Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2010
Rolls-Royce Ghost is the most powerful car that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has ever produced. However, Rolls-Royce power is delivered in a very different manner to other cars. It arrives in an elegant, cosseting way that some have described as being designed to lower the pulse, not raise it.
The principle of simplicity extends to the act of driving Rolls-Royce Ghost. The host of complex engineering software and technologies beneath the surface serve to make driving easier and more enjoyable, not to intrude or confuse.
Rolls-Royce Ghost is more driver-focused than any Rolls-Royce car before it. The driver sits in a slightly elevated position behind the wheel, described as the authority position. This makes the view of the road much clearer. The fascia has been kept deliberately clear; it is spacious in design and has an intuitive layout. The controls are neatly sculpted, with the more important functions emphasised by accents of chrome. The soft light of the instrument panel glows through the familiar black-rimmed steering wheel, which in turn employs a number of violin keys as well as an ergonomic roller-ball control.
The control centre display is concealed behind a veneered panel until its services are called upon. All features such as satellite navigation, telephone, communication and entertainment functions are displayed here and managed via a central rotary controller, flanked by quick-access buttons on the front centre console.
The optional driver assistance systems and technologies in Rolls-Royce Ghost are notable for their discretion and ease of operation. From the moment the driver approaches the car, optional Comfort Entry allows easy access, unlocking the doors when the key fob is within 1.5 metres and the cool chromed handle is grasped. Once you are in the car, voice control allows you to select from the control systems menus without using the central controller.
For ease of manoeuvring, cameras located around the car serve a number of purposes. Rear, front side and top view cameras can combine to give a fish-eye view at blind junctions or provide ground images with obstacle recognition and reverse path prediction when parking.
Positioned discreetly within the grille is a Night Vision camera. When activated, this safety feature works with Pedestrian Recognition to detect objects up to 300 metres away and display them on the central screen in the dash. The car's control system receives infrared heat images from the camera and, taking into account the car's speed and direction, classifies them to assess imminent danger. It then determines what action, if any, needs to be taken and if necessary displays a warning to the driver.
The Head-up Display relays crucial information such as speed or navigation directions onto the windscreen directly in front of the driver. This information is visible only to the driver and can be tailored to show only the details required and at a position suitable to the driver.
Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver should the car start to drift out of its current lane. When activated, it uses an integrated camera, located just in front of the rear view mirror, to monitor road markings and the vehicle's position. The driver is warned by a discreet vibration through the steering wheel. If the driver uses the directional indicators before and after the lane change, the wheel will not vibrate.
High Beam Assistance automatically manages the operation of dipped and main beam lights while driving at night. When activated, the same camera used by the Lane Departure Warning system monitors the light from any source at the front of the vehicle and automatically dips or raises the headlights accordingly. Adaptive, directional headlights also improve illumination of the road ahead and adapt to the road conditions, be they rain or fog or simply when the car is making a turn.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go creates a relaxing driving experience, particularly on long cruising journeys, as action is not required when the car ahead speeds up or slows down, even when coming to a standstill. Active Brake Intervention also allows hill descent at a constant speed and the car's Curve Speed Limiter communicates with the car's Dynamic Stability Control systems to reduce speed on bends if safety and comfort may be compromised.
THE CONCEPT
Autumn 2006, Paris motor show: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced that work had begun on a new model series. The new car would be in production and on sale by the turn of the decade. The only other facts confirmed at that stage were that it would be smaller than the Rolls-Royce Phantom saloon and priced somewhere between €200,000 and €300,000 before tax. Speculation about its style and specification began almost immediately...
Little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the spring of 2008, when Rolls-Royce released the first official sketches. The styling was instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. At the time Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, "The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense."
As sightings of secret development models on the road increased, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled Rolls-Royce 200EX, the experimental forerunner to Rolls-Royce Ghost, at the Geneva motor show in March 2009. An instant hit, 200EX bore the trademark Rolls-Royce design cues but in altogether more compelling fashion. It was a clear statement of intent.
