Is a Rolls-Royce SUV really in the cards?

Speculation about drivetrains and platforms abound as rumors of an ultra high-end SUV from Rolls-Royce pick up steam…again.

The on again/off again saga of a proposed Rolls-Royce SUV seems to be back on, with a litany of questions regarding its construction fueling rampant rumor-mongering. The latest rumor, according to Automobile, is that Rolls-Royce is planning to have an SUV-style model “under way” by 2017. 

Aside from the question of what stage of production “under way” entails, the rumor mill still doesn't know what kind of powertrain such a vehicle would have or what platform it might be built upon.

If it exists, Rolls-Royce parent company BMW will be trying to keep development costs down, as any production of a Rolls-Royce SUV would be in very low numbers, even as Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati prepare to sell their own 4x4 models. That means a bespoke platform is out of the question, and apparently the platform for the upcoming Phantom replacement has been ruled out for use in a crossover-type vehicle. 

The expanding market for SUVs like the new Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GL and the upcoming Audi Q8 has revived plans for a new BMW X7, however, which as a three-row SUV would necessitate a longer wheelbase than the existing X5 and X6 have. Such a frame would likely be suitable for a Rolls-Royce SUV. If the BMW X7 gets the green light, expect an announcement from Rolls-Royce to follow -- even though CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös has already ruled that out.

• Q&A with Rolls-Royce: It's not about the numbers

Presuming an X7 comes to pass, and a Rolls-Royce SUV is developed on its platform, what engine would it carry? As a Rolls-Royce, one would expect nothing less than a V12, but the logistics of putting one in the current BMW X platform might make it too tight a fit. An easier solution would be to adapt BMW’s twin-turbo V8, although this could upset Rolls buyers even more than building an SUV. Following that train of thought, why not go with something completely new, like a plug-in powertrain (which, despite owners hating the 102EX electric concept, is yet anotherrumored possibility)? 

The Rolls-Royce brand is all about exclusivity, so look for a bigger push toward either the V12 or hybrid powertrain to set itself apart from competitors like Audi and Porsche. For now, though, it looks like the question isn’t so much "Is the world ready for a Rolls-Royce SUV?" as it is "Is Rolls-Royce ready for a Rolls-Royce SUV?"

autos.msn.com