Shanghai 2009: Rolls-Royce ditches RR4 for Ghost nameplate
by Damon Lavrinc on Apr 20th 2009 at 3:58AM 
Rolls Royce 200EX (Ghost) Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery
At the Shanghai Motor Show this morning, Rolls-Royce finally put the temporary RR4 moniker to rest by officially naming its new Flying Spur-fighting sedan the "Ghost." Shown in concept form as the 200EX at last month's Geneva Motor Show, the Ghost will be built later this year on a separate assembly line at the automaker's newly expanded Goodwood facility, where it will share paint, wood and leather with its flagship brother, the Phantom. The Ghost is built using 20% of the parts from the recent BMW 7 series platform and will be equipped with a 500+ hp, twin-turbocharged V12 mated to an eight-speed transmission. Expect sales to begin in late 2009, with coupe and convertible variants to follow in the next two to three years.
Gallery: Rolls-Royce 200EX concept
PRESS RELEASE
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the name for its new model series which until now has been known as RR4. The name was announced by CEO, Tom Purves at a press conference held at the Shanghai motor show.
The new car will be called the Rolls-Royce Ghost and production will begin at the company's Goodwood manufacturing facility on the south coast of England later in 2009.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Tom Purves, said, "We are delighted to formally announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It is one of the most revered names in the automotive industry, evoking images of adventure and technical innovation. The name reflects this new model's breadth of abilities. 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.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost will be built on its own dedicated production line at Goodwood but will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series of cars. Rolls-Royce has expanded all areas of its manufacturing facility over the last 18 months to prepare for the introduction of the Ghost model.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
pmiddle5 4:06AM (4/20/2009)
That motor, in my head, does not belong in there
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Niels 4:08AM (4/20/2009)
No 'Silver' Ghost? It sure has a lot of silver color to it...
"Rolls-Royce Ghost" just sounds corny, but it's better than any alpha-numeric moniker.
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Franz 4:45AM (4/20/2009)
I agree, it's actually not a very nice name IMO... it just doesn't have any sort of ring to it. I like "Silver Ghost" though. You shoulda worked for RR. ;)
Jei 9:17AM (4/20/2009)
RR Phantom isn't a smooth-sounding name either.
I would rather BMW use their V10 as the base engine for the Ghost though.
Hike15 7:17AM (4/20/2009)
Knowing the past cars of Rolls-Royce just makes the name Ghost sound wrong... like it's missing something
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Kitko 7:51AM (4/20/2009)
I'm with you on that....
I suggest "poltergeist". It does have a ghost in the name, in the line with RR's British heritage, it's German, as is the car, and the car's presence on the road will surely be menacing.
Rolls Royce Poltergeist (angst-sprung durch technik)*
*fear-jump due to technology
spookthehamster 8:05AM (4/20/2009)
I-Drive?!
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LimeDaiquiri 8:17AM (4/20/2009)
Are they serious? They could've gladly kept 200EX.
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Clay 8:59AM (4/20/2009)
Shouldn't it be a V12? Everywhere else it says 6.6L V12 not V8...
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Jei 9:20AM (4/20/2009)
It's entirely possible that BMW has tuned the twin-turbo V8 to produce more power & torque than the V12 unit; and it may be a bit more fuel efficient too. But I wouldn't doubt that the V12 could be an option in the future.
Clay 1:20PM (4/20/2009)
The other sites are still saying V12... and BMW released the new 760Li with the new TT 12. I cant imagine a RR with a V8.
VladdyTrout 9:04AM (4/20/2009)
What the frak? Just Ghost? First BMW decides to ditch the classic Grecian grille and now they're dumping Silver from the name?
Well...it is the 21st century, I guess and things change....
Still appears to be a much better looking car than Volkswagen's Conti Flying Spur.
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Jei 9:31AM (4/20/2009)
Sounds like BMW is trying to continue the heritage and try something new. The name is simple and seems to sit well for the brand as the flagship model is called the Phantom (another name for Ghost).
Zach 9:43AM (4/20/2009)
Pretty much just needs another syllable... any syllable:
Silver Gost
Happy Ghost
Gray Ghost
Gay Ghost
Wonder Ghost
Whopper Ghost
These are all better names!
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jc 6:37PM (4/20/2009)
How about Lincoln Town Car?
I like the interior, though.
VladdyTrout 10:33AM (4/20/2009)
Space Ghost
Dan 7:17PM (4/20/2009)
Let those with evil hearts beware,
for out of the darkness comes...
The GREY GHOST!
Tool 12:18PM (4/20/2009)
I see Toyota Camry in this car . . . at certain angles, the b to c-pillar looks a lot like the Camry.
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Tsunami Racer 12:31PM (4/20/2009)
well, you've got Phantom. Ghost just seems so plain. How about Specter?
Or even better: SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion)
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Jruhi4 1:34PM (4/20/2009)
You read my mind. After Phantom and Ghost, Sceptre seems to be the next logical name in the series. Wraith (yet another old Rolls-Royce name) is yet another synonym for ghost.