Rolls Royce rolls out Ghost

British super-luxury car manufacturer, Rolls Royce, unveiled an all-new, four-door, premium saloon model called the Ghost here today. It is priced at about Rs 2.5 crore each and will be available in the country in the second quarter of 2010.
The company hopes to sell 50 to 60 Ghosts in the domestic market each year. Since Rolls Royce cars are made to order, and exclusively manufactured in the company’s UK facility, the time taken for delivery is between two to three months after a booking.

The Ghost, earlier code-named RR4 and popularly tagged as ‘Baby Rolls Royce’, is smaller in dimensions than the company’s current Phantom model and is aimed at widening the appeal of the brand. “Ghost is a more informal design that broadens the appeal of Rolls Royce cars,” said Colin Kelly, Asia Pacific Regional Director.

Rolls Royce sold 1,212 units of the super-luxury cars last year, in which India accounted for around two per cent of total global sales. As an indication of India’s growing importance for Rolls Royce cars, the interior of the new Ghost incorporates wood sourced from Kerala. “This wood is called the Malabar variety and our preferred clientele like the straight-grain finish the Malabar wood exudes,” says Dan Balmer, product manager of Ghost. The Malabar wood will be used in 15 per cent of the Ghosts that will be rolled out next year. Other variants of wood that will be used in the construction of Rolls Royce’s luxurious interiors are dark wenge wood from Africa, walnut burr and elm cluster sourced from the UK, and the common piano black wood.

Next year, after the roll out of the Ghost, the company hopes to sell around 70 Rolls Royce cars in the domestic market, 60 being the Ghost and the rest being Phantoms. The latter costs about Rs 3.5 crore each.

Electric Rolls Royce On Road Within The Year?

You know electric cars are serious when even Rolls Royce is considering ditching fossil fuel for electrons. The maker of luxury cars renowned the world over for their opulence is seriously considering having an electric version of its luxo-bargo Phantom on the road as early as next year... just in time for the 2012 Olympics being held in its native London.

But will an electric Rolls work?

The answer is, probably. Right now, most electric cars are priced out of range for the average consumer, such as the Fisker Karma and Tesla Roadster. Mostly, this is the cost of the heavy batteries. But Rolls Royce already makes some of the heaviest cars around, so what is a few hundred extra pounds in battery weight?


Also, the average Rolls Royce does much less driving compared with most cars. Annually, the average mileage for a Rolls Royce Phantom used be about 2,000 miles a year, or about 5.5 miles per day. Even though that mileage has been increasing according to Rolls Royce, they still rack up just 6,000 miles annually, about half the average American car. So, in theory, it is still quite feasible that an electric Rolls might make more sense than most commuter cars. Plus, the extra cost is of little concern for someone who can even consider buying a Rolls.

On the flip side, Rolls Royces are produced in such small numbers that any impact they have on the impact of driving is pretty much negligible... but sometimes, it is the thought that counts.

Rolls Royce is currently owned by BMW, who also owns and produces MINI. Therefore in all likelihood the technology developed for the electric MINI-E might in some way shape or form find its way into the Rolls. Of course, there are still a few problems to smooth out with the MINI-E, but nothing insurmountable.

Rolls-Royce joins Volvo in exclusive club

The 2010 Rolls-Royce model line has something very distinctly in common with all new Volvos. It has nothing to do with the engines, safety ratings, comfort, or design. Nope, none of that. Any guesses?

Rolls-Royce joins Volvo as the only manufacturers to offer HD radio as a standard feature in every model. Of course that’s only the new Ghost and three different variants of the Phantom. Previously HD radio was only an option, but someone high-up in Rolls-Royce probably enjoys listening to AM HD radio and wanted to make sure everyone had access to it.

Mercedes-Benz also is slowly rolling out the radio option and it’s a standard option in many model’s premium feature packages and Audi previously stated that that by 2011 all models will have it as well.

Rolls-Royce to produce luxury minis in UK

Rolls-Royce will produce luxury versions of the Mini in its Goodwood factory. This sounds a bit daft until you remember that in the 60s several companies built posh versions of the original Mini.

The most famous was the Radford Mini, one of which was owned by Peter Sellers.

Although nothing official has been announced, it's likely Rolls will concentrate on fitting luxury trim and bespoke custom-made accessories.

From the outside, it still looks like a MINI

2010 Rolls Royce RR4

Rolls Royce is currently working on a new model that is set up to be a step below the Phantom and will be launched in 2010. The new vehicle is currently titled the RR4 and it’s been caught being tested in Germany and the UK. The image above is a rendering that is supposed to show what the car is most likely to look like. One of the unique features found on this model are the rear-opening suicide doors. The car has a smaller and leaner size and shape while maintaining the traditional Rolls look and style. Last year the luxury automaker sold 805 cars worldwide. The plan for this new model is to build 800 units each year which would effectively double Rolls’ overall output. The car is expected to go into production later this year and it’s priced between $200,000 to $250,000.

Rolls Royce RR4 Interior

The boys from KGP have just gotten us the first shots of the interior of the new entry-level Baby Rolls, or RR4. The shots show a car with typical Rolls Royce style, but at a more-Financiapocalypse-like price of between $200,000 and $250,000. This makes sense as the Rolls Royce RR4 is set to be slated between parent company BMW's 2009 BMW 7-series and the top-of-the-line Rolls Royce Phantom, with parts from the former and the style of the latter. The new exterior photos also give us a more clear picture of the curvier shape and sleeker profile of the new Rolls Royce. Just use your imagination to add the gigantic chrome grille.

2010 Rolls Royce Phantom Centurion

“Custom built showcar for a Las Vegas Celebrity. This custom designed Masterpiece is the quintessential Phantom as conceived for the upcoming concept car for the 2010 model year. Ahead of its time this Rolls Royce was designed and manufactured by part of the design team responsible for some of the most groundbreaking designs of the 21st century.

The long rolling front fenders remind us of the "Infamous Auburn Roadster" While the performance is as scintillating as one would expect from this performance minded "drivers" Rolls Royce. The complete rebody on this vehicle was an elaborate, detailed and price prohibitive endeavor. Absolutely no expense was spared creating what will become one of the most historically significant Rolls Royce Phantoms of recent times”

Rolls Royce Ghost In Detail

Rolls Royce has released detailed information on the Rolls Royce Ghost with a new photo gallery. The Rolls Royce Ghost is powered by a 6592 cm3 V12 twin turbo engine developing 563 hp at 5250 rpm and 780 Nm of torque at 1500 rpm. With this engine under its bonnet, the Rolls Royce Ghost is able to get from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and up to a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The Rolls Royce Ghost will be shown in public for the first time at the Frankfurt Auto Show this month and will later go on sale with a price tag of €213,000 in Europe and $245,000 in the United States.

2009 ROLLS ROYCE 200EX CONCEPT

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its latest experimental car, called 200EX, at the Geneva Motor Show. 200EX is a design study for a contemporary four-door saloon and shows the direction for RR4, a new model series from Rolls-Royce due for production in 2010.

The exterior design is dominated by large, uninterrupted surfaces, while finely sculptured horizontal lines add definition and geometric precision. The exterior of 200EX is finished in Darkest Tungsten, which contrasts with the silver satin finish applied to the bonnet and A-pillar. Seven-spoke, 20-inch wheels complete the visual impact of the exterior. The interior of 200EX is finished in supple, natural grain Crème Light leather, with Cornsilk carpets and cashmere blend headliner. The featured wood veneer is Santos Palissander, chosen for its contemporary look and striking grain.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]