Rolls-Royce announces its new baby

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It looks like even the luxury marques are going for smaller cars nowadays. These wispy design sketches are of a new Rolls-Royce, code-named RR4 and commonly referred to as ‘the baby Rolls.’ Based on the next-generation BMW 7 Series platform (although probably wider, longer and higher than that car), the RR4 is said to have a greater emphasis on driving than the bigger Phantom.

Styling was finalized in 2007 and the company’s manufacturing facility in the south of England is now being geared up to handle an extra model. Despite the 7 Series connection, the RR4 will be powered by an engine that will be exclusive to Rolls-Royce and will not be seen in any cars from the company’s Munich overlords. Rumors have it as a twin-turbo 4.8-liter V-8 or a 6.0-liter V-12. Although it’s hard to tell from here, the baby Rolls might well feature rear-hinged ‘suicide’ rear doors, rather like its Drophead Coupe sibling.

The RR4 is due out in 2010, with a price somewhere around $250,00 to $280,000 and will make its debut next spring at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

-- Colin Ryan

Images: Rolls-Royce