"Budget" Rolls gets Own Platform - Baby Rolls-Royce 'RR4' spied
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CL Community Team
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From: Canada
"Budget" Rolls gets Own Platform - Baby Rolls-Royce 'RR4' spied
"Baby" Rolls, stretched Phantom, cabriolet & possibly a coupe . . .
Press release :
STATEMENT FROM ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS
29.09.2006
Rolls-Royce new model series
At a private function at the Paris motor show yesterday evening, Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, confirmed that work has begun on a new model series. It will be launched within the next four years. The new car will be smaller than the Phantom and cost between 200,000 Euros and 300,000 Euros before tax. Planning permission has been granted to expand business operations at Goodwood. Further details will be announced in due course.
Sales of Rolls-Royce Phantoms are forecasted to be around 800 cars by the end of 2006, marking a fourth consecutive year of growth. The Phantom and extended wheelbase version will soon be joined by a new convertible model that will be unveiled in 2007.
STATEMENT FROM ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS
29.09.2006
Rolls-Royce new model series
At a private function at the Paris motor show yesterday evening, Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, confirmed that work has begun on a new model series. It will be launched within the next four years. The new car will be smaller than the Phantom and cost between 200,000 Euros and 300,000 Euros before tax. Planning permission has been granted to expand business operations at Goodwood. Further details will be announced in due course.
Sales of Rolls-Royce Phantoms are forecasted to be around 800 cars by the end of 2006, marking a fourth consecutive year of growth. The Phantom and extended wheelbase version will soon be joined by a new convertible model that will be unveiled in 2007.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
“Budget” Rolls to get its own platform
source : motorauthority
Posted on Monday 15 January 2007
Rolls Royce is currently developing a new entry-level model for launch in 2010 with an estimated sales price of between $250,000 and $300,000. Automotive News reports that the car’s design work was completed and approved last month and the project is now in its engineering phase. RR’s CEO Ian Robertson stated that the company will add a second shift to its Goodwood, UK, plant to build the new car, with an expected output of roughly 800 cars annually.
Last year, RR sold 805 cars world-wide, so the new model would effectively double the luxury carmaker’s sales. The car will share much in common with parent company BMW’s long-wheelbase 7-series and will be roughly the same size as the German limo. However, the platform and engine for the car would be unique to Rolls-Royce. Most of the shared parts will include various electronic components but the car “will have the attributes and behavior of a Rolls-Royce.” The company still hasn’t decided whether to use its 6.75-liter powerplant or a new engine.
There is a gap between cars like BMW’s 7-series and the mega-expensive Phantom that could be filled by an all new segment of “budget” luxury cars. Key features of the new model will be a tall seating position, instant acceleration and a whisper quiet interior.
We’re glad that BMW has decided to allow RR to build cars “the right way,” unlike rival carmaker Volkswagen, which has taken the Bentley brand downmarket through parts-sharing and less exclusivity.
Rolls Royce is currently developing a new entry-level model for launch in 2010 with an estimated sales price of between $250,000 and $300,000. Automotive News reports that the car’s design work was completed and approved last month and the project is now in its engineering phase. RR’s CEO Ian Robertson stated that the company will add a second shift to its Goodwood, UK, plant to build the new car, with an expected output of roughly 800 cars annually.
Last year, RR sold 805 cars world-wide, so the new model would effectively double the luxury carmaker’s sales. The car will share much in common with parent company BMW’s long-wheelbase 7-series and will be roughly the same size as the German limo. However, the platform and engine for the car would be unique to Rolls-Royce. Most of the shared parts will include various electronic components but the car “will have the attributes and behavior of a Rolls-Royce.” The company still hasn’t decided whether to use its 6.75-liter powerplant or a new engine.
There is a gap between cars like BMW’s 7-series and the mega-expensive Phantom that could be filled by an all new segment of “budget” luxury cars. Key features of the new model will be a tall seating position, instant acceleration and a whisper quiet interior.
We’re glad that BMW has decided to allow RR to build cars “the right way,” unlike rival carmaker Volkswagen, which has taken the Bentley brand downmarket through parts-sharing and less exclusivity.
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Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
Before they got taken over by BMW, the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph which the current Phantom replaced is a $220K+ car, not a $300K + car like the current Phantom, so I don't think if they make this "budget" or "baby" Rolls to sell at between $250K to 300K, it will dilute the brand at all.
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Before they got taken over by BMW, the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph which the current Phantom replaced is a $220K+ car, not a $300K + car like the current Phantom, so I don't think if they make this "budget" or "baby" Rolls to sell at between $250K to 300K, it will dilute the brand at all.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: QC/FRANCE
Let me post in my own thread. Plus Maybach (Daimler Chrysler) suppose to also bring out a shorter version, probably same time as Rolls Royce.
