Rolls-Royce gives up the Ghost... performance numbers
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jul 21st 2009 at 9:27AM 
Rolls-Royce Ghost - Click above for high-res image gallery
The official numbers for the Rolls-Royce Ghost have been revealed, and as expected, you won't need to worry about getting embarrassed. The 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V12 is rated at 563 hp and 575 lb-ft, that latter number, in typical Rolls fashion, being available practically at idle – just 1,500 rpm.
The run to 60 mph takes 4.8 seconds in North America (but 4.7 elsewhere for some reason), which is a couple of tenths behind the BMW 760i and about a second quicker than the company's own Phantom. For a car once derided as "the baby Rolls," its performance looks as if it will be pleasantly adult. It will go on sale later this year for £165,000 in the U.K. (that's $271K U.S.). You can check out our high-res gallery below and the official Rolls-Royce press release after the jump.
Gallery: Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost
[Source: Rolls-Royce]
PRESS RELEASE
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS CONFIRMS GHOST FIGURES
- Engine power output of 563 bhp / 420 kW / 570 PS @ 5250 rpm
- 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds / 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds*
- Top speed of 155 mph / 250 km/h (electronically governed)
- Maximum torque 780 Nm / 575 lb ft @ 1500 rpm
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed headline performance figures for Ghost, their new model which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
The Ghost will be powered by a brand new 6.6 litre turbo charged V12 engine unique to Rolls-Royce. This engine will produce 563 bhp, delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph. The engine is combined with an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering, Helmut Riedl said, "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. 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."
Riedl continues, "Rolls-Royce power is entirely different to anything else in the automotive world. It is delivered free from stress and exertion but at the same time must engage the driver. 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."
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 at all times.
The vehicle acoustics also play a vital role in creating the authentic Rolls-Royce environment. Naturally engine, exhaust and even tyre noise have been engineered to be inaudible as far as possible, both internally and externally.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Tom Purves, said, "Ghost is not about a single superlative but rather a careful blend of attributes. A Rolls-Royce should carry its power with grace, agility and refinement and this is never achieved by a focus on outright performance. Mastery comes in creating a balance and having driven the Ghost again recently I can say confidently that our engineering team has achieved this in fine style".
Customer deliveries of Ghost in the UK and Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the USA and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010.
A full technical specification will be released later in the year.
* 0-60 mph 4.7 seconds (4.8 seconds North America)
* 0-100 km/h 4.9 seconds (5.0 seconds North America)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Arkz 9:40AM (7/21/2009)
Hmmm... 6.6 liter v12 huh? Oh how appropriate timing. I was just wondering what I would need to celebrate the recession.
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Hamhock 9:52AM (7/21/2009)
recession or not, RR is going to build how many per year; less than 1000? They'll all find homes. There are probably 1mm people in the world (out of 6bn) that can really afford this car if they wanted it.
TC 10:34AM (7/21/2009)
Yeah Hamhock, tiny 1mm rich people FTW!
JZeke 10:44AM (7/21/2009)
Lolz. Those poor 1mm people... how do they even press the pedal to use all those torques?
Quantumphysics 11:18AM (7/21/2009)
When aftermarket companies start making parts for the Chrysler 300 to make it look like this, the streets are gonna be a mess.
retsel 9:53AM (7/21/2009)
I would take the new jag over this in a heart beat....
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RG 10:09AM (7/21/2009)
Hmmm, I might not go THAT far, but I would take the new XJ and $171k to spend on other cars in a heartbeat.
retsel 10:18AM (7/21/2009)
yeah the new jag and a paid off mortgage...
DJ_Swammi 10:20AM (7/21/2009)
Wow, for a quarter mil you don't get digital climate control?
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Art 11:04AM (7/21/2009)
US price will be lower, low 2's, figure. still gonna be more than a Flying Spur
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Evan 11:23AM (7/21/2009)
"The run to 60 mph takes 4.8 seconds in North America (but 4.7 elsewhere for some reason)"
Probably the gasoline. Europe and North America use different units to measure octane, but Europe's minimum "95" (about 90~91 American octane) is equivalent to American's premium, and Europe's premium "99" (about 94 American octane) isn't even readily available in most American gas stations!
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Mr stol 7:12PM (7/21/2009)
Yes, you're right, it is the octane.
US is mainly 91
Euro is mainly 95(UK), 98(mainland EU)
100 octane is premium in EU
(Audi S3 loves the latter)
Totally off-topic, nearly every station in the EU now also offers premium diesel, expensive, but it stops my Touareg from smoking and gives it a little power increase. I liked that.
scamp1205 8:11AM (8/13/2009)
I would own this car in an instant. In my opinion, it is the benchmark of luxury, design and engineering in the automotive industry to date. Everything is REAL. So if it looks like chrome. It is chrome. And if it looks like leather, it is leather. This is one of the few motor cars on the planet that can literally change an person's attitude. I rather own this car than any other car...I own a new Jaguar-XKR now..its nice, but dosen't hold a candle to this "perfect" specimen of motoring perfection . All people that have negative comments about the people that would own a car such as this new Rolls-Royce are just envious...this is America and anything is possible for anyone if they are "driven" enough to accomplish financial success and independence. Don't throw stones at people that are just like yourself that happen to have a passion for cars...your passion may be diamonds, real estate, travel or just lto live a simple life...live and let live. For me this car is LIVING!
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mkM3 12:31PM (7/21/2009)
Time to upgrade the engine in the three Phantom models.
They are still using the naturally aspirated 453hp 6.8L (6.75L if you are a marketing folks wishing to evoke thoughts of the 6.75L Bentley V8 that RR used to share) N73 V12. I notice that the 6.6L N74 V12 going into in the Ghost is only a little more powerful than the 6.0L version in the new 760i/Li. So clearly they held it back a bit. I suspect that they will soon introduce a 6.8L (6.75L) version of the turbocharged motor in the Phantom with over 600hp, 600ft-lb.
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Venom 12:59PM (7/21/2009)
My neighbor has ordered one, can't wait till he gets it.
They should have no problem selling these quite a lot of people that can afford these easily still.
I don't know what their sales goals are but I am sure half of the NBA and NFL will have them.
Great thing about pro athlete neighbors is they get the cars before most dealers do.
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Stephan Wilkinson 1:35PM (7/21/2009)
I'm guessing the reason for the disparity in acceleration numbers is that "elsewhere" measures not 0-60 mph acceleration but 0-100 kph. Which works out to 0-62 mph and would account for the extra tenth of a second. Somebody just forgot to specify the different metrics, just as they sometimes do when giving hp numbers by DIN standards rather than SAE, which typically accounts for low-single-digit differences in output in the US versus "elsewhere."
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Aloysius Vampa 6:38PM (7/21/2009)
That doesn't explain why the number would be /lower/.
evan 1:18PM (7/21/2009)
I have a feeling it might be a bit more powerful and a little quicker than they say it is. I love it!
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Other Man 3:47PM (7/21/2009)
I think I have a new favorite Rolls-Royce.
All-around awesome it would seem.
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P.V. 6:24PM (7/21/2009)
That is a sick car all around!
I can't say that about the Phantom.
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