There are no secrets any more about the Rolls-Royce Ghost that is expected to be launched in 2010 as a cheaper way to get behind the revered -- and BMW owned -- badge.
These Carparazzi shots of a virtually undisguised car on the road in Europe leave nothing to the imagination, other than the colour of the (presumably) leather interior (we do believe it was light beige).
As we have reported previously at the Carsales Network (more here), the new Rolls is based on the just-launched BMW 7 Series and will be powered by a new, twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 developing more than 370kW. In Rolls-Royce parlance, that would be considered adequate.
The Ghost measures more than 5.4 metres long and is larger by a fair measure in all directions than the long-wheelbase BMW 7 Series. It will be built at the Goodwood plant in England where it will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the upmarket Phantom range.
But although the new Rolls owes its basics to the BMW 7 Series, it could never be mistaken for anything other than what it is -- particularly with its taller stance and "suicide", rear-hinged doors giving entry to the back seats.
The advent of the new entry car was flagged at the Shanghai motor show earlier this year by Rolls-Royce chief Tom Purves, who said production would begin at the Goodwood plant late in 2009. It will be substantially cheaper than the Phantom model, although more expensive than, say, the -- Volkswagen-developed -- Bentley Flying Spur
-- with Carparazzi
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi