Rolls-Royce Merlin exhaust flow and waste-gates, meant that this option was rejected in favour of the two-stage supercharger. Fitted with the two-stage two-speed supercharger, the Merlin 60 series gained 300 horsepower (224 kW) at over the Merlin 45 series, at which altitude a Spitfire IX was nearly faster than a Spitfire V. The two-stage Merlin family was extended in 1943 with the Merlin 66 which had its supercharger geared for increased power ratings at low altitudes, and the Merlin 70 series that were designed to deliver increased power at high altitudes. While the design of the two-stage supercharger forged ahead, Rolls-Royce also
Rolls-Royce–Bentley L-series V8 engine Vickers for £120m only if Volkswagen Group's £430m bid for Rolls-Royce and Bentley was accepted. Volkswagen's bid to purchase Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors from Vickers was finally accepted, and a price of £479m was paid, but by the end of July 1998, it became apparent that they would be unable to market any vehicle under the Rolls-Royce brand or use the Rolls Royce badge on any of their products, as they had not acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand name or the Rolls-Royce badge, which were retained by the aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce plc following the 1973 divestment of