Rolls-Royce Archives

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Announces 35 Bespoke ‘Silver Ghost’ Editions [+Video]

Incredible. Simply incredible. In 1904, a pioneering motorist, brilliant entrepreneur and an intrepid engineer were united by a desire to succeed. Three years later, this success was recognised by the world’s media. An unfathomable challenge unprecedented of its time and legendary to this day, was completed by the Hon. Charles Rolls and Claude Johnson in Sir Henry Royce’s ‘Silver Ghost’.

The car achieved a non-stop long distance endurance record of 14,371 miles. This challenge was to shape automotive and luxury history, creating a world-renowned benchmark for excellence in the process. Check out the video…

In celebration of this extraordinary feat of engineering excellence, a special collection of model year 2018 Bespoke Ghosts will be created at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex. Thirty-five patrons of the marque will delight in a contemporary masterpiece of automotive history, as the Bespoke Collective of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars envisions the ‘Silver Ghost Collection’.

Speaking from the Home of Rolls-Royce, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “The extraordinary accomplishments of our marque’s founding fathers are honoured by the creation of this elegant ‘Silver Ghost Collection’. The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective masterfully weave the rich narrative of the original ‘Silver Ghost’ into just 35 motor cars, creating a contemporary homage to the original motor car. Today, our craftspeople and master artisans continue this legacy of excellence, creating unique motor cars that define luxury.”

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Collection Photo Gallery…

The FULL Details on the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Collection…

A collection of 35 Bespoke Ghosts to be created in homage to the 1907 ‘Silver Ghost’
British Assay Office specially produced AX201 and ‘RR’ Hallmarks to authenticate lineage of the collection
100% Pure Silver particles are infused into the hand-painted coachline
Copper detailing redolent of the ‘Silver Ghost’ engine bay is featured on the collar of the Spirit of Ecstasy

One motor car changed the course of automotive history. Today, the legend is re-told as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly announces the creation of a collection of 35 model year 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghosts, created in homage to the original Silver Ghost’s achievement.

In 1904, a pioneering motorist, a brilliant entrepreneur and an intrepid engineer were united by a desire to succeed. Three years later, this success was recognised by the world’s media. An unfathomable challenge unprecedented of its time and legendary to this day, was completed by The Hon. Charles Rolls and Claude Johnson in Sir Henry Royce’s ‘Silver Ghost’. The car achieved a non-stop long distance endurance record of 14,371 miles. This challenge was to shape automotive and luxury history, creating a world-renowned benchmark for excellence in the process.

It was the twelfth 40/50hp chassis, completed with a Barker & Co 4/5 seater touring body, commissioned by Claude Johnson, then Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Limited that was quickly recognised for its ability to demonstrate the marque’s prowess. The ethereally quiet running of this extraordinary automobile and the silver paint with silver fittings, led Johnson to select this very car for high-profile competitive trials, bestowing the name, ‘Silver Ghost’ upon it.

Speaking from the Home of Rolls-Royce, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “The extraordinary accomplishments of our marque’s founding fathers are honoured by the creation of this elegant ‘Silver Ghost Collection’. The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective masterfully weave the rich narrative of the original ‘Silver Ghost’ into just 35 motor cars, creating a contemporary homage to the original motor car. Today, our craftspeople and master artisans continue this legacy of excellence, creating unique motor cars that define luxury.”

The Rolls-Royce ‘Silver Ghost Collection’

Today, a Rolls-Royce motor car is the ultimate luxury, steeped in narrative, veiled in rarity. A Rolls-Royce Collection Car showcases the extraordinary talents of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design team; they are born collectables. These are future classics, destined for the lawns of the great international Concours d’Élégance.

Careful consideration has been paid to the defining features of this collection. References extoling the past are skilfully hand-crafted into Ghost’s interior and exterior, creating a contemporary homage which speaks as much of today’s great brand as the ‘Silver Ghost’ does of its day.

A solid sterling-silver Spirit of Ecstasy, the muse that has guided motor cars created by the marque since 1911, will hint at the pioneering heritage of this motor car’s forebear. A specially created Hallmark of AX201, the registration plate of the original ‘Silver Ghost’, will be marked on the base of each muse by the British Assay office, an honour reserved for few. Alongside the AX201 Hallmark, the Metal Fineness marks and the Assay Office town mark, a second unique ‘RR’ Hallmark, the eponymous badge of the marque, will act as the Sponsor’s Mark and authenticate its heritage.

