This is the new smaller, cheaper Rolls-Royce, codenamed ‘RR4’. Priced at £170,000, it will come with a similar price tag to Bentley’s Arnage, and will go on sale at the end of 2009.

A production-ready ‘RR4’ will be revealed at the Frankfurt Show in six months’ time. However, next week in Geneva Rolls-Royce will unveil a concept called 200EX, which is pictured above and look so much like the finished car that its designers aren’t even listing any visual differences.

What the new model isn’t, Goodwood bosses insist, is a cheap or ‘baby’ Rolls. Its materials and manufacturing standards will be no different from those of the Phantom, and its overall length is an imposing 5.4 metres.
Yet the Phantom is nearly half a metre longer, and the ‘RR4’ – whose production name has yet to be even decided, let alone revealed – uses a steel monocoque body-in-white more akin to mass-produced BMWs than to the bespoke aluminium spaceframe of the Phantom.

Engineering director Helmut Riedl, who led the Phantom project, doesn’t hide the ‘RR4’s’ relationship with BMWs, principally the new 7-series. It is, after all, a front-engine/rear drive V12 saloon which uses “important parts” from the 7-series body-in-white, and especially the basic front and rear crash assemblies, to help contain costs.

However, only about 20 per cent of the new Rolls’ components are carried over from 7-series and other BMWs, he says.

“RR4 has a unique height, length and wheelbase,” says Riedl. “Its air springs are shared with no other model because its ride characteristics are different and it needs extra wheel travel. Even the height of the driving position is different, both from BMWs and from the Phantom. We started engineering the car only after its proportions had been laid down by Ian Cameron, our chief designer. That was when we investigated which existing components we could utilise. Above all, the car had to be a genuine Rolls-Royce.”
Riedl says the ‘RR4’s’ cabin is almost as roomy as the standard Phantom’s. Rear access is once again provided by rear-hinged ‘coach’ rear doors. Likewise, Phantom owners won’t notice a great deal of difference in the new car’s air of crafted luxury, its refinement or driver effort levels, says Riedl. “We think they’ll find the car more dynamic, though, based on its more compact size and lesser weight.”

Nobody at Goodwood will talk about the ‘RR4’s’ mechanical specification yet, but since both the Phantom and the Bentley saloons weigh around 2500kg at the kerb, and an old-shape, long wheelbase BMW 7-series V12 weighs around 2100kg, an estimate of 2300 for ‘RR4’ seems fair.

Talking engines, Riedl will only say that the car has an all-new V12. However, enquiries in Germany lead us to believe it’s a normally aspirated 6.0-litre modular unit, closely related to BMW’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, with direct injection but normally aspirated.

Drive is through a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox, and the car bristles with the latest electronic chassis stability programs, along with an adjustable damping system that improves on the Phantom set-up. Brakes are huge vented discs, and the car has differently-sized 20-inch tyres front and rear (255/45s and 285/40s respectively).

Though ‘RR4’ is closer in size to the old “Silver Something” Rolls models, Goodwood bosses won’t confirm that the old name-style is under consideration. They do suggest that the car is likely to be made in several body styles.

When ‘RR4’ was first mooted there were estimates that its volume could touch 2000 units a year on its own, but CEO Tom Purves believes a more cautious estimate makes sense at present.

“History shows Rolls-Royce is at its strongest when it can offer two complementary models,” he says. “I believe ‘RR4’ is going to give us extra strength, just when we need it.”

Source: Autocar – Rolls-Royce 200EX: full details

:t-cheers:

 

