Rolls-Royce mulls an SUV

Rolls-Royce has always been the pinnacle of luxury vehicles in the world. So, they make sedans right? Yes, ultra-luxury sedans. What next can the company offer? An SUV, maybe. BMW-owned Rolls-Royce is now rumoured to be analysing the SUV segment. With Bentley all set to launch its SUV in a year’s time Rolls Royce won’t like to be left behind in this fast growing segment. 

“There are long-term independent studies that say half the world car market – 50 per cent of everything – will be crossovers and SUVs. So it’s our responsibility to look into it. We are seriously analyzing a Rolls-Royce in the SUV area,” Peter Schwarzenbauer, the BMW board member in charge of Rolls-Royce, told a UK-based publication.

However, he added Rolls-Royce is yet to make a decision on building an SUV.

“We have to know it would still be a true Rolls-Royce. If we’re not convinced it is, then I will not ask the board for permission to go forward with it. So the question is, does it fit to the Rolls-Royce brand? They had the same discussions at BMW before they made the first X5. No doubt at Porsche before the Cayenne too,” Schwarzenbauer explained.

Rolls-Royce has been synonymous with premium luxury sedans. However, going by the studies which indicate one out of every two cars sold worldwide may be an SUV or a crossover it is hard to resist change. This certainly won’t affect their image nor cause a stir among its loyal customers and fanbase. As most customers who own a Rolls-Royce Phantom or a Ghost may also own an SUV and if that could be a Porsche Cayenne or Range Rover then why not a Rolls-Royce SUV if it’s worth its salt.

Source: Topgear