2008 Rolls-royce Phantom Drophead on 2040-cars

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Here's an official peek at the Rolls-Royce SUV

Rolls-Royce let out a pair of new images of Project Cullinan, the company's attempt to deliver ultra-luxury and brick-like aerodynamics in an SUV form factor. These images mark the first time we've seen Project Cullinan in its production body, albeit clad with swirly camouflage. All our previous spy photos showed a Phantom with a ridiculous wing, for example. These new images hide the wagon-like traits of the rear, but are a strong sign that Rolls has finalized the Cullinan's design. The prominent slatted grille and imposing headlights are the big design calling cards, but even with the camouflage, the upright fascia and long hood stand out as distinguishing styling traits. Even the mirrors say "Rolls-Royce", sitting atop delicate stalks with sizable housings on top. We can't divine much about the Cullinan's tail or rear haunches, so there's still some mystery yet to be revealed. With these are official images out, we expect an influx of spy images in the very near future. According to the company, Cullinan will move to the Arctic Circle for cold-weather testing after the Christmas holidays. Later next year, it's off to what's likely the SUV's primary market – the Middle East – for hot weather testing. Naturally, our spies should return a bevy of images of both hot and cold-weather testing. Stay tuned. View 2 Photos

BMW sold 2.49 million BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles in 2018

FRANKFURT — German carmaker BMW on Tuesday said it achieved record sales of 2.49 million BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles last year. "BMW Group achieved record sales in 2018. 2.49 million vehicles mean the BMW Group is the world's leading premium automotive company for the 15th year running," Chief Executive Harald Krueger said. In 2017, BMW Group sold 2.46 million vehicles. Daimler has not yet released annual sales figures for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, so it remains unclear whether BMW brand overtook Mercedes-Benz in terms of sales in 2018. Sales of BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars were higher than Mercedes-Benz in 2017.

Leaked patent images reveal one-off Rolls-Royce with boattail rear end

Rolls-Royce's bee apiary is expected to produce a record-breaking amount of honey in 2020, but the 250,000 bees that live and work on the company's property aren't the only ones staying busy this year. Leaked patent images posted online have revealed a one-off coupe that was likely commissioned by a wealthy collector. Spanish enthusiast forum Coches Spias first published the images, which were released by Brazil's patent authority. Up front, the coupe falls in line with the company's current design language with a tall, upright grille and thin LEDs positioned above a set of round headlights. Suicide doors add a touch of class to the overall design, and flying buttresses that stretch over what look like blacked-out b-pillars connect the roof to the rear end.  Rolls-Royce has dabbled in one-off, client-requested models before; it introduced the one-of-a-kind Sweptail in 2017. Shown below, it took the form of a big coupe with a trailing boattail design, but the model depicted in the patent images takes the maritime-inspired design a step further with what looks like wooden decking over the rear end. We'll let you decide if it resembles a boat, or a fancy tonneau cover built for a classic pickup truck. View 14 Photos Although technical details didn't accompany the patent images, we're speculating the one-off is based on the Wraith, which is the only coupe in the Rolls-Royce range. Shortening the Phantom's platform is certainly feasible, but it sounds like a tremendous amount of work, even for what was certainly a money-no-object build. Venturing further into speculation territory leads us to a 6.6-liter V12 engine, which effortlessly develops 624 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque when it's bolted in the Wraith's engine bay. It likely powers this car, too, but its power levels might have increased. It probably spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rolls-Royce is keeping its lips sealed about this project. We expect to learn more about it in the coming months, but some details (like the identity of the collector who commissioned it) might not be revealed until several years after the coupe's global introduction. As for pricing, keep in mind the aforementioned Sweptail allegedly cost $13 million. It's not the most expensive new car ever sold; that honor goes to the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. It cost about $12.5 million before taxes, and over $18 million after, claiming it the title. Related Video: