VIDEO: A MINI Cooper S Powered by a Helicopter Jet Engine

Rolls-Royce and MINI may have the same owner, but the two iconic British brands have never been intended to cross paths. That was until a Texas-based firm called BMP Design decided to squeeze a Rolls-Royce Allison 250-C20B jet engine sourced from a helicopter in the back of a MINI Cooper S. Yes, that's right, just behind the front seats. The consequences of this action are easy to imagine: the 420-horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque RR engine drives the rear wheels, turning the MINI into a 4WD monster. Managing to drive the car is a major achievement, since the driver needs to balance the conventional controls with the separate levers that command the jet engine. As you are about to see, the speed and the acceleration of this little rocket are mind-blowing. As is the noise coming from the turbine engine. Watch the videos after the break.
By Dan Mihalascu Source: Jalopnik
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Geneva Preshow: Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX with Full-Electric Drive

Rolls Royce will be showcasing a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The British automaker said the car will serve as a working test bed to explore the feasibility of battery-powered Rolls Royce models in the near future. “We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Goodwood. “With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.” The 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will go on a world tour in 2011 offering Rolls Royce owners and enthusiasts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America the opportunity to test drive the car and share their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly with the company. According to Rolls Royce, these include the 102EX's ability to deliver an acceptable range between re-charges and to operate in extreme weather conditions, as well as to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations. “I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,” added Müller-Ötvös. “It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.” Rolls Royce said it will reveal photos and full technical specifications for the 102EX at the Geneva Salon on March 1.
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100 Rolls Royces Take to the Streets of London to Celebrate Centenary of 'Spirit of Ecstasy'

A selection of one hundred Rolls Royce cars from all eras and generations including examples of Silver Ghosts, Silver Clouds, Silver Shadows and Silver Spurs, took to the streets of London on Sunday, February 6, to celebrate the centenary of the brand's famous hood mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The hood ornament, also called "Flying Lady", was first fitted to Rolls-Royce models in 1911. It was designed by Charles Sykes and legend has it that the figurine was inspired by Eleanor Thornton, a co-worker of Sykes at the time. “The Spirit of Ecstasy is a genuine icon, a graceful goddess who has adorned the prow of Rolls-Royce cars past and present,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “She is recognized the world over as a symbol for the pinnacle of automotive aspiration and is an inspiration to those of us working for the company today. The centenary drive was a fitting tribute to such an important figure for our company.” The Rolls Royce drive started in Belgravia and ended at the Great Conservatory at Syon House in West London, making its way pass significant locations for the British brand including the birthplace of one of the founders of the automaker, Charles Rolls in Hill Street, Mayfair, the site of the studio where Charles Sykes is believed to have created the design of the Spirit of Ecstasy on Brompton Road and Berkeley Square, and the 21st century home of Rolls-Royce in London.

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Rolls Royce Wallpaper

Rolls Royce Ghost Wallpaper

Rolls Royce Ghost Wallpaper

Rolls Royce Ghost WallpaperRolls Royce Ghost WallpaperRolls Royce Ghost WallpaperRolls Royce Ghost WallpaperFirst announced at the 2006 Paris Motor Show as the Concept 200EX, the Rolls Royce Ghost is the smaller brother of the Phantom.The Ghost's exterior styling is clearly influenced by the Phantom featuring similar details such as the front-end design and the rear-hinged coach doors that open to a generous 83 degrees, with the overall look being slightly softer and more rounded than that of the larger Rolls.Buyers will be able to opt for a contrasting Silver Satin finish for the bonnet, grille and windscreen surround, as seen on the 200EX concept.Not surprisingly, the Phantom also inspired the Ghost's interior styling that features a similar dashboard layout and all the "usual" luxury amenities and high quality materials expected from a car with a six-figure price tag. Individual lounge seating is offered as an alternative to the standard lounge configuration, which allows the addition of a massage function and also perforated leather for a cooling stream of air from the seat surface.Rolls Royce says that while Ghost is over 400mm (16-in.) shorter overall than the Phantom saloon its interior space is comparable.Underneath the sheetmetal, the Ghost's underpinnings borrow heavily from the long-wheelbase BMW 7-Series, meaning that the baby Rolls ditches the Phantom's aluminum spaceframe construction for a steel monocoque body.The Ghost rides on a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension that work in conjunction with a high-tech, four-cornered air-suspension system and electronic variable damping. The company claims that the new air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other and compensate accordingly. The system also incorporates a lift and kneel function, raising or lowering Ghost by 25mm."Our challenge," says Engineering Director Helmut Riedl, "has been to preserve the prerequisite levels of comfort while delivering the most modern, dynamically interesting drive ever in a Rolls-Royce."As expected, the Ghost also gets all sorts of electronic aids that include Anti-Roll Stabilization, Dynamic Brake Control and Dynamic Stability Control, including Dynamic Traction Control and Cornering Brake Control.Motivating the 5,399mm / 212.2-in. long and 2,435kg / 5.368 behemoth is a brand-new 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine with direct injection that makes 570 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 780Nm or 575 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheels through an eight-speed, shift-by-wire, automatic ZF gearbox.The Ghost is said to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.9 sec (0-60mph: 4.7 sec) and go on to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h or 155mph while returning an average fuel consumption of 13.6 lt /100 km (17.3 mpg US or 20.8 mpg UK) and emitting 317g/km of CO2.