If rumours are to be believed, it looks like the Spirit of Ecstasy will soon be flying higher than before, mounted on a Rolls-Royce SUV that is currently being considered to take on rival Bentley’s upcoming ultra-luxury crossover. Now that would be the perfect vehicle indeed for a high roller (pun very much intended).
Autonews Europe reports that Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes has revealed plans to introduce such a model in an interview at the Frankfurt Motor Show. “We are intensively thinking about entering the SUV segment. It has been incredibly stable during the crisis, and I think a luxury niche will develop,” said Mueller-Oetvoes.
It is yet unknown whether the SUV will be fielded closer to the Ghost or the flagship Phantom limo. The high-riding Bentley, as it has been reported, is expected to share its underpinnings with the next-gen Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, rather than sit on its own bespoke platform. A BMW X5-based Rolls-Royce would seem rather small, so perhaps other solutions are being considered.
As it is, the Phantom (pictured above) is already a very tall car, with its height disguised by its considerable length. Sat in it, you’d be eye-balling SUV drivers and looking down on other motorists (literally, that is; the figurative term is optional). A Rolls SUV would be a monster of a car, if it is to stick to the Phantom’s proportions rather than the sleeker Ghost.
What is certain, however, is that if it does become a reality, the Rolls-Royce SUV will be the most expensive offering of its kind; positioned well above the Range Rover as well as upcoming luxury SUVs from Jaguar, Maserati, and possibly Aston Martin.
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Maybe Theophilis can do a take on this
1. 5800mm x 2180mm x 1980mm(height).
2. English teacher please, on the name. A cool yet elegant one, related to the Phantom.