Rolls-Royce’s Future: Baby Rolls coming in 2010, Phantom Coupe in 2009

Rolls-Royce has just begun offering its first ever pre-owned car program, hoping to give those who can’t afford a brand new Phantom a chance to ride in ultimate luxury. The BMW owned Rolls-Royce is now hoping to double its worldwide output to 1,600 cars with a second model scheduled to hit the market in 2010.

Rolls-Royce is hoping to fill the gap between the Phantom and BMW’s top model, the 7-Series. Bentley has done very well by targeting customers with the Continental Flying Spur priced less than $200,000. Rolls-Royce will be hoping to follow the same route.

Click through for Rolls-Royce’s future lineup...
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GermanNut - 9/4/2007 11:51:00 AM

+3 Boost

Let the watering down of one of the world's most prestigious marques begin.....

Looks like Rolls-Royce and BMW clearly noticed that with the current price of the Phantom, there was no chance in hell that they were ever going to come close to keeping up with Bentley's rocketing sales that have pushed Rolls-Royce far down into second place thanks to VW.

bmwdrvr - 9/4/2007 1:13:35 PM

0 Boost

well thanks to doing the exact same thing you said they are doing to rolls royce. watering it down....

S4cabriofoxone - 9/4/2007 5:06:47 PM

+2 Boost

The thing about Bentley is, (Larry, this is for you) the Arnage will be redesigned in 2010 or something, and it will be just as modern as the CGT but far more luxurious and expensive. It will out-Phantom the Phantom, but with much more tasteful styling that evokes past sports cars. With it will come the updated Azure and Brooklands.

VW knows how to balance Bentley. The Continental family is more attainable, but still has a waiting list and is still one of the most desirable sets of cars ever produced. The Arnage will be for only the wealthiest people, but it will act as a halo for the "lesser" Bentleys.

Larry - 9/4/2007 2:45:20 PM

+1 Boost

these new Rolls Royces are so hot, BMW has done another good thing the old rolls were not as exciting. I like the bentleys but the Arnage looks old side by side with the Rolls. i don't understand the watering down of world's prestigious marques. It's good thing that Bentley does not have use any parts of the VW parts bin. I hope there will never be the day when Bentley become a rebadged VW.

edeme - 9/7/2007 4:44:40 PM

+1 Boost

Perhaps you're being sacrastic and I missed it, but the Continental GT and Continental Flying Spur are both worked over VW Phaetons. I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. The Phaeton is a pretty good car. However, I'm not fond of the large front over-hang and the rear seat cushion being too low.

Bentleys are not as elegant as they have been in the past. They look too thick or chunky. I prefer the Mulsanne S/Brooklands/Turbo R (particularly the Mulsanne S) look to the Arnage. They hid their weight better.

S4cabriofoxone - 9/4/2007 5:07:20 PM

+1 Boost

This looks amazing, I must say. I prefer the Phantom Drophead/Coupé so much over the sedan.

EnnNorak - 9/5/2007 8:12:42 AM

+1 Boost

From the pictures that RR circulated, if you get the drophead you will end up with a tasteless teak deck.

ICON - 9/4/2007 7:25:34 PM

+1 Boost

I saw a Drophead in San Diego at a Detail Shop(had just arrived on shipment to dealer) Black w Stainless hood...I have to admit it was the most impressive looking convertible I have ever seen.
Stunning.

LuxuryFan - 9/4/2007 9:06:32 PM

+1 Boost

You people are automotive philestines! Nothing sends the heart afflutter like the elegantly understated lines of the old Lexus ES 250. I saw one at the TJ Maxx in Detroit and thought it was the most stunning automotive machine I had ever seen.

EnnNorak - 9/5/2007 8:10:34 AM

0 Boost

The ES is basically a Camry with some styling enhancements. Perhaps you were thinking of the IS which is nice but too tiny for serious long distance travel. The best value from Toyota/Lexus lies in the Toyota Avalon and the Koreans are about to trump that with their new Genesis sedan.

EnnNorak - 9/5/2007 8:04:35 AM

+1 Boost

I am currently infatuated with the Bentley Brooklands Coupe and believe that RR styling has gone downhill since the days of the Silver Dawn and Silver Cloud. I particularly liked the Silver Cloud with the single headlights on each side. I can't remember if double headlights came about as a result of government regulations or an auto industry styling conspiracy.