The Rolls-Royce Ghost is a luxury saloon from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The "Ghost" nameplate, named in honour of the Silver Ghost, a car first produced in 1906, was announced in April 2009 at the Auto Shanghaishow.[1][2] During development, the Ghost was known as the "RR04". Designed as a smaller, "more measured, more realistic car" than thePhantom,[3] aiming for a lower price category for Rolls-Royce models, the retail price is around £170,000.[2] The production model was officially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 17 cm longer option Ghost Extended Wheelbase was introduced in 2011.
Contents
[hide]
1200EX concept (2009)
2First generation2.1Initial release2.1.1Design
2.1.22010 Paris Motor Show bespoke car collection
2.1.3Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2011–)
2.1.4China Edition Ghost (2011–)
2.1.5Two-tone car (2012–)
2.1.6Engines
2.1.7Transmissions
2.1.8Performance
2.1.9Manufacturing
2.22013 model year update2.2.1Ghost Six Senses concept (2012)
2.2.2Ghost (2012–)
2.2.3Race Director's Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2012)
2.2.4Ghost Art Deco car (2012–)
2.2.5One Thousand and One Nights Bespoke Ghost Collection (2012–)
2.2.6Art Deco Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2013–)
2.2.7Art Deco Collection Ghost (2013–)
2.2.8Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Ghost (2013–)
2.2.9FAB1 (2013)
2.2.10Home of Rolls-Royce Collection Ghost (2013–)
2.2.11Chengdu Ghost Golden Sun Bird (2013)
2.2.12Ghost V-Specification (2014)
2.2.13Engines
2.2.14Ghost Majestic Horse Edition (2014–)
2.2.15Marketing
2.32014 model year update2.3.1Ghost Series II (2014)
3See also
4References
5External links
200EX concept (2009)
Rolls-Royce 200EX.
Rear with the door open.
The official concept car, named the 200EX, was officially unveiled at the March 2009Geneva Motor Show, indicating the styling direction of the production model Ghost.
Unlike the aluminum-bodied Phantom, the 200EX was made from steel, which has a higher tensile strength and can therefore be made thinner.[4] The chassis used an intelligent four corner air suspension system and multi-link aluminium front and rear axles. Systems such as Active Roll Stabilisation, four corner air springs and Variable Damping Control operate as one, imperceptibly, to provide the best possible comfort for occupants. Connected to the main computer, the suspension is able to detect the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other, and compensates accordingly.[5]
First generation[edit]
Initial release[edit]
A rear "coach door" on a 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
The official name of the Rolls-Royce Ghost was originally announced in 2009 Shanghai motor show.[6]
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production model went on sale in September 2009.[7] Delivery in the UK and Europe began late in 2009, while in other markets (including the USA and Asia Pacific region) deliveries began from the second quarter 2010.[8]
Design
The Ghost was designed by Andreas Thurner and engineered by Helmut Riedl, who led the development of the larger Rolls-Royce Phantom.[9][10] The Ghost, codenamed RR04 during its design phase, was developed to compete with vehicles significantly less expensive than the Phantom, such as the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
The car is based on a heavily modified platform shared with BMW’s latest 7-Series,[11] called the F01 platform. The company concedes that 20% of parts are common to both cars. The Ghost has a 129.7-inch (3,290 mm) wheelbase, roof height, bonnet height and track widths all of its own, and the Ghost uses Phantom-style air springs. The car also shares theFlexRay electronic system with its larger stablemate.[3] The car has a kerb weight of 5,445 lb (2,470 kg).[3]
Like other current Rolls-Royce models, the Ghost uses parent company BMW's iDrive user interface; unlike the Phantom series, the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament along with more functions, are controlled using the system.[12]
2010 Paris Motor Show bespoke car collection[edit]
Bespoke Ghost Silver 100 includes the following:
Single coachline in crème light
Black stained ash veneer
Black contrast stitching
Silver pinstripes
Tread plates RR logo and Mondial de l'Automobile Paris 2010
Bespoke Midnight Sapphire includes the following:
Seat piping in fleet blue
Spirit of Ecstasy inlay to door cappings
Tread plates RR logo and Mondial de l'Automobile Paris 2010
The vehicles were unveiled in 2010 Paris Motor Show.[13]
Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2011–)[edit]
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show.[14][15]
A bespoke version (with sapphire body colour, a silver satin bonnet, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery in crème light and navy blue, dark wenge veneer) was unveiled at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[16]
China Edition Ghost
This is a limited edition of the Rolls-Royce Ghost for the Chinese market. It included red interior, gold twin-coachlines, gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy and stainless steel pinstripes, 3 body colour options (Deep Garnet, Black Ember and Infinity), silver and gold packages (e.g. specially plated Spirit of Ecstasy, coachlines, Rolls-Royce inlays).
