The new Rolls-Royce test mule has a tall, upright, Phantom-like grille and from the angle of these spy photos, the windshield and A-pillar appear to be shared with the 2010 BMW 7 Series prototype parked next to it.

Rumors said that the future Rolls-Royce will share the same platform with the future BMW 7-Series, and the spy photos support this theory. One angle suggests that everything behind the A- pillar may be identical to other 7 Series testers. If so, it could mean the Rolls' new front end has just been tacked-on for engine-cooling validation.

Under the hood there will be a 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine producing around 550bhp. It will be mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in just 5.5 seconds and the top speed will be limited to 155 mph.