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The folks over at Project Kahn have just sent out some photos of their Project Kahn Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe. Shown in Black Diamond, this version of the two-door was originally introduced back in July.
Pininfarina were challenged and commissioned by car collector Roland Hall to create a vehicle that would pay homage to the sumptuous cars of the 1930s, a challenge that is well within the grasp of the Italians specialists. Pininfarina have used their expertise to create special models in the past, some may remember the Ferrari P4/5 based on the Enzo or perhaps even the Scaglietti �K� springs to mind.The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe owned by Hall provides the base for the Hyperion, the rear seats of the model are removed leaving enough area to nudge the driving position back an extra 400mm.To accurately depict the styling of the pre-war cars, Pininfarina had to extend the roof which simultaneously shorten the rear end whilst keeping a beautiful array of soft flowing design lines.
The classic Rolls-Royce grille remains although it is now slightly inclined offering better aerodynamic performance and a set of recessed Bixenon headlights with LED technology lie both sides of it. Most of the bodywork is made of carbon fibre, although the doors which have been designed by craftsmen that usually focus on luxury boats are made of solid wood.
Much of the Drophead Coupe's interior styling remains, however a vintage 1945 watch specially designed for the Hyperion by Girard-Perregaux can be found attached to the dashboard, it can also be detached for Mr. Hall's personal use.
Mechanics beneath the Hyperion's elegant posterior have been left untouched
The multi millionaires and billionaires of the world have a rough life, so tuning company EDAG has decided to make things a little easier for them. Debuting at the Geneva Auto Show the EDAG Rolls-Royce Phantom has an articulating roof design that eliminates the need for rear passengers to duck down as they enter the car.
Inspiration for the roof opening comes from what EDAG considers an oversight by Rolls-Royce. In factory models the C-pillar was purposely created extra large so rear passengers would have the sense of additional privacy and security. This however results in a rather difficult entry and exit from the vehicle, even for people of average height.
To correct this problem EDAG had to use carbon fiber reinforcements in the roof and modify the interior ceiling with original components from Rolls-Royce to create a seamless appearance. To open the roof panel the driver or passenger simply presses a button, and then the hydraulically powered roof segment will rise in a smooth silent motion.
EDAG to Show Articulated Roof for Rolls Royce Phantom at Geneva
The vision of comfort
Besides developments aimed at improving their ecological compatibility, the question of comfort will be a decisive factor in the marketing success of future vehicle types. Having said this, in the age of networked communication and infotainment systems, the term "comfort" is not limited purely to
physical comfort in the car. A car of tomorrow will have to provide the customer with the ability to access any data and information which he or she needs for either private or professional use. Merging the realms of vehicle, office, home and worldwide service and infotainment options defines the future meaning of the word comfort in the automotive branch.
As a global partner to the automotive industry, EDAG has defined "the vision of comfort" as its leading theme, and this will take centre stage at the company's presentation at the 2008 Geneva Show. With its presentation of the articulated roof for the Rolls Royce Phantom, EDAG is showcasing its first step towards its target of developing complex, innovative luxury solutions.
"Vision of Comfort" � Focus: Vehicle Body
Innovative vehicle body concepts in the exterior and interior will also contribute to an increase in com-fort within the car in the future. Ergonomically optimised package concepts, such as access aids, serve to improve convenience considerably. Controls, seating comfort, air conditioning and visibility all have to undergo constant refinement, as requirements are always changing. This will mean that vehicle derivatives, created by designers and engineers to have optimised functions and guarantee user convenience, will become an absolute must.
Using the example of one means of optimising access to a Rolls Royce Phantom, EDAG will be documenting its expertise in the development and close-to-production implementation of innovative luxury concepts within the field of vehicle bodies.
Optimised entry to a Rolls Royce Phantom
Not even a Rolls Royce Phantom will be able to satisfy its owner�s every wish. One example is the seat behind the �C� pillar in the rear of the car, which traditionally creates a feeling of security and privacy.
With the production model, however, this does have a price: namely the fact that it is impossible, even for someone of average height, to enter and leave the car in an upright position. The solution that EDAG developed is an articulated roof over the rear seat area, so that passengers can get into and out of the car in comfort.
It might sound trivial, but the job called for a great deal of technical finesse. First of all, EDAG�s Product Development and Production departments worked out various concepts for raising the roof and the lateral roof frame together. It goes without saying that the exclusive interior design was to be borne in mind at all times, and that neither rigidity, comfort nor sealing capacity were to be compromised under any circumstances whatsoever.
There was no way to avoid severing the lateral roof frame of the aluminium spaceframe. A reinforcement cut from solid metal, which at one and the same time incorporates the kinematics, water channel, locking mechanisms, seals and finger protection, does, however, provide the essential rigidity of the body.
The aluminium structure for the roof was likewise cut from the solid. To save weight, the roof�s outer skin panel is made of synthetic carbon-fibre material. The roof�s interior trims were re-designed, and covered with original quality Rolls Royce materials. By simply pressing a button, the driver or passenger can activate the specially developed electronic controls, and raise the hydraulically powered roof segment with practically no sound whatsoever. Modification of the roof structure has had no effect on either the car's handling or its interior acoustics.
Feeling frustrated that your Rolls-Royce Phantom doesn�t have enough room for you and your entourage, forcing you to take a less glamorous vehicle with seating for six? If so German coachbuilder Mutec has created the solution, by introducing a version of the Phantom that has been stretched 43 inches.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw sales in 2007 increase by 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with retails of 1010 cars. This is the first time that annual sales have reached four figures and the fourth successive sales increase since the company was launched in 2003. There was strong demand for all Phantom models, with the four door versions (Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase) remaining the best sellers and accounting for 75 per cent of the total. However, it was the exceptional demand for the new Phantom Drophead Coup�, launched in the summer, which drove the volume increase. Production capacity at Goodwood was maximized by working extended shifts.
�Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way,� said Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive. �It confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market and is a credit to the passion and dedication of our teams at Goodwood and around the world. The customer reaction to the Drophead Coup� has been astonishing, exceeding all our expectations.�
North America remained the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce in 2007, accounting for 40 per cent of sales and showing growth of 22 per cent. Exceptional performances were seen in the United Arab Emirates and in China which grew by around 70 and 50 per cent respectively.
The Rolls-Royce dealer network expanded to 80 in 2007, with new showrooms including St Petersburg, Kiev and Dresden. The top selling dealers worldwide in 2007 were, respectively, Beverly Hills, London, Abu Dhabi, Tokyo and Dubai. Abu Dhabi saw the highest annual increase, with sales more than doubling.
Looking ahead in 2008, Rolls-Royce has announced its intention to launch a two-door coup� model, based on the Phantom, in the summer. Further into the future a new Rolls-Royce model series, to sit alongside the Phantom models, will be launched in 2010, currently named RR4.