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Rolls-Royce expands Bespoke operation

Rolls-Royce has decided to expand its Bespoke operation due to increasing customer demand for bespoke items, a company trademark. The Bespoke operation team, based at Goodwood, West Sussex, consists of designers, engineers and project management staff and will be doubled by the end of this year, bringing the number of Bespoke experts to over 50. Already in 2011 Rolls-Royce has seen a growing demand for bespoke additions to their cars, leading to the need to recruit more staff in key areas to match growing customer demands.

Is the V8 a dying breed? Auto engineers expect more turbos, smaller engines

The V8 engine, a symbol of power and prestige for more than a century, is looking more and more like an endangered species. A panel of powertrain experts speaking on Tuesday at the 2009 SAE World Congress painted a bleak picture for big engines in this era of tightening emission standards and volatile fuel prices. But smaller engines will not mean drivers have to give up performance.

VW XL1 (2013) 314mpg eco-car heads for production

VW supremo Ferdinand Piech has kept his promise of putting the XL1 super-eco car into production. VW has confirmed the 313mpg XL1 will be built in limited numbers, around 50 of which are earmarked for UK sale. It's an expensive way to save money on fuel though: projected prices for the XL1 run into six figures.