What the design team was seeking to create was a modern Rolls-Royce that achieved a new dynamism but remained true to its luxurious heritage. They had found inspiration in contemporary furniture, architecture and yachts but also in the spirit of the 1930s - that sense of adventure and endeavour - which they wanted to capture in the character of this new car.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
* Number of doors / seats: 4 / 5
* Vehicle length: 5399 mm
* Vehicle width: 1948 mm
* Vehicle height: 1550 mm
* Wheelbase: 3295 mm
* Turning circle: 13.4 m
* Overhang front: 867.5 mm
* Overhang rear: 1236.5 mm
* Track width front: 1622 mm
* Track width rear: 1660 mm
* Shoulder room front: 1510 mm
* Shoulder room rear: 1418 mm
* Elbow room front: 1540 mm
* Elbow room rear: 1448 mm
* Max headroom front: 1030 mm
* Max headroom rear: 990 mm
* Effective headroom front with sunroof: 995
* Effective headroom rear with sunroof: 975 mm
* Ground clearance: 150 mm
* Width including mirrors: 2108 mm
* Luggage compartment capacity (ISO3832): 490 l
* Fuel tank capacity: 82.5 l
* Unladen weight (DIN / EU): 2360 kg / 2435 kg
* Axle load ratio, rear: 48.2 %
* Gross axle weight / max payload: 2940 kg / 580 kg
* Axle payload limit front / rear: 1445 kg / 1575 kg
* Engine type: V12
* valves: 48
* Fuel management: Direct injection
* Engine injector set-up / Aspiration: DI(VVT) / twin turbo
* Displacement: 6592 cm3
* Stroke / Bore: 88.3 mm / 89.0 mm
* Power output: 563 bhp (420 kW) @ 5250 rpm
* Max torque: 780 Nm (575 lb/ft) @ 1500 rpm
* Compression ratio: 10.0
* Fuel type: Super unleaded
* Transmission type: 8 speed automatic
* Transmission ratios 1st/2nd/3rd/4th: 4.717 / 3.143 / 2.106 / 1.667
* Transmission ratios 5th/6th/7th/8th: 1.285 / 1.000 / 0.839 / 0.667
* Transmission ratio reverse gear: 3.317
* Final drive ratio: 2.813
* Steering wheel revolutions lock to lock: 3.1
* Brakes front / diameter x thickness: Ventilated discs / 410x36 mm
* Brakes rear / diameter x thickness: Ventilated discs / 402x30 mm
* Drag co-efficient cd / A / cd x A: 0.33 / 2.60 m2 / 0.863 m2
* Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
* Acceleration 0-60 mph / 0-100km/h: 4.7 s / 4.9 s
* 1km from standing start: 23.1 s
* Power to weight (DIN-Unladen weight): 5.6 kg/kW
* Power per litre: 63.7 kW/l
* Consumption urban (EU): 20.5 l/100 km
* Consumption extra urban: 9.6 l/100 km
* Combined consumption: 13.6 l/100 km (20.8 mpg (imp. gal.))
* Range: 605 km (376 miles)
* CO2 Emissions (combined): 317 g/km
* Exhaust emissions standard: EU5
* Front tyres: 255/50 R19 103Y / 255/45 R20 101Y
* Rear tyres: 255/50 R19 103Y / 285/40 R20 104Y
* Front wheels: 8.5J x 19 EH2 / 8.5Jx20 EH2
* Rear wheels: 8.5J x 19 EH2 / 9.5Jx20 EH2
* Battery capacity / location: 90 Ah (AGM) / Luggage compartment
* Alternator output rating: 210 A / 2900 W
The principle of simplicity extends to the act of driving Rolls-Royce Ghost. The host of complex engineering software and technologies beneath the surface serve to make driving easier and more enjoyable, not to intrude or confuse.
Rolls-Royce Ghost is more driver-focused than any Rolls-Royce car before it. The driver sits in a slightly elevated position behind the wheel, described as the authority position. This makes the view of the road much clearer. The fascia has been kept deliberately clear; it is spacious in design and has an intuitive layout. The controls are neatly sculpted, with the more important functions emphasised by accents of chrome. The soft light of the instrument panel glows through the familiar black-rimmed steering wheel, which in turn employs a number of violin keys as well as an ergonomic roller-ball control.
The control centre display is concealed behind a veneered panel until its services are called upon. All features such as satellite navigation, telephone, communication and entertainment functions are displayed here and managed via a central rotary controller, flanked by quick-access buttons on the front centre console.
The optional driver assistance systems and technologies in Rolls-Royce Ghost are notable for their discretion and ease of operation. From the moment the driver approaches the car, optional Comfort Entry allows easy access, unlocking the doors when the key fob is within 1.5 metres and the cool chromed handle is grasped. Once you are in the car, voice control allows you to select from the control systems menus without using the central controller.
For ease of manoeuvring, cameras located around the car serve a number of purposes. Rear, front side and top view cameras can combine to give a fish-eye view at blind junctions or provide ground images with obstacle recognition and reverse path prediction when parking.
Positioned discreetly within the grille is a Night Vision camera. When activated, this safety feature works with Pedestrian Recognition to detect objects up to 300 metres away and display them on the central screen in the dash. The car's control system receives infrared heat images from the camera and, taking into account the car's speed and direction, classifies them to assess imminent danger. It then determines what action, if any, needs to be taken and if necessary displays a warning to the driver.
The Head-up Display relays crucial information such as speed or navigation directions onto the windscreen directly in front of the driver. This information is visible only to the driver and can be tailored to show only the details required and at a position suitable to the driver.
Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver should the car start to drift out of its current lane. When activated, it uses an integrated camera, located just in front of the rear view mirror, to monitor road markings and the vehicle's position. The driver is warned by a discreet vibration through the steering wheel. If the driver uses the directional indicators before and after the lane change, the wheel will not vibrate.
