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Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II headed to Geneva

Rolls-Royce is not a brand that replaces its vehicles with any great frequency. It expands its lineup, sure: what started with just the Phantom saloon has since grown to include extended wheelbase models, coupes and convertibles, not to mention the addition of the Ghost, followed by the Ghost EWB and the Wraith fastback. What Rolls does to keep its models fresh, however, is spruce them up with a Series II.
The Phantom family underwent just such a treatment a couple of years ago, and now Goodwood appears to be preparing to do the same with the Ghost. At least, that is, going by this teaser image it released with only the line, "After five years as the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce's sustainable growth success worldwide, this mid-life update is a showcase for the most recent technological advances from Rolls-Royce enrobed in a considered exterior design revision."
The arrival of the Ghost Series II at the Geneva Motor Show this year would put it significantly ahead of schedule for when Rolls updated the Phantom. That model arrived in 2003 and was followed by the Series II in 2012, giving the original a nine-year run virtually unchanged. The Ghost, however, only reached production in 2010, so introducing a Series II now would shorten that lifecycle to just four years.

Watch the Rolls-Royce Cullinan tackle the sand dunes outside Dubai

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is coming soon. The British automaker has made copious effort trying to keep the coming Cullinan from being considered just a crossover or SUV. The carmaker calls it an All-Terrain High-Sided Bodied Vehicle, and a feature as banal as a tailgate has been billed as a "luxuriously comfortable viewing platform." Yet when Rolls-Royce took a prototype Cullinan for testing in the Dubai dunes, they recorded their Phantom-based SUV ripping up the sand in ways you'd expect from a 30-year-old Chevrolet Blazer. As the Nurburgring became to cars, the dunes outside of Dubai have turned into a testing venue as useful as they are photogenic. Rolls-Royce's trip there follows a list of other luxury SUV makers, including Range Rover, Bentley, and most recently, Lamborghini. What caught our eye in this video is that outside of century-old, black-and-white photos of Charles Stuart Rolls hammering one of his early cars in contests like the 1906 Tourist Trophy, this is the first time we've ever seen Rolls-Royce do anything unabashedly racy off-road. It's as if they plucked Florida Man from the Soggy Bottom Mud Park, gave him the keys to a Cullinan and the challenge, "A case of Pabst says you can't break it." Fast forward to the 1:08 mark to get into the action. Obviously, we don't expect any Cullinan driver — save those Dubai hoons — to thrash a Cullinan like so. But it's nice to know the All-Terrain High-Sided Bodied Vehicle can do it. Related Video: News Source: Rolls-Royce [via YouTube] via Autoevolution Rolls-Royce SUV Future Vehicles Luxury Videos dubai rolls-royce cullinan

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.