A black-gold-plated collar enshrouds the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy, itself bearing the unique identity of this collection. An insert is crafted from hammered copper, in tribute to the copper extensively used in the engine bay of the original ‘Silver Ghost’. The copper, shaped, beaten and textured is engraved with the newly designed AX201 Hallmark.

Cassiopeia Silver, a complex Bespoke silver paint that incorporates both warm and cool tones, bathes the exterior of Ghost in a hue that echoes the silver paint of the original motor car. A Bespoke hand-painted coachline, applied by Rolls-Royce’s master coachline painter and taking eight hours to apply, is imbued with fine particles of 100% pure silver, adding to the provenance of this collection.

The face of the Model Year 2018 motor car is instantly recognisable as one of 35 in this collection. Black painted grille veins mimic the distinctive black grille of the ‘Silver Ghost’, while the fully-polished wheel centres encircled with ‘SILVER GHOST – SINCE 1907’ engraved on a Cassiopeia Silver backing, echo the fine details of the original car.

On opening the coach doors, accents of a specially created ‘Forest Green’ leather provide a nod to the original interior colour scheme. A newly designed silver tipped leather makes its Rolls-Royce debut, being incorporated onto the front and rear door panniers. Additionally, a silver onlay has been set into the open pore wood of the fascia and door cappings, flanking a solid silver ingot, hallmarked to allow reflection of this motor car’s great lineage.

Further reference to the ‘Silver Ghost’ is made via the collection’s clock, styled as an ingot of silver, engraved with ‘Silver Ghost Since 1907’ and once again marked with the distinguishing hallmarks of this collection. A peened solid silver encasement provides a decorative surface, reminiscent of the original dials of the ‘Silver Ghost’.

The tread plates proudly authenticate each motor car, engraved with the words ‘Silver Ghost Collection – One of Thirty-Five’, while the Rolls-Royce umbrellas, stowed in the doors of each motor car, are edged in a silver-coloured binding and have an open-pore Tudor Oak handle, with the end of the handle engraved to demonstrate its unique origins.

A Bespoke central console allows the patron to convey personal accoutrements, accommodating contemporary touring. A time-piece, sunglasses and accessories case is presented alongside a ‘Silver Ghost’ pen, shaped as the speedform of the car; clean, modern and streamlined.

As a finishing touch and to complete the collection, a rare and collectable Silver Ghost Hamper will continue Rolls-Royce’s romantic notion of the pinnacle in al fresco dining, proudly displaying a fusion of Bespoke Design with the finest craftsmanship.

2018 a new vintage year for Ghost

In addition to the beautiful Bespoke features enumerated above, the ‘Silver Ghost Collection’ also benefits from the several enhancements of the 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

The most immediate of these is the bolder and more sculptured face of Ghost, reinforcing the decisive and dynamic character of Ghost. The grille frame is pushed further forward, producing a stronger sweep back into the front wings, to give the front of the car a more decisive character. More deeply set grille vanes underline the perception of power and dynamism, while the redesigned front bumper now features strongly horizontal lines. The perceived dynamism of the 2018 Ghost’s exterior is also enhanced by two completely new 21” wheel designs.

The owner’s enjoyment of Ghost’s cabin has also been enhanced through a suite of technological upgrades and acoustic advancements. Inspired by the acoustic engineering undertaken to make New Phantom ‘the most silent motor-car in the world’, the 2018 Ghost benefits from Rolls-Royce’s mantra to “take the best and make it better”, as it constantly strives for even the smallest improvements.

Additional sound dampening materials have been added to the doors, rear wings and luggage compartment. Working in combination with a new acoustic film fitted between the glass layers in the side and rear windows to further reduce noise entering the cabin, the results are most impressive.

A quieter cabin sets the stage for the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce multimedia entertainment system. A totally new multimedia interface and larger screens for the rear passengers are only the start of the entertainment upgrades offered by Ghost this year. To add to the effortless experience, the new system now responds to natural speech rather than predetermined commands, whilst navigation is improved by the Real Time Traffic Information for 32 countries.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan – Best Seats In The House! [+Video]

As the arrival of Cullinan nears and final preparations are made, Rolls-Royce has offered a glimpse into what will undoubtedly be the best seats in the house.

So much more than an SUV, Crossover or Off-roader, Rolls-Royce Cullinan will be Effortless, Everywhere, delivering effortless luxury everywhere its owner chooses to venture. Such boundless luxury will be enhanced through a suite of features only the designers, craftspeople and artisans at the Home of Rolls-Royce can imagine and create.

The first of these authentic Bespoke features is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Viewing Suite. Designed and engineered at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, the Rolls-Royce Viewing Suite is automatically deployed at the touch of a button. Two rear-facing, beautifully contemporary, finest leather chairs and a cocktail table gracefully emerge from within the rear compartment of Cullinan.

It is from this luxuriously comfortable viewing platform that a Cullinan owner may take in the world’s most breath-taking vistas or view a sports event or even watch their children take part in their school sports day.

Wherever one ventures, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Viewing Suite guarantees the best seat in the house. This approach is a first for both the automotive and luxury industries and comes from a deep understanding of the lifestyles and expectations of the most demanding clients in the world – Rolls-Royce customers.

“From the day we conceived of Cullinan we were focussed on offering a truly authentic and luxurious Rolls-Royce experience to our customers through fascinating surprise and delight features,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce.

“The beauty of Cullinan’s Viewing Suite, the manner in which it deploys so effortlessly, the attention to detail, the finest leathers that match the interior of the customer’s Cullinan, and how it all comes together to bring beautiful furniture to the most remote places, all bear testimony to the unequalled Bespoke competence of the designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce. It is a beautiful piece of furniture. Indeed, it is the best seat in the house.” he added.

Rolls-Royce Reveals Name Of New High-Bodied Motor Car! [+Video]

Three years ago in the pages of The Financial Times, Rolls-Royce announced to the world that it would create an all-new, high-bodied car that would redefine luxury travel by making it Effortless, Everywhere. Since that day the world has waited, anticipating the arrival of this mould-breaking new Rolls-Royce.

Today, the wait is almost over as Rolls-Royce confirms that its new motor car will be called Cullinan.

“The name Cullinan has been hiding in plain sight since we revealed it as the project name some years ago,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce. “It is the most fitting name for our extraordinary new product. Cullinan is a motor car of such clarity of purpose, such flawless quality and preciousness, and such presence that it recalibrates the scale and possibility of true luxury. Just like the Cullinan Diamond, the largest flawless diamond ever found, it emerges when it is perfect and exists above all others.”

The story of how this new Rolls-Royce came to be named Cullinan is itself one of the pursuit of perfection. Like the diamond, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan has undertaken a fascinating journey. From the searing deserts of Africa and the Middle East to the freezing snows of the Arctic Circle; from the grassy glens of the Scottish Highlands to the towering canyons of North America, the designers, engineers, craftspeople and artisans of the House of Rolls-Royce have shaped, tested and polished this unique motor car to eliminate any flaw and make it Effortless, Everywhere.

“We were inspired by the epic processes, over many millennia, which went into the creation of the Cullinan Diamond. The name embodies the many facets of our new motor car’s promise. It speaks of endurance and absolute solidity in the face of the greatest pressures; it tells of rarity and preciousness and it alludes to the pioneering, adventurous spirit of The Hon. Charles Rolls and the engineering innovation of Sir Henry Royce; and, of course, it speaks of absolute luxury, wherever you venture in the world” continued Müller-Ötvös.

Cullinan is the second Rolls-Royce to sit atop the company’s recently announced all-new proprietary aluminium spaceframe ‘Architecture of Luxury’. Unique and unequalled in its brilliance, every facet of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan scintillates.

Müller-Ötvös concludes: “Quite simply, the name Cullinan is perfect and brilliant.”

What is the “Cullinan”?

The Cullinan Diamond (below) was extracted from a mine deep in South Africa’s Magaliesberg Mountains in 1905, and at 3,106 carats, remains the largest diamond ever discovered. Cleaved into nine stones, cut and polished, the two largest portions of the Cullinan reside in the British Imperial Crown and Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross.

The alleged story of how the Cullinan diamond travelled to take up its place in the British Crown Jewels is as interesting as the diamond itself. The Transvaal government of the day purchased it for £150,000. A prize surely fit for a King, their plan was to present it to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday, in the hope that such a gift would help heal the wounds of the recently ended Boer War.

Its journey to England would prove to be the diamond’s next big adventure. Given its size and value, it was bound to attract much unwanted attention. So detectives were sent from London to provide a visible and secure escort for the diamond on board a passenger steamboat bound for Britain. The treasure was ceremoniously placed in the ship’s Captain’s safe and guarded throughout its entire journey.

Or so it appeared…. Legend has it that that was all a sleight of hand. That the police and the safe were just an elaborate ruse. The diamond in that ship’s safe, protected by those police officers, was said to be a resin replica, whilst the real Cullinan was simply sent to London by registered post to the Foreign Office to be presented to the King. (Brilliant! – CW)

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Photo Gallery…

Rolls-Royce In 2017 – The Year Of Bespoke [+Videos]

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke department is an extraordinary collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople, who bring the marque’s discerning and influential patrons’ most ambitious and personal visions to reality.

Rolls-Royce Dawn, Byblos 50th Anniversary, Goodwood
Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

Today, almost every motor car that leaves the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, is Bespoke. 2017 was the year that Rolls-Royce elevated Bespoke to unprecedented new levels, resulting in one of the most significant years for Bespoke in the 114-year history of the brand, surmised in this video…

What follows is a snapshot of some of the finest examples of Bespoke design and craftsmanship to be completed by the luxury house over the past 12 months.

Rolls-Royce Torpedo
Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com

‘Sweptail’

Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’, the realisation of one customer’s coachbuilt dream. Premiered in 2017, ‘Sweptail’ is a compelling representation of true luxury, taking Bespoke coachbuild personalisation to new heights. Check out the video…

The result of a collaboration between patron and artisan, ‘Sweptail’s’ bold design embraces the marque’s heritage as the world’s leading coachbuilder whilst reaffirming its pinnacle position in Bespoke personalisation.

This automotive equivalent of Haute Couture draws on the lineage of 1920s and 1930s Rolls-Royce motor cars. The client’s vision was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. The result is a contemporary masterpiece.

The grille, milled from solid aluminium, presents a distinct formality. The side profile of ‘Sweptail’ defines its stately character, whilst the rear taper of the motor car pays homage to the world of racing yachts, shaping a completely new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce coupé. The elegant and characterising rear culminates in the registration number 08, milled from ingots of aluminium and hand polished to a mirror finish.‘Sweptail’ is a personal, Bespoke, motor car like no other.

New Phantom and ‘The Gallery’ – An Art Gallery on Wheels

New Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled to global critical acclaim in 2017. At the heart of the motor car’s design aesthetic is ‘The Gallery’, a contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s dashboard and instrument panel.

An application of glass runs uninterrupted across the fascia providing an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork, within your motor car. ‘The Gallery’ is an innovation that furthers Rolls-Royce’s unparalleled Bespoke vision and mastery of materials and craft.

Dawn and Wraith at Porto Cervo

Two unique motor cars were created in honour of the 2017 Rolls-Royce Summer Studio, Porto Cervo, Sardinia. A Bespoke Dawn drophead coupé and a Wraith Black Badge were commissioned to encapsulate the essence of this beguiling island.

Dawn adopted a nautical theme, evoking emotions of a languid Mediterranean sojourn. The Porto Cervo motif, encrusted with genuine Sapphires and Mother of Pearl, is embedded into the front facia of the motor car. The navy blue and arctic white hues complement an expanse of teak, including the decking and floor.

The Porto Cervo Wraith playfully emulates Sardinia’s night time ambience. A two-tone Diamond Black exterior is contrasted with gloss and matt paint applications, while black woven leather door panniers infer Wraith Black Badge’s dark and complex character, under the night sky.

‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost

A special one-off commission unveiled in Dubai in 2017, the Bespoke ‘Spirit of Calligraphy’ Ghost draws its design inspiration from the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy. Words are harmoniously moulded into shapes, creating a unique effect where texts and images become one. Sir Henry Royce’s resonant words “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, in their Arabic form are shaped into Rolls-Royce’s flying mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The calligraphy motif, created by renowned artist Khaled Al Saai, features as a silver inlay on the centre panel and as embroidery on the rear centre seat, amidst an eye-catching array of Turchese, Black and Arctic White leathers.

