The Staff at Rolls Royce have made a very special one off car for kids at a day surgery unit.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a seminal new concept in luxury, crafted for one very special customer, St Richard’s Hospital Pediatric Day Surgery Unit in the marque’s home town of Chichester, West Sussex.

The appropriately-named Rolls-Royce SRH will allow children awaiting surgery to drive themselves to the operating theatre, through the Pediatric Unit corridors which are lined with ‘traffic signs’. The experience of ‘self-drive to theatre’ aims to reduce child patient stress.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed two test drivers from the Pediatric Unit at St Richard’s Hospital, Molly Matthews and Hari Rajyaguru, to the Home of Rolls-Royce. 

Molly and Hari viewed the car being unveiled in style at the company’s Goodwood Studio in the same manner for all Rolls-Royces VIP customers. 

This exclusive event served as final validation and pre-delivery inspection of the Rolls-Royce SRH ahead of the official handover to the patients, their families and the devoted day surgery team at St Richard’s Hospital.

In true Rolls-Royce style, the two children and their families enjoyed VIP hospitality with one notable addition to the usual customer experience. Molly and Hari both enjoyed first drives on the Rolls-Royce production line, an exceptionally rare privilege usually reserved for the marque’s Chief Executive during the validation process for new model families, and most recently actioned for the forthcoming Phantom 8. Molly, Hari and their families returned home in the chauffeured luxury of Rolls-Royce Ghosts.

“We are a proud member of the community here in West Sussex. The Pediatric Unit at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester does such vital work in providing essential care to young people and their families,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “We hope that the Rolls‑Royce SRH will serve to make the experience for young people during treatment a little less stressful.”

Created from the ground-up by the dedicated Bespoke Manufacturing team, the Rolls-Royce SRH presents to its very important customer a landmark study in Bespoke luxury. Akin to the conception of every Rolls-Royce Bespoke commission, a restless desire to understand the customer’s requirements informed every aspect of the design. The car is therefore specified with a two-tone paint-scheme of Andalusian White and Salamanca Blue and finished with a hand-applied St James Red coachline.

The interior space is appointed with the same finesse and attention-to-detail afforded to every Rolls-Royce patron, with the two-tone steering wheel, seats and self-righting wheel centres perfectly colour-matched to the St James Red coachline. A top speed of 10mph is achieved in seconds courtesy of power derived from a 24 volt gel battery that propels the car with the same whisper-quietness as Rolls-Royce’s magnificent V12 engines. For those preferring a more sedate journey, the speed setting is variable and can be limited to a statelier but no-less exhilarating 4mph.

Sir Henry Royce’s famous credo: “when it does not exist, design it,” echoes around the marque’s home in Goodwood, with this spirit highly evident in the conception of the Rolls-Royce SRH. The Bespoke Manufacturing team devoted over 400 hours of their own time to developing and hand-crafting this most extraordinary Rolls-Royce.

In addition to developing competency in new chassis and electronic technologies, the project team also utilised 3D printing techniques for the design. This included production of the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy and the bespoke paddle controls.

Lawrie Mewse, Project Leader of the Rolls-Royce SRH, said, “I am immensely proud of what the team has achieved. This project showcases the amazing skills and technology that exist in the Bespoke Manufacturing Team and across every area at the Home of Rolls Royce here at Goodwood. However, the most important thing is giving back to the local community and having a positive impact for children and their parents during their time in hospital.”

Marianne Griffiths, Chief Executive, of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Just like the joy it will bring to our young patients, the Rolls-Royce SRH is simply priceless. It is a very special gift and one of the most wonderful donations ever received by Love Your Hospital, our trust’s dedicated charity. On behalf of everyone at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and especially the small team who volunteered so much of their own time in support of St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester and the children we care for.”

Sue Nicholls, Paediatric Matron at Western Sussex Hospitals NSH Foundation Trust, said, “It’s wonderful seeing a smiley face on the way to theatre, rather than an apprehensive one, and everyone caring for children at St Richard’s is so grateful to Rolls-Royce for this unique donation. We know boys and girls alike will love driving it and in the coming years it will help turn a daunting experience into a more fun and enjoyable one for hundreds and hundreds of children.”

The official handover of the Rolls-Royce SRH to St Richard’s Hospital will take place today.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars supports young talent with the government led "See Inside Manufacturing" initiative.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently visited East Preston Infant School, West Sussex, as part of the Company’s commitment to the Government-led ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. 

The programme encourages manufacturers to engage with children and young people to inspire future British manufacturing talent and showcase career opportunities in the UK manufacturing sector.

