Tag Archives: rose

News

UK road deaths increase for the first time since 2017

In 2022, the number of road deaths in the UK saw a rise for the first time since 2017, according to a government report. A total of 1711 people lost their lives.

The leading cause of death was loss of control, resulting in 417 fatalities. This was followed by drivers failing to look (382), careless, reckless, or hurried driving (373), and drivers exceeding the speed limit (337).

The Department for Transport (DfT) released these figures, which also revealed that 28,031 people sustained serious injuries requiring hospital treatment on UK roads.

Throughout the year, 76% of fatalities and 62% of casualties, ranging from slight injuries to fatalities, were male.

This figure is similar to the previous year, with 1752 deaths in 2019 (a decrease of 2%) and 30,144 serious injuries (a decrease of 3%). Traffic numbers returned to pre-pandemic levels for the first time, with 328 billion vehicle miles traveled in 2022.

Compared to 2021, these latest numbers represent an increase of 158 deaths and 2139 serious injuries. However, it is important to note that the earlier part of that year was impacted by a three-month Covid lockdown.

As in previous years, car occupants were involved in the majority of accidents in 2022, resulting in 74,379 casualties. Out of these, 788 were fatal, marking a 7% increase from 2019.

Motorcyclist casualties also rose by 4% to 16,943, including 350 deaths.

In contrast, pedestrian deaths decreased by 18% to 788, and casualties dropped by 11% to 19,327.

Cyclist fatalities also decreased; 91 cyclists were killed, and casualties decreased by 11% to 15,693.

Overall, the UK ranked joint-fourth globally in terms of deaths per million citizens, with 26 deaths. Only Norway (21), Sweden (22), and Iceland (23) were safer. The United States topped the list with 127 deaths per million.

The figures also provided details on the locations of the incidents. Out of the 135,480 casualties, 5309 (including 100 deaths) occurred on motorways, 44,389 (including 1018 deaths) on rural roads, and 85,760 (including 593 deaths) on urban roads.

In response to these figures, RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis urged the government to take more decisive actions to address preventable deaths caused by driver distractions and speeding.

“The increase in the number of casualties on our roads last year, along with the higher involvement of men, is a chilling reminder that there is still much work to be done to improve road safety in the UK, despite having some of the safest roads in Europe,” he stated.

“It’s time for the government to prioritize tackling these issues, which, while complex, result in hundreds of lives lost every year.”

Featured

Rolls-Royce Adds A One-Off Audemars Piguet To The La Rose Noire Droptail

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reached new heights of luxury with the unveiling of the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, a coach-built masterpiece that beautifully blends elegance and exclusivity. The one-of-a-kind creation was presented to its lucky new owner at a private event near Pebble Beach, California. At the heart of La Rose Noire’s allure is a specially commissioned timepiece by Audemars Piguet. This 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date is a true work of art, driven by the unique self-winding Calibre 4407 movement. It features a flyback chronograph, split-seconds mechanism, and color design that mirrors the car’s aesthetics.

What sets this collaboration apart is the client’s request to have the timepiece integrated into the car itself, yet removable for personal wear. Through meticulous engineering, Rolls-Royce created a powered clasp mechanism that presents the watch at the push of a button. Once removed, an elegant titanium openworked blank head watch and hand-sculpted white-gold coin with a rose engraving take its place. The addition of a soft leather pouch in the door panniers for housing the strap and blank head watch completes this extraordinary package. With the La Rose Noire Droptail, Rolls-Royce and Audemars Piguet have forged a partnership that symbolizes the pinnacle of automotive and horological craftsmanship. View all Rolls-Royce models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below.

View All Rolls-Royce For Sale

 
Motorsport

Rolls-Royce Introduces La Rose Noire Droptail with Audemars Piguet Timepiece

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the La Rose Noire Droptail, a captivating motor car that tells a love story. This exquisite vehicle was presented exclusively to its owners at a private event during Monterey Car Week and draws inspiration from the elegant Black Baccara rose. According to Rolls-Royce, this car symbolizes the cherished experiences of its owners, who embody the highest form of connoisseurship.

The Droptail’s color, known as True Love, is a stunning and intricate dark pomegranate shade that exhibits a pearlescent shimmer, reflecting various hues depending on the lighting conditions. To achieve this effect, the base coat is followed by five layers of clear lacquer, each blended with a slightly different shade of red. Rolls-Royce went to great lengths to develop a new paint process for this color, involving the expertise of a dedicated team who carried out over 150 iterations to achieve perfection.


Cars, News

This Amazing Droptail Roadster Redefines Minimalism with Rolls-Royce Style

The automaker introduces La Rose Noire, a stunning roadster featuring a deep red paint color named True Love. It took an incredible 150 layers to achieve the perfect shade. Inside, the vehicle boasts 1,603 hand-inlaid wood pieces, adding a touch of elegance. However, the true masterpiece of La Rose Noire is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, which alone costs around $200,000.

