Shanghai show: Baby RR4 Rolls now a ‘Ghost’

ROLLS-ROYCE announced at this week’s Shanghai motor show that its forthcoming smaller model, known until now as the RR4 and based on the 200EX concept, will be called the Ghost.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars chief executive Tom Purves said the new model series would enter production at the company’s Goodwood factory in England later this year.

“We are delighted to formally announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost,” Mr Purves said. “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.” As GoAuto reported last month at the beginning of the current “world tour” of the near-production 200EX concept, the Ghost will be powered by a new turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 that produces more than 500hp (373kW).

That means that the hallowed British brand’s all-new entry-level sedan will be more powerful than the Phantom, which is powered by a naturally aspirated direct-injection 6.75-litre V12 offering 338kW of power and 720Nm of torque.

The Ghost will be built on its own dedicated production line at Goodwood, but will share paint, wood and leather workshops with the Phantom series.

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