More than 60 Year 1 pupils enjoyed learning about how the Company’s super-luxury motor cars are created. The pupils also had the opportunity to experience a Rolls-Royce Wraith, with spectacular starlight headliner, at first hand. Questions were encouraged throughout the visit, particularly those linking to the current term topic of ‘Science and Materials’ and the school theme for the day of ‘Cinderella’.

All 60 pupils were given personal tours of the Rolls-Royce Wraith by current apprentices, who tackled a range of challenging questions and took the time to talk about each of their own sectors within the Company.

Helen Cordell, Apprentice Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We were delighted to support a local school as part of the ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. The response from the pupils and particularly their interest in manufacturing was fantastic.” She continued, “We encourage our apprentices to take part in these activities, with five from the current programme – from the Woodshop, Paintshop, Leathershop and Assembly – joining the team at East Preston Infant School.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has recently announced that the Company is seeking a record number of candidates for its 2016 Apprenticeship Programme. Seventeen places are available, the highest number of annual apprenticeships since the programme launched in 2006. The Programme provides women and men aged 16-24 with the opportunity to train with the Goodwood-based manufacturer of the world’s best-selling super-luxury cars.

The successful applicants will join the programme in August 2016, working alongside skilled craftspeople in wood, paint, leather, assembly, engineering, business and IT roles and will also follow a programme supported by local colleges. The apprenticeships last for up to four years and combine on-the-job training with classroom-based studying for nationally recognised qualifications. The programme has been designed in conjunction with several local colleges. 

Potential candidates should apply online before 13 March 2016

Rolls ROyce nears final build of it's new Technology and Logistics Centre.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars confirmed today that construction of the company’s new Technology and Logistics Centre at Bognor Regis, close to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex, is well underway and on track for a successful launch in early 2016. In celebration, a new Rolls-Royce Wraith drove onto the construction site, marking the first time that one of the super-luxury manufacturer’s motor cars has been present at the new facility.

The Technology and Logistics Centre is located on the Oldlands Farm Business Park on the northern edge of Bognor Regis, eight miles from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. 

The new 30,000m² facility will provide logistics support to the company’s manufacturing plant and head office at Goodwood, West Sussex for current and future models, and consolidate three current operations: an inbound warehouse for production parts, a distribution centre - including an inbound body store and finished car store - and a workshop.

Described by commentators as ‘Putting the Regis back into Bognor Regis’ at the time of the announcement, the Rolls-Royce Technology and Logistics Centre site has been identified by Arun District Council as part of its ‘Enterprise Bognor Regis’ initiative. 

The area is being developed as a new premier business location in West Sussex, reserved for mixed office, industrial and supporting development to deliver a new generation of buildings in a high quality environment to sustain both newly established and growing businesses. Rolls-Royce is the first major business to take advantage of the initiative.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, said, “The construction of our Technology and Logistics Centre is well underway and on track. This considerable investment reflects the ongoing success of our business and demonstrates our full commitment to building our future here in West Sussex.”

He continued, “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars makes a significant positive impact on the local economy and our business is a British luxury manufacturing success.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has recently announced that the Company will produce a new drophead tourer in 2016, and confirmed development of a high-bodied car, with an all-new aluminium architecture that can cross any terrain.

Further updates on the construction of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Technology and Logistics Centre will be published later this year.

Caterham celebrated Easter by opening it's new Flagship dealership.

British sportscar maker, Caterham Cars, celebrated Easter Monday with a special launch event to mark the opening of its brand new flagship showroom in Crawley, West Sussex.

Formula One car designer and renowned F1 technician Mike Gascoyne officially opened the new state-of-the-art Fleming Way facility, before sharing his unique career experiences with guests.

The event was attended by over 550 invited Caterham owners and other guests, who were given the opportunity to view Caterham’s complete range of iconic sportscars, including the recently-launched Seven 270, 360 and 420 models, and to experience the thrill of an F1-style tyre change in a live pit stop challenge. Caterham engineers were also on hand to answer questions in an entertaining Q&A.

The new 25,000 sq ft premises in Crawley provide a one-stop-shop for new and existing Caterham owners, including a  40 car showroom, and a hi-tech  6-bay servicing workshop.

Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “This is a landmark year for Caterham Cars. With the introduction of three new variants of the Seven, Caterham continues to create a thrilling driving experience for all sportscar enthusiasts, and we’re very happy to see over 150 Caterham owners with their Sevens attending this special event.

“Growing interest in our products has resulted in the largest single expansion in our history. Caterham’s Crawley showroom opens at an exciting time for the brand and I’m delighted to celebrate the occasion as we lay the foundations for further success in 2015.”

Caterham showcased its entire range at the event, from the entry-level Seven 160 to the supercharged 620R, the most powerful production Seven ever built.