2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost

In the autumn of 2006, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced that work had begun on a new model series. The new car would be in production and on sale by the turn of the decade. The only other facts confirmed at that stage were that it would be smaller than the Phantom sedan and priced somewhere between $250,000 and $300,000. Speculation about its style and specification began almost immediately...
Little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the spring of 2008, when Rolls-Royce released the first official sketches. The styling was instantly recognizable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. At the time Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.”

As sightings of secret development models on the road increased, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled 200EX, the experimental forerunner to Ghost, at the Geneva motor show in March 2009. An instant hit, 200EX bore the trademark Rolls-Royce design cues but in altogether more compelling fashion. It was a clear statement of intent.
After the show, 200EX embarked on a world tour, during which further information about the forthcoming production model became available. It would be powered by a new 6.6 liter V-12 unique to the marque, delivering 563 horsepower with extraordinary performance figures. It would ride on an intelligent air suspension system offering peerless ride and dynamics. And it would be called Ghost.
“Ghost is one of the most revered names in automotive industry,” said Tom Purves. “It evokes images of adventure and technical innovation. The first cars to bear the Ghost name were known not only for impressive dependability and refinement but also great flair and style.”
Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to 200EX during its travels, very few changes were made in the transition to the production Ghost – a tribute to the remarkable achievements of Ian Cameron’s and Helmut Riedl’s design and engineering teams.
In September 2009, the new Rolls-Royce Ghost was formally launched to the world.

DESIGNING THE FUTURE
“Simplicity is the hardest design principle to follow.” Ian Cameron, Chief Designer
Ghost’s flowing lines are dominated by its majestic ‘Yacht Line’ styling. Large, uninterrupted surfaces flow between finely sculpted horizontal lines that provide definition. Together, the upward-sweeping sill line and low-cut roof create a powerful profile, almost as though the cabin has been pushed toward the rear. Powerful shoulders and flanks draw in sharply as they flow from the rear wings to the tail lights, while touches such as the optional chromed exhausts hint at Ghost’s more dynamic nature.

While incorporating classic Rolls-Royce design cues – the elevated prow, long bonnet, short front overhang, sharply raked A-pillar and elegant tail – Ghost exudes an informal aura. Contemporary touches include self-righting wheel centers and the Xenon headlamps that frame the latest evolution of the Rolls-Royce grille. Here the sides of the intake have been curved inwards and the vanes set back into the opening. “We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional Parthenon style and more like a jet intake,” says Ian Cameron. A contrasting Silver Satin finish (introduced on 200EX) is an option for the bonnet, grille and windscreen surround. The finish is achieved by setting silver metallic paint under a layer of lacquer, giving a flawless matte finish.
The central principle of delivering simplicity out of complexity runs throughout Ghost. Everything is designed, engineered and crafted to enhance the drive and ride experience, not to complicate it.

“Ghost is as refined and cosseting as anything this marque has ever produced.”
Charles Coldham, Interior Designer

Inside Ghost, the interior design team has come up with a contemporary ambience while staying true to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ traditions of fine materials and peerless comfort. There are elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles, traditional switches and eyeball air vents, frosted white dials and refined instrumentation. Deep-pile carpets can be complemented by optional lamb’s wool floor mats for a truly luxurious feel.
Ghost is entered through substantial doors. Housed within the front doors are integrated Teflon-coated umbrellas. The rear doors are traditional, rear-hinged coach doors, opening to a generous 83 degrees. Once the passenger is inside, these doors can be closed at the touch of a button. The interior space is filled with natural light, enhanced by the optional Panorama Sunroof, which extends from the front into the rear compartment. Four-zone automatic air conditioning can be individually tailored to each passenger’s requirements, with separate controls for front and rear. Automatic air recirculation, condensation prevention and solar compensation are delivered through classic chromed eyeball vents controlled via organ-stop plungers.
Within Ghost’s ample doors and high shoulder line, occupants feel serene, cosseted and safe. In the rear, the intimate ambience of the lounge seat is emphasized by its position behind the C-pillar, heightening the sense of privacy. The informal seating creates a convivial environment, its slight curve allowing you to turn more easily towards the person next to you. Its elevated position gives a clear view past the electronically retracting Spirit of Ecstasy to the road ahead.
Individual lounge seating is offered as an alternative to the standard lounge configuration. This allows the addition of a massage function and also perforated leather for a cooling stream of air from the seat surface. Auxiliary rear climate control allows the passenger to regulate the temperature of the air on their side of the car, without intrusion on the other. A cool box with interior illumination and integrated champagne glasses is also available.
Veneered picnic tables are another option, incorporating the finest leather and veneers matched to the rest of Ghost’s interior. Fitted to the rear of each front seat, these tables are a traditional Rolls-Royce design cue and finished with a veneered surface with leather-covered backs.

