Rolls-Royce 200EX, RR4 news - Big power for little Rolls - 2009

When Rolls-Royce showed us the 200EX - the concept previewing the small, affordable Roller (these terms are relative, remember) - in Geneva earlier this month, it stayed curiously schtum on any details about the engine.
 
Now, though, we've got the low-down - well, some of it at least - and the good news is that is sounds like a proper cracker.
 
When it reaches production, likely at the end of this year, the RR4 (as it'll be known) will be powered by an all-new 6.6-litre turbocharged V12, unrelated to the naturally aspirated 6.75-litre V12 in the Phantom.
 
In fact, it's a BMW-sourced unit, though substantially revised for necessarily effortless Rolls performance. It'll develop ‘over 500bhp' - the Phantom manages a pitiful 453bhp - with masses of torque too, thanks to the turbocharger. Tranmission duties are taken care of by an eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
 
Economy and CO2 should be much improved over the Phantom, too - hardly difficult, with the Phant registering 17.8mpg and 385g/km respectively - thanks to the RR4's lower kerbweight and more efficient powertrain.
 
So, prospective millionaires, are you sold on this mini-Rolls idea, turbo V12 and all? Or is it a Phantom or nothing for you?