The new Rolls-Royce is due to be unveiled today but staff at BMW's £65 million plant at Goodwood were treated to a sneak preview at a New Year's Eve bash.

Staff at the plant near Chichester, have been test-driving the model on local roads.

However, the cars were disguised so that motorists did not catch on.

About 1,000 staff and their families were invited to party at the all-ticket affair at the factory.

Rolls-Royce spokesman Fred Fruth said: "The car was unveiled at 12.10am and was handed over to a customer.

"I can't say who the customer was because he wishes to remain anonymous but he is a Rolls-Royce collector and we fulfilled a five-year promise to him to hand over the first new model built at Chichester."

Now the rest of the world will get to see the first official pictures and details of the car, produced at Goodwood.

All eyes will be on the factory to see whether the "Goodwood Era" of the car's history will carry on the tradition of building the ultimate luxury car.

The car, said to be a modern interpretation of the traditional Rolls, will be unveiled to motoring journalists today and to members of the public on Monday at the Detroit motor show in the United States.

Mr Fruth said the BMW Group, who took over the Rolls-Royce motor car marque in July 1998 from Volkswagen, had been impressed with the workforce at Chichester.

The multi-million pound plant has been built up over the last year and is expected to boost the local economy by around £14 million.

Deputy chief executive at Chichester District Council Sam Howes said: "It is good for the area that Rolls-Royce is here.

"It has not only been good for local employment and the local economy but is good for Chichester's image to be linked with such a prestigious name."

The manufacturing plant and head office, which features Europe's biggest "green roof" - 35,000sqm of living sedum plants, was designed to blend in with the surrounding rural landscape.

Mr Fruth said: "We feel very much at home here and have been very impressed by the workforce and welcome we have had."

The engines and bodies of the new car are being delivered complete to Goodwood, where the cars are painted and assembled.

Wood and leather trim are manufactured at Goodwood from scratch.

The car is expected to be 19ft long and powered by a 6.8 litre V12 engine. Rolls's distinctive Spirit of Ecstasy symbol will remain.

About 1,000 vehicles a year will be made at Goodwood. Each will be hand-built to customer requirements.

The car is expected to sell for around £240,000.