“Ghost is designed to be an escape from the outside world.”
Alan Sheppard, Interior Designer

EPILOGUE
Ghost is a vision of simplicity – of taking the core values of Rolls-Royce and creating contemporary effortless luxury. Ghost has been engineered to ride and drive in peerless fashion. The chassis’ poise delivers a dynamically engaging experience for the driver, yet a serene, comfortable ride for passengers. Engine power is delivered in a manner which has become an engineering signature, seemingly effortlessly and endlessly. The latest in-car technology falls easily to hand while forming part of the background.
Ghost embodies 21st-century Rolls-Royce: more than 100 years of engineering and design excellence expressed in modern and uncompromised style.

For more information visit Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of Pasadena located at 297 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91105 or call one of our Experienced Sales Associates at (888) 238-8976.

2010 Audi R8 Spyder

Exceptional performance and breathtaking dynamism coupled with the intense sensations of open-top driving: Audi presents the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. Its lightweight cloth top opens and closes fully automatically; several body parts are made of a carbon fiber composite material.
The V10 engine produces 386 kW (525 hp) and launches the open-top two- seater to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 313 km/h (194.49 mph). Featuring technologies such as the Audi Space Frame (ASF), quattro permanent all-wheel drive, full-LED headlights and with an innovative seatbelt microphone available as an option, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is the new top-of-the-range Audi.

The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro makes a powerful statement. The sculptured lines of the emotion-packed, high-performance sports car are a fascinating and unique interpretation of its dynamism. Unlike the Coupé, the Spyder does not have sideblades behind the doors. The side panels and the large cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top are made of a carbon fiber composite. Two arched cowls, which extend to the spoiler lip and include large, integrated air vents, give the rear of the open-top two-seater a powerful profile.
Like every open-top Audi, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro has a cloth top – an uncompromising solution for a high performance sports car. The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 30 kilograms (66.14 lb); it thus keeps the vehicle’s total weight and center of gravity low. The top takes up little space when open and is a harmonious design element when closed. It tapers off to two slim fins extending to the trailing edge of the car, emphasizing the elongated silhouette.
The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the V10 engine. The compartment cover opens and closes automatically. The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead. It can be independently raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the top up or down. An additional net- like wind deflector comes standard and can be latched into the bulkhead behind the seats in two easy steps.

The top, which comprises an outer skin of a leak proof textile fabric and the headliner, is fully compatible with high speed driving. When driving at moderate speeds with the top up, interior noise levels in the R8 Spyder are barely higher than in the Coupé. The bulkhead includes integrated rollover protection in the form of two strong, spring tensioned plates. Head/thorax side bags in the backrests protect the passengers in the event of a side impact. Full size airbags stand at the ready in the event of a head-on collision. In a rear-end collision, the integral head restraint system reduces the risk of whiplash injuries.
In the version with manual transmission, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro weighs only 1,720 kilograms thanks primarily to its aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body. Despite reinforcements in the area of the sills, the center tunnel, the rear wall, the floor pan and the A- and B-pillars, the body weighs only 216 kilograms (476.2 lb) – just 6 kilograms (13.23 lb) more than that of the R8 Coupé. The high stiffness of the ASF body, which includes an integrated engine frame of ultra- lightweight magnesium, provides the foundation for the car’s dynamic handling and superior safety.

