With emission restrictions set to tighten even further in coming years, many high-end manufacturers will be forced to create plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles to comply. British marque Rolls-Royce will become the latest with confirmation from the Geneva Motor Show 2014.
Boss of Rolls-Royce Torsten Muller-Otvos confirmed to AutoExpress that a plug-in hybrid Rolls-Royce “will be essential in two years, maybe not from customer demand but through legal regulation on emissions”.
Importantly, a plug-in hybrid Rolls-Royce will likely borrow a plug-in hybrid platform from BMW. Currently, BMW is finalising its X5 eDrive featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine alongside an electric engine. Rolls-Royce could very easily utilise such an engine when required.
Of course, when Rolls-Royce launches such a car, it won’t be the first time in recent years the firm as looked towards efficient engines. A few years back, the all-electric 100EX Phantom was released. However, at the time, recharging times and the range weren’t good enough and reactions from existing customers weren’t great.
It remains unclear what model Rolls-Royce could first implement a plug-in hybrid powertrain into, but the next-generation Phantom is a possible candidate. Muller-Otvos also confirmed that the next-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom will likely cost around the same as the current car.
[Via Auto Express]
