Wednesday 10th November 2004

Rolls Royce convertible due in 2007

Goodwood to see construction of open top luxury barge

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars yesterday confirmed that a new model is to be built at the company’s manufacturing plant at Goodwood. The new motor car, a two-door, four-seat convertible, is expected to be unveiled in 2007.

Codenamed RR02, the new model will be based on the same engineering principles as the Phantom and built using similar aluminium space-frame chassis technology. Its design is inspired by the Rolls-Royce Centenary experimental car, named 100EX, which was unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March 2004 – although it will be slightly smaller. Power will come from a 6.75 litre, V12 engine, which the new model will share with the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Speaking at Rolls-Royce Head Office at Goodwood, sales and marketing director, Howard Mosher, said, “This is a wonderful day for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and another milestone in the brand’s history. The success of the Phantom has given us a solid foundation for the future from which we can now take this next important step. Convertible motor cars have always played a central part in the 100 year history of Rolls-Royce and I am delighted that we can take this tradition forward with a cutting edge, 21st century design.”

This new Convertible will be the second Rolls-Royce model to be hand-built at the company’s head office and manufacturing plant in Goodwood, England. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is on sale now and priced at £216,950, €323,700 or $329,500 plus tax and delivery.

[rico]

The 100EX is one of the most impressive cars ever made.

I was lucky enough to go to the Louis Vuitton Concours event at Waddesdon Manor earlier this year. Rolls were showing off one of their 100EXs. I stayed till the end to see the parade down the middle and once all the drivers and VIPs went in for dinner, i had a chance to get a real close look at the 100EX. It's mind-blowingly huge and just incredibly extragent. The wooden cover for the hood bay is as big as a typical deck on a yacht. HEWG!

I love it to bits

(as a comparison... i'm 6ft3....)

[GregE240]

Andy, that could have been a great picture.

However, in their haste to get you in, the person behind the camera forgot to include the car!

Have you got another of just the car?

[RichB]

They didn't forget to include the car, it's just so huge it won't fit in any camera yet invented by man, which IMO is fortunate. Rich...

[rico]

Some pics of the car

[pdV6]

What's the blue car to the left of the Rolls?

[rico]

It was a concept car by Chrysler or Dodge... not sure which. I don't have the guidebook with me, but im sure a google search will help.

[v8thunder]

No, it looks like the Giugiaro-penned Chevrolet Corvette Moray concept.

I'm not sure about the headlights on these new RRs, IMO they should be bigger.

Wonder if they'll call it the Corniche?

[rico]

v8thunder said:

No, it looks like the Giugiaro-penned Chevrolet Corvette Moray concept.

Yeh. think thats the one

Had some cool little gadgets but overall not that impressive... especially when there was a 250swb, 250cali, 250lm, gt40, 917... etc etc etc