View pictures of the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Drive.

Rolls-Royce chauffeurs of the world beware! If this chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce was actually produced, it would take a very brave chauffeur to drive it.

Designed and built to 1/4 scale by Jeremy Westerlund a student at California’s Art Center. He describes it like this:

" Rolls-Royce Apparition – An ultra luxurious chauffer driven limousine evoking the glamour and sophistication of chauffeur driven cars in the past that has since been lost. This vehicle is about being seen, but at the same time being invisible or an “Apparition” in the sense that you’re safely tucked away in its palatial and private interior. "

Built out of model-milled foam from Alias data, the model is 6 feet long, built to actual size this Rolls-Royce would be 4 feet longer than the Phantom! Rolls-Royce chauffeurs can take a big sigh of relief that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have no plans to start making the Rolls-Royce Apparition.

One of the most recognisable figures of the automotive world will celebrate her birthday this year. February 6 will mark one hundred years of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the iconic radiator grill mascot that graces every Rolls-Royce.

Fashioned after Eleanor Thornton, the mistress of the 2nd Baron of Beaulieu. Thornton drowned in 1915 after her ship was torpedoed by a German U Boat. The Baron survived. So did Eleanor’s spirit, as 4 years before Charles Sykes sculpted the now iconic mascot inspired by Thornton. The Spirit of Speed as it used to be called, is now known as the Spirit of Ecstasy.

On February 6th in London, one hundred vintage and modern Rolls-Royce cars will drive through London to celebrate this very special occasion. Through out 2011 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will be producing one hundred Rolls-Royce Phantoms at Goodwood, especially embellished to commemorate the legendary flying lady, and her “Spirit of Ecstasy”.

The unveiling of the Rolls-Royce 200EX at Geneva. This car has now become the new Rolls-Royce Ghost

It is official. A new Rolls-Royce will start rolling out of Goodwood in the third quarter of 2009. Previously dubbed the "Baby Rolls-Royce", the "RR4" and "200EX", this new Rolls-Royce will be called "Ghost". Like the Phantom, Ghost is a name that pays homage to and salutes a celebrated car from Rolls-Royce’s past. The 1907 Silver Ghost was a landmark in Rolls-Royce history. This is the car that elevated Rolls-Royce from many of the other pioneering and fledgling motor car manufacturers. Autocar famously tagged it as "the best car in the world". This six cylinder, 7 litre machine set new standards in automotive design, and the name Rolls-Royce has since then stood for something that is top of the class.

The Ghost will double the amount of cylinders of the Silver Ghost, and with just a slightly smaller engine capacity of 6.6 Litres. These are no ordinary litres though, these are of the turbocharged variety and produce 563 bhp. I think it is quite telling that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have published the Rolls-Royce Ghost performance figures. It demonstrates a paradigm shift in Rolls-Royce marketing. The celebrated Ogilvy advertisement half a century ago stated: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock." demonstrated that Rolls-Royce did not need to shout to be heard. The typical Rolls-Royce owner was not concerned about horsepower, 0 to 60 timings or other measurements, that (perhaps) lesser cars are judged by. This is Rolls-Royce after all. The Ghost dispels this myth, in quite a bold move for the Goodwood company. However, this is a feisty car. No, it is no stroppy or anarchic boy racer, neither brash or uncouth. It is a daring and courageous car. Designed to compliment rather than replace the existing Rolls-Royce Phantom.

I believe that the Ghost has been designed as a luxury grand tourer. A car that is as comfortable as it is quick. Can we expect The Stig to be shaving tenths of seconds around the Top Gear track? Or Clarkson to be doing donuts in the Top Gear car park? Well, I suppose they would if Rolls-Royce lent them one when it is produced. Yet for all it’s performance indicators: a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds, an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox and a governed top speed of 155 mph, the Ghost will always be a Rolls-Royce. Possibly leaning more towards their arch rival Bentley with this car than any other in the companies history. The Ghost will stand beside the four door Bentley Continental Flying Spur for comparison.

