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Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection honors record-breaking pioneer

The Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe and Dawn convertible might not be long for our market, but that doesn't mean they're being wholly ignored by their maker. In fact, Rolls-Royce just announced a new limited edition of the stylish pair: the Landspeed Collection. The Landspeed Collection cars honor 1930s speed record-holder Captain George Eyston, who achieved three land speed records, culminating in a run at 357.497 mph in 1938 at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Rolls-Royce connection is that Eyston's car, the Thunderbolt, was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce V12 aero engines. Each displaced 37 liters and produced more than 2,000 horsepower. Unlike the Thunderbolt, the Wraith and Dawn are powered by a single V12 engine, and its output is unchanged from stock. Nor do the Landspeed Collection Wraith and Dawn adopt the record-setting car's triple axles, eight wheels, and large triangular tailfin. More's the pity. Instead, the models are based on the Wraith and Dawn Black Badge. They're painted a two-tone Black Diamond Metallic and Bonneville Blue (a light silver-blue that's specific to this model). Among the unique details: dashboard engraving that mimics the fissured texture of the salt flats, an image of the Thunderbolt's silhouette embossed on the front tunnel, and a special clock that adopts some of the markings of the Thunderbolt. The Starlight Headliner is said to exactly match the night-sky appearance on the date when the final Thunderbolt speed record was set. Rolls-Royce will build 35 examples of the Wraith coupe and just 25 of the Dawn convertible. But even if you're as speedy as Captain George Eyston himself, you won't be quick enough to grab one — they're already sold out.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan test car takes the wheel — from a BMW 3 Series

The biggest, baddest Rolls-Royce will soon be here. We've seen spy shots the new Cullinan for months, but this is our first look at the SUV's interior. Though much of it is still covered, we can make out a few details hiding beneath the surface. There's no word on when the new Rolls will hit the streets, but look for a debut sometime this auto show season. At first glance, there seems to be a lot of parts taken straight from a BMW parts bin. BMW owns Rolls, so this shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Still, it's disappointing to see the steering wheel from a 3 Series in place of the handsome, thin-rimmed wheels you usually find in a Rolls-Royce. That said, this could simply be a temporary solution while the car undergoes development. The rest looks a lot like the new Phantom. This includes the digital instrument cluster and various switches and knobs. There really isn't anything new we can glean from the Cullinan's exterior. We've seen this all before. The rear doors are of particular note as they each appear to have two door handles. Look closely and you can see a regular one in the back and what appears to be another up front. The latter suggests it may have suicide doors, though it may simply be a trim piece meant to simulate that iconic Rolls feature. We'll have to wait for the full debut to find out more. Related Video: Featured Gallery Rolls Royce Cullinan Spy Shots View 12 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Spy Photos Rolls-Royce SUV Luxury

Rolls-Royce's future models will be electric-only starting in 2030

Rolls-Royce's first series-produced electric car, the Spectre unveiled in 2022, won't be its last. The BMW-owned company announced that every new car it launches after 2030 will be electric-only, though it stressed that there's still space in its range for V12-powered models. "All future Rolls-Royces, new ones, will be only electric while maintaining what Rolls-Royce stands for," company boss Torsten Muller-Otvos told British magazine Car. He added that this thinking explains the Spectre's overall design. "That's why we also decided to go with classical Rolls-Royce proportions. It needs to look like a Rolls-Royce: monolithic, great stature, it carries proudly the pantheon grille. It drives like a Rolls-Royce, it accelerates like a Rolls-Royce, it wafts like a Rolls-Royce ... it has all of the same materials — while being electric," he said. That doesn't mean that Rolls-Royce's design department is stuck in a rut. The modular platform that underpins the Spectre (pictured) will serve as the foundation for other EVs, and Muller-Otvos told Car and he's open to experimenting with "very different technologies" and "different shapes," though he stopped short of providing specific details. "[Electric technology fits perfectly with the brand," he opined. Rolls-Royce expects the Spectre will be able to drive for up to 260 miles on a charge. That's not much, but the company explained driving range isn't a big concern for its customers. They mostly use their cars in urban centers and they're able to charge at home and at work. If you're saving up for a V12-powered Rolls-Royce, it's not too late. "I still foresee a very good business for us in future for Cullinans, for Ghosts," noted Muller-Otvos in the same interview.