Rolls Royce Ghost - latest spies

Photos: Autoblog.nl

18th May 2009

Travellers at the ferry port in Calais were treated to quite a spectre-cal this week! The Rolls-Royce Ghost has been spotted waiting patiently in line, but without camouflage and in production-ready trim for the first time. Looking almost identical to the 200EX concept shown at Geneva, the only clear differences are new alloys, the headlight assembly and small interior trim changes.

Despite being a 5.4 metre long super saloon, it has gained the nickname ‘Baby Rolls’ thanks to the striking resemblance to its larger sibling, the Phantom. The two cars share the same styling cues, with colossal, stately grilles and long overhangs. But underneath the Ghost has more in common with BMW’s new 7-Series – the car with which it shares its platform.

Despite going on sale as early as the end of the year, only a handful of details have been confirmed. Under the bonnet is an all-new BMW-developed 6.6-litre, turbocharged V12, producing upwards of 500bhp and hooked up to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The Ghost will also keep the suicide door layout made famous by the Phantom. Expect prices to start from around £180,000, but we’ll know more following the car’s launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.