Rolls-Royce Ghost: pricing & performance

Rolls-Royce has come clean with pricing and performance figures for its upcoming Ghost entry-level model, which makes its world debut at September's Frankfurt motor show.

The exalted Brit brand says the Ghost will cost £165,000 in its home market, and our extrapolation suggests this will equate to a price just over $500,000 in Australia when it launches here in the second quarter of 2010.

As previously reported by the Carsales Network, the Ghost will be powered by a new 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine with 420kW and 780Nm, and these outputs are fed to the wheels via a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Now here's the really good bit: Rolls-Royce quotes a 0-100km/h split of 4.9sec for the Ghost, which is only a tenth of second off what a manual BMW M3 can achieve.

Of course, the Ghost's job description is entirely different from that of the M3, but it's still good to glean the Roller will be no mug in the traffic-light grand prix -- not that prospective owners (or their chauffeurs) would dream of engaging in such gauche pastimes. Perish the thought...

Top speed -- a stat that's all but irrelevant away from German autobahns -- is electronically governed to 250km/h.

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, boasts the company.

Rolls-Royce adds that vehicle acoustics have been tuned to make engine, exhaust and tyre noise as inaudible as possible -- both internally and externally.

"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 engineering boss 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. 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."

The Ghost will be a key addition to Rolls-Royce's line-up as it seeks to boost its global market share despite the worldwide economic downturn.

Rolls-Royce retailed 1212 cars around the world in 2008, a 20 per cent increase over the previous year and marking five years of continued growth since the Phantom was first launched in 2003.

Fast Facts -- Rolls-Royce Ghost

Engine 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12
Power 420kW at 5250rpm
Torque 780Nm at 1500rpm
Transmission Eight-speed ZF automatic
Length 5399mm
Width 1948mm
Height 1550mm
Wheelbase 3295mm
Top speed 250km/h (electronically governed)
0-100km/h 4.9 seconds

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