‘Elegance’

Commissioned for an individual collector, the Ghost ‘Elegance’ raised the bar of Bespoke by becoming the first motor car to be finished in a paint infused with diamonds. Named ‘Diamond Stardust’, the unique paint incorporates 1,000 diamonds crushed to form a very fine powder, giving the finished panels unmatched lustre and sparkle.
The flanks of the motor car are highlighted with Mugello Red and Black twin coachlines, reflected inside with black leather seats and accents in Mugello Red, carried through stitching on the doors and piping on the seats. The detailed fascia of smooth open-pore Tudor Oak veneer is also complemented with a Mugello Red single stitch along the top of the dashboard, and finished with a Bespoke clock.

‘Dawn in Fuxia’

In 2017, US collector Michael Fux was presented with his tenth Bespoke model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Following a visit to Pebble Beach in 2016, where he collected a cluster of eye-catching fuchsia petals, he challenged the Bespoke team at Goodwood with a commission to bring a striking new colour to Dawn. Subsequently unveiled during The Quail automotive gathering in California, the vibrant ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ represents the addition of another unique hue to the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection, and is reserved exclusively for Mr. Fux to use. His most recent commission is his second Dawn, having collected the first – in one-off ‘Fux Blue’ – in 2016. Reminiscent of that car, the interior of ‘Dawn in Fuxia’ is trimmed in stunning Arctic White leather.

‘Dawn B50’ for Hotel Byblos

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez in 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed the ‘Dawn B50’, a highly Bespoke and unique motor car inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of the Côte d’Azur. Commissioned by the Hotel Byblos as the automotive ‘Jewel of Saint-Tropez’, the Dawn B50 exudes two dominant exterior colours. The lustrous combination was developed exclusively to celebrate the hotel’s anniversary, along with bespoke door treadplates and a unique hand-painted coachline on each side bearing the ‘B50’ logo. The sophisticated interior takes inspiration from the intense Mediterranean sun, with vibrant tangerine tones that accentuate the dashboard and echo the stitching across the seat upholstery and floor mats.

Homage to a special Silver Dawn

Prominently displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce is a remarkably rare 1952 Silver Dawn, one of very few ever made. It was sold new to a customer in Canada, and in 2017 a commission for a new Dawn from the same country led to a beautiful homage to this particular car in its 65^th anniversary year.

Finished in two-tone Midnight Sapphire and Jubilee Silver, the new Dawn closely emulates the original finishes of the 1952 motor car, with a Bespoke painted coachline, broken for the first time on a Rolls-Royce. Inside, Selby Grey and Navy leather are combined with Crossbanded Walnut Burr veneer, closely matched to the original. The finishing touches include a Bespoke clock with ‘1952’ lettering and a Spirit of Ecstasy veneer inlay.

Inspiration from South Korea

The ‘Bespoke Collection for Korea’ unveiled at the British Embassy in Seoul, embraced the aesthetic heritage of South Korea with a contemporary flare. The Ghost Seoul Edition reflects colours that grace the country’s Taegukgi national flag, finished in bright Andalusian White with a twin coachline in Cobalto Blue and Mugello Red – along with a hand-painted Bespoke motif that captures the silhouette of the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower. Inside, the black leather is complemented by contrasting bands in Arctic White, as well as blue and red highlights for stitching and piping.

The ‘Wraith Busan Edition’ is inspired by the hues of the coastal city of the same name, with a two-tone exterior in Royal Blue and Jubilee Silver that conjures up the shimmer of the surrounding sea. The rear pillar motif echoes the delicate latticework of traditional Korean ‘hanok’ screen doors, and is also carried inside the car across the dashboard. Emulating the dusk sky across nearby mountain ranges, a single coachline in Blushing Pink draws attention to the shoulder line. The colour is also applied to the seat stitching, instrument panel and ‘RR’ headrest monograms inside, as the final flourish to the Selby Grey and Cobalto Blue upholstery.

New Phantom declared Luxury Car of the Year

The eighth generation Rolls-Royce Phantom is the epitome of automotive luxury. Despite looking similar to its predecessor, which was launched in 2003, the new car comes with updated technology and an interior filled with spectacular opulence.

