New Rolls-Royce Coupé (Spy pics & info)

[siko]

Rolls-Royce Coupé Spied




This may look like a Cabriolet Rolls, but don't be fooled by a bit of tape and some clever handywork. This is Rolls-Royce's upcoming Coupé model, the plans of which were confirmed by BMW Group today. The car is spotted here undergoing testing on German roads wearing British plates and is cleverly disguised to appear to onlookers as the outgoing 'Drophead Coupé'.

The new model mimics the 'Drophead' with its use of rear-hinged doors and the convertible's front fascia, although the coupe model's emphasis will shift towards more powerful driving rather than the Drophead Coupé's focus on cruising. Based largely on the 101EX Concept shown at Geneva earlier this year, for which there were incidentally 'no plans for production', the new Coupé 'suggests tremendous, effortless power', featuring the Phantom's established 6.75-litre V12 engine.

According to Chief Designer Ian Cameron, the 101EX concept car it is based on is "a less formal, streamlined car, more about the individual." And in production, so it will be. A debut at Spring's Geneva Motor Show is most likely. Stay tuned for more details.







[Source: WCF]

 

[GrimReaper]

It looks good but I don't get the point of a coupe in these ultra luxury ultra "high-class" "airplanes".

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Siko, you always give us the best info!

Can't wait for this model. Bentley Brooksland will finally have a worthy compeitior.

 

[EnI]

Based largely on the 101EX Concept shown at Geneva earlier this year, for which there were incidentally 'no plans for production', the new Coupé 'suggests tremendous, effortless power', featuring the Phantom's established 6.75-litre V12 engine.

It depends who you ask.

If you talk to the right guys you get much more interesting info than just plain useless official info.

Just like I told Dominix a while ago when 101EX was introduced, I had been told by my BMW sources 101EX had been actually a Phantom Coupe which would had been introduced approx 1 year after the almost identical Phantom Drophead Coupe.

I was also told back then Phantom Coupe would be built due a strong interest in Russian market mainly - since the Russian tycoons were thrilled by 101EX. Yet they weren't satisfied with a convertible version due the extreme Russian winter weather & due security issues (they are interested in armored versions - and will get them) - since a canvas roof can't be armored.

Also the sparkling LEDs in the headliner (as seen in 101EX concept) will be available as well - if desired. RR officially were surprised that feature sparked most interest by Middle East sheiks - which were thrilled by the car as well (despite being a coupe). Some even wanted to have a whole Phantom collection in their garages.

So, expect RR Phantom Coupe to go on sales worldwide within a year (till Fall 2008).

 

[SDNR]

The lights in the roof were fun, I'm glad they're going to offer that.

But now the big question is, will they make a Sedanca version?

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The lights in the roof were fun, I'm glad they're going to offer that.

Hey Rob, would you be so kind as to post a picture or two highlighting the 'lights in the roof' phenomina you speak of? Would be most appreciated.

(BTW, I'm being serious, I have no idea what you're talking about when you said 'lights in the roof were fun'). Is it something like what the modern day aircraft have in that small LEDs are placed on the ceiling and they light up intermittently (like Christmas lights) so as to create a sparkling night sky look? (eg: Airliners.net Photos: Boeing Boeing 777-240/LR)

 

[SDNR]

^^Sure,
Finally, I found a picture for you.
I thought I had a picture on my HD ....but I didn't.


Here you go

Is it something like what the modern day aircraft have in that small LEDs are placed on the ceiling and they light up intermittently (like Christmas lights) so as to create a sparkling night sky look? (eg: Airliners.net Photos: Boeing Boeing 777-240/LR)

Pretty much

 

[Tarek]

I hate that car

 

[EnI]

Official PR from RR MC Ltd:




ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES NEW COUPÉ

Goodwood, 28 September 2007


Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed that a series version of the two-door,
four-seat experimental car, 101EX, will be launched in 2008. Production is
scheduled to begin next summer. It will be hand-built at the company’s
manufacturing plant in Goodwood, England.

This model will complete the Phantom family line-up alongside the Phantom,
Phantom Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Drophead Coupé.
The new car will be an elegant two-door, four-seat coupe that builds on
the extraordinary driving experience offered in the Phantom and Drophead
Coupé. It will use an all aluminium construction similar to the rest of the
Phantom family. However, it will be a unique car in the Phantom family,
designed around the desire to create the world’s foremost transcontinental
tourer.

