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Could Rolls-Royce expand business with new models?

Rolls-Royce may be forced to expand its lineup beyond the über-luxury cars gobbled up by the ultra-wealthy jetset, as new competition in the form of the rumored, high-end Mercedes-Benz S-Class could take a slice of the luxury pie from the BMW-owned manufacturer.
Automotive News reports that this, along with the combination of BMW's unwillingness to move above the price-point set by the 7-Series and Bentley's expansion into the SUV realm, could force Rolls-Royce's hand. AN is arguing that, as unrealistic as it might sound, Rolls could develop a four-door crossover or shooting brake, but that any such plans are in the earliest of stages.
In the near term, the smallest Rolls-Royce, the Ghost, will get a refresh in 2014, while the sporty Wraith fastback will spawn a convertible variant by 2015. The big boy of the Rolls-Royce range, meanwhile, is due for a far more comprehensive re-do. The Phantom is expected to share a platform with the next-generation 7-Series in 2016. Advanced materials are expected to feature heavily, as Rolls-Royce seeks to trim body fat and improve fuel economy without compromising the performance or comfort expected of the brands' flagship model.

Watch the other new Top Gear host rap about a Rolls-Royce

The rebooted Top Gear revealed its full slate of new co-hosts last week, complete with a lineup of names and faces we know – and one we don't. That's Rory Reid, the one new host chosen from public auditions. Though most of us many never have seen his face or heard his voice, he's not new to reviewing cars on video. In addition to hosting automotive videos for CNET and Sky television, Reid is also automotive editor for a British video series called Recombu. Most of the reviews he's done for the YouTube channel are pretty straightforward, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of whatever he's driving – from a Bentley Continental GT Speed or Range Rover Sport SVR to a Mini JCW or Peugeot 308 GTI. But when it came to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rory was evidently moved to take things in a different (and original) direction. Instead of simply describing the luxury sedan as most automotive journalists would, Reid rapped about it. The result is a pretty novel take on the usual car review, and no doubt helped him secure the spot on the revived BBC program alongside the likes of Chris Evans, Chris Harris, Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz, Matt LeBlanc, and of course the Stig. See for yourself in the video above, and check out his other reviews in the playlist below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Recombu via YouTube, Carscoops TV/Movies Rolls-Royce Videos rolls-royce ghost rory reid rap rolls-royce ghost series ii

Rolls-Royce restores a pair of soapbox racers it built in the 2000s

Rolls-Royce inaugurated its current headquarters in Goodwood, England, in 2003, but it started making cars there before the plant was officially opened. It built a soapbox racer called RR-0.01 in 2001 and manufactured a second example named RR-0.02 the following year. These one-offs were raced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and largely forgotten about until they were given a full restoration in 2024. Building a soapbox racer might sound odd for a brand that develops some of the world's most luxurious cars. Rolls-Royce explains that entering the Goodwood Festival of Speed's Soapbox Challenge was a way to preview what was then a new chapter in its history. In just a few short years, it had been sold to Volkswagen by a company named Vickers and sold again to BMW after an intense round of negotiations. It had split from Bentley, its longtime sister company, and it was forced to build a new plant, a new headquarters, and develop a new range. The soapbox racers were made by some of the same workers that later manufactured models like the Phantom, and they featured a Rolls-Royce-esque design thanks largely to a bright grille with vertical slats. It should come as no surprise that these weren't your typical home-brewed racers built on a gutted riding lawnmower chassis. Rolls-Royce used carbon fiber, fiberglass, and aluminum to keep the 0.01's weight in check, for example, while the 0.02 featured a formula racing-style steering rack, wood trim, as well as leather upholstery. The two racers also stood out with several unusual design cues: 0.01 wore a hare-shaped hood ornament while 0.02 got a "??" logo above the grille. Rolls-Royce notes that its soapbox racers last competed in 2013; during the event, 0.02 reached 72 mph, which is remarkable (and a little scary) considering it's powered solely by gravity. They were stored in as-raced condition until the company asked a team of apprentices to fully restore them. The work performed included repairing parts damaged during racing, including 0.01's grille and 0.02's wood cowl. Both freshly-restored racers will be displayed at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club's headquarters in Northamptonshire, England. Featured Gallery Rolls-Royce's RR-0.01 and RR-0.02 soapbox racers Design/Style Rolls-Royce