VIDEO: Rolls Royce Ghost takes to the Streets

Rolls Royce is giving us another preview of its 'baby' Phantom with a new video that shows the luxury sedan's product manager Dan Balmer taking a pre-production prototype for a spin on the road. Scheduled to be revealed to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Show next month before going on sale in Europe at the end of the year and the rest of the world in spring 2010, the Ghost is powered by a 570 horsepower 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. Watch the video after the jump.

Rolls Royce Ghost Caught Without Camo in Germany

Even though we're getting very close to the Ghost's official launch date, Rolls Royce continues to polish up its all-new "baby" Phantom that was scooped here in production-ready form testing in Germany. Sans the black tape on the grille, the prototype model was completely undisguised and unless we're missing something, the Ghost is virtually unchanged from the 200 EX concept study that was unveiled at this year's Geneva Salon.

The production model retains the prototype model's suicide rear doors as well as the brushed aluminum bonnet and A-pillars that will most likely be offered as an option when sales begin in Europe in late 2009 and the rest of the world, from the second quarter of 2010.

Measuring just under 5,4 meters in length, the Ghost is 187 mm longer than a LWB 7-Series (5,212 mm) but almost half-a-meter shorter than the Phantom (5,83m).

The Phantom's baby brother will be offered with a newly developed 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox. The V12 produces an output of 570 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 780Nm (575 lb-ft) at just 1,500 rpm.

Rolls Royce has revealed that the Ghost will accelerate from 0 to 60mph 4.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and reach an electronically governed top speed of 155mph or 250km/h.

The BMW Group owned British automaker also announced that the Ghost will be equipped with "intelligent" four corner air suspension system and multi link aluminum front and rear axles. The company claims that hat the newly developed air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes, including the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other compensating accordingly.

Rolls Royce Releases Performance Figures for 2010 Ghost Sedan

Since there's no point in releasing teaser photos of the Ghost as changes over the pre-production concept will be extremely limited, Rolls Royce is bombarding us with new information on its 'entry-level' sedan model. This time the BMW Group owned British automaker confirmed details on the performance figures for the Phantom's baby brother. More specifically, the new 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine will produce an output of 570PS at 5,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 780Nm or 575 lb-ft at just 1,500 rpm.

The V12 engine that will be linked to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox, will help the Ghost to deliver a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds) and a governed top speed of 155mph or 250km/h.

"First and foremost Ghost is a Rolls-Royce. This means that despite its extraordinary performance figures it has been engineered for effortless composure and refined power delivery," said Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering, Helmut Riedl. "This is illustrated by the significant levels of low down torque available which makes pulling away very smooth and for an exceptionally relaxed driving experience."

Previously, Rolls-Royce confirmed that the Ghost will ride on an "intelligent" four corner air suspension system using multi link aluminium front and rear axles.

In Europe, deliveries of the Ghost will begin late in 2009 with prices in the UK starting from £165,000 ($272,000 US or €191,000) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Ιn other markets including the USA and Asia Pacific region, the Ghost will begin to arrive at dealerships from the second quarter of 2010.

Rolls Royce Ghost / 200EX Online Configurator

The public debut for Rolls Royce's new, smaller-sized and lower-priced luxury sedan isn't due until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but nevertheless, the BMW Group-owned British firm has created an online configurator for the Ghost's preview model, the 200EX concept study. Judging by the most recent spy shots, there aren't any visible differences (at lease none of any importance) between the Ghost and the 200EX, so what you see here, is what you'll be able to get in a few months time.

If you feel like fooling around with the 200EX configurator that allows you to change the exterior and interior colors of the Rolls, click the link below and then choose 'Design' and after that, 'Visualizer'

Link: Rolls Royce , Via: Autoblog.it

Rolls Royce Ghost to Feature "Intelligent" Air Suspension System

As we're getting closer to the Frankfurt motor show, Rolls Royce is releasing further technical details on its new 'baby' model. This time, the British automaker revealed that like the larger Phantom, the 2010 Ghost will make use of an "intelligent" four corner air suspension system and multi link aluminum front and rear axles that promise to offer driver and passengers alike the ride of the their life - or so to speak.

"The Ghost will be as refined and as cosseting as anything that this marque has ever produced," said Rolls-Royce CEO, Tom Purves. "But it will have a dynamic vitality afforded to it due to the latest technology and engineering techniques. We are very proud of our engineering team's achievements with Ghost. The balance of refinement and dynamic ability is astonishing," he added

Rolls Royce claims that the newly developed air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes, including the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other, and compensate accordingly.

The system uses an on-board computer that reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car with the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. Rolls Royce said that the air suspension system also incorporates a so-called "lift and kneel" function, raising or lowering the Ghost by 25mm. This can either assist those folks that have a problem getting in or out of the car -or at least that's what the company suggests...- or allow the Ghost to travel over rough ground.

In an earlier release, Rolls Royce revealed that the Ghost will be powered by a new 6.6-liter V12 engine churning out "more than 507HP". Series production of the new Rolls will begin in late 2009.