Press Release

And just as we’ve all got used to the idea of the modern Rolls Royce, Project Kahn launch a new two-door version, exclusively designed to make the most stylish impact of them all.
Ever the aristocrats of the road, Project Kahn have infused a level of bespoke authenticity to the luxurious phantom Coupe that will bring back memories of the time honoured Rolls Royce tradition while providing up to date European styling keeping with the Rolls Royce ethos.
Arriving in the Project Kahn Phantom DHC at the Oscars or at the casino in Monte Carlo would ensure everyone will know someone special is about make a grand entrance; it is built to arrive.
The first thing that hits you is the sheer size of the thing; at over 18 feet long, it’s 31 inches longer than a Range Rover Sport and, standing over 5ft tall, you’ll never go unnoticed driving this car simply because there is nothing like it in the entire motor industry.
Dynamically this is no sports car but then that doesn’t really matter as the coupe delivers something much more special to its occupants. If you want to be locked away in the ultimate cocoon of luxury then this is the car for you.
>From inside the cabin – you will never experience a car that’s quieter than this one.
Then there’s the way the enormous doors are hinged from the rear, making every time you enter the car feel very special.
To close, simply press the little button on the dash. That’s why this car exists: to pamper its owners in sheer luxury; think of it as a super- exclusive mobile therapy experience without the scented candles or whale calls and you’ll get the idea.
The foremost features of the phantom Coupe are exquisite to say the least. The wheel has been designed to take the original centre cap and has a meticulous diamond polish in each spoke, and the interior is truly sensational. Our new 9.5 X 22″ Kahn Dark Mist Rolls Royce wheel is subtle, and provides OE fitment with superior style. This effortlessly compliments the Rolls Royce.
Now owners of the Rolls Royce Coupe can testify to the exuberance of passion and sumptuous beauty of Afzal Kahn’s designs.
Specification
Brand New
Unregistered
English White with Consort Red Leather Interior Deep Red Hood
Elm Cluster Veneer Wood Fascia Panels
Fully Veneered Dashboard in Elm Cluster
Lambs wool Rugs
Rolls Royce Logo Embossed in Front Headrests
21″ Aluminium Alloy Wheels
Piano Black Steering Wheel Spokes
iPod Connectivity

Via: worldcarfans, Via GermanCarForum

 

Rolls Royce have created a special edition Phantom as part of their Bespoke Collection showcasing their extensive customization program. The Phantom Sapphire takes its name from the bodywork’s unique shade of Milori Sapphire which is a unique shade of navy blue. The interior comes in a choice of two colour combinations either navy blue with seashell highlights or seashell with navy blue highlights, the the walnut burr veneer featuring inlaid diamond pattern marquetry. Their is a cool box hidden under the back seats along with a pair of diamond motif hand engraved crystal tumblers and champagne flutes. The dashboard clock is finished with a fine guilloche pattern and features a single diamond shaped sapphire at the twelve o’clock marker.

Source: autoblog

  

Background

BMW acquired the Rolls-Royce name in 1998, but only in 2003 could it begin building cars due to the acrimonious way in which RR and Bentley were separated, with Volkswagen taking control of the latter.

The Phantom saloon came first, followed by a LWB version and then the Drophead Coupe last year. The Phantom Coupe you see on these pages has joined the saloon and Drophead Coupe to become the third, and final, body style in the Phantom line-up.

A smaller, sportier Rolls-Royce will complement the Phantom range from 2010, creating a fourth model line. Until then, the three-strong Phantom range features this Coupe as its most driver-oriented model.

The huge, 2.6-tonne Phantom Coupe is still as far from a sports car as you’re likely to get, but it has the stiffest bodyshell of the Rolls trio and also offers the least space and comfort for passengers; it promises to be marginally firmer riding, has less space in the rear than the saloon and, unlike the Drophead Coupe convertible, denies occupants the luxury of travelling in fresh air.

Which begs the question: can a 5.5-metre-long car really offer enough extra driver appeal to make it a viable sporty alternative to the saloon or convertible?

Design

Ostensibly, the Phantom Coupe shares most of its underpinnings with the saloon and Drophead. But of the two, it’s the convertible with which it shares most. Its rear-hinged doors are the same, for example, as is the bodywork from the nose to the A-pillars.

From the doors backwards, things are rather different. The aluminium panels are draped over a welded aluminium spaceframe like other Phantoms, but the rear bodywork kicks up behind the driver’s seat, from where an aluminium roof is formed forwards, meeting the steel header rail above the windscreen not entirely smoothly if (as in our test car) the two are the same colour. It works rather better if the windscreen surround and bonnet are finished in brushed steel.

Otherwise, rather like the saloon, the Phantom Coupe is an imposing piece of design; there’s no denying its presence. At 5609mm long, it is only 225mm shorter than the saloon, and at 1592mm and 1987mm respectively, it gives very little away in height or width.

Mechanically, the Coupe’s drivetrain is identical to that of other Phantoms. The 6.75-litre V12 engine makes a solid 453bhp and a not-insubstantial 531lb ft of torque, driving through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Some elements of the suspension have been changed. It’s still by double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the rear, but the spring rates and anti-roll bar thickness have been adjusted to suit the Coupe’s demeanour as a car developed for drivers rather than passengers.

