Rolls-Royce’s new baby Phantom hits road

The baby Rolls is taking shape! After being given the green light for production, engineers are hard at work on the new entry-level Rolls-Royce.

Our spy photographers spotted a test mule for the car undergoing cold weather assessments, and were able to bring you the best pictures yet of the hotly anticipated model.

And don’t be fooled by its 7-Series styling – the forthcoming Rolls is set to share underpinnings with the next-generation BMW flagship. However, the production version will be much longer than its German stablemate.

Look closely, and there are plenty of clues that the bodywork is heavily modified. For a start, the tall-riding prototype features extended sills, which emphasise the depth of the sides. Similarly, the big alloys appear lost in the wheelarches as the chassis is raised to suit the Rolls’ running gear.

What this mule doesn’t reveal is the new car’s rear-hinged back doors, which are inspired by those fitted to its big brother, the Phantom. But the bluff front end bears all the hallmarks of the Britsh firm, and the production version will get a dominant chrome grille and retractable Spirit of Ecstacy ornament. Other Rolls-Royce styling cues will include fixed centre caps on the roadgoing model’s 20-inch alloys. These ensure the company logo is always the right way up.

Under the bonnet, power will come from a 6.0-litre V12 engine, which delivers 550bhp to the rear wheels. That should be enough to propel the big saloon from 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds. The newcomer is expected to be priced at around £150,000. This may sound expensive for an entry-level model, but don’t forget that the company’s flagship Phantom weighs in at an incredible £250,000.