Rolls-Royce has no plans to produce an ultra-luxury SUV in the short term but concedes a ânever say neverâ attitude when quizzed about the potential for such a model.
Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific regional director Paul Harris told CarAdvice there had been no discussion within the bespoke British brand about building an SUV, but admitted the brand had completely not closed the door on the idea.
âThe Rolls-Royce philosophy is very clear, and that is that we will never say never to anything,â Harris said.
âAs it stands at the moment itâs not in discussion. Weâve just brought Wraith (below) to market, thatâs probably our model offering in the new market for at least the next two and a half years.
âThereâs nothing on the drawing board at all as it stands now, but the never say never scenario still stands.â
Rolls-Royce South and East Asia Pacific general manager Dan Balmer said the two roadblocks in the way of a Rolls-Royce SUV were design and ride quality.
âDesign and Rolls-Royce are very closely linked,â Balmer said. âWeâre very close to what we do with our cars and there are certain rules we stick to all the time.
âDoes an SUV break that? Maybe it does.
âOur number one concern before design, though, is ride quality. The car has to have an excellent ride quality, best in class.
âSUVs arenât known for their ride quality. 4Ã4 drivetrains and systems are not the best-riding you can get.â
Balmer said Rollsâ complex development and production process meant that even if work started on an SUV today, the car would not launch until close to the end of the decade.
âWhen youâre building handcrafted cars youâre not telling robots to do something and itâs a five minute job and thatâs it. You have to train people and that takes some time.
âItâs a four- to five-year process, so if this SUV is happening then it would be happening now for the next few years. Itâs not, so itâs a way yet â" if weâre going to do it at all.â
While the pioneering Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne luxo-SUVs are soon to be joined by the Maserati Levante and the production version of the Bentley EXP 9F concept, Harris said Rolls-Royce had no plans to simply jump on the bandwagon and follow other manufacturers.
âWeâre a bit more unique and individual, and a very, very considered brand,â he said.
âEverything we consider always harks back to our heritage, what people expect, etc. Those sorts of decisions arenât easy decisions to make.â
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