High Beam Assistance automatically manages the operation of dipped and main beam lights while driving at night. When activated, the same camera used by the Lane Departure Warning system monitors the light from any source at the front of the vehicle and automatically dips or raises the headlights accordingly. Adaptive, directional headlights also improve illumination of the road ahead and adapt to the road conditions, be they rain or fog or simply when the car is making a turn.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go creates a relaxing driving experience, particularly on long cruising journeys, as action is not required when the car ahead speeds up or slows down, even when coming to a standstill. Active Brake Intervention also allows hill descent at a constant speed and the car's Curve Speed Limiter communicates with the car's Dynamic Stability Control systems to reduce speed on bends if safety and comfort may be compromised.
THE CONCEPT
Autumn 2006, Paris motor show: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced that work had begun on a new model series. The new car would be in production and on sale by the turn of the decade. The only other facts confirmed at that stage were that it would be smaller than the Rolls-Royce Phantom saloon and priced somewhere between €200,000 and €300,000 before tax. Speculation about its style and specification began almost immediately...
Little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the spring of 2008, when Rolls-Royce released the first official sketches. The styling was instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. At the time Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, "The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense."
As sightings of secret development models on the road increased, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled Rolls-Royce 200EX, the experimental forerunner to Rolls-Royce Ghost, at the Geneva motor show in March 2009. An instant hit, 200EX bore the trademark Rolls-Royce design cues but in altogether more compelling fashion. It was a clear statement of intent.
What the design team was seeking to create was a modern Rolls-Royce that achieved a new dynamism but remained true to its luxurious heritage. They had found inspiration in contemporary furniture, architecture and yachts but also in the spirit of the 1930s - that sense of adventure and endeavour - which they wanted to capture in the character of this new car.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
* Number of doors / seats: 4 / 5
* Vehicle length: 5399 mm
* Vehicle width: 1948 mm
* Vehicle height: 1550 mm
* Wheelbase: 3295 mm
* Turning circle: 13.4 m
* Overhang front: 867.5 mm
* Overhang rear: 1236.5 mm
* Track width front: 1622 mm
* Track width rear: 1660 mm
* Shoulder room front: 1510 mm
* Shoulder room rear: 1418 mm
* Elbow room front: 1540 mm
* Elbow room rear: 1448 mm
* Max headroom front: 1030 mm
* Max headroom rear: 990 mm
* Effective headroom front with sunroof: 995
* Effective headroom rear with sunroof: 975 mm
* Ground clearance: 150 mm
* Width including mirrors: 2108 mm
* Luggage compartment capacity (ISO3832): 490 l
* Fuel tank capacity: 82.5 l
* Unladen weight (DIN / EU): 2360 kg / 2435 kg
* Axle load ratio, rear: 48.2 %
* Gross axle weight / max payload: 2940 kg / 580 kg
* Axle payload limit front / rear: 1445 kg / 1575 kg
* Engine type: V12
* valves: 48
* Fuel management: Direct injection
* Engine injector set-up / Aspiration: DI(VVT) / twin turbo
* Displacement: 6592 cm3
* Stroke / Bore: 88.3 mm / 89.0 mm
* Power output: 563 bhp (420 kW) @ 5250 rpm
* Max torque: 780 Nm (575 lb/ft) @ 1500 rpm
* Compression ratio: 10.0
* Fuel type: Super unleaded
* Transmission type: 8 speed automatic
* Transmission ratios 1st/2nd/3rd/4th: 4.717 / 3.143 / 2.106 / 1.667
* Transmission ratios 5th/6th/7th/8th: 1.285 / 1.000 / 0.839 / 0.667
* Transmission ratio reverse gear: 3.317
* Final drive ratio: 2.813
* Steering wheel revolutions lock to lock: 3.1
* Brakes front / diameter x thickness: Ventilated discs / 410x36 mm
* Brakes rear / diameter x thickness: Ventilated discs / 402x30 mm
* Drag co-efficient cd / A / cd x A: 0.33 / 2.60 m2 / 0.863 m2
* Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
* Acceleration 0-60 mph / 0-100km/h: 4.7 s / 4.9 s
* 1km from standing start: 23.1 s
* Power to weight (DIN-Unladen weight): 5.6 kg/kW
* Power per litre: 63.7 kW/l
* Consumption urban (EU): 20.5 l/100 km
* Consumption extra urban: 9.6 l/100 km
* Combined consumption: 13.6 l/100 km (20.8 mpg (imp. gal.))
* Range: 605 km (376 miles)
* CO2 Emissions (combined): 317 g/km
* Exhaust emissions standard: EU5
* Front tyres: 255/50 R19 103Y / 255/45 R20 101Y
* Rear tyres: 255/50 R19 103Y / 285/40 R20 104Y
* Front wheels: 8.5J x 19 EH2 / 8.5Jx20 EH2
* Rear wheels: 8.5J x 19 EH2 / 9.5Jx20 EH2
* Battery capacity / location: 90 Ah (AGM) / Luggage compartment
* Alternator output rating: 210 A / 2900 W
