We have a bit of a jump on this hot news!  Rolls-Royce just confirmed that it is developing an all-new SUV to join the finest motor-car range ever made.

After 111 years in the car business, it is a thrill to learn that Rolls-Royce is adapting and thriving in the post-modern world of crossovers.

So, what do we know so far?

Car-Revs-Daily.com Animated Ghost II vs Rendered RR SUV Transition

Very little. We know that the future Rolls-Royce SUV will have a go-anywhere capability, which is code for AWD and ground clearance. We also know that it does not yet have a name, but harks back to the Alpine rally Rollers of yore.

We also know that it is not coming any time soon. This initial announcement is really just a statement of intent, with no photos aside from this Ghost II teaser.

But we can assume a few things already. We believe the Rolls-Royce #EffortlessEverywhere SUV will be based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost, will be V12-powered, and will run an adapted version of the xDrive tech that currently underpins the BMW 750Li xDrive and others in the 7 series range.

We also know that this new AWD technology is likely to filter back into the Ghost lineup, perhaps on the 2019 Ghost III.

The sole teaser image from Rolls-Royce is included here, plus some enhanced by Car-Revs-Daily.com renderings of a Ghost SUV.

Car-Revs-Daily.com Speculative Renderings of RR SUV

FUTURE PERFECT?

Yes, this tense in language certainly applies to Rolls-Royce in the coming years. Here is (one of) Lutz Valdeig‘s artist renderings of a 2017 Rolls-Royce Alpine SUV – with a name borrowed from RR’s Apline Trial glory.

Goodwood, Wednesday 18th February 2015

An Open Letter from the Chairman and the Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on the subject of a new Rolls-Royce

The launch of Phantom in 2003 marked the beginning of the renaissance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Since then, we have set a new benchmark for what a super-luxury car should be – unique, hand-crafted, beautiful and rare.  Often imitated, Phantom has never been equalled and continues to be hailed as ‘The Best Car in the World’ by our customers and media alike.

Twelve years later, after the introduction of successful new models like Ghost and Wraith, Rolls-Royce stands proudly at the pinnacle of British luxury manufacturing, confirming our custodianship of this precious marque.

Now we have reached another seminal moment in Rolls-Royce’s 111-year journey. Today we confirm that we are developing an all-new Rolls-Royce with exceptional presence, elegance and purpose:

• A car that offers the luxury of a Rolls-Royce in a vehicle that can cross any terrain
• A car that meets our customers’ highly mobile, contemporary lifestyle expectations

•  A Rolls-Royce that is as much about the pioneering, adventurous spirit of Charles Rolls as it is about Sir Henry Royce’s dedication to engineering and innovation

• A car that appropriately reflects Rolls-Royce’s brand promise of effortless luxury

• A high-bodied car, with an all-new aluminium architecture

• A unique new motor car worthy of carrying the Spirit of Ecstasy into the future

This new Rolls-Royce will be Effortless … Everywhere.

Many discerning customers have urged us to develop this new car – and we have listened. At Rolls-Royce Motor Cars we are uniquely focused on the desires of our customers and are driven by our own thirst to innovate. So we challenged our engineers and design team, led by Director of Design Giles Taylor, to create a different and exceptional new car.

This car will embody all the values and capabilities that drove our two Founding Fathers to secure Rolls-Royce’s reputation, early last century, by taking top honours in rigorous overland adventures such as the Scottish Reliability Trials, the London to Edinburgh event and the Alpine Trials.
Rolls-Royces conveyed pioneers and adventurers like Lawrence of Arabia across the vastness of unexplored deserts and over mountain ranges. In other parts of the world including Australia, India and the Americas, Rolls-Royces carried their owners over challenging terrain with absolute reliability and comfort.
History sets our precedent and our future calls us to action.

This new journey begins now. We will take our time in developing and perfecting this new concept in luxury.  We will include our customers, enthusiasts and media along the way and will keep you informed of our progress.

Until then, rest assured, we are creating a motor car in the greatest traditions of our marque. Sir Henry Royce famously said: “When it does not exist, design it”. We are doing just that.

Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Chief Executive