Rolls-Royce releases official sketches of new RR4
by Sam Abuelsamid on May 27th 2008 at 9:54AM 
We've seen plenty of photoshopped renderings of Rolls-Royce's next effort, the RR4, but this morning, the BMW-owned British luxury icon released the first official sketches of the new car. The RR4 won't be coming to market for another two years, but its design is complete and vehicle development and testing is well underway. The marque's Goodwood factory is undergoing renovations that will allow its production lines to accommodate the full Phantom range as well as the new RR4.
Based on the sketches, it looks like the RR4 will be retaining the same long-hood, high-beltline proportions as the Phantom series cars. Although rumors have had the RR4 being built on a derivative of the new 7-series platform, Rolls isn't saying anything about that right now. The car will apparently have a unique new engine not shared with any other models. You can read Rolls-Royce's official press release is after the jump.
Gallery: Rolls-Royce RR4 sketches
[Source: Rolls-Royce]
ROLLS-ROYCE RELEASES FIRST SKETCHES OF RR4
27 May 2008, Goodwood
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today revealed the first design sketches of its next new model. Known as RR4, the car is due to be launched in 2010 and will sit alongside the Phantom model line-up. RR4 will be smaller than Phantom and powered by a new engine, unique to Rolls-Royce.
The design was signed off in 2007 and engineering development is now fully underway. The Goodwood manufacturing facilities are being completely reconfigured to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model.
Chief designer, Ian Cameron, said, "Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense."
"RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars", Chairman, Ian Robertson added. "The business continues to go from strength to strength and the introduction of this new model will expand the appeal of the brand. We look forward to this next chapter with anticipation and confidence."
Further design and engineering details will be announced during the course of 2009.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RWDSwede 10:00AM (5/27/2008)
My first thought was, "wow, nice Cadillac 16 sketch..."
C'mon, guys...be original!
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bear 10:09AM (5/27/2008)
the DLO is the only thing i can see that resembles the 16
but overall it looks pretty nice and i like this guys sketching style
nissanfreak87 11:08AM (5/27/2008)
I thought the same thing, the greenhouse/DLO is dead on, but the rest of the car looks more RR, but still, I'm not hugely impressed, though the production car will be amazing, no doubt
Dondonel 10:25AM (5/27/2008)
Hahaha, that's exactly what I thought. Caddy 16 mixed with 300C. Oh my, oh my...
Cole Mitguard 11:17AM (5/27/2008)
Same feeling here, although the rear, from the small angle we got, with the fat back, big tail lights, and sharp drop angle kinda makes me see a Bentley in there. But overall I think that most RR's are hideous, this one should look good. Well see.
Tool 1:18PM (5/27/2008)
Looks really cool. Has the shape of the Ford Interceptor Concept--since Ford doesn't have the balls to do it, it's good to see someone use that great profile.
imoore 10:00AM (5/27/2008)
I see shades of Cadillac in the overall design. Don't know if that's good or bad.But if Rolls can pull this off, that's great.
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Mike Lee 10:10AM (5/27/2008)
Not surprisingly, it looks much like the current Rolls. But if you look closely - and if the sketches are accurate to the final design - the grille doesn't appear to stand-up in the traditional manner. It looks like it's curved back and over the front of the hood. If so, this will be the cars 'new' look.
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Craig 10:11AM (5/27/2008)
Looks nice, but very Caddy 16 from the A-pillars back. But remember this is a sketch, and the actual car will probably look nothing like this.
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John P. 10:17AM (5/27/2008)
Finally, This is gonna be a big hit for Rolls. I just hope they don't screw it up in the headlight treatment the way the current RR's are.
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Craig 2:17PM (5/27/2008)
Word. And a bunch of people are wondering how small - I'm pretty sure I read that it was 7-Series sized. That might not seem small, but the Phantom is a gigantic elephant of a car.
Mike Lee 10:22AM (5/27/2008)
What does RR mean by 'smaller'? Is this new model going to be the size of a Cadillac DTS or a Honda Accord? I guess, given the size of the current Rolls Royce, if this car is the same size as a Chevy Suburban, Rolls will consider it 'small'.
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Bungle 12:42PM (5/27/2008)
I was thinking that, too.
Maybe they'll also keep with the current trend of lightening new car models, and bring it in at "only" 6000 lbs.!
Iridium 11:43AM (5/27/2008)
first I thought who stole the lines of the charger. really it could be the next 300. If Chrysler is smart they should use this sketch as the base for the next 300. If the current 300 is baby Bentley, baby Rolls isn't a bad thing.
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J M C 3 12:24PM (5/27/2008)
One needs to hold the sketches up to the actual internet spy photos of the car.
The proportions and features of the actual car are not nearly as exaggerated
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adrian 12:48PM (5/27/2008)
Whatever the size of this motor, It's going to drink, That's for sure.
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Richardh 12:56PM (5/27/2008)
If this looks remotely close to a 300 I'm going to puke and if I see this on the road I will just be sad, please don't make it look like a 300.
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J M C 3 1:00PM (5/27/2008)
It doesn't.Click on the spy photos.
carlbolt 2:26PM (5/27/2008)
how is the visibility of this car? I doubt the driver can see anything on road let alone drive.
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Torrent 3:55PM (5/27/2008)
Are you sure this isn't the Cadillac 16?
Why not just buy the most expensive 300C?
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