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Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé for Masterpiece London is especially special

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Jun 30th 2011 at 8:00AM

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Masterpiece London 2011 – Click above for high-res image gallery

A car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé isn't about raw power and performance. It's not about the latest technologies. It's not even about bragging rights. More than anything else, it's about making the owner feel special. But this particular DHC is more special than most.

Created specially for the Masterpiece London 2011 luxury goods show, this one-off packs a suede Asprey jewelry case in the glove box with intricate rings, cufflinks and earrings and a trunk full of matching leather fitted luggage. The one-off is also the first come painted in Mazarine Blue, the latest of 44,000 colors available to Rolls-Royce buyers, and features Santos Pallissander wood veneers (whatever that means) inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Gallery:Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Masterpiece London 2011

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Fewer Ferrari buyers are seeing red these days

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Jun 29th 2011 at 10:31AM

2012 Ferrari FF – Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in the early 1990s, an impressive 85 percent of all Ferrari models were dressed in red paint. While we can understand that Ferrari and red go together like peanut butter and jelly (or red white and... green), it's tough to understand how 85 percent of all customers could buy such a rare horse, yet insist upon such a common color. Apparently, more recent Ferrari owners agree, since the number of Prancing Horses in rosso have dropped to "only" 45 percent for 2010.

Greater differentiation is one reason for the decrease in the color red, but it also helps that Ferrari has become far better at utilizing the rest of the color spectrum. The automaker tells us in the post-jump press release that two-tone liveries have become one of the latest crazes, with the roof painted a different color than the rest of the body. Ferrari has also says it has perfected a three-layer painting technique that utilizes three coats of paint for a deeper and more brilliant color than has been offered in the past.

Perhaps the coolest thing Ferrari is doing with color is customizing its finish to just about any paint the customer desires. For example, if you like the color of the yellow fire hydrant at the end of your street, simply send a sample to the folks in Maranello, and they'll match it. Not that we'd recommend it...

Ferrari's efforts to add a bit more color to the most famous lineup of exotic supercars is obviously paying dividends. The automaker claims that special-order finishes have gone up from only one percent 10 years ago to 10 percent today. So go ahead, don't be yellow. Order your Ferrari in Blu Scozia, Avio Met or Vinaccia.

Want to know more about Ferrari's Pantone proclivities? Hit the jump.

Gallery:2012 Ferrari FF: First Drive

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Show full PR text

Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed getting worked out in the Alps

by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on Jun 29th 2011 at 11:29AM

Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed – Click above for high-res image gallery

While racers were busy blasting up Pikes Peak this past weekend, Bentley engineers decided to make a more civilized mountain run. Spy photographers have captured the next-generation Continental GTC Speed undergoing testing in the Alps. The convertible is not yet Bentley polished, as it's lacking camo, but it provides a great glimpse at the upcoming production GTC Speed.

The aggressive lower fascia, hood fents, wheels and exhaust provide a good hint that this Conti is hiding a more powerful derivative of the W12 under its hood. Expect a horsepower rating well above 600, and a torque figure to make one-ton pickups jealous. Click through the gallery below to check out the photos.

Gallery:Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed

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[Source: CarPix]

Razer trots out Transformers 3 Edition DeathAdder, Vespula and laptop case

By Darren Murph  posted Jun 29th 2011 4:31AM

After what we're guessing was a fruitful tie-up with Tron, the fine folks at Razer are back at a similar well; this time, the company's dishing out a limited run of gear that's been splashed with color and branding from the upcoming Michael Bay train wreck blockbuster, Transformers 3. Outside of being doused with red, yellow, silver and purple paint, the special edition DeathAdder mice ($69.99 a pop) are identical to the version already on the market. If that's just not enough, there's also a dual-sided Vespula mouse mat ($44.99) to commemorate the film, not to mention a foursome of colored laptop sleeves ($49.99 each) that'll make public your infatuation. Curiously absent? A handwritten letter of congratulations from Shia LaBeouf.

Kaz Hirai to become Sony Computer Entertainment Chairman, leave Andrew House with tough CEO gig

By Vlad Savov  posted Jun 29th 2011 4:47AM

When you've had to deal out as many public apologies as Sony has had to perform over its protractedPSN hacking saga, the typical expectation is that someone somewhere will be getting fired or "reshuffled" into a new post. No firings at PlayStation headquarters, however our old pal Kaz Hirai is getting a new position as Sony Computer Entertainment Chairman, with Andrew House succeeding him in the CEO hot seat. Mr. House was previously Sony's PlayStation chief in Europe, so he's simply stepping up to be responsible for the company's global operations, but Kaz's new duties are less clearly defined. Both changes will go into effect on September 1st, a day after current Chairman Akira Sato retires, giving both Kaz and Andrew a little time to get accustomed to their new(ish) surroundings before tackling Sony's massively important PS Vita launch at the tail end of the year.

Reuters

HP tempts webOS early adopters to buy a TouchPad with $50 rebate

By Joe Pollicino  posted Jun 29th 2011 5:29AM

WebOS hopefuls -- especially owners of a Palm Pre, Pixi or their Plus variants -- you there? HP'sTouchPad launch is a few days away, and the company's seeking to entice loyalists with a $50 mail-in-rebate on the new slate in the US and Canada. You've got until July 31st to make good on the deal, and all it'll take is proof that you own one of the aforesaid phones. Still need help deciding? We've heard that a visit to Walmart might score you some hands-on time while you're stocking up on bulk toilet paper. Hit that source link below for the full details straight from Ruby and Co.

Electronista HP Palm Blog