What's all this about?

Back at the start of 2015, Rolls-Royce confirmed it would be developing an all-new, aluminium space-frame architecture that would underpin all of its models from the beginning of 2018 onwards. Now the company has confirmed that the next stage in testing has commenced.

And which stage would that be?

On-road development. Space-framed test mules are pounding the streets the world over, in order to test the chassis' resilience to extreme weather conditions and also to ensure the marque's legendary 'magic-carpet ride' is maintained by the fancy new underpinnings.

Is there anything else to add?

Only from Rolls' CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, who said: "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. Now it is time to take the next step in the luxury journey. This is why I am announcing 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."

Matt Robinson - 5 Jan 2016