If you would like to know about the new Phantom, CLICK HERE. The car has been recognized by several well-known automotive publications as well as the world’s most prestigious and discerning critics.

Several of them lavished praise on the Phantom by saying: “Is the pinnacle, the epitome, of motoring luxury” (Autocar), “Is an all-new version of the finest car in the world” (The Independent), “Utterly defines luxury” (PistonHeads) and “Has changed what a car can be” (GQ).

BBC Top Gear Magazine has awarded the car the coveted ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ award just weeks after its global media launch on the banks of Lake Lucerne in Vitznau, Switzerland. The Phantom nameplate, is the oldest in automotive history and is said to portray Rolls-Royce’s tireless pursuit of perfection.

Speaking of the latest accolade, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “Phantom points the way forward for the global luxury industry. It is a creation of great beauty and power, a dominant symbol of wealth and human achievement.”

He added, “That this is recognized by Top Gear Magazine and the rest of the world’s media is deeply gratifying and a reflection of the skill and passion of everyone who created this truly unique example of pinnacle luxury.”

The car is built on an all-new and proprietary aluminium spaceframe, 6mm two-layer glazing. It has more than 130kg of soundproofing, that combined with the whisper quiet V12 engine and seamless shifting gearbox, make the Phantom the most silent motor car in the world.

Rolls-Royce stolen under owner’s nose

vehicles are more than just a mode of transportation, to many, its an extension of thier personalities, allowing them a place to feel comfortable and secure, a social tool that can be enjoyed with friends and family as well as an office on wheels.

As such, sometimes many value their vehicles far more than they would like to believe. And should one be unfortunate enough to have his/hers stolen, at that moment, it may seem like the end of the world.

That is exactly what it seemed like for a businessman in the UK who had his Rolls-Royce Phantom stolen while he was in the garden. The thieves managed to break into his home, steal his car keys, and make a getaway undetected.

Fortunately for the owner, his £110,000 (RM611,281) car was fitted with the TRACKER system. It is an award-winning stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) technology that enables law enforcement and security personal to track down stolen vehicles.

Working together with law enforcement, the system was able to locate the Rolls-Royce in question, and in less than two hours, which is a feat in itself. Unlike a number of other such systems systems, this SVR one can locate stolen vehicles anywhere, even when they are hidden in a garage or a shipping container.

“I thought my car was gone for good. I can’t believe the thieves were bold enough to break in, in broad daylight. Thankfully, it was discovered at a supermarket car park in Leicester in less than two hours, which is a great result and demonstrates the importance of TRACKER’s unique relationship with police forces across the UK,” said the unnamed owner.

According to statistics released by the company, in 2016, the most expensive car that it recovered in the UK was a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth £120,000 (RM666,851). But the reality is, luxury/expensive cars account for less than 1% of stolen vehicles that it had recovered.

In fact, the majority of the vehicles reported stolen by the company, are regular run-of-the-mill hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs. This means that car thieves are not brand biased or look to hijack extremely valuable sports cars, rather they prefer to target the ones that are most convenient for them.

As such, it is important that we exercise caution when choosing where we park our vehicles and how we secure them. Regardless of how sophisticated your car alarm is, it won’t be able to do you any favours if a thief is able to exploit its vulnerabilities, disarm it and driveway with your prized possession.

New Rolls-Royce Phantom finally debuts, 14 years after predecessor

Rolls-Royce has released the new Phantom, which is said to be the best one ever made thanks to a new modular construction method, better sound insulation and a slew of tech. The overall look isn’t dissimilar from the car it replaces, there’s still the signature front fascia and elegantly sculpted silhouette that seems like it stretches for miles.

That said, the devil is in the detail, because vast yet subtle improvements have been made to make the car a marked improvement over its predecessor. The Pantheon grille sits flush with the rest of the bodywork, a first for any Rolls-Royce vehicle. This has been done to give the front fascia a more elegant and uncluttered look.

Then, there’s also the incredibly shortened overhangs at the front and rear which give the car a more compact look. The side profile has been toned down slightly for a more subtle finish and the rear features a familiar yet modernized design that that is distinct to the nameplate.

The body is based on a modular all-aluminum space frame that will underpin all future Rolls-Royce vehicles. It can be used and altered to suit a whole slew of models regardless of powertrain differences. This move, according to the manufacturer, will allow it better flexibility in planning and building cars that best exemplify the brand.

