Rolls-Royce Road-Testing Aluminum Architecture

Rolls-Royce begins on-road tests of its new aluminum space-frame architecture that will underpin all of its model lines when it arrives on market in early 2018.

BMW’s ultra-luxury brand announced about a year ago it would develop the architecture, and engineering mules now will be assessed on public roads around the world.

The testing phase aims to ensure the new space-frame structure delivers Rolls-Royce’s trademark “magic-carpet ride” on a variety of surfaces. The testing also will make sure the architecture is durable in extreme weather conditions.

CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös says Rolls-Royce is taking the next step on the luxury journey.

“This new architecture of pure luxury represents considerable investment in the future of our great brand,” he says.