Earlier this week at the Detroit show, Rolls-Royce chief Ian Robertson confirmed that the anticipated "baby Rolls", which we saw in spy shots as recently as yesterday, is slated for unveiling in 2010. Code-named RR4, Robertson also announced that the car would receive a brand new engine, presumably because the Phantom's 450-hp V12 doesn't fit. The car is expected to be based on the BMW 7-Series, which explains why the mule seen in yesterday's spy shots was accompanied by BMW's big sedan, slotting in between the Bavarian sedan and the Phantom limo.

While he was at it, Robertson also confirmed that the fixed-roof Phantom coupe previewed by the 101EX concept would begin delivery by this coming summer.

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: Rolls Royce RR4 - spy shots

Rolls-Royce confirms new models and new engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Rolls Royce RR4 - spy shots

Spy Shots: Baby Rolls nabbed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"We are not developing a cheap Ferrari" is the oft-repeated party line in Maranello. "Just don't look over there," might as well be the next, as spy shots have turned up yet again suggesting that Ferrari is indeed developing an "entry-level" model to slot in the company's line-up below the F430.

The latest photos show a developmental test mule on the dynamometer wearing what appears to be disguised bodywork from the recently launched Maserati GranTurismo. Sources suggest, however, that the baby Ferrari would share more in common with the achingly gorgeous and limited production Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, but with even more power. When that car was being developed, original speculation suggested it was for Ferrari, but that the project was passed over to Alfa Romeo instead.

So has Ferrari been blatantly lying? A few possibilities could explain the discrepancy. First is that the car spotted is not a Dino as speculated by the motoring press, but actually a test mule for the upcoming new Maserati convertible; however, based as closely as it will be on the existing GranTurismo, extensive drivetrain testing would seem unnecessary. It could, however, be testing a new transmission for the Maserati range. Another explanation about the seeming chasm between what we see and what Ferrari says could be drawn from the example of the original Dinos, which were not badged as Ferraris but as a separate brand. If the photos are accurate, the new model could be front-engined like the 599 GTB instead of mid-engined like the F430 as originally thought. One way or another, we look forward to finding out.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Dyno Dino: Baby Ferrari test mule spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Carmakers pay their ad agencies a great deal of money to come up with concepts that will bring buyers to the brand. We hope they kept the receipt for this one. But for those of you who want to win a new Sebring, and we know you are out there, here is what you have to do: 1. Be at least 18 years old. 2. Have a baby exactly at 2:03:04 AM on 5/6/07, or be the adopted parents or guardians of a baby born at that exact moment. 3. Send the birth certificate in to enter the random drawing. Ready for this? It's called the "Chrysler Sebring Bundle of Joy" promotion.

For some reason Chrysler wants to celebrate the birth of a baby born on the twice-every-century 2-3-4-5-6-7 date combination, and thinks a free Sebring is the way to do that. Even though it happens two times -- am and pm -- only the early birds will get the... Sebring. No word on how much of the baby has to be "born" at the time. We also wonder if there will be enough babies magically born at the chosen hour to create a Sebring Generation.

[Source: Detroit News]

Chrysler now using numerology to move Sebrings: get your Bundle of Joy ready originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 May 2007 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some love it, some hate it, but everyone has to admit that the Rolls Royce Phantom is one impressive car in every way. As if that weren't enough, at Detroit Rolls Royce dropped another bomb on us in the form of the pre-production Phantom Drophead Coupe, complete with brushed aluminum hood, teak boot-lid and power suicide doors. But parent company BMW isn't about to rest on its million-dollar-baby's laurels, so it's on to the next project: a smaller sedan positioned downmarket.

We brought you news of the new model in September; now reports suggest that the upcoming "baby Rolls" will actually get its own distinct platform, rather than being based on a modified BMW 7-Series platform or a shortened Phantom. The jury's still out on what engine will motivate the new luxury sedan - options include the Phantom's V12, an existing engine from the BMW range or an all-new powerplant. We can expect some components to come from the corporate parts bin, but not anywhere near the extent that Volkswagen underpins the Bentley Continental range.