As such, the new Phantom is 30 per cent more rigid than its predecessor and will be more agile, offer better stability as well as improved comfort to all occupants. It improves over what was previously offered thanks to this new construction method.

Special deadening material such as foam has been used to line the car to reduce ambient noise to almost a negligible level. There’s also a double layer skin to the bodywork that helps isolate the cabin from ambient noises outside.

The tyres too have not been spared, as they are called ‘Silent Seal’ tyres and feature a special foam layer placed inside to wipe out tyre cavity noise and reduce overall tyre noise by 9db.

Inside, the cabin is crafted with some of the most luxurious materials fitted to any car. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and the rest of the switch gear has been tastefully arranged in an uncultured manner. What may seem as an afterthought though, is the positioning of the car’s analogue clock which is placed in a metal plaque and placed towards the front passenger.

The car still has the same door configuration as before and by pressing the individual buttons, all four doors can be opened and closed at the occupants’ convenience. Though not revolutionary, its a desired feature for Rolls-Royce owners because resorting to manual labour is very much beneath them.

“Key to Rolls-Royce realizing its vision of being the world’s leading luxury brand, today and in the future, is an architecture that spans the entire Rolls-Royce family,”comments Philip Koehn, Director of Engineering. “The Architecture of Luxury will carry every future Rolls-Royce, not just the New Phantom. Project Cullinan and eventually the next Ghost, Wraith, Dawn will ride on this architecture, as well as future coach build projects.”

Under the enormous hood, is a new 6.75-litre V12 engine that is equipped with two turbochargers. Total output is rated at 563bhp and an impressive 900Nm of torque from as low as 1,700rpm. It’s mated to a ZF 8-speed gearbox that pulls data from the Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), which prepares the powertrain to cope with the roads directly ahead of it.

The car has a new double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle that are part of its supposed best-in-class air suspension. This self-leveling setup executes millions of calculations a second to maintain the plaint ride quality regardless of the road surfaces. It monitors steering input, body roll, acceleration as well as other factors to maintain a composed ride quality.

This self-leveling air suspension also makes use of stereo cameras to inspect the road ahead and continuously adjust itself at speeds of up to 100km/h. This results in a very smooth ride quality, which should live up to the Rolls-Royce image.

As expected, the Phantom comes equipped with a slew of safety tech that include Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot as well as the latest navigation and entertainment systems.

Though the new Phantom doesn’t feature revolutionary changes in terms of design elements, there isn’t much you can fault the car with. There was nothing really wrong with the old car which debuted in 2003, and the new improvements, keep the car up to date with the latest machinery we have today.

John Lennon’s Phantom V heads for London exhibit

This rather eccentric looking Rolls-Royce Phantom V once owned by the greatest musicians of his area, John Lennon, will be travelling from Canada to London for an exhibition. Dubbed The Great Eight Phantoms, the event will take place at Bonhams international flagship saleroom and galleries in New Bond Street, London from 29th July to 2nd August.

On June 3rd 1965, The leader of the Beatles took ownership of the Phantom V, that was originally painted Valentine Black. According to the singer, he had aspirations of becoming an eccentric millionaire and believed that the car would take him a step closer to making that dream a reality. Later, he had the Rolls-Royce customized in true rockstar style.

The rear seat was converted to a double bed, a television, telephone and refrigerator were installed, along with a ‘floating’ record player and a custom sound system (which included an external loud hailer).

As for its ‘psychedelic’ yellow paint job, the car received it upon request by Lennon to Surrey coach-builders as a means to commemorate the release of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The freshly-painted Phantom was unveiled days before the worldwide release of Sgt. Pepper’s on 1 June and it seemed part of the overall concept of the album.

The paint scheme, reflected the cover of the well-known album but with closer inspection, you will notice that the random swirl decal, isn’t that random after all. It’s a floral Romany scroll design, as used on gypsy caravans and canal barges, with a zodiac symbol on the roof.

The car was used regularly by Lennon till 1969, this is including the time when he picked up his MBE with the rest of the band in 1965. He had it shipped to the US in 1970 when he moved it there but loaned the car out to ferry other rock stars around.

These entertainers included The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Moody Blues. In 1977, after a period in storage, it was donated by billionaire Jim Pattison to the current owner, Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.