30/1/2009 - 2010 Rolls Royce RR4

Rolls Royce RR4

Rolls Royce is currently developing a new model positioned below the current Phantom for launch in 2010, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury carmaker each year. The new car carries the internal name ‘RR4’ and has been spotted testing both in the UK and Germany. Previously captured in spy shots, this latest computer generated rendering gives us a clear indication as to what the new model will most likely look like.Holding onto its iconic Rolls Royce shape, despite a leaner and smaller overall size, the new model is expected to feature a pair of rear-opening suicide doors. Previously spied models had large strips of cladding hiding the door handles to mask the rear-opening orientation. The substitution of bright alloy wheels for the former black ones and a glossier appearance give a closer look at what the final car will look like on the streets as well. Finally the hood, which had been covered in its own layer of camouflage, is now revealed as a simple, smooth surface with nothing in the way of character lines or power bulges.Former Rolls-Royce CEO Ian Robertson has previously mentioned the carmaker would add a second shift to its Goodwood, UK, plant to build the new car and that up to 800 units per year would be built. Last year, the company sold 805 cars world-wide, so the new model would effectively double its sales.RR4 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 heavy camouflage in previous spy shots hide most of the details about the car’s styling but we do get a good sense of the its proportions on the road. As expected it will feature a long hood and short rear decklid like its big brother – the Phantom saloon.RR4 is tipped to enter production late this year and final pricing should fall between $200,000 and $250,000.