Rolls-Royce News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2020

Rolls-Royce Reports Record Results From 2019

Let the celebrations begin! After compiling the sales numbers from last year, Rolls-Royce reports record results from 2019. In their latest press release, sales of 5,152 cars represents the best 12-month period in their 116-year history. It beats the previous record of 4,107 from last year by 25%. Factors that have contributed to this success is the growing demand for the Black Badge models. The factory at Goodwood was re-tooled to switch from steel unibody chassis to the new aluminum spaceframe. What began with the Phantom VIII also underpins the Cullinan, and the upcoming 3rd-generation Ghost. Increasing demand for custom builds showcases their artists' abilities, thanks to our dealers having a direct line to the factory. To see why they are so popular, click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce updates. Browse all Rolls-Royce For Sale Related: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – November 07, 2019

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Debuted

With the announcement of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, the Black Badge family has been completed. The exterior of the new Black Badge Cullinan can be covered in a stunning Black paint. This finish consists of multiple layers of paint and lacquer and is hand-polished 10 times. Rolls-Royce even changed the appearance of the Spirit of Ecstacy, which comes in high gloss black chrome for the Black Badge Cullinan. What many are looking for in the Black Badge Cullinan is added power. Rolls-Royce pumped up the power for this new edition of the luxury SUV to a total of 592 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. There's also a new exhaust system that lets the twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 breathe loud and proud. For more information regarding the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, click here. SEE ALL ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINANS FOR SALE Also Check Out: More People Than Ever Want Bespoke Rolls-Royces Braman Miami Delivers Bespoke Rolls-Royce Cullinan to Michael Fux Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2019

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price, Specs, Photos & Review

