Rolls-Royce Covered in Black Velvet

High-end supercars are known to have lavish features, and this Rolls-Royce is no exception.

The car, a Phantom Drophead coupe, is entirely wrapped in thousands of pounds of black velvet. It was spotted outside of Harrods in central London, where it attracted both the eyes and hands of passers-by.

The velvet wrap is one of the latest trends in luxury-car customization, an estimated $470,000, and comes in a range of colors – like fuchsia pink and orange – offering an alternative to “traditional” paintwork.

The fiber is durable and coated with special adhesives to withstand severe weather conditions. The material has a lifespan of about three years, and can be easily removed by professionals to restore the car to its original production state. It can be cleaned by hand or using a normal jet wash without requiring any special products.

For more information regarding purchasing a Rolls-Royce, or other luxury vehicles, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

Rolls-Royce White Glove Program

About a century ago, when Rolls-Royce began to acquire its first-rate reputation, customers had an easier time getting their cars than getting quality drivers. That’s when Rolls-Royce began training drivers to handle its cars.

 

The company resurrected the practice with the White Glove program, led by Andi McCann, the head instructor and chief White Glove driver, which provides driver training for Rolls-Royce owners.

 

“A Rolls-Royce is a splendid piece of art,” said McCann. “It is a monument of brilliant engineering. The driver is the weak link.”

 

The training program consists of two courses: paramilitary security course or an elegant basic driving curriculum. Both courses cover standard operating principles.

 

Those that attend the courses usually work for a single owner or often for a hotel fleet. In these courses drivers are taught what kinds of shoes to wear, preparing the interior of the car, maintaining passenger privacy and overall Rolls-Royce rules of thumb.

 

“The first rule: We never cross the Spirit,” said McCann in regards to the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. “We never walk in front of the car, and we never walk in front of the passenger.”

 

Purchase your own Rolls-Royce by contacting Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

The GT3-R: Bentley’s Fastest Car Ever

A derivative of the GT3 racecar, Bentley’s new limited edition GT3-R will make its North American debut this week.  Forbes Review of GT3-R

 

“Bentley has a very strong racing heritage,” said CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer. “Which makes this 2.4 ton vehicle a highly relevant addition to the brand’s collection. With two seats and the ability to go from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, this isn’t your average over-sized touring Bentley.”

 

Looking in the racing history books, records show that Bentley Motors won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930. Now the company is working on their comeback to the prestigious world of racing. And the release of this $337,000 GT3-R will certainly put them on track for this goal.

 

 

This new Bentley model is a cross between a racecar and a touring vehicle, with a 4.0-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine, 572 brake horsepower, and 518 pound-feet of torque. The car’s front wheels feature 16.5-inch carbon ceramic brakes–the biggest on any production car in the world, which can absorb 10 megajoules of energy in one stop.

 

Power and performance aside, the look and design of this GT3-R is also racing inspired. The body is made from steel and aluminum, with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing. The bonnet also includes racecar style cooling vents and black finished 21-inch wheels.

Bentley is only manufacturing 300 of these cars, which operate on 13 mpg of gasoline. Their gas mileage might be less than ideal and the design and color customization is not even an option, but Bentley notes that the GT3-R is more of a collector’s item than a practical touring vehicle.

A Rolls-Royce Wraith for the Holidays

The Holidays are just around the corner, and so is Rolls-Royce’s most powerful car for the 2015 model year. What better way to kick-off the New Year than with a car named after the spirit of the night, the 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith.

The Wraith is a perfectly proportioned four-seater fastback the glides effortlessly down any street. Its 624 HP twin-turbo V-12 is the most powerful engine ever used in a Rolls-Royce. This ultra-powerful engine is capable of propelling the 2.5 ton car to 60mph in less than 4.5 seconds, making it the fastest Rolls in existence.

No modern holiday gift is complete without the technological-bells-and-whistles. The Wraith’s GPS navigation uses data from the stability control sensors to read the road, then shifts gears for optimized handling on the next corner or straight-away. Infrared cameras in the front bodywork can also scan the nighttime asphalt, projecting thermal images of joggers and animals on the dash-mounted LCD screen.

Say goodbye to starry nights and hello to the Wraith’s headliner. Containing 1,340 fiber-optic lamps woven into the fabric, the ceiling ensures a summer sky overhead even in the cloudiest of nights. Crank up the holiday music on the 18-speaker, 1300-watt audio system which can reproduce even the subtlest sounds of sleigh bells ringing.  

The only thing missing with this Wraith is wrapping paper, a big red bow and Santa himself!

For more information regarding purchasing this Rolls-Royce, or other luxury vehicles, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

Tesla’s Simon Sproule named Aston Martin CMO

Simon Sproule has spent more than 25 years in the automotive world. The former vice president of communications for Tesla Motors is now serving as chief marketing officer at Aston Martin.

Sproule is reunited with his former colleague from Nissian, Andy Palmer, who is now the new CEO at Aston Martin. Until early 2014, Sproule had been chief spokesman for Nissan while Palmer, who left Nissan last month to lead Aston Martin, was the company’s chief planning officer.

