In February 2015, Rolls-Royce announced the development of an all-new aluminum space-frame architecture that will underpin all future Rolls-Royce models arriving in market from early 2018, including a luxury SUV. The company today announced that it has begun the testing phase of this new architecture, with early preparatory activity seeing new engineering mules tested in public around the world.
The Architecture of Pure Luxury
The future of pure luxury motoring is already taking shape as Rolls-Royce begins testing its new aluminum space-frame architecture which will underpin all future Rolls-Royce model lines. The architecture will arrive in market from early 2018.
Engineering mules will be assessed on public roads in various locations around the world. The current testing phase aims to ensure that the new space-frame structure perfectly delivers Rolls-Royce’s trademark ‘magic-carpet ride’ on a variety of surfaces and that it is resilient to extreme weather conditions. The assessment of the new proprietary architecture is the first stage of a development program that will see a new generation of Rolls-Royce motor cars become available from early 2018.
“Since 2003 and the commissioning of the new Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reset the benchmark for luxury motoring,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Now it is time to take the next step in the luxury journey. This is why I am announcing today that on-road testing of our all-new proprietary architecture is beginning. This new architecture of pure luxury represents considerable investment in the future of our great brand.”
With a rumored price around $400,000, the Rolls Royce SUV will try to lure new customers to the brand.
The British automaker aims for a market launch in 2018 and likely a concept unveil in 2016. Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX, and Maserati Levante are also slated for production in 2017, 2018, and beyond.
