As many of you know, BMW Group incorporates two more brands in their vehicles line-up: MINI and Rolls-Royce. We have been covering MINI stories and news for quite some time now, but it seems like many of you, our readers, are interested in seeing more news from the famous Rolls-Royce brand, one of the biggest luxury automakers in the world.
With that being said, we will expand a little bit and offer Rolls news as well, new launches, spy shots…etc..etc…Of course, we won’t move away from the main purpose of our blog, which is the BMW brand, but I’m sure it will be fun to see if the BMW design language will be incorporated in the other brands as well. There was already a rumor going around that some elements from the Rolls-Royce Phantom model might be included in the design of the next 1 Series.
For some time now, many spy photos of the “baby” Rolls, named 200EX, have been going around the internet and the car was supposed to be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show next month. The EX200 is due to launch in 2010 as a direct competitor to Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
Some styling of the EX200 comes from the Phantom and Drophead Coupe, but fit into a shorter wheelbase model, the same platform used in the new 7 Series. The EX200 is 212.6 inches long, 83 inches wide and 61 inches tall. All of this sitting on seven-spoke 20 inch wheels wrapped in 285/40 and 255/45 tires.
According to Tom Purves, RR CEO, the engine will be a V12 unit not seen before on any BMW-group product and up to 80% of its components will be unique.
Of course, the interior design is in-pair to company’s luxury standards, controls are neatly sculptured surrounded by chrome, and as usual, plenty of wood trim and fine leather.
The final name has not been chosen yet, EX200 represents just a concept naming convention, but when the production car will be unveiled in Frankfurt this fall, we should have the official name.
Pricing? Unknown at this time, but rumors are putting the Rolls Royce EX200 at around $250,000.
[Source: BMW AG and Autoblog ]