Aston Martin hasn’t had a senior level marketing executive since Michael van der Sande left as chief commercial officer last year. Like Sproule, van der Sande joined Aston Martin from Tesla, where he had been senior vice president for sales, marketing and service until 2009.

Sproule will relocate from Palo Alto, California, to England next month where he will lead the global marketing and communications. He started his official role on November 1.

Aston Martin also announced that brand communications director Janette Green would take on the role of director of Palmer's office.

Aston Martin isn’t Skidding Around

Aston Martin sports car drivers are demanding something unique from modern luxury vehicles – they want the chance to lose control.

What this translates to for the British manufacturer is making sure consumers can easily turn off certain systems. For example, turning off the electronic stability programs that keep cars from skidding on wet roads.

“Our customers want to feel the road,” said Jeffrey Scott, head of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.’s European operations. “More electronic-assistance programs are coming. But you have to be able to switch them off as well.”

While other luxury manufacturers are developing features to make vehicles more comfortable and safe, the real enthusiasts of high-end sports cars want less technology to interfere with their driving experience. “Aston Martin buyers enjoy a dynamic, active driving experience,” elaborated Scott.

He further explains that many Aston Martin customers own four or five additional cars for everyday use. This means they already have the vehicles that get them from point A to B and back again, but what they desire in this car is control, or the lack there of.

If you are interested in purchasing an Aston Martin, contact Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

Aston Martin’s New CEO

Aston Martin has named a new CEO, Andy Palmer, who was the former Nissan chief planning officer and executive vice president. Palmer’s new role will see him assume operational responsibility for all aspects of the business through the company’s next phase of technology and product creation.

Palmer, who has 35 years of experience in the automotive industry, was named as the automotive industry’s most influential British executive by Auto Express in 2012 and named the world’s third most influential chief marketing officer in 2013. He is taking over Aston Martin after Ulrich Bez, a German national, left the position at the end of 2013.

“We’re delighted that Andy will join us as our new CEO during this important time for Aston Martin,” said the shareholder board of Aston Martin. “Andy’s wealth of experience on the global automotive stage in marketing and sales, engineering and technology, and luxury and brand management will be instrumental in taking the company forward through its most significant and ambitious period of investment to date.”

The arrival of a new CEO is only the beginning for Aston Martin’s exciting plans. Starting in 2016, a brand new Aston Martin DB9 will be launched which will kick-start a selection of new models. Following the next-generation DB9, all Aston Martins will be AMG powered and use electrical infrastructures borrowed from AMG.

Back It Up Aston Martin

John Eagle Aston Martin of Austin now offers retrofitting reverse camera kits on select DB9, Rapide and Vantage models.

The reverse camera kit comes with a precision-made 'zero-lux' camera and 'fish-eye' lens with 170° horizontal viewing angle mounted discreetly above the Aston Martin’s rear number plate. When in reverse, a clear, wide-angle image is displayed on the navigation screen. The screen then reverts to normal as you select Park, Neutral or Drive.

 
The reversing kit has been designed to be quick and easily integrated with Aston Martin’s current electronic components, so it’s an easy installation process.

Contact Aston Martin of Austin at (512-401-2663) or visit www.astonmartinofaustin.com to see if the kit works on your car model.

More information about the retrofit camera kit can be found here at Aston Martin. Additional information about John Eagle European can be found here.

Aston Martin reveals real-life Gran Turismo DP-100 at Pebble Beach

This week, Aston Martin revealed a real-life version of its 800-horsepower Gran Turismo DP-100 at Pebble Beach in Carmel, California.

The car was originally designed for the successful racing game Gran Turismo. Kazunori Yamauchi, creator and designer of the game, called it “the future of Aston Martin.” Gamers began downloading the virtual car in July of this year.

“Many of the design cues visible in the DP-100, such as the light blade rear lamps, could also feed through into future sports cars that we’ll launch in the offline world,” said Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s lead designer. “The importance of this project should not be underestimated.”

This V12 coupe concept won’t make it to the production lines, but it does foreshadow what to expect from Aston Martin in years to come. Elements like the car’s black wing-like cooling vents and deconstructed LED tail lights are features that will likely pave the road for future cars.

At the Aston Martin Villa near Carmel, California where the real-life version of the DP-100 was showed, Reichman talked more about his inspiration for the vehicle which comes from nature, sound and light to perfect the sleek design.

Rolls-Royce to Build New Convertible Model

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that they will build a new model to be released in mid-2016 that will expand the company’s convertible lineup. Rolls-Royce emphasized that the car will be modern and contemporary while keeping the classic Rolls-Royce quality made possible by the Phantom, Ghost, and Wraith lines

“I am truly delighted to confirm the development of our new model that will open an exciting new chapter in the great story of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce. “We are currently developing an exciting and thoroughly contemporary interpretation of a pinnacle drophead tourer which will introduce even more discerning men and women to Rolls-Royce ownership.”

Rolls-Royce hasn’t revealed the details of the new convertible, but has confirmed that the vehicle will launch in 2016. The new vehicle is speculated to resemble a convertible version of the Wraith Coupe, which is based off the Ghost model.

