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Zero-emission zones are forcing Rolls-Royce to develop its first EV

Rolls-Royce confirmed its first series-produced electric car will debut before the end of 2020. The BMW-owned firm is pivoting toward electrification to give its customers access to city zero-emission zones. Instead of putting batteries in one of its existing models, the company will enter the EV segment with a new nameplate. Unverified reports claim the car will replace the Wraith and the Dawn, so it could arrive as a coupe and/or as a convertible, and Automotive News learned it will ride on Rolls-Royce's modular aluminum platform. It's too early for executives to provide technical specifications. Rolls-Royce could choose to borrow components from its parent company, or it could develop the technology on its own. Regardless, the brand stressed its customers aren't clamoring for a zero-emission options, but regulations are forcing Rolls to go electric. "There is no demand from customers, but we need to be in a position to sell them a car if legislation forbids them from driving a combustion-engined car into the center of a city," a spokesperson told Automotive News. Company CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos announced the model is currently being developed, and it's scheduled to make its debut "within this decade." He added an electric powertrain fits the brand's image perfectly, because it's silent and it delivers the mammoth amount of torque customers expect, whether they're driving or being driven. Batteries add weight, but no one buys a Rolls-Royce thinking they're getting a nimble, feather-light car. In the meantime, Rolls-Royce will continue fine-tuning its mighty V12 engine, which it anticipates will power most of the cars it builds until the end of the 2020s. And, don't expect it to release a plug-in hybrid model. It's skipping gasoline-electric technology and going straight from 12-cylinders to electric motors. Rolls-Royce has been on the fence about electrification for about a decade. It introduced an electric version of the last-generation Phantom named 102EX at the 2011 edition of the Geneva auto show, and it briefly considered giving the sedan the proverbial green light for production. It backpedaled when it realized the technology still had serious limitations, notably in terms of driving range, and that its customers weren't interested in going electric. Engineers tested hybrid prototypes in the 2010s, but they remained at the test mule stage.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan spotted playing in the snow

This is no ordinary Phantom. Not that you'd call any Rolls-Royce ordinary, considering the brand's stratospheric pricing and hand-built pedigree. But this one is extra special, because it's a test bed for the British luxury brand's very first SUV, tentatively known as the Cullinan. We've known Rolls-Royce was out and about testing this brand-new, all-aluminum platform in the wild, but this is the first time we've seen it so clearly. It looks a little bit like a shortened Phantom sedan, with big swathes of metal seemingly cut away from the rear doors, but it's more than that. We can't be certain, but there's probably a big V12 engine underhood sending torque to all four wheels, and it looks to be riding high enough to offer some legitimate off-road capability. The aggressive tires are another giveaway that this Rolls may be going places no Phantom before it has dared. With Bentley finding success in the luxurious 'ute market with the Bentayga, we're sure Rolls-Royce is pushing to get its Cullinan into the driveways of one-percenters the world over as soon as possible. See the mule for yourself in our high-res image gallery above. As for us, well... we're just wondering what happened to that sweet rear spoiler. Related Video: Featured Gallery Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Spy Shots View 10 Photos Spy Photos Rolls-Royce Crossover SUV Luxury rolls-royce cullinan

Rolls-Royce to auction first Dawn in America for charity

Want to get your hands on the first new Rolls-Royce Dawn to reach North America? The automaker will auction off the first of its new convertibles in the US at the Naples Winter Wine Festival in January. All proceeds will go to charity. The Dawn is the new drophead counterpart to the Ghost and Wraith. The four-seat convertible features a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 good for 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission for a 0-62 time of under five seconds. It's a suitable foil to the likes of the Bentley Continental GTC and Mercedes-Benz S-Class convertible. Rolls-Royce introduced the Dawn at the Frankfurt Motor Show just a couple of months ago, and will begin arriving at dealers in April. The example pictured here will be the first to arrive in North America. It'll be outfitted by the Bespoke division in Arctic White with a Deep Red roof and a corresponding interior with Indian Rosewood trim and unique treadplates. It's valued at over $400,000, but bidding will start at $335,000 at the wine fest scheduled for January 29-31 at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Naples Children & Education Foundation. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Offers Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity To Own The Sexiest Rolls-Royce Ever Built Bidder at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival will become the first North American customer to receive the new Rolls-Royce Dawn WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bidders at the 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival will have a truly exclusive opportunity to become the first North American customer to receive the sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built. The all-new Rolls-Royce Dawn marks a new horizon in the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' lineup of pinnacle motor cars, and the brand has offered the very first delivery in North America to benefit Naples' charities. This Dawn will be offered at the Naples Winter Wine Festival to be held from January 29-31 2016 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida with proceeds benefiting the Festival's founding organization, the Naples Children & Education Foundation. A true four-seater, Dawn is the most social of super-luxury drophead motor cars. Its effortless elegance and luxurious, yet approachable demeanor fits seamlessly into the backdrop of the 16th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival.