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.

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 starts 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.