Rolls-Royce has now begun the testing phase of its new aluminium space-frame architecture, using engineering mules on public roads around the world.

“Since 2003 and the commissioning of the new Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reset the benchmark for luxury motoring,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Now it is time to take the next step in the luxury journey. This is why I am announcing today that on-road testing of our all-new proprietary architecture is beginning. This new architecture of pure luxury represents considerable investment in the future of our great brand.”

Engineering mules will be assessed on public roads in various locations around the globe to ensure that the new space-frame structure delivers the company’s trademark ‘magic-carpet ride’ on a variety of surfaces and that it is resilient to extreme weather conditions. 

The assessment is the first stage of a development programme that will see a new generation of Rolls-Royce cars – underpinned by this new architecture – become available from early 2018.