Rolls-royce Flying Spur #14 Of 50 For U.s. Market on 2040-cars

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Check out Rolls-Royce's totally awesome AWD mule

No, this isn't just a super badass Phantom. The car you see here – codenamed Project Cullinan – is an early development mule for the new all-wheel-drive suspension system that will eventually be found in Rolls-Royce's upcoming SUV. It's made up of a shortened Phantom body, looks totally murdered out, and has a huge freaking wing on the back. We love it. Of course, Rolls-Royce properly poo-poos any similarities between this mule and the eventual production model. "The body may hint at the size of the new car, but it features no design aspects of the eventual high-sided, all-terrain motor car announced by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in February this year," the company said in a press release. The end goal of this mule is to create "a final all-wheel-drive system that delivers Rolls-Royce's hallmark 'magic-carpet' ride not only on the road, but off-road too." Screw the SUV. We'll take one as-is. PROJECT CULLINAN BEGINS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AS ENGINEERING MULE APPEARS IN PUBLIC In its open letter on 18 February this year, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars gave an undertaking to inform stakeholders of the progress of Project Cullinan. Keeping this promise, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has today published photographs depicting the first key milestone in the vehicle's development programme. The photographs are of the first engineering mule, which will be seen on public roads this week. This early engineering mule, based on a shortened Phantom Series II body, has been created purely to begin the development of an all-wheel drive suspension system that will deliver a ride that will be Effortless ... Everywhere. The body may hint at the size of the new car, but it features no design aspects of the eventual high-sided, all-terrain motor car announced by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in February this year. The mule rides on the first iteration of an all-new suspension that will assist Rolls-Royce engineers in developing a final all-wheel drive system that delivers Rolls-Royce's hallmark "magic-carpet" ride not only on the road, but off-road too. The first series of tests will focus on Project Cullinan's on-road behaviour from suspension throw to high-bodied stability, and will test the new suspension across all types of international road surface specification at test facilities, as well as on public roads. Test surfaces will include; Belgian Pave, cobblestones, corrugated concrete, noise development and measurement surfaces, resonance road, and acceleration bumps.

Rolls-Royce celebrates History of Rugby with special Wraith

With its latest special edition, Rolls-Royce celebrates the history of rugby – not only the game, but also the English school where the game got its start. The unique vehicle was created by the company's Bespoke customization division. It gets its start as the Wraith fastback coupe, but applies a number of unique details that ought to make Anglophiles and fans of the game alike swoon. To set this Wraith apart, the Bespoke team gave it a white paintjob to evoke the team jerseys of the Rugby School in Warwickshire, where William Webb Ellis laid down the foundations of the game in 1823. The special edition also features a green coachline, with a red rose that adorns the school's crest and was – according to legend – borrowed (with permission) from the emblem of Queen Elizabeth I. A unique set of 21-inch split-five-spoke alloys complete the exterior treatment, while the interior has been adorned with off-white leather complimented by navy and red trim, piano black veneer, and an English rose motif. The automaker even partnered with legendary rugby-ball manufacturer Gilbert to create a small run of balls out of the same leather that trims the interior, and embroidered by Rolls-Royce's own craftsmen. Of course not everyone – even those who can afford a Rolls-Royce – will be taken with this particular example. But like other specials from Goodwood, the extent of the customization goes to show what customers can expect when ordering their own. Related Video: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS UNVEILS BESPOKE 'WRAITH' – HISTORY OF RUGBY' When the established rules become a constraint to creativity, it takes individuals of vision to carry the game forward. It was this spirit of individuality that has inspired the creation of two Great British institutions – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the game of rugby. Celebrating the illustrious history of the latter, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to introduce the Rolls-Royce 'Wraith – History of Rugby', a unique creation from the company's Bespoke Design Studio in Goodwood, England. Usually tasked with reflecting the individual taste and lifestyle of a bold new generation of customer, Rolls-Royce's Bespoke team has drawn inspiration from the rich history of the quintessentially English sport to create a unique car.

BMW shuffles chairs in its design department

BMW Group has made some changes to its design team since August 1, and has shuffled top personnel to different positions at BMW Design, Mini Design and Rolls-Royce.
The BMW Design team led by Karim Habib (middle, right) gains a new head of Exterior Design in Domagoj Dukec (right), who has worked for the exterior design team since 2010 and shaped the Concept Active Tourer.
Oliver Heilmer (left), who has worked for BMW's interior design unit since 2000 and designed the 5 Series interior, replaces Marc Girard as head of Interior Design BMW Automobiles. Marc Girard goes to manage BMW's subsidiary design group, BMW DesignworksUSA.