The new, smaller Rolls-Royce RR4 will definitely retain the suicide doors seen on the Phantom range, CAR has learned. The latest prototypes, caught in our new spy photos above, have less disguise around the rear doors confirming that the more affordable Roller will have rear-hinged coach doors.
Early spyshots of the RR4 test cars had a full-length door handle disguise that ran along the whole back door, but the latest prototypes have clearly visible handles at the leading edge. And we hear the suicide doors are here to stay.
Rolls-Royce RR4: why it’s getting coach doors
‘We are not playing around with the disguise around the rear door handles any more,’ said an engineering source at Rolls-Royce. ‘They are in the same position as the coach doors on the Phantom and that will not change.’ The insider confided that the car would retain coach doors in production.
Why? It’s an easy way to make sure that the (slightly) smaller Rolls-Royce retains its Goodwood DNA. The coach doors on the Phantom saloon, Drophead Coupe and new Coupe are an integral part of their character – and Rolls is at great pains to point out that RR4 will be every inch a real Rolls-Royce.
The company has issued a sketch of the RR4 to start drumming up interest in the new ‘baby’ Rolls and we’ve scooped it several times already. Click here for the full engineering story on the Rolls-Royce RR4.
Doors, doors, doors. What is it with 21st century car designers!
Good spot. Car companies are coming up with increasingly barmy door designs in this day and age. Weird apertures are a great way of attracting customer interest in advertising and promotions – and they make for genuine street theatre.
So the new Rolls-Royce RR4 will join the Weird Door Club, so far populated by the Mini Clubman, Mazda RX-8 and, soon, the forthcoming Mercedes Gullwing.
Engineering gimmick? Or door grandeur? Click ‘Add your comment’ and tell us what you think of Rolls-Royce’s coach doors