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price What does it take to drive the world's most opulent SUV? A Rolls-Royce Cullinan for sale is named for the largest diamond ever found. As such, it demands the respect of its owners and everyone around it. If you want to experience one for yourself, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan price starts at $325,000. It represents a new path for this historic brand. Their target audience is made up of younger buyers or families. Because Rolls-Royce holds a Royal Warrant, the Cullinan can be seen transporting royalty and government personnel. Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Wyoming USA Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com Rolls-Royce Cullinan Review While it is 17 feet long, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is smaller than full-size American SUVs. Based on a new aluminum spaceframe, it offers unparalleled ride quality. A pair of stereoscopic cameras behind the grille scan the road ahead and adjust the air suspension continuously. A Rolls-Royce Cullinan review should be postulated as the most relaxing automotive experience to-date. As a heavyweight, many have not experienced the road-hugging feel of 6,000 lbs. It is of no consequence because of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan horsepower measures in at 563. More importantly, having 627 lb-ft of torque will make you feel young again. No less than 220 lbs. of sound insulation were used to isolate you from the stress of modern life. Being tall and heavy, you might expect to roll in each corner. That is where adaptive roll control takes the place of a traditional sway bar. No matter how fast, this machine stays truly flat. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Specs Outside of being a jewelry box on wheels, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan specs will blow your mind. As the Rolls-Royce of SUVs, it arrives with Off-Road mode. This raises the suspension 2" and locks the differentials. The leather interior is stitched by hand, and the lambswool floormats are too nice for shoes. Acceleration is not restrained, merely muted for occupants. It has the speed of a muscle car with the refinement of a dinner party. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan top speed is limited to 155 mph in order to preserve the heavy-duty tires. As for the Rolls-Royce Cullinan 0-60 mph time, it completes the test in 4.8 seconds. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Revealed, Most Luxurious SUV Money Can Buy Price: $325,000 Engine: 6.8-liter twin-turbo V12 Transmission: 8-speed automatic Horsepower: 563 hp Torque: 627 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 4.8s 1/4 mile: 12.9 sec @ 111 mph Top Speed: 155 mph Rolls-Royce Cullinan Engine Climate change activists always point fingers at luxury drivers, although they should really be holding a mirror. That's because of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan engine. It has raised the bar for clean-burning twelve cylinders. It has direct fuel injection, dual overhead cams, and perfect balance thanks to a 60-degree firing order. All four cams have individual timing control, and they are turned by a massive chain designed to last the life of the vehicle. While many manufacturers push the latest technology into their engines, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan engine is "over-engineered" to be indestructible. It does without cylinder deactivation and the turbos are precisely computer-controlled. This allows the Cullinan mpg to be above 18 on the highway. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Transmission If you demand the Rolls-Royce of transmissions, you are in for a treat. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan arrives with a snappy 8-speed automatic. The torque converter is computer controlled to be open during shifts. You will see the RPM drop and not feel a thing. As the gears are changing, the throttle is closed for an instant. Not only does this eliminate shift feel, but it also prolongs the life of the gearbox. Using the latest in All-Wheel-Drive, it can send 100% of torque where it is needed. In normal cruising 90% is directed at the rear axles. A neat trick is the incorporation of GPS into the shift strategy. If you hit a windy road, the computer looks up the route ahead which is stored onboard. It then holds a lower gear until you are back on a straight road. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Interior No other SUV has wool, leather & wood combined in such a relaxing configuration. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan interior is as smooth as a velvet glove. Instead, all illumination is diffused and gradual. Every control is polished metal, with a few knobs being leather-wrapped. Behind the leather and under the deep carpet lies 220 pounds of sound and heat insulation. It combines the best in new technology while being cut and fitted by hand. Why You Should Buy A Rolls-Royce Cullinan You have two options for the back seat. The base model has a bench for 3 people. When folded, your cargo room increases from 21 to 88 cubic feet. If you are the chauffeur, your guests might enjoy a rear center console. This divides two reclining captain's chairs. Between them are two chilled cup holders. The glassware includes champagne flutes and a whiskey tumbler. We also recommend the rear-seat entertainment package. It has multiple USB-C ports, HDMI, and AV connections. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Brakes Being big and graceful comes with several considerations. Once an object is in motion, it will remain in motion. That is why the Rolls-Royce Cullinan brakes are massive vented discs at all corners. In lieu of the latest brake-by-wire systems, your Cullinan has forged calipers designed to maximize the space behind the 22" wheels. As such, the iron rotors are wide enough to dissipate heat quickly. Much of their performance lies in the metallurgy. Only the best iron and steel are used to slow you down. The tradeoff for amazing pedal response is brake dust. Your driver should be vigilant to maintain the shine of the wheels. Aftermarket wheels might seem alluring, but even the best forged aluminum is not rated to handle the hub-centric loads created by a Cullinan at play. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Standout Features If you want to bring the latest in technology along with you, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan has no less than 5 USB-C ports. Bluetooth is supported, but Apple CarPplay is not offered. To protect your sensitive eyes, every light is tempered and gradual. That is, every action inside works in a gradual manner. Just operating the dome lights is a stress release. For those who need the executive rear seats, the glass partition serves to keep your luggage and road noise isolated. The camping package presents two chairs onto the tailgate, presenting a view unlike any other. We know of no other comparable way to take 21 cubic feet of cargo and the family along for an outing. There is nothing lacking in substance or performance, and that is why it is a Rolls-Royce. Browse Rolls-Royce Cullinan For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – August 20, 2019

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Made for Michael Fux Unveiled in Peb...

Michael Fux is a well-known car collector and it seems that he always has a special surprise at Pebble Beach every year. This year, his surprise was a bespoke Rolls-Royce Cullinan that he had commissioned. In fact, this is the twelfth Rolls-Royce he has commissioned. "Michael is a true patron of our Rolls-Royce Bespoke artistry," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "He has continually brought us color challenges ranging from exterior finishes to perfect color matching for a variety of materials throughout his creations. For more than a decade, my team has never failed to deliver for him and the brand." In the past, his Rolls-Royce commissions have had some vibrant colors, like his Jade Pearl Wraith and "Dawn in Fuxia." For this year's Pebble Beach unveiling, he showed off the "Cullinan in Fux Orange." Fux got the color from an orange ladies wrap that he spotted in South Florida. He bought the wrap and sent it to Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective who made the "Fux Orange" paint. Inside the luxury SUV is an Arctic White leather interior with Orange stitching. Here's the entire list of colors that Michael Fux has created with Rolls-Royce, which can only be used by him (or with permission from him): Fux Orange (Cullinan) Fux Fuxia Pearl (Phantom) Fux Fuxia (Dawn) Fux Blue Candy (Dawn) Fux Intense Jade Pearl (Phantom) Fux Aequus Green Jade Pearl (Wraith) Fux White (Ghost) Fux Purple Candy (Phantom Drophead Coupé) Fux Red Candy (Phantom Drophead Coupé) Fux Yellow (Phantom Drophead Coupé) see all rolls-royce cullinans for sale Also Check Out: Michael Fux Car Collection is on Instagram and it’s Amazing Michael Fux’s New McLaren 720S is a Gem

