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Grey Poupon's Pardon Me Lost Footage ad airs during Oscars

Those of you that took our tip and tuned in for last night's Academy Awards may have caught the latest iteration of the famous Grey Poupon commercials, featuring a pair of Rolls-Royce sedans and their condiment-loving stewards. The update to the 1981 commercial was only shown in part on television, however, as the mustard company directed viewers to its website to see the entirety of the Lost Footage spot. Of course if you didn't bother then, you can just scroll down to see the full-length two-minute commercial here.
As you're viewing, note that the Grey Poupon marketers did not, it would appear, get official sanction from Rolls-Royce this time around. While the Rollers in the commercial have all sorts of James Bond-like accouterments, they don't appear to have the official Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornaments, for example, and they have restyled lights and grilles. Check out the new spot below, and see if it stacks up to the iconic Pardon Me original.

Rolls-Royce Spectre EV getting a 650-horsepower Black Badge variant?

The electric Rolls-Royce Spectre made its debut earlier in 2023, and the British brand is already looking at ways to expand the range. While nothing is official, leaked certification documents for the Australian market suggest that a Black Badge model with more power is on its way. Australian website Drive wrote that the Spectre Black Badge's unveiling is imminent. While it didn't publish the leaked documents, so we can't verify their authenticity, it noted that the Black Badge treatment will include a 650-horsepower evolution of the standard car's dual-motor drivetrain. For context, the standard variant of the Spectre is rated at 577 horsepower. If the leaked figure is accurate, the Spectre Black Badge will be the most powerful series-produced car in the Rolls-Royce range, eclipsing models like the 592-horse Cullinan Black Badge. The extra power shouldn't have a major effect on driving range. The aforementioned certification documents peg the coupe's range at up to 342 miles, compared to about 345 for the standard Spectre. Keep in mind those figures won't necessarily carry over to the American-market model, because Australia uses its own methods to obtain a range figure. In the United States, the Spectre has a range of up to 260 miles. Beyond the drivetrain, the Spectre Black Badge will receive the same basic tweaks as other Black Badge-branded members of the Rolls-Royce range, according to the same report. The list will include a suspension system revised for sportier handling, blacked-out design details, trim-specific wheels, and new-look interior trim. Of course, buyers will be able to customize nearly aspect of the Spectre Black Badge. Rolls-Royce hasn't commented on the report, and it hasn't confirmed plans to launch a Black Badge variant of the Spectre, let alone one with a 650-horsepower drivetrain. If the rumor is accurate, we should learn more about the big electric coupe in the not-too-distant future. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the Black Badge will cost more than the standard Spectre. Don't try to flip one: Rolls-Royce will blacklist you.

Freddie Mercury's silver Rolls-Royce auction will benefit Ukrainian war victims

Freddie Mercury, Queen’s exuberant front man, had a penchant for very expensive, very lux cars; a Lincoln, a Daimler, and his favorite, a 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. The limousine, which chauffeured Mercury until his death in 1991 (he had no driverÂ’s license), is now on its way to a higher calling: ItÂ’s to be sold off next month at RM Sotheby's London auction, with proceeds going to the Superhumans Center, a charity supported by Richard Branson and others to provide aid for war victims in Ukraine and to fund construction of a hospital in Lviv. According to the Hagerty automotive site, MercuryÂ’s sister Kashmira drove the car for a time after her brotherÂ’s death. With 62,000 miles on the clock, it was eventually put up for auction in Britain and sold in 2013 and fetched GBP74,600, the equivalent of GBP131,098 (about $146,000) today. The car is painted a color called Silver Chalice and has a blue interior. It is powered by a V8 motor. The sedanÂ’s memory was kept alive in the Queen biopic, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” At the beginning of the film, the rocker is being delivered to the Live Aid concert in a silver Rolls (not MercuryÂ’s original, presumably). In other Queen-related news of note, band members Brian May and Roger Taylor authorized the release Thursday of a newly-discover song, “Face It Alone,” originally recorded in the 1980s. It was targeted for inclusion on “The Miracle,” QueenÂ’s 13th studio album, but didnÂ’t make the final release. The song was discovered by a team assembling an upcoming eight-disc Queen box set. “WeÂ’d kind of forgotten about this track,” Taylor said in a statement. “But there it was, this little gem. ItÂ’s wonderful, a real discovery. ItÂ’s a very passionate piece.” Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Freddie Mercury's Rolls-Royce View 11 Photos Celebrities Rolls-Royce Auctions Luxury Sedan