The Flying Spur is not restricted to 155 mph though and given the right circumstances can top out at a speed of nearly 200 miles per hour. But this is a largely academic figure, a figure rarely to be seen in real life. Later in the year Rolls-Royce will publish the full technical specification. It will be interesting to see how much this baby weighs on the scales. At 5399mm in length the Ghost is shorter than the Phantom 5834 mm or the Phantom EWB (Extended Wheel Base) 6084mm. It is still a large car though. Judging by it’s interior finish and the specifications that have been published to date, this is no stripped-down racer like the Bentley Continental Supersports. It looks like being a rather elegant grand tourer. A car built more for the driver rather than the chauffeured passengers, but never the less a very comfortable and luxurious ride for both driver and passenger.

Rolls-Royce Ghost badge, notice is now embossed in black, rather than the red of the experimental 200EX

The Ghost began life as an experimental model, the 200EX. Now as it starts to enter production, the red badges of the experimental car are replaced by black and the speculation is nearly over. In a matter of months we will see the Ghost start rolling on our roads, and I can’t wait to have a drive.

Disclaimer: In no way could this car be described as a chauffeur car, but as it is a Bentley and loosely related to the four door Bentley Continental Flying Spur, I thought it was worth mentioning!

Some cars are bred to be driven and some are born to be driven by. The new Bentley Continental Supersports is of the former camp. In essence it is a stripped down, Continental GT: leaner, meaner and faster.

Weight is the enemy of speed. The Bentley engineers have decided that the customers of this particular model, would prefer to strip out the electronic, massaging rear seats, and replace them with a carbon fibre bar. . . Having been driven at high speed in a Continental GT before, I can see where they are coming from. To really appreciate a GT you really need to be in one of the front seats, preferably the drivers.

Bentley Continental Supersports interior: Who needs rear seats anyway?

With 621 bhp available from the 6 litre W12 engine and a faster shifting gearbox coupled with a 110 kg less weight than a Continental GT Speed, make the Supersports a very quick car. Reaching 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and topping out at 204 mph the Supersports lives up to its moniker. The Supersports was named after the super-lightweight (for a Bentley) Bentley Supersports of the 1920s. Fitted with ceramic disc brakes and having all-wheel drive this should prove to be a very safe motor car too.

Distinctive smoked steel finish to all the brightware, including the wheels which shroud the ceramic disc brakes.

Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Bentley all chose the 2009 Geneva Motorshow to announce some exciting new cars. Aston Martin announced the One-77, a bold limited edition supercar. The Rolls-Royce 200EX is a more dynamic Rolls-Royce, but still a Rolls-Royce never the less. Some say it could even be a competitor to the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. Somehow though I don’t think even Rolls-Royce would create a competitor to the Continental Supersports. A muscular 2 seater fits Bentley’s sporting heritage precisely and shows how just how different Bentley and Rolls-Royce really are.

Another first for the Supersports is that this Bentley is the first to be able to use flex-fuel, either petrol or bi-ethanol or a combination of the two. Sure, there are faster supercars out there. But with the latest generation of Bentleys, these are cars you can use everyday. Very reliable and even in Supersports guise are likely to be dignified and calm at all times. Even with your right foot pushing the pedal firmly into the diamond stitched upholstery. Just like Benteys of old…

The rear view of the Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports Official Site

Rolls-Royce decided to unveil their new "Baby Rolls" at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Previously tagged the RR4, the 200EX as it is now known may perhaps be called "Silver Ghost" when it goes into production during 2010. Originally the name "Silver Ghost" was used to emphasise the spooky quietness of the Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP model, that was dubbed "the best car in the world" by Autocar in 1907.

The world’s most famous grille. "We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional ‘Parthenon’ style and more like a jet intake," – Ian Cameron.

Officially described as an "Experimental" model, as you might expect from Rolls-Royce, the 200EX is not just a clay or paper mache mock-up or a stylish concept drawing. This is a proper working example of this future production Rolls-Royce. If it is a baby, then it is a particularly large example. It might not quite stretch to the length of the behemoth Phantom, but at 5.4 metres long it is still a very large saloon. It has been reported and blogged that the 200EX was born out of the recession, but the reality was that the Rolls-Royce designers started developing this car way before the global economy went into meltdown.

