The unveiling of the Rolls-Royce 200EX at Geneva. This car has now become the new Rolls-Royce Ghost

It is official. A new Rolls-Royce will start rolling out of Goodwood in the third quarter of 2009. Previously dubbed the "Baby Rolls-Royce", the "RR4" and "200EX", this new Rolls-Royce will be called "Ghost". Like the Phantom, Ghost is a name that pays homage to and salutes a celebrated car from Rolls-Royce’s past. The 1907 Silver Ghost was a landmark in Rolls-Royce history. This is the car that elevated Rolls-Royce from many of the other pioneering and fledgling motor car manufacturers. Autocar famously tagged it as "the best car in the world". This six cylinder, 7 litre machine set new standards in automotive design, and the name Rolls-Royce has since then stood for something that is top of the class.

The Ghost will double the amount of cylinders of the Silver Ghost, and with just a slightly smaller engine capacity of 6.6 Litres. These are no ordinary litres though, these are of the turbocharged variety and produce 563 bhp. I think it is quite telling that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have published the Rolls-Royce Ghost performance figures. It demonstrates a paradigm shift in Rolls-Royce marketing. The celebrated Ogilvy advertisement half a century ago stated: "At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock." demonstrated that Rolls-Royce did not need to shout to be heard. The typical Rolls-Royce owner was not concerned about horsepower, 0 to 60 timings or other measurements, that (perhaps) lesser cars are judged by. This is Rolls-Royce after all. The Ghost dispels this myth, in quite a bold move for the Goodwood company. However, this is a feisty car. No, it is no stroppy or anarchic boy racer, neither brash or uncouth. It is a daring and courageous car. Designed to compliment rather than replace the existing Rolls-Royce Phantom.

I believe that the Ghost has been designed as a luxury grand tourer. A car that is as comfortable as it is quick. Can we expect The Stig to be shaving tenths of seconds around the Top Gear track? Or Clarkson to be doing donuts in the Top Gear car park? Well, I suppose they would if Rolls-Royce lent them one when it is produced. Yet for all it’s performance indicators: a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds, an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox and a governed top speed of 155 mph, the Ghost will always be a Rolls-Royce. Possibly leaning more towards their arch rival Bentley with this car than any other in the companies history. The Ghost will stand beside the four door Bentley Continental Flying Spur for comparison.

The Flying Spur is not restricted to 155 mph though and given the right circumstances can top out at a speed of nearly 200 miles per hour. But this is a largely academic figure, a figure rarely to be seen in real life. Later in the year Rolls-Royce will publish the full technical specification. It will be interesting to see how much this baby weighs on the scales. At 5399mm in length the Ghost is shorter than the Phantom 5834 mm or the Phantom EWB (Extended Wheel Base) 6084mm. It is still a large car though. Judging by it’s interior finish and the specifications that have been published to date, this is no stripped-down racer like the Bentley Continental Supersports. It looks like being a rather elegant grand tourer. A car built more for the driver rather than the chauffeured passengers, but never the less a very comfortable and luxurious ride for both driver and passenger.

Rolls-Royce Ghost badge, notice is now embossed in black, rather than the red of the experimental 200EX

The Ghost began life as an experimental model, the 200EX. Now as it starts to enter production, the red badges of the experimental car are replaced by black and the speculation is nearly over. In a matter of months we will see the Ghost start rolling on our roads, and I can’t wait to have a drive.

“Is that an American car, daddy?”, my daughter asked as I gazed at these first design sketches of the RR4. “No, these are sketches of the new Rolls-Royce”, I replied. “Do you want one daddy?”, I didn’t have to ponder on this too long. “Yes, my darling, I certainly do”.

This new “junior” or “baby” Rolls-Royce looks like it will be taking on the Bentley Continentals. With an emphasis on driving, rather than the Phantom’s waftability, the RR4 looks like a very exciting car. I think Sir Henry might have described it as having a bit of fizz…

The design, known as RR4 was signed off in 2007 and engineering development is now fully underway for its launch in 2010. The Goodwood manufacturing facilities are being completely reconfigured to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model. The RR4 will sit alongside the Phantom model line-up. Smaller than the Phantom it will be powered by a new engine, unique to Rolls-Royce.

Chief designer, Ian Cameron, said, “Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. 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 and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.”

“RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars”, said its Chairman, Ian Robertson.

Photos: Rolls-Royce Motors

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé has helped Rolls-Royce achieve their best ever year. 2007 sales were up 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with Rolls-Royce selling 1010 cars. This is the first time sales reached four figures and the fourth successive sales increase since BMW took the helm in 2003.

75 per cent of sales were for the four door models – the Phantom and the Phantom Extended wheelbase, but it was the stunning Phantom Drophead Coupé, which was launched in the summer which really helped the volume increase.

“Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way,” said Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market and is a credit to the passion and dedication of our teams at Goodwood and around the world. The customer reaction to the Drophead Coupé has been astonishing, exceeding all our expectations.”

2008 looks like being another great year for the Goodwood based company. They plan to launch a two-door coupé model based on the Phantom. Looking further forward to 2010, the “baby Rolls-Royce” (codename RR4) will start competing against the Bentley Continental range.