Holy Ghost!

Rolls-Royce has revealed the performance figures of its new Ghost a few weeks out from its official reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The actual weight of the car is yet to be officially confirmed, but you can be sure the latest Roller will be no featherweight. So, then, that the car can propel itself to 100km/h in under five seconds is quite astonishing. That’s BMW M3 and Audi RS4 territory.

The actual figure claimed by Rolls is 4.9 seconds, courtesy of a 420kW (563bhp) 6.6 litre turbocharged V12. Torque from that beast of an engine is an enormous 780Nm. That puts most high powered diesels to shame!

Helmut Riedl, Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering, says “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. 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.”

Well, that’s as may be, but if sir mashes his foot to the floor from rest there’ll be nothing all that relaxing about propelling around 2500kg of Goodwood’s finest from a standstill to the legal speed limit in the time it takes to read this sentence. But, give Riedl his due, he is quite persistent.

“Rolls-Royce power is entirely different to anything else in the automotive world. It is delivered free from stress and exertion but at the same time must engage the driver. Ghost is about fingertip control while still enjoying a dynamic connection with the road. Equally passengers need to be cosseted from the physical sensations of acceleration, braking and cornering. Our chassis set up keeps Ghost stable and flat, preventing it from wallowing or pitching in the corners or imposing undesirable forces on those inside.”

Assisting Rolls-Royce maintain Riedl’s claims are an 8 speed automatic transmission and sophisticated air suspension. A shame, then, than some hip hop nutjob will inevitably ruin all this good work with an ostentatious display of bling.

Customer deliveries start in Europe and the UK late this year, and those buying are being asked to fork out €213,000 and £165,000 respectively, before taxes. Other markets, including Australia will see the Ghost some time after April 2010.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS CONFIRMS GHOST FIGURES

• Engine power output of 563 bhp / 420 kW / 570 PS @ 5250 rpm
• 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds / 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds*
• Top speed of 155 mph / 250 km/h (electronically governed)
• Maximum torque 780 Nm / 575 lb ft @ 1500 rpm

21 July 2009, Goodwood – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed headline performance figures for Ghost, their new model which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The Ghost will be powered by a brand new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine unique to Rolls-Royce. This engine will produce 563 bhp, delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph. The engine is combined with an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox.

Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering, Helmut Riedl said, “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. 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.

Riedl continues, “Rolls-Royce power is entirely different to anything else in the automotive world. It is delivered free from stress and exertion but at the same time must engage the driver. Ghost is about fingertip control while still enjoying a dynamic connection with the road. Equally passengers need to be cosseted from the physical sensations of acceleration, braking and cornering. Our chassis set up keeps Ghost stable and flat, preventing it from wallowing or pitching in the corners or imposing undesirable forces on those inside.”

Rolls-Royce has already confirmed that the Ghost will ride on an intelligent four corner air suspension system using multi link aluminium front and rear axles. The fully integrated system allows each of the Ghost’s dynamic handling systems to work together in harmony, providing the optimum levels of refinement and comfort at all times.

The vehicle acoustics also play a vital role in creating the authentic Rolls-Royce environment. Naturally engine, exhaust and even tyre noise have been engineered to be inaudible as far as possible, both internally and externally.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Tom Purves, said, “Ghost is not about a single superlative but rather a careful blend of attributes. A Rolls-Royce should carry its power with grace, agility and refinement and this is never achieved by a focus on outright performance. Mastery comes in creating a balance and having driven the Ghost again recently I can say confidently that our engineering team has achieved this in fine style.”

Customer deliveries of Ghost in the UK and Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the USA and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010.

A full technical specification will be released later in the year.

Ghost technical specification:

• No. of doors/seats: 4/5
• Vehicle length: 5399 mm / 212.6 inches
• Vehicle width 1948 mm / 76.7 inches
• Vehicle height: 1550 mm / 61 inches
• Wheelbase: 3295 mm / 129.7 inches
• Engine: new 6.6 litre turbocharged V12
• Gearbox: 8-speed ZF
• Power output: 563 bhp / 420 kW / 570 PS @ 5250 rpm
• Max torque @ engine speed: 780 Nm / 575 lb ft @ 1500 rpm
• Top speed: 155 mph / 250 km/h (electronically governed)
• 0-60 mph 4.7 seconds (4.8 seconds North America)*
• 0-100 km/h 4.9 seconds (5.0 seconds North America)*

Ghost pricing (excluding taxes and delivery charges):

• UK £165,000
• Europe €213,000
• North America US$245,000
• Rest of World US$250,000