Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé sold out!

Although the Phantom Coupé hasn't gone on sale yet, it received 200 orders and will be delivered to their respectful owners in spring 2009. RR Chairman and CEO, former BMW South Africa CEO Ian Robertson, says two out of three sales of the Phantom Coupe are by people who don’t currently own a Rolls-Royce.

“It means we’re beginning to appeal to a broader audience,” he said.

Rolls Royce has been on a serious comeback trail since the Phantom came into power. Last year they saw over 1,000 units shipped for the first time, signaling the proper return of the RR brand to the fore for the first time since the Germans took over. How unfortunate for the Mercedes Maybach....

Humming under the bonnet is the traditional 6.75-litre RR V12 that produces 453 hp/ 337kW and 720Nm of torque. Phantom Coupe is able to move from 0 – 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, topping off at 250km/h.

Vauxhall unveils new badge (UK)

This is Vauxhall's new badge. Due to be unveiled later this year, the sharp yet simple new logo will set a more upmarket feel for the company as it aims to pitch its forthcoming models against prestige rivals.

It now features a more subtle satin silver finish, although the trademark red background is retained. It’s much more dynamic and modern and updates a design that has been left largely untouched since 1903. The new badge will debut at July’s British Motor Show on the grille of the new Insignia, which replaces the current Vectra. The logo will then be rolled out across the rest of the firm’s range.

New badge on top and current badge below

Vauxhall goes dancing on ice

Ford unveiled their Focus facelift, we know Volkswagen is currently testing the Golf facelift but what is Vauxhall/Opel doing? Well, last weekend, spy photographers saw enginners undergoing cold-weather testing the new Astra in Northern Finland but the Astra is set to debut at the 2009 Geneva motorshow.

Despite the car’s disguise, the side profile, front fascia, rear bumper and tail lights overall shapes are visible. There is no insight into the 3-door model yet but it seems to be clear the five-door version will again get the current model’s sloping roof line plus the trapezoidal-shaped c-pillar.

Overall, the new car looks somewhat sleeker and yet more elegant. Besides the 5-door model pictured, Vauxhall/Opel will have a wagon, convertible and the 3-door in the pipeline, all following the 5-doors introduction, one by one.

The engine range will be similar to that used in today’s cars (75- to 240-bhp petrol units; 90- to 150-bhp diesels). Expect greener engines to arrive shortly after the car’s introduction.

Luxury Rolls Royce Beauties

Dutch Super Bus Concept Capable of 155 mph: Looks like Ridley Scott’s Alien

This odd vehicle is a public transportation concept being developed by the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, partly at the behest of the Dutch government.

alien-headhl.jpgThis highly streamlined Future Bus is aimed at providing convenient, and even personalized public transportation, at speeds that will rival Europe’s railway lines. The sleek profile and small frontal area of the bus concept are said to allow it to travel at up to 155 mph. One rather frightening drawback to the aggressive design however, is the uncanny resemblance it bears to the murderous extraterrestrials from Ridley Scott’s Alien movies.

At nearly 50 feet long, and 8 feet wide, the Future Bus should have a seating capacity of up to 50 passengers. Those passengers will be able to use the bus in a sort of a la carte way, most likely using mobile phones or web devices to help determine stops and pick-up points. Despite the revolutionary nature of the Future Bus, researchers are hoping to have a demonstration vehicle built sometime this year. Let’s just hope they find a way to keep its acid blood from dripping all over.
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GM to Introduce 16 Hybrids by 2012

General Motors doesn’t want to miss the hype train. It too has now announced that it will have an entire fleet of hybrids. Ok, it didn’t. But, GM will have 16 hybrid models on the market by 2012, CEO Rick Wagoner told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show.

The models will be powered by two different hybrid systems. One is designed for the rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles (Chevy Tahoe). The other is for the front-wheel-drive vehicles (Saturn Vue).

Wagoner said that GM plans to introduce one hybrid model, on average, every four months until 2012. GM currently offers four hybrid models – the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Malibu, Saturn Vue, and Saturn Aura.
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Fiat To Build Alfas In China?

Will China soon have domestically-produced Alfa Romeos? That’s the story according to Ward’s Auto, which cites a “well-placed” source. Apparently, parent company Fiat SpA is almost ready to sign on the dotted line with Nanjing and Chery to assemble the Italian cars in the world’s fastest-growing automobile market.

Fiat is apparently hoping to have Chery assemble the cars, but it already has a joint-venture agreement with Nanjing, which is slowing negotiations. If the deal with Chery is to go through, Fiat will likely have to divest its 50-percent stake in the existing JV partnership with Nanjing, a move which could happen soon.

Fiat hopes that it can begin producing some 30,000-35,000 Chinese Alfas in 2009 (startin with its 159 sedan), with the eventual possibility of exporting to other markets, including Mother Italy.
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