Flying Spur, Wraith Make 2013 Best-Ever Year for Bentley and Rolls-Royce

Last year was good was a good one for British super luxury brands. In fact, that’s an understatement, as both Rolls-Royce and Bentley announced their best-ever annual sales results in 2013.

Rolls-Royce said it delivered 3,630 cars in 2013, the fourth consecutive record year and the highest in the brand’s history. The result makes Rolls-Royce the world’s leading super-luxury brand, which is a term coined by the BMW Group company to designate makers of luxury vehicles selling above €200,000 ($272,180) net.

The biggest growth was reported in the Middle East (+17 percent), as well as in China (+11 percent), with other countries including Germany, Japan, Qatar and Canada seeing strong sales too. In terms of volume, China and the United States remained Rolls-Royce’s largest individual markets, followed by the Middle East.

Rolls-Royce said 2013 was a good year for its Bespoke personalization program as well, with nearly every Phantom family model, and three out of every four Ghosts leaving the factory in customized form. Launched in March 2013, Wraith has a strong order book.

Rolls-Royce’s archrival Bentley also had a record year in 2013, delivering 10,120 cars, an increase of 19 percent over 2012, when it sold 8,510 cars. The No. 1 market for the brand was The Americas region (3,140 units/+28 percent), while Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe (particularly Germany and the UK), posted significant gains over 2012.

The new Bentley Flying Spur had a big contribution to the success, with 2,005 units being delivered in the final four months of 2013. That’s an impressive achievement, considering the average yearly sales of 2,700 cars of its predecessor, the Continental Flying Spur, during its seven-year career.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Rolls-Royce Officially Reveals Built to Order Ghost V-Specification

Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of the Ghost V-Specification, a limited series model of the Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase. The special model will only be available for customers to commission from January to June 2014.

Thanks to a 30hp power increase for a total of 593 hp (601PS), the Ghost V-Specification sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds (a tenth of a second faster than the standard Ghost). The carmaker says the 6.6-liter V12 engine delivering 80 percent of its power from idle.

The Ghost V-Specification is also slightly more fuel-efficient than the standard model, averaging 13.6 l/100 km (17.3 mpg US) compared to 14.1 l/100 km (16.7 mpg US). CO2 emissions are also smaller: 327 grams vs. 329 grams.

The limited series model features subtle aesthetic upgrades including the hand-painted coachline featuring the V-Specification motif, optional visible chrome exhausts and 21-inch part-polished wheels. It is available with five new exterior colors (Graphite, Black Sapphire, Black Kirsch, Arctic White and Infinity Black), and if those aren’t enough, customers can choose from Rolls-Royce’s 44,000 hue palette.

The handcrafted interior also features the V-Specification motif engraved to the treadplates, embroidered to the rear armrest and hand-applied to the front multimedia screen lid. The interior is completed with an exclusively designed clock with a black crown surrounding the face.

“This limited series celebrates one of Ghost’s defining characteristics; the exquisite 6.6 litre Rolls-Royce V12 engine,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification may be the final Ghost model before the facelifted one appears sometime this year. The special edition model is listed at a German authorized Rolls-Royce dealer for €330,820 ($450,480), 19 percent VAT included.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Rolls-Royce Quietly Unveils Limited Edition Ghost V-Specification with 593HP

Rolls-Royce has quietly released the Ghost V-Specification, an upgraded model bringing more power and luxury to its entry-level model. The most powerful Ghost ever made is powered by an uprated version of the twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine producing 593 hp (601PS), 30 hp more than the standard Ghost.

Despite producing more grunt, the engine is slightly more economical than the standard version, averaging 13.6 l/100 km (17.3 mpg US) compared to 14.1 l/100 km (16.7 mpg US). CO2 emissions are also smaller: 327 grams vs. 329 grams.

The increase in power is accompanied by a series of discreet exterior and interior upgrades. Available with five new exterior colors (Graphite, Black Sapphire, Black Kirsch, Arctic White and Infinity Black), the Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification features a hand-painted coachline that incorporates the V-Specification motif.

The car also gets 21-inch Part-Polished wheels, available for the first time on the short-wheelbase Ghost, as well as optional visible chrome exhausts.

On the inside, the limited edition Ghost gets a bespoke tread-plate bearing the car’s motif, which is also present on the custom-made covering for the entertainment system. There’s also an exclusive new clock design with a distinctive black crown surrounding the face. Additionally, the leather upholstery features contrast piping and stitching.

Rolls-Royce says the Ghost V-Specification will be produced for a limited period of time. German authorized Rolls-Royce dealer Procar lists the car for €330,820 ($450,480), 19 percent VAT included. The carmaker is expected to debut the facelifted Ghost at a major auto show this year, possibly in Geneva.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Rolls-Royce via AutoblogNL

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