The ‘mini-Phantom’ 200EX is the latest new product as the marque’s range expands into new areas and with more variance than ever.

The RR4, as it’s also known, has already been caught hot weather testing in Dubai.

The production saloon will vary little by the time it hits the roads. The ‘modern, lithe and dynamic Rolls-Royce’ gets a brand new V12 engine, although no performance information is available yet. Rumour has it the 12-cylinder unit will be six litres in size and boast around 450bhp, a similar figure to the Phantom but in a smaller and more sporting car.

Size-wise it’s shorter than the 5834mm Phantom, but with a largely similar wheelbase. It’s 42mm narrower and 82mm lower than its bigger brother, making it a bit less intimidating, but still a proper sized car – think long wheelbase BMW 7-series, despite this being the ‘baby Rolls’.Perhaps most importantly the passenger experience is very much in the vein of the Phantom, with entry gained through suicide rear doors and into a highly opulent cabin. Technology levels are ramped up a little from the traditional Phantom with an iDrive dial sitting conspicuously in the centre console. Coupe and convertible variants are also on the horizon.

There are some traditional Rolls-Royce model names rumoured for use, too – hedge your bets on Silver Ghost, the current favourite…

And if you’re wondering on how well positioned Rolls-Royce is to invest in launching a new model, the company had a pretty successful 2008. Sales stood at 1212 units. Not a huge number, admittedly, but it’s 20 per cent up on the 1010 cars sold in 2007. Forecasted production isn’t being made at the moment, but it shows further increases on the horizon.

The 200EX is taking pride of place at Geneva from March 3 and the production saloon will be at the Frankfurt motor show later this year. The 200EX will also tour the world to guage public interest and will stop over in Dubai in the coming months.