Spy shots: RR4 wearing even less camouflage
by Jonathon Ramsey on Aug 31st 2008 at 3:47PM 
The RR4 -- the Rolls-Royce that asks that you "don't call me 'baby'" -- is slowly undressing, striptease-like, before its final reveal at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Previous spy shots hinted at rear suicide doors, or coach doors as Rolls-Royce refers to them, and now it is official: the hinges on the rear door are on the rear of the door. The car has plenty of Phatom-esque cues, and although it doesn't look anything like the initial sketch, it looks like it could be a very attractive proposition when it shows up for the big dance. Still no word on engines, but we have no doubt its output will be something along the lines of prodigious. Thanks for the tip, Andrus![Source: Global Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumail891 3:58PM (8/31/2008)
I really like how this is turning out, and it's about time, I have seen way too many Bentley's around. About time RR makes them regret buying their Flying Spur/GT(for the RR coupe').
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rsfourever 4:41PM (8/31/2008)
i'm sorry but i don't think anything RR ever puts out will make any Bentley owner regret buying his Bentley. Bentleys are so much more classy and understated than RR. RR is just a massive show-car. People buying Bentleys and RRs are fundamentally different kinds of people. Not to mention Bentley's racing history and its ability to put out true performance coupes, something RR has never really done well...
zamafir 6:13PM (8/31/2008)
rsfourever has a point. Bentley produces sporty driver's cars with unparalleled interriors (in their segment) and driving capability. Rolls produces big, underpowered (yup, i said it, far heavier than the flying spur, quite a bit less power then the spur or the conti speed) yauchts with laughably poor interiors. Given where Rolls is now, and where BMW has gone of late, it looks as though Bentley has nothing to worry about. Their cars are faster, more powerful, better driver's cars, with dramatically better interiors and fit and finish. If anyone has something to prove it's Rolls, at least if we take their meager sales and missed targets as any indication (or aforementioned ways in which their car lacks when compared to any in the Bentley range).
Torrent 4:04PM (8/31/2008)
That would be funny if it comes out looking exactly like a 300C.
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FSM 4:13PM (8/31/2008)
Ijust can't get into this so far. That rear end is too short and the car just looks astoundingly boring. That tarp better be hiding the best grill and headlights ever otherwise I predict FAILURE. This waters down Rolls Royce too much. They should really be trying to outdo the phantom and go even more upscale.
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I Hate China 2 4:20PM (8/31/2008)
Yes, placing a more affordable car in the hands of D-list celebrities will just make the marque less exclusive. It happened to Bentley.
Artie Lange 4:52PM (8/31/2008)
I totally agree - going down-market does have a negative effect on the brand in general. What is appealing about RR is that they exclusive cars exclusively. While it may limit their profits, that limited effort lends to the mystique of the brand; in the new gilded age of mass consumption, there is something refreshing about a company that eschews profitability and mass production for tradition and quality. By producing a more accessible model, the brand loses character. And its based on a 7 series!
As for claiming that Bentleys are more classy, that's a laugh. The Bentley is the choice of rappers for a reason - its garish and excessive. RR are far more refined.
matt 5:04PM (8/31/2008)
to artie, nick cannon owns a phantom. the same nick cannon from mtvs 'wildn out'...your theory has just been found incorrect
Artie Lange 5:18PM (8/31/2008)
One rapper and the "theory" is incorrect? How many own Spurs and Continentals? How often do you see Spurs and Continentals on the road? In my area, I see a Spur or Conti a few times a month. I see a RR a few times a year. There's no question that the cheaper Bentley is far more popular than a RR that costs at least twice the price.
matt 5:46PM (8/31/2008)
artie, chill out dude. its a jab at nick cannon not you fool...hope rehabs workin out well for ya too
Artie Lange 7:57PM (8/31/2008)
And given the content and composition of your reply, I hope community college is working for you. The world needs ditch diggers, too.
homunculus 4:43PM (8/31/2008)
excellent
it's more practical to have this covered in gold leaf than a phantom.
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Ian 6:14PM (8/31/2008)
RR = the car you get driven around in
Bentley = the car you drive around in
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zamafir 7:21PM (8/31/2008)
I guess i'd believe that ancient adage if i didn't see so many in southern California being driven just by their owners. It's a fine excuse, though, when maybach provides a much better ride/level of comfort for passengers and bentley much better... well... everything.
Torrent 7:29PM (8/31/2008)
".....And in other news, that's the biggest C-pillar blind spot since the introduction of the FJ Cruiser....."
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garlinski 9:37PM (8/31/2008)
I like it a lot. But what's with the Volvo butt??
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Alex 12:45AM (9/01/2008)
i find myself underwhelmed by what i see so far.
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