1989 Rolls-royce Silver Spirit/spur/dawn on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Rolls-Royce predicts it will set a delicious production record in 2020

Rolls-Royce suspended production at its Goodwood, England, factory in March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but there's at least one part of its business that's not affected by the temporary shutdown. The 250,000 bees that live and work near its factory are on track to set another production record in 2020. The BeeMW-owned (sorry) firm opened its Bee Apiary in 2017. It currently consists of six hives named Phantom, Wraith, Ghost, Dawn, Cullinan, and Spirit of Ecstasy, respectively. Rolls-Royce announced the quarter-million bees that buzz around its premises emerged from winter in excellent health, and they're expected to make even more honey in 2020 than in 2019 (though Rolls-Royce didn't specify a quantity). Clearly, social distancing and work-from-home orders don't apply here. Rolls-Royce works with local beekeepers to process the honey when it's ready, but don't look for it in the breakfast aisle the next time you're out buying groceries. It's exclusively served to the company's guests, like the customers who travel to Goodwood to configure or take delivery of a car. Put another way, a taste of Rolls-Royce-branded honey will cost you at least $300,000 and a round-trip ticket to the British countryside. Surprisingly, the rivalry between Rolls-Royce and Bentley continues in the world of beekeeping. In 2019, Bentley built two giant hives for 120,000 bees near its headquarters in Crewe, England. It predicted they'd make about 33 pounds of honey annually, which amounts to about 50 jars. Ford keeps tens of thousands of bees, too; it's caring for at least 80,000 bees near the Rouge factory that currently manufactures the F-150. Bees are an often-overlooked part of the ecosystem. Plants depend on pollination to reproduce, and bees are nature's main pollinators; we'd ultimately have less food if bees were eradicated from the planet. They're endangered in many parts of the world, which is why some automakers are choosing to give them a home.  Related Video: Featured Gallery Rolls-Royce Bee Apiary Green Weird Car News Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce debuts super limited Ghost Mysore edition

Rolls-Royce is celebrating the history of India with its latest, extremely limited edition of the Ghost Extended Wheelbase called the Mysore Collection. Just three of these specially upholstered versions are being made. These Ghosts are dedicated to Mysore, India, and to the Tipu Sultan there in the 18th century. They receive a two-tone blue and silver livery with a pinstripe featuring a stylized peacock running down the side. For the interior, they feature light-colored wood, white leather and blue carpets. However, the most obvious change for this limited edition is the inclusion of a tiger on each headrest. Rolls did make one rather odd decision for this commemoration of India. According to the luxury brand's Facebook post about them, the three special Ghosts are only for sale in Abu Dhabi. Although, the brand says, "In Arabic, Mysore also refers to wealth and power." Rolls-Royce Bespoke Ghost Mysore Collection 'In this world I would rather live two days like a tiger, than two hundred years like a sheep.' Tipu Sultan - 'The Tiger of Mysore.' Tipu Sultan was the ruler of 18th century Mysore in India. In Arabic, Mysore also refers to wealth and power. The Bespoke Ghost Mysore Collection takes inspiration from this, and each of these extended wheelbase models are adorned with symbols of success. Ghost Mysore will be available exclusively in Abu Dhabi. Only three have been created. Related Video: Featured Gallery Rolls-Royce Bespoke Ghost Mysore Collection News Source: FacebookImage Credit: Rolls-Royce Design/Style Rolls-Royce Luxury Sedan rolls-royce ghost

Rolls-Royce developing new convertible

Rolls-Royce is not a company that makes a lot of different vehicles, but of the ones it does, it tends to offer several versions. That's how we end up with sedan, long-wheelbase, coupe and (in the former's case) convertible versions of the Phantom and Ghost. And now Goodwood has confirmed development of another model.
Although details in the press release below are few and far between, it does promise to "deliver effortless, open-top touring... with an engaging and exhilarating driving experience." CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös added: "We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership."
What that tells us is that the new model - set to reach showrooms "by mid-2016" - will be a convertible that's exciting to drive and more youthful than the Phantom Drophead Coupe. In other words, and in all likelihood, we're looking at the convertible version of the Ghost-based Wraith fastback (like the one we recently spotted undergoing testing, pictured above). Expect it, then, to carry the same 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12, but with the added rush of wind in your hair.