Rolls-Royce resuscitates Ghost

Rolls-Royce used the Shanghai motor show to announce its new 'entry-level' model -- referred to until now as the RR4 -- will be known as the Ghost when it launches internationally in the last quarter of this year.

The name was announced by company boss Tom Purves at a press conference held at the Shanghai motor show, and he used the occasion to state that production will begin at the company's Goodwood manufacturing facility on the south coast of England in the last quarter of this year.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost will be built on its own dedicated production line but will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series of cars, said Purves.

A niche manufacturer in the true sense of the word, Rolls-Royce retailed just 1212 cars around the world in 2008, but even this figure represents a 20 per cent increase over the previous year. In fact, it marks five years of continued growth since the Phantom was first launched in 2003.

The Ghost is expected to continue the growth curve, helping the exalted marque to target a broader demographic. That said, the Ghost won't be cheap -- expect a sticker price well in excess of the $370K-plus demanded by the Bentley Flying Spur.

As previously reported by the Carsales Network, the 5.4m long Ghost will be powered by a new twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine with in excess of 500bhp (373kW). Drive will be relayed to the wheels by a new ZF-manufactured eight-speed automatic transmission.

As for the Ghost name, it rekindles a badge used by Rolls-Royce between 1906 and 1925 -- although these cars were first introduced as the 40/50hp model. A total of 7,876 of these cars were made during this period -- 6173 in Derby, and 1703 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

In the words of Rolls-Royce: "The first cars to bear the Ghost name were known not only for impressive dependability and refinement but also great flair and style. This car will be the first in a new generation of models to carry this evocative name and will give us two pinnacle product lines -- Phantom and Ghost."

Its launch in the last quarter of 2009 will give Rolls a five-model line-up -- the other four being the Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase, Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé.

Rolls-Royce says it has expanded all areas of its manufacturing facility over the last 18 months to prepare for the introduction of the Ghost model.

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