To that end, the steering wheel is also thicker, the steering itself has been slightly adjusted for greater feel and there is a new ‘sport’ button which adjusts the gearbox programme, providing a revvier drive.

On The Road

It almost feels wrong to be talking about performance in this test; surely it’s too vulgar a word for such a monumental car?

Either way, quantify and rate its performance we must, so here are the figures: 0-60mph in 6.1sec and 100mph in 15.7sec.

How does this feel in a car weighing 2655kg? At first, frankly ridiculous. With familiarity, though, comes the realisation that the Coupe’s pace is more brisk than truly rapid.

Bentley’s more powerful but similarly conceived Brooklands marches to 100mph in 11.9sec. But does the Phantom have enough performance?

In almost all circumstances, yes; only on prolonged high-speed ascents would more power help.

Something BMW could provide, but perhaps not without sacrificing the sense of achieving without ever really trying that you only get with Rolls-Royce. The 6.75 V12 never sounds strained, it’s just a distant and refined hum as the 531lb ft of torque goes to work.

It is in the area of ride and handling that the Coupe promises to differ most from any other Phantom.

With a 200mm shorter wheelbase, broader rear tyres, stiffer rear dampers and springs and a thicker rear anti-roll bar, the Coupe is noticeably sharper than its saloon and Drophead relatives.

The Coupe might weigh 2.7 tonnes, but it does have the advantage of being perfectly balanced front to rear, meaning that beyond the initial body roll it progresses through a corner with remarkable balance.

The unavoidable flipside to the improved handling is a slight deterioration in ride quality, most noticeably at low speeds.

By any normal standard the Coupe rides very well, but where a Phantom saloon’s passengers wouldn’t notice the slightest movement, the Coupe’s may register a small thud.

Although blessed with its own character, the Coupe remains true to the Phantom DNA: fabulously comfortable and luxurious but still rewarding and involving to drive.

Living

It’s probably best to start with what’s bad, as it won’t take long. There is too little rear leg and shoulder room, the iDrive-style control system (derived from BMW’s and developed too little from there) is a pain to operate, and the seat adjusters require too much time and attention to operate safely on the move.

There’s also a surprising amount of wind noise at speed, and the boot should be a little larger.

There the complaints end. For all the inefficiencies in packaging, which mean the Rolls has less rear room than a typical D-segment saloon, those who do fit into the rear will find its seats sumptuous and the fittings exquisite.

Front-seat occupants will care not a jot either, because the driving or passenger experience is second to none, enjoyed in seats that are slightly more bolstered than the saloon’s. Otherwise the front-seat experience mimics the saloon’s and convertible’s.

The dashboard and other trim feels beautifully constructed, with a pleasing weight to all major controls, and the stereo is quite possibly the finest-sounding system fitted as standard to any current road car.

The Phantom Coupe is a conspicuously large car to pilot, but forward visibility is helped by thin A-pillars, and the front edge and corners are relatively easy to place.

Generally, running costs on a Rolls-Royce will be less relevant on the Coupe than the Phantom saloon, because it is less likely to be run by luxury hotels or fleets and instead be used by private buyers. Most of whom will have more cars than you can count on one hand. Service intervals are a generous 25,000 miles, but its 14.3mpg average could be better.

With as many as 44,000 colour options, it’s unlikely that many Phantom Coupes will ever be the same, so the level of depreciation they suffer will depend partly on the specification and the tastefulness of the exterior colour.

Verdict:

It is easy to be overwhelmed and awed by the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, a car that cossets wonderfully and goes out of its way to make the driver and his passengers feel special like no other car on sale. But it would be naïve to leave it there; this is a £300,000 coupe and, as such, should stand up to the absolute strictest scrutiny that you can level at a car.

To our eyes, this is a car that imposes more than it impresses with grace and elegance. It is also almost inexcusably packaged for rear passengers, who may be prepared to swap a modicum of their snugness and feeling of wellbeing for a greater feeling of circulation in their legs. A tad more compliance in the ride and a little less wind noise should be expected, too.

Beyond that, the Coupe is all it should be: a wonderful way to travel and a car that feels as exquisite as any made today.

For: Uniqueness, precise steering, beautiful interior, peerless stereo

Against: Too much wind noise, firmness of low-speed ride, limited boot space.

Source: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe – Autocar.co.uk