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Rolls-Royce Phantom Limelight is opulence par excellence

Rolls-Royce never tires of putting out limited-edition versions of the company's plush models as a way to show off what its Bespoke team is capable of. The latest in a long line of ritzy Rolls is the new Phantom Limelight Collection, which takes inspiration from the theatrical stage. The luxurious sedan was technically unveiled at the recent Shanghai Motor Show, but detailed images and more info about the custom four-door was just released. Limited to 25 cars worldwide, the Limelight Collection marks the debut of Rolls' latest rear seats, and they are about as lavish as you would expect. The chair backs can recline up to 27 degrees, and a calf rest comes up a further 68 degrees to fully support wealthy passengers. There's also a power footrest hidden in the floor. Beyond the swanky seats, the Limelight also packs a dressers-worth of storage in the doors. Offered in both Ladies' or Gentleman's versions, they include custom places to store perfume, watches and jewelry. The rest of the interior is also available in two schemes that are dominated by either Seashell leather with Navy Blue as a contrast or vice-versa. To complete the theme, the exterior is painted in a shade called Gala Blue, and there's a Seashell and navy stripe painted down the side. Like the rest of Rolls' special cars, the Limelight amounts to some seriously upscale trim on an already high-class vehicle, but there's little doubt the company can sell all 25 of them. Related Video: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS SHARES THE LIMELIGHT WITH PHANTOM CUSTOMERS 23 April 2015, Goodwood British engineering ingenuity and artistic creativity have proven to be the inspiration behind the naming and creation of the latest Bespoke Phantom Collection to emerge from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Limelight Collection has been conceived for that select group of people who spend their lives in the public eye and on the world stage. Its name was inspired by the origin of a British invention which became synonymous with fame. The limelight effect was originally discovered in the 1820s by Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, a prototypical British gentleman scientist and inventor of the Victorian era. It was harnessed to revolutionise illumination in the theatres of London's Covent Garden, highlighting leading actors on the stage, thus leading to the phrase, 'in the limelight'.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection is a real land yacht

There aren't very many better places to show the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection than at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Not only is this aquatic-themed land yacht parked on the Concept Car Lawn appropriately very near the Pacific Ocean, it's being seen by some of the most wealthy car enthusiasts in the world on one afternoon.
The car actually debuted in May in Europe, but Rolls-Royce decided to show it again to West Coast customers. This luxury droptop is dedicated to former British waterspeed record-holder Sir Malcolm Campbell, hence the name. Campbell used a boat powered by a Rolls-Royce R engine to reach 126.33 miles per hour in 1937 on a lake in Italy and break the old milestone. Later, he took the same craft to 129.5 mph to further establish his dominance.
The Phantom Waterspeed takes inspiration from these accomplishments with a two-tone look that mixes shining Maggiore Blue exterior paint and a brushed steel tonneau cover to replace the normal teak. The blue color scheme even extends to the engine and interior trim in combination with contrasting Windchill Grey leather. Rolls isn't building many of these marine-inspired leviathans; check one out on the lawn at Pebble Beach in our gallery.

Rolls-Royce names new chief executive for North America

Rolls-Royce has announced a changing of the guard in its North American office. Stepping out of his role as North American regional president is Eric Shepherd (pictured). In his place, the uber-luxe British automaker is bringing in Pedro Mota, who comes by way of Porsche Cars North America, where he served as the west coast regional vice president. Mota holds an MBA from European business school INSEAD, and a Master's in electrical engineering from Lisbon Technical University. He'll join Rolls-Royce with almost immediate effect on October 1 to learn the ropes before taking over on January 1, 2016 - the day after Shepherd vacates the office. The company was rather unspecific in disclosing what Shepherd will be doing next, saying only that he'll be staying "within the Rolls-Royce family" in a "new entrepreneurial role in the super-luxury automotive retail sector." The shift in leadership in the North American office at Rolls-Royce comes as the automaker prepares to role out new models. It's now in the process of adding the new Dawn convertible to the Ghost/Wraith family. It's also preparing to launch its first SUV, known internally as project Cullinan, into a burgeoning new market segment for ultra-luxurious crossovers. It's an area with which Mota, having helped move so many Cayennes and helped introduce the new Macan through West Coast dealers, ought to be intimately familiar. Related Video: LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS NORTH AMERICA Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that President (North America), Eric Shepherd, has decided to move to a new entrepreneurial role in the super-luxury automotive retail sector within the Rolls-Royce family. Chief Executive, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, said, "Eric's move is a big loss to our successful business at Rolls-Royce North America but we are highly supportive of talented managers like Eric pursuing personal business opportunities, particularly when it means they stay within the Rolls-Royce community. Eric's dynamic leadership of our North American operation has been highly effective. He has established a strong team and cohesive network which has led to a substantial strengthening of our business in the region." Shepherd will continue in office as President of Rolls-Royce NA until 31 December 2015. He will be succeeded by Pedro Mota who will join Rolls-Royce NA from Porsche Cars NA where he served as Vice President, Area West.