Outright power will be identical to the other Phantom models – an
impressive 453bhp and 720Nm of torque – however the coupé will be subtly
tuned with more emphasis placed on the driver. The body will be shorter
than that of the Phantom sedan and there will be revisions to the
suspension and chassis set-up.

Rolls-Royce Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “With this car we wanted to
emphasise the performance potential of the 6.75 litre V12 engine and the
effortless experience that it delivers. Whilst never overtly sporty,
Rolls-Royce is a brand that has always offered owners a powerful and
refined drive combined with, as Sir Henry Royce described it, a bit of fizz.”

Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said,
“This new model represents an important milestone in the company’s
history. It completes the Phantom family and judging by the customer
reaction to 101EX, we are confident of its success. Our challenge lies in
meeting the exceptional levels of customer demand for the Phantom range
and in preparing Goodwood to meet the needs of future new cars.”

The new coupé will be priced between the Phantom and Phantom Drophead
Coupé. Further information will be released in the coming months.

Source: RR Motor Cars Ltd.

 

[GTA45E]

Excellent news, I`m so glad Rolls gave the coupe the green light, it was a given! I might be one of the biggest fans of the model here.

Now for a white one! I can see my girlfriend in one!!

 

[Bartek S.]

http://jalopnik.com/cars/new-cars/rolls+royce-coup-spotted-in-california-312744.php


We've done a couple of double-takes at these shots taken by Jalopnik reader and tipster Sam as he traveled south on the 101 in California that appear to show the the drop-top Drophead Rolls. But, with the missing Rolls insignia and emblems it's looking a lot like the spy photos we saw of the upcoming Coupé dressed up as the Drophead. The new model will mimic the "Drophead" with its use of rear-hinged doors and a front fascia similar to the convertible. But the hardtop model, supposedly based off the 101EX concept car and will feature the Phantom's big 6.75-liter V12 engine, but somehow will see its emphasis shift towards more powerful driving from the Drophead Coupé's focus on falling asleep cruising. The only problem with these shots is that roof line looks less taut than the last spy shots did. Could this be shots of the 2009 model year Drophead out for a stroll? We'll let you help us figure it out -- any thoughts?

 

[Merc1]

Rolls-Royce might not sell millions of cars a year, but in its own way the company is a big success story. In 2007 Rolls shifted 1010 cars, up 25 percent compared to 2006, and way ahead of Maybach. The strong sales will increase further with the introduction of this, the Phantom Coupe.

The Coupe is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, two years after we first saw the 101EX concept. The looks will be a little more restrained than on the concept, but from the A-pillars forward the Coupe will be near-identical to the Drophead Coupe. The Drophead was, incidentally, a contender for our Car of the Year award in 2007, so the coupe has a rather good starting point.

But it already has coupe in its title – what does the new model do differently?

Exclusivity is Rolls-Royce’s forte these days, and with production of the convertible selling out so far, this new fixed-head version gives wealthy buyers a whole new option. On the other hand, the Simon Cowells amongst us have a new model to complete our set. Expect the coupe to be a little more sporting than the Drophead, but to keep all those gorgeous Rolls features like umbrellas in the suicide doors.

The fixed head version loses the teak rear decking that defines the Drophead, but keeps the option of the brushed steel bonnet, as we can see in these pictures. Underneath it lies the 6.75 V12 from the rest of the Phantom range, providing a healthy 453bhp and 531lb ft, and a 0-60 time close to the Drophead’s 5.7 seconds.

The switch to a fixed roof should make the Coupe even more deftly quiet than the Drophead, and expect a larger rear screen, too. It’s just disguisded on this car. Prices should start just shy of £300,000.

Further down the line for Rolls is a baby Phantom, codenamed RR4 and due in 2010, though car has already scooped the car here, and may well be available as a hybird.


Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe


M

 

[SDNR]

^ Why do they even bother trying to disguise it ....seems pointless.

 

[Merc1]

Yeah I was thinking that. Oh well we should see it for real at Geneva I'm guessing.

M

 

[BarneyBoy]

The duct tape around the rear window is because it's a British convertible

When are they ever going to replace those headlights with proper ones that suit it? They look like the prototype lights that never got updated...

 

[SDNR]

^ What are you talikng about BarneyBoy? ....those LEDs are really distinctive I think.

 

[Deleted member 25]

The all black cab without steel bonnet is gorgeous.