Posted on Friday 25 April 2008
Rolls-Royce is currently developing a new entry-level model 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.
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, RR sold 805 cars world-wide, so the new model would effectively double the luxury carmaker’s 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 hides 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. The rendering give us a glimpse at a possible design for the new baby Rolls and shows that designers will likely stick with the chiseled looks of the Phantom as well.
RR4 is tipped to enter production late next year and final pricing should fall between $250,000 and $300,000.
Entry-Level? Ok, sure…
Since Bentleys are no longer the entry-level Rolls, I guess this makes sense.
I’m with Gus, entry level? If your in the market for a 250K car then one at 400K is still within your budget. That demographic of customer is completely different and spends money in a totally different manner.
RR is not just competing against other luxury brands of cars, they are up against aircraft, realestate, boats, and much more.
An entry level car would be around 80-90K which would be a totally different demographic and customer base. For example: when VW launched the Phaeton then spent a small fortune training dealers what that customer would expect from that price of a car. In this case (if the car truly was entry level) it would be in reverse. For the first time in an RR sales persons career they would have to fill out a credit app. for the customer as they would most likely want to lease the vehicle.
I can picture the training class now,
Trainer: After you ask their income you will need to know if they rent or pay a mortage.
RR Sales Person: You mean the customer does not own their own island yet?
I dont see how this car can work. You buy a Rolls to show off how wealthy you are not “I could’nt afford the other car so I picked this little thing up on the cheap.”
Has anyone not noticed that rumors of a budget Bugatti have died and rumors of an even more expensive one are rampant. Thats because that demograhic wants to be even more exclusive.
Fact: 50% of RR customers own an S-class Mercedes. This would be their budget car not an entry level RR.
I think this is more to do with the fact that Bentley has a cheaper Flying Spur and a more expensive Arnarge, so why not a similar set up for RR?
Guys, it means entry-level FOR Rolls Royce. This new model will be their cheapest car and most common if the 800 unit production numbers are correct.
but its basically the same size as the Phantom just with smaller wheels….personally i think its a useless excercise…
They would make more money out of making a version of the phantom that is stretched (and i mean stretched not like the elongated version that they currently have), but one that will be purchased as a tru stretch limo