Rolls-Royce expects RR4 to more than double sales, might get twin-turbo V8
The baby Rolls-Royce, perhaps called the Silver Ghost and arriving in 2010, will more than double the firm's sales according to Rolls-Royce CEO Ian Robertson. While sales figures currently hover around 1,000 per year for Rolls-Royce, we don't know if the figure he's talking about doubling will include the Phantom Coupe, which goes on sale later this year. The RR4 -- the baby Phantom's code name for now -- will share a platform with the upcoming 7-Series and is expected to give the scales a workout at 5,000-plus pounds.
The engine choice is still a mystery. Some speculate that there will be a twin-turbocharged version of BMW's 4.4-liter V8. However, Robertson has said that Rolls-Royce engines will remain unique to Rolls-Royce, in which case a 12-cylinder motor, unshared with any BMW product and smaller than the Phantom's, has been suggested. And in a nod to green, a diesel option is being floated after the car's introduction.
The car with which the RR4 will compete, Bentley's Continental Flying Spur, has suffered no ill-will for using a VW engine in its Continental series, so perhaps Rolls-Royce will be more welcoming of BMW power when the time comes. The new Rolls is expected to be priced between $250,000 and $300,000, which is considered "entry-level" for this brand.
Gallery: Rolls-Royce RR4 sketches
Gallery: Rolls Royce RR4 - spy shots
[Souces: Motor Authority and eGM Car Tech]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John P. 4:17PM (6/12/2008)
I'll take it with the hemi. oh wait,...
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TwinTurboVR4 7:41AM (6/13/2008)
seriously. That profile screams chrysler 300.
retsel 5:02PM (6/12/2008)
BMW has the money... why dont they make this thing a plug hybrid with 100mile range and overall MPG of 50 mpg or so... this can be a test bed for new tech... at a $250,000 price tag... a profit can be made...
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madgamer 5:46PM (6/12/2008)
That sketch is wicked. It's like a tank or a battering ram or something, and that roofline is so low it looks like a chopped hotrod. I hope the real thing turns out more like that than those spy shots would indicate.
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Bah 12:08PM (6/13/2008)
The sketches might look good (I love them too), but actually driving that car on the street would be a nightmare. Real world concerns like seeing out and passenger comfort usually get in the way of concept car fantasies.
mkM3 1:11PM (6/13/2008)
The current Rolls Royce V12 is derived from the BMW N73 V12 so it is always possible that Rolls could use a turbo charged V8 that is similarly derived from BMWs 4.4L N64 turbo V8.
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Bah 12:10PM (6/13/2008)
Why are the rear doors so stubby? Maybe rear access is better than it looks with them being suicide doors.
Personally, I think the backlight should be moved forward slightly or the rear wheels moved back. It looks like someone hit the front of the car and shifted the entire body back but the wheels stayed put. A slightly longer rear decklid would look better as well.
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Flashpoint 1:04AM (8/08/2008)
I own a Chrysler 300 (2.7L) and a Benz s550
I never thought it was possible to make the windows of this car any smaller. They've proved me wrong.
Rear and side visibility out the 300 is horrible. They build this car and I forsee lots of rolling accidents waiting to happen in Midtown manhattan. They are basically trying to make an answer to the Bentley GT here.
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