Rolls-Royce RR4 scooped

RR should make a high-tech statement with this car. Even the super-rich have a green conscience if it suits them. I shouldn't think they care too much about the power source provided its refined and quick and has presence. BM should do something with its Efficient Dynamics Vision powertrain recently previewed in an X5. The same mild hybrid tech coupled to the twin-turbo deisel six and a decent auto transmission may be exactly the drive train for the baby Rolls. After all, pre-V8 Rollers were straight six powered.

One wonders if I am the only one who think thay should have made it the same size as the regular 7 series or S Class. It will then appeal to more people who like to drive their own cars. To make it more special, it can be more luxurious. The current profile is alos too similar to the 7 Series. It needs to be substantially different from that.

In principle I think he's right but in the specific case of RR I disagree with Houdini - I think exploiting the area of the market they're intending RR4 to play in will in fact increase the brand's appeal rather than hurt it. Unless you spend a lot of time on Berkeley Square or outside the Dorchester (or the Burj I'd probably wager too), you don't get to see very many Phantoms - which is right for the 250K+ bracket. But it makes RR an almost invisible brand to most of the world. By creating more of a presence with RR4 (and assuming they get it right, which BMW almost certainly will) the brand will become more recognised, more talked about, and therefore more desirable. It worked wonders for Bentley, though the tarred-with-the-Phaeton-brush factor tarnished their halo. RR4 will also likely bring a (shade) younger, (slightly) more dynamic quiver to Rolls' bow, and with this motoring era defined by sporting/dynamic values - that can't be a bad thing for the brand's image either.