“The announcement of a new Rolls-Royce model is always a seminal moment in the automobile industry,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Chairman of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “When it arrives in 2016, this elegant and sensuous new car will build on the success of our current models and will play a key part in fulfilling Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s commitment to long-term sustainable growth.”

Here at John Eagle European, we are very excited to hear that this car is coming to the market in the next couple of years. This gem will look great on our lot, but even better on the road.

For more information about Rolls-Royce, please follow this link. For additional information about John Eagle European, follow this link.

Cars from Clay

Aston Martin is recruiting clay sculpting trainees to design its new future supercars. The brand, which is favored by James Bond and headquartered in Gaydon, Warwickshire, uses clay models as part of the design process.

“Clay sculpting remains an integral part of the design process at Aston Martin and is vital in helping the design team visualize future models,” said Marek Reichman, design director. “This is an incredible opportunity for talented and ambitious individuals to join one of the world’s most respected automotive design teams and work on new cars that, I’m sure, will be admired around the world.”

The company said that successful recruits would be trained to create full-sized clay versions of its cars by the end of their training. Skilled clay sculptors have the ability to turn 2D sketches into 3D life-sized models.

“We’re looking for creative young people with a keen interest in the motor industry and have a passion for all things Aston Martin,” said Reichman.

The apprenticeship program is delivered in-house partnered with Walsall College through formal learning at the company’s Technical Academy at Gaydon. The next two recruits will take part in a four-year apprenticeship program starting next January with Aston Martin’s design department.

HTP Motorsport Confirms Five New Bentleys for 2015

It has been confirmed that HTP Motorsport, one of the most successful GT3 teams, will switch from Mercedes-Benz to the Bentley Continental GT3 beginning in 2015.

“2014 was a great year for us, but next year we are looking for more wins and more championships,” said Norbert Brückner, HTP Team Principal. “We’re confident that the Bentley Continental GT3 is the key to that ambition, and I and the rest of the team are excited to get started with our new race cars.”

This German-based team will move forward partnered with Bentley’s GT3s multi-car effort to race in the Blancpain Endurance and Sprint Series, ADAC GT Masters and in the Nürburgring 24.

HTP Motorsports achieved a total of six championships and 20 race wins throughout Europe before switching to the Bentley Continental GT from the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3’s.

 “I’m delighted that they are the latest team to show confidence in our Continental GT3 through partnering with us,” said Brian Gush, Bentley Director of Motorsport. “Europe is where Bentley’s motorsport heritage is based, and this collaboration is the important next step in our plan to expand our GT3 program.”

Drivers for the multifaceted

program have yet to be determined, with Bentley’s full 2015 motorsport program to be unveiled in January.

Purchase your own Bentley by contacting Sonny Morgan at 512.401.4607 through Late European or sonny@lateeuro.com.

Recognize Good at John Eagle European

The media seems to be filled with tragedy and gloom. From armed conflict to violence in the streets, sometimes it seems that mankind has lost its mind, and most of its heart.

That is why Recognize Good was formed. Recognize Good is a local Austin organization that identifies individuals, or charitable acts, that impact the lives of others for the better. They tell the stories that are too often overshadowed by today’s media.

On July 30, John Eagle European hosted Recognize Good’s volunteer ceremony to tell one such inspiring story. The organization honored Melissa Duclos, who is a key volunteer for Your Ride is Here, Inc. The organization provides luxury and exotic cars to transport cancer patients to and from treatments.

“Melissa Duclos joined Your Ride Is Here nearly four years ago as a volunteer driver,” said Ken Adams, founder and executive director, Your Ride Is Here. “Because of her compassion, she made it a point to make sure not only was the ride she scheduled to provide was covered, but all their subsequent rides were as well.  This commitment enabled her to add valuable input during the development of an automated scheduling application which is used by several hospitals to match patients with a volunteer in their area today.”

One of the many notable acts of kindness Duclos organized was getting a 2014 SRT Viper for a terminally ill teenager. The event was held at the Westin and hosted the family, local Viper club and the SRT team including SRT’s CEO Ralph Giles. After that event Freddie, the teenager, became the first civilian to ride in the 2014 SRT Viper.

John Eagle European has been an active participant with the Your Ride Is Here program. The dealership has given the charity use of Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley motorcars for these important cases.

“I’m proud to be associated with such wonderful people who volunteer to make the lives of cancer patients so much easier,” said Sonny Morgan, principal dealer at John Eagle European. “They take the worry of transportation off the minds of people battling for their lives. With the help of John Eagle European, they can accomplish this mission in style.”

The ceremony concluded with a passing of a $1,000 check from Recognize Good to the Your Ride Is Here organization in honor of Melissa Duclos as the July 2014 Legend.

“It’s terrific that organizations like Your Ride Is Here would be supported by Recognize Good for their selfless acts,” added Morgan. “Our hope is that this honor would encourage others to do good in their community. We need more people like Melissa.”

More information can be found here for Recognize Good and for Your Ride Is Here.
Additional information about John Eagle European can be found here.