Rolls-Royce will make a convertible version of the Wraith coupe, CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos acknowledged during the UK launch of the Wraith. “The design certainly lends itself to a drophead coupe, and I think that will be the next variant,” Muller-Otvos told Auto Express magazine. However, don’t expect to see the convertible Wraith on the roads very soon, as producing another variant could take at least two years, according to RR’s boss.
He added that Rolls-Royce is not planning to develop an SUV, despite recent rumors. “We have no plans to produce an SUV, definitely not, the next thing is drophead Wraith but Bespoke orders are the priority,” Muller-Otvos said.
Speaking of the Phantom, the CEO said Rolls-Royce is considering a replacement for the 10-year-old model, but the launch date will be more than three years from now. Muller-Otvos reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to Goodwood, where Rolls-Royce models will always be built, and estimated that the Wraith will bring the plant’s annual output to around 4,700 from the current 3,000 units.
The executive hinted at a possible plug-in hybrid powertrain for the next-generation Phantom. “Plug-in is definitely the direction to go in, that way you have range for commuting but also the ability to pass legal requirements that could force us in to driving as electric only in city centres,” he said.
By Dan Mihalascu
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