Priced between $250k and $300k, the new model will be produced at the company's Goodwood facility in the UK alongside the Phantom range, effectively doubling factory output. Insiders anticipate a 2010 launch, after which we can start looking for the baby Rolls in hip-hop videos and in front of upscale hotels.

[Source: Automotive News via Motor Authority]

Upcoming "baby Rolls" to get its own platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ferrari has been swearing up and down that they're not working on a new "baby Ferrari,",one that would pick up where the Dino line left off and slot in below the F430 range. "It'd dilute the brand," they say. "It'd compete with products from corporate cousins Alfa Romeo and Maserati," they claim. But this is another case of actions speaking louder than words, and the boys in red have been caught red-handed as paparazzo extraordinaire Hans G. Lehmann has caught a test mule tooling around near the factory in Maranello.

The mule is wearing F430 skins, but Lehmann gives us a few clues from his close encounter. First, the engine note reportedly sounds noticeably less sharp than the F430's. The new model is expected to use a 400-hp V8, rather than a V6 like the original Dino. It also won't likely carry the Dino nameplate, which was a sub-brand named after Enzo's late son Dino. Expect a more alphanumeric designation, possibly joined by an evocative and historic Italian racing name.

The prototype also has front fenders slightly wider than the F430's. There are some other differences discernable around the rear axle and gearbox, and because the prototype uses a different cooling system, the mule's side rocker panels are missing.

Several competitors the new "baby Ferrari" is aimed at have been spied going in and out of the factory as well, including the BMW M6 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Price is anticipated to come in around 100-110k euros, as compared to the F430's ?160k sticker price. Sources suggest Ferrari could easily find buyers for 4000 new Dinos each year, with an expected 2009 release date.

Styling's a bit of a question mark, with both Ferrari and Pininfarina design chiefs changing around, but we hope the new car will feature lines befitting the Prancing Horse.

Related posts:

• More details on new Dino from Ferrari
• Ferrari planning new entry-level model?

(Follow the link for more spy shots.)

[Source: Winding Road]

SPY SHOTS: Ferrari "Dino" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

BMW and Mercedes seem to always be caught up playing a game of "anything you can do, I can do better", so shortly after BMW's über-luxury brand Rolls-Royce announced it's extending the range down-market, Maybach is following suite.

The confirmation of the "baby Maybach" came from the very top: DaimlerChyrsler chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche, who verified the new limo would be ready within four years, though the definitive decision has not yet been made over whether the new car will carry the three-pointed star (extending the Mercedes range up-market) or the double-M (broadening the Maybach range down-market). The smart money's on the Maybach, though, as the S-Class has always been Mercedes' range-topping luxury sedan.

Like BMW, whose line-up has a huge gap between the $120k 760Li and the $330k RR Phantom, Mercedes-Benz has nothing to cover the $200k-range left vacant in between the $140k S600 and the $335k Maybach 57. Currently, Bentley (owned by their mutual rival VW/Audi group) has the field to itself with the $165k Continental Flying Spur and $220k Arnage sedans.

The awkward Maybach range hasn't been quite the success DaimlerChrysler had been hoping for, so it'll be interesting to see how they do with a new quarter-million-dollar sedan.

[Source: Auto Express]

Babybach: DaimlerChyrsler announces lil' Maybach to follow baby Rolls originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rolls-Royce (literally the "Rolls-Royce" of automobiles) revealed in Paris that they've started working on their long-awaited "baby Rolls-Royce", which it projects will be ready within four years from now.

Saying "baby Rolls-Royce" is relative when it'll still cost as much as a small house, but considering its big-brother Phantom costs as much as a large one, the projected price in the €2-300,000 range seems like a bargain by comparison.

Currently the BMW-owned super-luxe carmaker offers only the Phantom sedan. The smaller sedan, which is expected to share some bits with the next BMW 7-Series, will be joining a few more models, including a stretched Phantom, a new cabriolet (previewed at Geneva '04 by the 101EX showcar) and its possible coupe derivative.

(Follow the jump for the short press release.)

Continue reading Rolls Royce announces new model from Paris

Rolls Royce announces new model from Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

California to ban smoking in cars with kids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.