Ghost Ghost Trio: Rolls-Royce Adding Three New Variants

[HighestOfHigh]

Ghost Trio: Rolls-Royce Adding Three New Variants

• Rolls-Royce intends to expand the Ghost line-up.
• A stretched Ghost, a coupe and a convertible will join the sedan.
• The Ghost sedan already outsells the Rolls-Royce Phantom three to one.

LONDON — Rolls-Royce is working on three variations of its new Ghost sedan, a stretched verision, a drophead coupe and a coupe. All three should debut within the next three years and will take the Rolls-Royce line-up to eight models.

Rolls-Royce has long confirmed that the Ghost lends itself to new models. The stretched version of the Ghost is expected to come first. All the extra length is added behind the B-pillar, requiring a new roof and elongated rear doors. The wheelbase is expected to grow by five or six inches, while the 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 powertrain remains unchanged.

The two two-door models will follow, although the order of their introduction is not yet known. This time, there will be no concepts to preview the new models (the 2006 100EX previewed the Phantom Drophead Coupe), since their development is relatively predictable.

The four-door Ghost is already the marque's sales mainstay, with three of these sedans selling for every Phantom sold. Its lower price and wider appeal have enabled the company to more than double its sales to some 2,500 units in 2010.

The company is also exploring the possibility of more environmentally friendly models. "We will evaluate alternative propulsion next year [2011]," says Muller-Otvos. "We want to find out what our customers expect."

Once Rolls-Royce has gathered these views, it will develop a strategy. But the company is less pressured than some, at least in corporate average CO2 emissions terms, because it's counted within the BMW Group, so the relatively high emissions of its low-volume range are easily counterbalanced by the Mini and Efficient Dynamics BMWs. Instead, the pressure will come from the need to be seen as a greener company.

Muller-Otvos also predicts long lives for Rolls-Royce's models. "Our customers don't expect to be at the forefront of technology — our cars are about arrival and departure. They need to have long lives because they're icons — our customers are not interested in quick change, because that costs a lot of money."

Inside Line says: The Ghost has cemented the Rolls-Royce renaissance under BMW's wing, and these additional models can only strengthen its growing appeal. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent

- Ghost Trio: Rolls-Royce Adding Three New Variants

 

[klier]

Ghost coupe will be so sick!

 

[Deleted member 25]

News of the century.

 

[Human]

Rolls-Royce plans new Ghost derivatives

Rolls-Royce’s Phantom line may not be getting an electric variant, but the company’s Ghost range could be in line for two new body styles.

Speaking with Car and Driver, Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös revealed that two new Ghost models are under serious consideration. The Ghost sedan is mostly likely to spawn new coupe and convertible models along the lines of the Phantom Coupe and Drophead Coupe.

The two-doors would have a more sporting flare than the Ghost sedan, but don’t expect Rolls-Royce to target sports car makers like Ferrari any time soon.

“A Rolls-Royce can certainly not be sporty in the sense of an overly firm suspension, but it can certainly be more dynamic than it was in the past,” Müller-Ötvös said. “The Ghost is definitely a driver’s car.”

He added: “You cannot change a brand overnight and build a true sports car, low and Ferrari-like. We wouldn’t do that.”

Müller-Ötvös didn’t give a timeframe for the Ghost derivatives, but we suspect an announcement could be made within the next year or two.

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/rolls-royce-plans-new-ghost-derivatives.html