable.” Launching in most markets over the winter the Ghost retails for $245,000, while the high-end Phantom starts at $380,000.

It seems like everyone absolutely has to make an app for everything nowadays, and Rolls-Royce‘s marketing department didn’t skip a beat in jumping on the bandwagon. The free app released by Rolls-Royce gives users the ability to customize their own Rolls-Royce Ghost, similar to what is seen on their online website customization.

When I was a young lad, growing up in Hong Kong, on Saturdays I used to go to Kowloon with my folks. On several occasions while making our way to the Star Ferry terminal, we would walk past the Peninsula Hotel on Salisbury Road. The Peninsula is famous for many reasons, but one of them is its fleet of Rolls-Royces, all painted a special shade of green. For many years I thought it would be about as close as I’d ever come to one in person, but here I am, driving one of the largest and most expensive motorcars (can’t call it an automobile, just wouldn’t be right), ever built.

We knew exotic car tuner Mansory was set to debut a fabulously hideous blue and gold Rolls-Royce Ghost at the Geneva Auto Show, but what surprised us was its equally outrageous co-stars. Sitting next to the Ghost, there’s also a widebody Porsche Panamera (which doesn’t look all that bad), the Cyrus carbon widebody Aston Martin DB9 and another carbon fiber clad beast, a Mercedes G Class.