Convertible Rolls-Royce Wraith in the works; plug-in hybrid Phantom also being considered

By Marcus Amick Published April 30, 2013

Rolls-Royce indicated it will build a convertible version of the Wraith confirming ongoing speculation that the luxury carmaker has been considering a drop top version of the coupe.

“The design certainly lends itself to a drophead coupé, and I think that will be the next variant,” Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos told Auto Express as reported by the UK-based auto news source.

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Muller-Otvos did, however, say that building the convertible model could take some time, telling Auto Express that there won’t be Drophead Wraith arriving in dealerships in the next couple of years.

The Rolls-Royce CEO said the company is not considering an SUV despite ongoing speculation that the company has been considering one. “We have no plans to produce an SUV, definitely not, the next thing is drophead Wraith but bespoke orders are the priority,” said Muller-Otvos.

According to Auto Express, Rolls-Royce is also considering replacing the Phantom and that the next-generation Phantom could come with a plug-in hybrid. “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,” told the auto news source.

The current Phantom is powered by a 6.7-liter V12 engine with 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. The current Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever, is powered by a 6.6-liter, twin turbo-charged V12 that delivers 624 horsepower with 590 lb-ft of torque.

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Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

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