Rolls-Royce drawing up plans for a radical 4X4 off-roader

Rolls-Royce is drawing up plans for a radical 4X4 off-roader, its bosses have revealed, The Daily Mail reports. 

The ultimate luxury British car firm is planning to break with more than a century of tradition by allowing the legendary Spirit of Ecstasy 'Flying Lady' mascot to adorn a ‘Chelsea tractor’.

The biggest hint yet that the firm renowned for the ‘waftability’ and engineering excellence of its limousines is to press ahead with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) was dropped by Rolls-Royce chief executive chief executive officer Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes in an interview with leading motoring magazine Auto Express.

And teasingly, when asked if a gambler might bet on the project getting the green light, he replied: ’Make that bet. Do it.’

It is understood detailed design plans have been drawn up and are being studied by top executives in Britain and at the Munich headquarters of the firm’s German parent company BMW .

They accept the controversial idea may divide opinion but are aware that luxury rivals such as Bentley and others including Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Maserati are preparing their own 4X4s which are expected to be a huge hit in lucrative markets such as China and the Middle East.