New RR4 (Silver Ghost?) Details

Traditions are meant to be broken I guess, and Rolls-Royce is setting out to do that with the new RR4/200EX/Silver Ghost (?). On the basis that it's cars were immune from traditional measurements like engine HP, they weren't supplied in years prior. The sheer audacity to even care about pesky numbers like that! It's a Rolls-Royce, after all. Right?

I didn't think so! Rolls-Royce has offered a change from the usual with a press release offering details about the upcoming small sedan. Besides, what should I refer to it as?

So far we've got RR4, 200EX and possibly Silver Ghost for the production model. We know Rolls-Royce doesn't name it's vehicles with names like 200EX (now THAT would be a huge break in tradition!) so it's safe to assume Silver Ghost.

So from now on I'll refer to it as the Rolls-Royce RR4, until I hear otherwise. The 200EX Concept is currently on a world tour, being shown in New York to potential buyers on the first part of it's trip.

Here's the rundown on the numbers: a 6.6L turbocharged V-12 engine unique to Rolls-Royce, a new 8-speed ZF gearbox and engine power running "Upwards of 500 bhp". This should offer increased fuel economy.

Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves declares that the RR4 will "

deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience to owners, so expect peerless comfort and build quality. However, we have consciously engineered this car to be more involving and dynamic for those owners around the world that will wish to drive it themselves".

Wow, that is an amazing statement to hear the company make! A Rolls-Royce "involving and dynamic"? Those are never words used to describe an Rolls-Royce. Of course, we have to take this all in context but the RR4 promises to be something truly special.

Time will tell what those statements mean in practice, but I certainly will be eager to hear driving impressions and further information on the production 200 EX........err, RR4.