For more information visit Rusnak Audi Pasadena located at 267 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California or Rusnak Audi Westlake located at 3832 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, California or call one of our Experienced Sales Associates at (888) 980-7876 for Rusnak Audi Pasadena or (888) 260-1088 for Rusnak Audi Westlake.

Bring Smiles with Rusnak Toy Drive
for Foster Care Charity

The California State budget cuts are presenting challenges for many local charities. Fortunately for foster care children living at Hillsides, one local auto group is bringing joy to children during the holidays and simultaneously helping the Pasadena children’s charity fulfill holiday wishes for the young residents. With the generous support from Rusnak Auto Group, children served by the foster care children’s charity will be treated to special toys donated by caring patrons and the local auto group.

Rusnak Auto Group will be collecting unwrapped toy donations at four locations: Rusnak Audi in Pasadena, Rusnak Jaguar in Pasadena, Rusnak Mercedes-Benz in Arcadia, and Rusnak Volvo in Pasadena. Beginning December 4, patrons can visit these locations and drop off a gift that will bring joy to foster care children who need it the most.
“While Hillsides strives to give children new traditions and experiences that will create happy memories, we can only do this with the support of the community who helps us provide the extras for our children,” said Laura Kelso, Hillsides’ director of community resources.
As a Pasadena foster care charity founded in 1913, Hillsides creates safe places for children at risk and their families by providing residential care, mental health services to break the cycle of domestic violence, special education, and advocacy. Hillsides encourage individuals to support its effort to provide holiday toys and wishes to these children and others at-risk in the community.

Drop off locations are:
Rusnak Audi 267 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
Rusnak Jaguar 336 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
Rusnak Mercedes-Benz 55 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, CA 91007
Rusnak Volvo 2025 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107

“We’re grateful to Paul Rusnak and the Rusnak Auto Group for including our children this holiday season. With the State’s budget cutbacks, we are looking at half a million dollar shortage to our residential program so any support we can get this holiday season is greatly appreciated,” said Kelso.
For more information, call Kelso at (323) 254-2274, ext. 251. To learn more about Hillsides, visit www.Hillsides.org and for the Rusnak Auto Group locations, visit www.Rusnakautogroup.com.

Rusnak Winter Specials

The Mercedes-Benz Winter Event
Now through Jan 4th, click here for more information.

The Season of Audi Event
Explore Special Offers on select models.

The BMW Joy Event
Come in and celebrate the BMW joy sales event.

Distinguished Speaker Series

On Wednesday, January 13, The Distinguished Speaker Series of Southern California presents Geneticist and National Geographic Documentary Filmmaker Spencer Wells. Geneticist Spencer Wells spends his life traveling the farthest reaches of the globe taking blood samples from men and women in order to unravel the secrets of the human story: Where did humans come from? How did they spread over the globe? How did different races evolve? He answers those questions for the first time using the latest discoveries of human genetics. Wells is a leading population geneticist and director of the Genographic Project from National Geographic and IBM. His fascination with the past has led the scientist, author, and documentary filmmaker to study humankind's family tree. Dr. Wells will take the audience on an epic visual journey all over the world, using DNA to trace the migration routes of our ancient ancestors and revealing the incredible tapestry of human diversity created along the way.
Rusnak Auto Group has been a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Speakers Series for the past 8 years. To purchase your season tickets, please visit them online at www.speakersla.com or call Kathy Winterhalder at (310) 546-6222.

From The Rusnak Mailbox

Numerous letters of gratitude were received this month. Here is one we would like to share with you.

We start off this month’s mail with a wonderful letter to Andrew Arizmendi:

Dear Andrew Arizmendi (General Manager, Bentley Pasadena),

What superlative can I use...Once again Bentley and specifically Bentley Pasadena gave me a day that I would describe as the most fun I have had in the last five years...The new Super Sport has capabilities that have to be experienced to be believed.. Words alone can not do it justice...
Then to top it all you provided Derek Hobbs (Grand Prix Driver), a true icon, who took each of us for a hot lap at full racing speed. Now, three days later I am still smiling......Thank you..thank you.. thank you...Keep me on your mailing list..

Patrick Leicester
Newbury Park

Liz Rusnak Arizmendi and Christine Devine

Christine Devine Fox 11 News

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