Rolls Royce Ghost: High-Res Photos of Thinly Disguised Production Model

We've obtained a new set of high-resolution photos of the production-ready Rolls Royce Ghost that was scooped last week at the Calais - Dover ferry crossing. Sans the black grille and the hidden logos, Rolls Royce didn't bother to use any camouflage on the mini-me Phantom that was snapped undisguised. The reason is that the car is virtually identical to the 200EX concept study seen at this year's Geneva motorshow, so there's nothing really important to hide. Nevertheless, if you're the type that pays attention to details, you may notice the slightly different headlight assembly and the absence of visible exhaust pipes at the back.

There's also a photo of the interior, but because it was shot with the window closed, we don't have a clear picture of the dashboard. However, aside from the matte trim on the steering wheel (instead of the 200EX's glossy chrome trim) and the dark background of the instrument panel, the cockpit is no different than the one seen on the 200EX concept car.

Stretching well over 5 meters in length (5.4 meter or 212.6-inches to be precise) and featuring the same coach doors as the larger Phantom, which has clearly inspired the car's design, Rolls Royce's new entry-level sedan will make its world debut this fall at the Frankfurt motorshow. Rolls has confirmed that the Ghost will be powered by a new 6.6-liter V12 engine delivering an output in excess of 507 horsepower. The V12 will be hooked up to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Rolls Royce to Increase Workforce by 50% Mainly Due to the new Ghost

In spite of the financial crisis that has cost thousands of jobs in the auto sector, British luxury carmaker Rolls Royce is planning to increase its manufacturing workforce by 50 per cent. More than 150 new jobs are being created by the BMW Group owned company to support the production of the forthcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost that will be revealed in production form at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The company said that by the end of 2009, it will have created nearly 400 new jobs in under two years, bringing the total workforce at Goodwood to 900.

Most of the newly created positions have been created in the wood, leather and paint shops as well as the assembly areas while Rolls Royce said that there will also be a number of new positions available in the firm's headquarter offices also at Goodwood.

"This is good news for the British car industry at a time when it is struggling. Britain has an exceptional talent for automotive production and we are keen to maximize this at Rolls-Royce," said Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves. "Our new model, the Ghost, has enjoyed an extremely positive international response and we now need to put people in place to bring the car to market."

2010 Rolls Royce Ghost: Production Model Spied on the Road

The most talked about Rolls Royce model of the past couple of years, the freshly baptized Ghost, was spotted by an online user at the Calais - Dover crossing waiting for the ferry. The production ready Rolls Royce Ghost was virtually camouflage free as only the hidden / tapped parts were the grille and the RR badge on the boot. On the outside, with the exception of the production-like headlight assembly, the absence of visible tail pipes at the rear and the different alloy wheels, we didn't find any other changes over the 200EX concept car shown at the Geneva Show in March.

The amateur spy photographer also snapped a quick shot of the Ghost's interior. From what we are able to make out from the picture, there are only a couple of notable differences between the two cars such as the matte plastic trim on the steering wheel (instead of the 200EX's glossy chrome trim) and the dark surrounding of the instrument panel.

Often called the 'baby' Rolls Royce, the 5.4 meter (212.6") long Ghost will make its world premiere in production form at this fall's Frankfurt Motor Show and hit showrooms by the end of the year. Under the elongated bonnet there's a new 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 engine that produces an output in excess of 507 horsepower.

Source: Autojunk , Via: Autoblog.nl

Rolls-Royce 200EX: Details and 43 High-Res Photos of BMW 7 Series-Based 'Baby' Rolls

This is the Rolls-Royce 200EX, a study for a smaller and more affordable luxury sedan than the Phantom that will officially be revealed at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Even though Goodwood bosses would like us to believe that the 200EX is an "experimental car", what you see here is what you'll get this fall when the British firm unwraps the production version at the Frankfurt Show.

Codenamed 'PR4', the four-door luxury sedan from Goodwood is loosely based on the BMW 7-Series with which it shares approximately 20 percent of all components including a modified version of the platform, electrics and suspension hardware. The 200EX, whose production name has yet to be revealed, will be equipped with an all-new V12 engine that will also find its way under the hood of the BMW 7-Series.

Measuring at 5,399 mm in length, the 200EX is 187 mm longer than a LWB 7-Series (5,212 mm) but nearly half-a-meter shorter than the Phantom (5,83m). It's exterior styling is evidently influenced by Rolls-Royce's flagship sedan, but due to its more compact dimensions and clearer lines, the 200EX looks more like a car and less like a tank. As anticipated, Rolls-Royce designers maintained the Phantom's characteristic suicide doors on the 200EX

"The 200EX is a modern execution of timeless Rolls-Royce elegance, breaking with some areas of tradition but retaining the core values that make our marque unique," says Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves. "We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, attracting people who appreciate its fusion of refinement, new technology and contemporary style."

Within the 200EX, the cabin's design is more contemporary and less obtrusive than that of the Phantom. As with any Rolls-Royce, the 200EX gets high-quality materials and that special attention to details. One thing that caught our attention but is not mentioned on the press release, is a large rotating knob on the lower part of the centre console that appears to be similar to BMW's i-Drive (U-Don't) system.

Following the introduction of the production version at the Frankfurt Show this September, the Rolls-Royce 200EX will go on sale worldwide in early of 2010.