The usual Rolls-Royce luxury, but with a more chunky and sporty steering wheel than the Phantom.

With a more dynamic character than the Phantom, even the steering wheel is a little fatter than the svelte Phantom wheel. This suggests that this car needs to be driven, and by many accounts it has been designed to compete head on with its former sibling Bentley and their Continental Flying Spur. It will be suitably more expensive than the Bentley though, weighing in at an expected £175 000, which hardly puts it in the bargain basement. No, this car looks like being another exquisite design, complete with the signature rear mounted coach doors.

The Rolls-Royce signature rear mounted coach doors on the 200EX.

As a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce it is perhaps slightly overshadowed by the Phantom’s commanding presence, but this car looks like it will be as rewarding to drive as it is to recline in. Powered by a new V12 engine, derived from the new BMW 760i power plant this Rolls-Royce will probably not win any awards for economy, but in the best traditions of the illustrious company this is a Rolls-Royce that will command respect, without shouting. A grand car that will be found in the garages of wealthy motorists, even with or without a recession.

"Alluring, inviting, approachable – this car captivates with each encounter" – Chief Designer, Ian Cameron

Official Rolls-Royce 200EX Micro Site

English Wedding Cars is a new website featuring the finest English wedding cars and marques. Cars like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Arnage and Continental Flying Spur along with Jaguar and Range Rover wedding cars. There is also some information regarding the history of Bentley and Rolls-Royce too.

“Is that an American car, daddy?”, my daughter asked as I gazed at these first design sketches of the RR4. “No, these are sketches of the new Rolls-Royce”, I replied. “Do you want one daddy?”, I didn’t have to ponder on this too long. “Yes, my darling, I certainly do”.

This new “junior” or “baby” Rolls-Royce looks like it will be taking on the Bentley Continentals. With an emphasis on driving, rather than the Phantom’s waftability, the RR4 looks like a very exciting car. I think Sir Henry might have described it as having a bit of fizz…

The design, known as RR4 was signed off in 2007 and engineering development is now fully underway for its launch in 2010. The Goodwood manufacturing facilities are being completely reconfigured to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model. The RR4 will sit alongside the Phantom model line-up. Smaller than the Phantom it will be powered by a new engine, unique to Rolls-Royce.

Chief designer, Ian Cameron, said, “Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.”

“RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars”, said its Chairman, Ian Robertson.

Photos: Rolls-Royce Motors

After the tremendous success of their 2003 Continental GT, Bentley Motors introduced the Continental Flying Spur in 2005. The Continental GT, a two door, grand tourer in the grandest sense was a instant hit for Bentley. What really set the GT apart from many other grand tourers was the fact that this car was designed from the offset to reach 200 mph.

Unlike some lesser manufacturers, Bentley designed and engineered this beast specifically to reach this significant motoring milestone. No limiting to 155 mph like some of it’s German rivals. This Bentley sticks up two fingers to our continental neighbours… just like Winston Churchill… but, before one gets carried away in patriotism, and Union Jack flag waving. There is one fly in the mint sauce… Bentley is now owned by a German company (like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars). However, before you can say, "Humbug!" this is not such a bad thing. The Bentley Arnage is a fabulous car, but in terms of reliability is certainly blighted by this new generation of Continentals. The huge teutonic might of the Volkswagen group allows for the economies of scale to tip favourably towards this Crewe based automotive manufacturer. Allowing the craftsmen of Crewe to focus on what really should be handmade. While state-of-the-art robots and other high tech gizmos can do what they do best – build reliable cars. The result is breathtaking.

As gentile as an old English school master. A true perfect gent, someone you could rely on to chaperone your beautiful sister. Or could you? Just like Dr Henry Jekyll, had the wayward Mr Hyde never too far way. This car is classic Bentley. The GT may be slightly nimbler round tight and twisty corners, but the Flying Spur could never be called a slouch. Polished, bookmatched wooden veneers and the finest leather work do their best to portray the interior of an elegant Gentleman’s club.

