High Resolution 1230x723 Rolls Royce has plans for a new baby saloon that will be unveiled in 2009. The company put big hopes in this new model and expects big profit by 2011. The new model will be unveiled after the new BMW 7-Series will debut in 2008 and will go on sale in 2009. The new Rolls Royce will be a direct competitor for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
The new "baby" saloon will be based on the same BMW F01 platform that will be used on the next 7-Series set to be unveiled in 2008. The next ultra-luxury saloon is currently codenamed the
Rolls-Royce NGS (Next Generation Saloon).
During an interview at Shanghai
motor show, Rolls-Royce boss Ian Robertson has revealed more details of the next saloon: "The design is finished, and the first prototypes should be running very shortly. We’ll aim to produce around 800 of them a year. That should more than double our overall sales."
As Robertson said, the new baby RR will share parts with both next generation
BMW 7-Series and CS Concept, but the car "will be unmistakably a Rolls-Royce."
The NGS will measure around 5500mm, shorter than a standard
Maybach, with a massive 3500mm wheelbase. Although the engineers are tinkering with Phantom-style rear coach doors, the smart money is on a more conventional entrance.
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It will feature a conventional steel body with a minimum weight of 2300 kg. Under the bonnet you will see
BMW’s new 6.0-litre V12 engine with an output of around 544 hp. Another possibility for the next
Rolls Royce is a turbocharged engine that will help it to compete with the Maybach 57 S (that has an output of 612 hp).
It will be limited to 155 mph and is expected that the 0 to 60 mph sprint to be made in 5.2 seconds.
As Robertson said, the new car will be "unmistakably" featuring automatic
cruise control, adaptive cornering lights, multi-media ICE, head-up display, rear-seat entertainment, keyless entry and go, widescreen in-dash monitor, top-grade hi-fi, soft close doors and, of course, self-aligning wheel centers.
Robertson also said that the new sedan will cost just two thirds the price of a Phantom, this means around $250,000. Rolls Royce expects to deliver 2000 units in 2009, and will increase the number to 3000 units in the next years.
2009 Rolls Royce NGS - Top Speed