Rolls-Royce

Equipped with 22-inch wheels painted in a color named Mystery, La Rose Noire flaunts the iconic rear-hinged doors commonly found in Rolls-Royce models. The exact price of the Droptail remains undisclosed. However, considering the limited production of only four units and the inclusion of a $200,000 watch, affordability is not a trait associated with this vehicle. It seems that only those with royal associations may have the chance to own one. To put it in perspective, the previous car in the Coachbuild series, the Boat Tail, had an estimated cost of $25 million.

Rolls-Royce Droptail dashboardRolls-Royce

Despite its exorbitant price, the Droptail represents Rolls-Royce’s display of self-control by producing an ultra-exclusive car. It goes beyond being a luxury vehicle and enters the realm of extraordinary.

RollsRoyce

Rolls-Royce Unveils La Rose Noire: The First Droptail Coachbuild Commission

  • The first of four unique Rolls-Royce Droptail commissions, named ‘La Rose Noire’
  • Inspired by the romance and allure of the Black Baccara rose
  • Features the most complex expression of parquetry in Rolls-Royce history
  • 1,603 wood pieces hand-finished and placed over nearly two years
  • New exterior paint process required 150 iterations to perfect
  • Includes a matching Champagne Chest and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept timepiece


 Rolls-Royce has unveiled the La Rose Noire Droptail, a stunning coachbuilt motor car that represents a love story and the deep partnership of a prominent international family. It is a testament to the brand’s pursuit of perfection and the harmonization of artistry and a client’s vision. La Rose Noire Droptail incorporates design elements that echo Rolls-Royce’s heritage and the character of the clients. This historic commission will forever be a part of Rolls-Royce history.

The design team behind La Rose Noire Droptail explored new artisanal processes and expressive gestures to create a unique luxury language. The wood elements of the motor car, in particular, showcase the brand’s dedication to exquisite craftsmanship. This commission showcases the ambition of Rolls-Royce clients and the creative capabilities of the brand’s designers, positioning Rolls-Royce as a leading force in applied art.

La Rose Noire Droptail draws inspiration from the Black Baccara rose, capturing its dark, bold, and powerful allure. The motor car has a captivating form and flawless, elegant details. The exterior is finished in a lustrous and complex red shade named ‘True Love’. The surface finish specialists developed a new paint process to achieve the rich variation of the color. The dark finish of the brightwork, named Hydroshade, and the treatment of the alloy wheels further enhance the motor car’s formidable and glamorous character.

The interior of La Rose Noire Droptail is the most remarkable feature. It showcases the most complex expression of parquetry ever created by Rolls-Royce. The artwork symbolizes falling rose petals and is made from 1,603 handcrafted wood veneer triangles. Each triangle is cut, sanded, and precisely positioned by hand. The intricate pattern on the wood veneer took nearly two years of development and precise craftsmanship to achieve. It creates a luxurious and embracing environment for the passengers.

In addition to its breathtaking design, La Rose Noire Droptail features a one-of-a-kind timepiece by Audemars Piguet, specially commissioned by the clients. The timepiece is integrated into the motor car’s fascia and can also be removed and worn on a strap. The motor car also comes with a bespoke Champagne Chest, designed to match the color palette and materials of La Rose Noire Droptail.

Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is a celebration of the commissioning family’s passion for detail and their commitment to creating meaningful and memorable experiences. It is not only a testament to their legacy but also adds to the rich history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

News

Roewe D7 electric saloon could be brought to the UK as an MG

Roewe, the brand that emerged from the remnants of Rover, has announced that its recently revealed D7 saloon will be manufactured in a new section of the parent company SAIC’s production facility in Zhengzhou, China.

The electric D7, which is scheduled to go on sale in China by the end of 2023, is the first model to be produced as part of Roewe’s new Three-Year Action Plan for New Energy Development.

This plan, announced in April, includes the introduction of up to eight new Roewe EVs, spanning across different market segments such as saloons, SUVs, and MPVs.

The D7 measures 4890mm in length, making it 66mm shorter than the Volkswagen ID 7.

It is based on SAIC’s new Nubula EV platform, which is also utilized by the MG 4 EV hatchback.

According to the Chinese automaker, this platform will serve as the foundation for up to 16 models from SAIC-owned brands in the next two years.

Roewe has confirmed two drivetrain options for the new saloon, both featuring a single-motor setup that is shared with the MG 4.

The available options include a 194bhp version with a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and a claimed range of up to 317 miles on the Chinese CLTC test cycle, as well as a 208bhp version with a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery and a range of 379 miles.

As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the availability of the D7 in the UK. However, it is worth noting that the Roewe Ei5, which is sold in the Chinese market, is already offered in the UK under the MG 5 SW EV badge. Additionally, the MG Marvel R was initially launched as the Roewe Marvel X, leading to speculation that the new saloon might also be marketed in export markets under the more well-known name, MG.