With 552 BHP available from an amazingly compact W12 engine. This Bentley can smoke it’s way out of a Port-sipping, pipe-smoking heritage, or can it? With all wheel drive, you can forget about tyre-smoking too. Gone are the days of sitting at a gravelly T junction wondering why your not moving. That is, until you see the plumes of smoke in your rear-view mirror as the Arnage tries it’s best to melt the tarmac.

This car just goes. It goes where you want it too also. When you brake from 150 mph it will stop in the most perfect straight line, even in my hands. Lesser cars can become just a tad unsettled at this sort of velocity, not this beast, in fact it hasn’t even started stretching it’s legs yet. At 155 mph the nose of the car will lower to create an even better aerodynamic stance. The fact is, even flat out this car will never fly like its moniker. Yet, it will reach incredible velocities. I have been told, by someone that should know that the Flying Spur will eclipse a GT in the top speed test. Official figures of the Spur are apparently doctored for marketing reasons.

In 2007, Bentley introduced the GT Speed, which along with a slightly reduced weight, adds another 53 BHP to its arsenal. The Continental GT Speed is the first production Bentley officially capable of reaching 200 mph, topping out at 202 mph.

The Continental Flying Spur incorporates much of the technological prowess of the GT but with a lot more rear legroom and significantly for a chauffeur car – four doors. It is as roomy as a standard Rolls-Royce Phantom in the rear. Making it a great car for chauffeuring basketball players or for flamboyant wedding dressed brides. Many people could argue that any car built on the shell of a mear VW can’t be a true Bentley. Many people say it weighs more than a truck and can’t be a true supercar. However, I believe they miss the point and were these not some of the original criticisms of the original Bentleys? W.O Bentley’s motto was "To build a good car, a fast car, the best in class." surely the Bentley Continental Flying Spur meets his aspiration?

The Spirit of Ecstasy has been a standard feature of Rolls-Royce motor cars since 1911.

“Rolls-Royce were keen to design their own mascot because some Rolls-Royce owners were commissioning their own designs, which were not always in keeping with the ethos of the company. So Rolls-Royce’s Claude Johnson (often known as the hyphen in the name Rolls-Royce) commissioned Charles Sykes to create the now infamous ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’.”

Rolls-Royce History: Spirit of Ecstasy

Originally the Spirit of Ecstasy was made from silver, but later models were fashioned from stainless-steel, though silver and gold are still available as an option.

In 2006, The Giantto Group produced a one-of-a-kind diamond encrusted Rolls Royce Phantom mascot valued at $95,000, and four diamond covered Rolls Royce “RR” plaques valued at $12,000 a piece.

At the recent New York International Auto Show, Manhattan Motorcars displayed another diamond clad Spirit of Ecstasy aka “Nellie in her Nighty”. A creation of Jean Kemanjian which is valued at $200,000.

I suppose it is a question of taste. Every Rolls-Royce is a unique and bespoke item, and some are more bespoke than others. However these exquisite vehicles are much more than just a bling thing. The Spirit of Ecstasy was designed to help curb original Rolls-Royce owners from sticking inappropriate mascots on the front of these cars. This elegant and flowing design has since become an icon of the automotive world. With or without diamonds, the spirit remains the same.

Eleanor Velasco Thornton

Sykes claimed that the model he based his automotive icon on was Eleanor Velasco Thornton. She was also the secretary and mistress of John Walter Edward Scott-Montagu, who in 1905 became Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Tragically Thornton was drowned in 1915 when the SS Persia was torpedoed by a German U-boat as she was travelling to India. Thankfully her spirit will go on, thanks largely to Sykes flowing mascot.

Spirit of Ecstasy Resources

• Rolls-Royce History: Spirit of Ecstasy
• Rolls-Royce Motors Spirit of Ecstasy
• Rolls-Royce mascot mystery