The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show.[14][15]
Two-tone car (2012–)[edit]
The two-tone colour scheme bespoke option was first offered for Rolls-Royce Ghost in 2012.
The first bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost (with Infinity Black and Cassiopeia Silver body colours, seashell headlining, black stained ash veneer with steel pinstripes framed by black leather upholstery, lambswool floor mats) was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
The second bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost (with Baynunah Brown body colour, Arizona Sun at bonnet, window surrounds, roof and luggage compartment; gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy, double coach-line in gold) was commissioned for delivery to a client based in the Middle East.[17][18]
Engines[edit]
The Rolls-Royce Ghost features a modified version of the BMW N74 V12 engine, called the N74B66.
Petrol engines[19]
[hide]Model
Years
Type/code
Power@rpm, Torque@rpm
Ghost
2009-
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp)@5250, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)@1500
Ghost Extended Wheelbase
2011-
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp)@5250, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)@1500
Transmissions[edit]
All models include ZF 8-speed PRNDLTronic automatic transmission.[20]
Performance[edit]
The engine allows the Ghost to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).[21]
Manufacturing[edit]
The Rolls-Royce Ghost is built on its own dedicated production line at the Goodwood plant, sharing paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series.[22]
2013 model year update[edit]
Ghost Six Senses concept (2012)[edit]
It is a concept vehicle encapsulating the richness of experience that comes as standard with any Rolls-Royce. It includes Carrara White body colour, forged alloy wheels, Walnut Burr veneer with diagonally-oriented, brown oak cross-banding.[23][24]
Ghost (2012–)[edit]
The design of updated Ghost was based on Bespoke Ghost Six Sense collection. Changes include soft natural grain leather upholstery, cross banded wood veneers, upgraded amplifier, addition of "exciter" speakers housed in the leather headlining, Comfort Access allowing the opening of the boot with foot movement, proximity-based remote boot release mechanism, addition of forged alloy wheel option, a palette of 44,000 exterior paint options.
Production began in the fall of 2012.
Race Director's Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2012)[edit]
It is a version of Ghost Extended Wheelbase with midnight sapphire body colour and silver satin bonnet, used as Race Director's car at 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[16][26]
Ghost Art Deco car (2012–)[edit]
This is a version of the Ghost with Art Deco-inspired interior detailing.[27]
Retail model includes a choice of infinity black or arctic white body colour, dual bespoke coach line, illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy, interior Art Deco inlays, Olympia-inspired motif on tread plates and headrest embroidery. A black and white interior scheme features a choice of four seat piping colours inspired by the colour palette of the era.
A bespoke car, which includes jubilee silver and cobalt blue body colours, was unveiled in 2012 Paris Motor Show.[28][29]
One Thousand and One Nights Bespoke Ghost Collection (2012–)[edit]
It is a Bespoke collection of Ghost family cars, inspired by the tales of 'The Arabian Nights Entertainment'. The vehicles include two-tone paint schemes with a warm colour palette created by the Bespoke team at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. It included tan-painted C-pillar, Arabic words, “One Thousand and One Nights,” and white-painted designs appear beside the door handles and just below the A-pillars.[30]
Chapter one was unveiled in 2012 Sharjah International Automobile Show, followed by Chapters two and three in the first and third quarter of 2013 respectively.[31][32]
Art Deco Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2013–)[edit]
The Hong Kong model is a unique version of Ghost Extended Wheelbase from the 35-unit Art Deco Collection Ghost series, with a black and Arctic white interior, Art Deco coachline on the sides, smooth powder blue body colour, black leather upholstery with powder blue seat piping, Art Deco embroidery on the headrests, Art Deco inlays within piano black wood, specially-themed treadplates.
The China model is a limited (8 units) of Ghost Extended Wheelbase with infinity black or arctic white body colour, dual bespoke coach line, illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy, handcrafted Art Deco inlays, Olympia-inspired motifs on tread plates highlighting 'China Limited Collection – One of Eight' and headrest embroidery, black and white interior scheme, a choice of four seat piping colours takes inspiration from the colour palette of the era.[34]
Art Deco Collection Ghost (2013–)[edit]
It is a limited (35 units) version of Ghost.
The vehicle was unveiled in 34th Bangkok International Motor Show.[35]
Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Ghost (2013–)[edit]
It is a limited version of Ghost inspired by the 1913 Alpine Trials Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost race cars, with body colour from Radley's Silver Ghost, black grille and wheels, clock displays the stages of the rally and timings, inlays to rear picnic tables and the front fascia express the topography and distances of the Alpine route, a hand-painted coachline colour-matched to the hood of Radley's car referencing the four Rolls-Royces that took part in the rally and headlining.[36]
The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2013,[37][38] followed by 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[39]
FAB1 (2013)
It is a version of Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase set to support FAB1 Million and Breast Cancer Care, inspired by the Thunderbirds FAB 1 car. It included pink accented umbrellas, to hand-embroidered headrest with Breast Cancer Care pink ribbon motif, unique 'FAB1' treadplates, a Blushing Pink and Crème Light interior leather scheme, uplit Spirit of Ecstasy, silver satin bonnet, hand veneered picnic tables, 9.2 inch LCD screens, a champagne coolbox, a 10-channel amplifier, 16 speakers delivering 600 Watts of surround sound, sumptuous leather seats, lambswool foot mats.
The vehicle was driven from Land's End to John O'Groats starting 18 April 2013.[40][41][42][43]
Home of Rolls-Royce Collection Ghost (2013–)[edit]
They are versions of Ghost conceived and designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team, commemorating 10 years of production at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.[44][45]
The vehicle was unveiled at 2013 Frankfurt IAA.[46]
Chengdu Ghost Golden Sun Bird (2013)[edit]
It is a unique version of Ghost Extended Wheelbase inspired by the Golden Sun Bird Chinese artefact, with two-tone white and gold body colour scheme, gold coachline, gold grille, gold Spirit of Ecstasy, interior gold embroidery, light brown leather upholstery with white trim.[47][48][49]
Ghost V-Specification (2014)
It is a limited version of Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase sold between January to June 2014, with increased engine by 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp), V-Specification motif coachlines, a choice of 5 standard or 44,000 hue body colours, optional visible chrome exhausts and 21-inch part-polished wheels, V-Specification motif at engraving to the treadplates, embroidery to the rear armrest and hand-applied steel inlays, front multimedia screen lid; an exclusively designed clock with a black crown surrounding the face.[50][51]
Engines[edit]
Petrol engines
[hide]Model
Years
Type/code
Power@rpm, Torque@rpm
Ghost
2012–
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp)@5250, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)@1500
Ghost Extended Wheelbase
2012–
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp)@5250, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)@1500
Ghost V-Specification
2014
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
600 PS (441 kW; 592 hp)@?, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)?
Ghost Extended Wheelbase V-Specification
2014
6,592 cc (402.3 cu in) V12 twin turbo (N74B66)
600 PS (441 kW; 592 hp)@?, 780 N·m (575 lb·ft)?
Ghost Majestic Horse Edition (2014–)[edit]
It is a version of Ghost celebrating the Chinese year of the horse, with a stitched horse insignia in the headrests and rear seat cushions, a painted horse on the wooden dashboard and exterior of the car.[52]
The vehicle was unveiled in 2013 Bangkok Motor Show, with delivery set to begin in second quarter of 2014.[53]
Marketing[edit]
As part of Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Ghost premiere, the 20-Ghost Club organised a re-enactment of 1913 Alpine Trial, beginning at Vienna on 14 June 2013. The Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Car joined the original James Radley Silver Ghost and 46 other competitors in the reenactment.[37][39]
2014 model year update[edit]
Ghost Series II (2014)[edit]
Changes to Rolls-Royce Ghost include re-designed LED headlights (with whiter brighter light, electronic reflectors move in the direction of travel in response to steering-wheel turns, anti-glare technology deflects light when a car approaches in the other direction) framed by day-time running lights, re-sculptured bumpers, tapered 'wake channel' on the bonnet emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wings, re-sculpting of Ghost's bumpers, addition of chrome inserts to the front air intakes with increased air cooling to the front brakes, redesigned waft line to lean further forwards, new optional 21-inch forged wheels and standard 19-inch wheels, optional monogrammed stainless-steel fuel-filler cap, re-designed front seats include electronically adjustable thigh supports and depth adjustment, re-angled rear seats, clock fascia and instrument dials with the addition of polished metal chaplets, option of extending natural grain leather to the A and C pillars, extended Bespoke customisation options (Paldao and Walnut Burr Crossband veneers), re-engineered front and rear struts, new steering gear and adjusted dampers that increase the car's cornering ability (with Dynamic Driving Package), new hydraulic rear axle bearings enhance ride quality and rear stability reducing vibrations and cabin intrusions, standard Satellite Aided Transmission incorporating GPS and mapping data to control gear levels.
Options include three different packages: Comfort package consisting of individual seat configuration, front and rear seats, front and rear ventilated seats, lambswool floormats and an comfort entry system. Entertainment package consists of rear theatre configuration, Rolls-Royce Bespoke audio, television tuner and rear compartment telephone. Monogram package with Rolls-Royce monograms stitched into the seats The vehicle was unveiled in 2014 Geneva Motor Show,[55][56] followed by 2014 New York International Auto Show.[57]