Interesting that they are finally going into that type of market, seeing Bentley been in it for a bit since they were bought by VW.
BMW 760Li - $121,000
Rolls Royce (SWB) - $250,000
Interesting that they are finally going into that type of market, seeing Bentley been in it for a bit since they were bought by VW.
BMW 760Li - $121,000
Rolls Royce (SWB) - $250,000
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 620
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From: Maryland
I like the idea of a 'cheaper' RR
But I'm not seeing 2x the cost of a 760i
Maybe I'm cheap, but $250K seems like a bit much. I like the Bentley idea better with the step-up car from the A8 costing under $200K.
Like this 760i ($120K)
>-----< Something in the middle (IMO $250K-$300K is closer to $330K than $120K) I'd like to see something in the $180K-$200K range.
RR Phantom ($330K)
Not that I'm the target buyer so it doesn't matter what I think.
However if I was tempted to buy a car over $100K it'd have to be closer to $100K than it was to $200K LOL.
There is always pre-owned, I suspect these cars will lose just as much if not more than an ordinary car, so what I mean is today Bentley Conti costs $170K in 4 years it's selling for the price of a new A8.
There would be hope if RR came out with a tasty sedan built off the 7-series that some day it will sell for similar price to a new 7
But look at me talking about money when the typical RR owner has so much that to them a baby RR would be to me like buying a Civic.
But I'm not seeing 2x the cost of a 760i
Maybe I'm cheap, but $250K seems like a bit much. I like the Bentley idea better with the step-up car from the A8 costing under $200K.
Like this 760i ($120K)
>-----< Something in the middle (IMO $250K-$300K is closer to $330K than $120K) I'd like to see something in the $180K-$200K range.
RR Phantom ($330K)
Not that I'm the target buyer so it doesn't matter what I think.
However if I was tempted to buy a car over $100K it'd have to be closer to $100K than it was to $200K LOL.
There is always pre-owned, I suspect these cars will lose just as much if not more than an ordinary car, so what I mean is today Bentley Conti costs $170K in 4 years it's selling for the price of a new A8.
There would be hope if RR came out with a tasty sedan built off the 7-series that some day it will sell for similar price to a new 7
But look at me talking about money when the typical RR owner has so much that to them a baby RR would be to me like buying a Civic.
Last edited by rai; Jan 16, 2007 at 03:32 PM.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,283
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From: Canada
Baby Rolls-Royce expected to double annual output
Posted on Monday 12 March 2007
The CEO of Rolls-Royce Ian Robertson has told reporters at last week’s Geneva Motor Show that the introduction of a new entry-level model will likely double the prestige label’s annual output to roughly 1,600 cars. According to Automotive News, the smaller car is expected to enter the market in 2010 and will be priced between €200,000 and €300,000.
Robertson wasn’t willing to give a description of the new model but said it will be “unmistakably a Rolls-Royce,” and that it will remain a niche model so as retain the exclusivity of the marque. A second shift will be added to the Goodwood factory in England, where some 800 units will be produced on top of today’s output of 800 vehicles. The company has already sold-out its Phantom Drophead Coupe convertible until the end of 2008, and that car isn’t even due to hit the market until August.
This latest rendering give us a glimpse at a possible design for the new baby Rolls and shows that its designers will likely stick with the chiseled looks of the larger Phantom saloon. To cut development cost and time, engineers will use parts from BMW’s long-wheelbase 7-series but will utilize a powerplant that’s uniquely Rolls-Royce. Most of the shared parts will include various electronic components but the car “will have the attributes and behavior of a Rolls-Royce” said Robertson.
The CEO of Rolls-Royce Ian Robertson has told reporters at last week’s Geneva Motor Show that the introduction of a new entry-level model will likely double the prestige label’s annual output to roughly 1,600 cars. According to Automotive News, the smaller car is expected to enter the market in 2010 and will be priced between €200,000 and €300,000.
Robertson wasn’t willing to give a description of the new model but said it will be “unmistakably a Rolls-Royce,” and that it will remain a niche model so as retain the exclusivity of the marque. A second shift will be added to the Goodwood factory in England, where some 800 units will be produced on top of today’s output of 800 vehicles. The company has already sold-out its Phantom Drophead Coupe convertible until the end of 2008, and that car isn’t even due to hit the market until August.
This latest rendering give us a glimpse at a possible design for the new baby Rolls and shows that its designers will likely stick with the chiseled looks of the larger Phantom saloon. To cut development cost and time, engineers will use parts from BMW’s long-wheelbase 7-series but will utilize a powerplant that’s uniquely Rolls-Royce. Most of the shared parts will include various electronic components but the car “will have the attributes and behavior of a Rolls-Royce” said Robertson.
