Rolls-Royce RR4: The New Billionaire Whip

Rolls-Royce RR4 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today provided a peek at what its next luxury car will look like. Design sketches of the car known internally as RR4 hint at a model that is smaller and sleeker than the big-ticket Rolls-Royce Phantom. Car wonks say the RR4 will face off against the successful Continental from Volkswagen-owned Bentley, at a price of between $250,000 and $280,000, according to Edmunds Inside Line.

That's around $100,000 to $200,000 less than the top-line Phantom. Rolls-Royce executives said the RR4 will have a more informal presence than the company's stately Phantom line, and will be more geared toward driving than being driven. The company, a subsidiary of BMW, said the RR4 will be powered by a new engine that is unique to Rolls-Royce. The RR4 is expected to go on sale in 2010.