By Andrew Nabors – January 10, 2019

Rolls-Royce Reports Record-Setting Sales for 2018

Charles Rolls and Henry Royce agreed to join forces on December 23rd of 1904. Their first car had 10 horsepower and they sold 16 of them. A few advancements and strategic moves over the past 114 years have led to a significant press release this morning. Rolls-Royce delivered 4,107 cars last year, which makes 2018 their best year so far. Growth was seen in all regions, and the US remains to be their primary market. Many lucky customers received their Cullinan for Christmas thanks to increased production at the Home of Rolls-Royce. To meet the unprecedented demand, the factory in Goodwood hired 200 new employees with 23 being accepted into the highly competitive apprenticeship program. P.J. Tucker's Rolls-Royce Cullinan & Matching Shoes! CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös looked back on the year saying: “2018 was a most successful, record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce. We have seen growth in all our regions around the world. At Rolls-Royce we are deeply focused on each and every one of our customers and are delivering on their demanding expectations. The Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is acknowledged and celebrated as a global centre of luxury manufacturing excellence, where our skilled, dedicated team create the world’s finest, most sought-after luxury products. We set a formidable mark in 2018: I am confident it will prove the spur to even greater success in 2019.” Check Out The Sultan of Brunei's Collection It was also a year of innovation. The 8th generation of the Phantom arrived on a new aluminum spaceframe. It is much lighter and stronger than the steel it replaces. The modular design had major help from their cousins at BMW, and it will become the basis of all future Rolls-Royce models. Of course, these record sales would not be possible without the best dealers in the world, so click the link below to find a Rolls-Royce showroom near you. Find A Rolls-Royce Dealer Near You " width="680">

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2018

$38 Million Penthouse Comes with Rolls-Royce

Shopping for a house can be quite tiresome and tedious, as there are many different features and aspects you have to search for. Is it in a good neighborhood? How many bedrooms does the house have? Bathrooms? Does it come with a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? If that last question is in your checklist, I think I've found the house for you. Well, it's actually a penthouse. The Mansions at Acqualina in Miami, Florida are offering up a $38 million penthouse that comes fully furnished with a multi-million design by Luxury Living/Fendi Casa, and a Rolls-Royce Cullinan out front. Yes, the luxury SUV comes with the penthouse when you buy it. “People who buy a $38 million penthouse want to walk in the door and not have to do anything but enjoy it,” said Michael Goldstein, President of Sales for Acqualina Realty. Ain't that the truth. And with this property, the enjoyment doesn't end when you walk out the door because you have a new luxury SUV waiting for you. Not a bad life. " width="680"> Also Check Out: Post Malone’s Rolls-Royce Gets Wrecked, Buys a Bigger One Google Exec’s Bespoke Rolls-Royce Delivered in Style Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan Compared

By Edward Jones – May 08, 2018

Very First Look at the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV is set to be revealed on Thursday, May 10, but we'll be seeing little bits of the vehicle before then. Today, the English automaker has unveiled a sneak peek of the SUV, giving the world the first look at the production version Cullinan.Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV Shown in Action for First TimeAlong with today's preview, Rolls-Royce will also be showing off more tomorrow, May 9, ahead of the broadcast of the last chapter of The Final Challenge. This can be seen here. The Final Challenge is documented journey headed up by National Geographic photographer Cory Richards. During his adventure, he takes a camouflaged Cullinan across Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and parts of the United States of America.Be sure to check back with Autofluence tomorrow for more preview pics and Thursday for the official unveiling.

By Edward Jones – April 13, 2018

Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV Shown in Action for First Time

The new Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV is set to debut in a few months, but before then we'll be getting little tastes of is. Rolls-Royce may be handing out little teasers here and there, but the main course is the videos created during a massive road trip. The road trip takes the SUV across multiple countries and the entire experience is being covered by National Geographic and photographer Cory Richards.Rolls-Royce has been and will be uploading videos of the journey to their YouTube channel. The videos show the Cullinan pull off some off-road maneuvers while looking classy as can be while doing so. Below are the videos uploaded by Rolls-Royce in ascending order. Check them out and get ready for the Cullinan's full reveal in the coming months.

Rolls-Royce News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe