Rolls-Royce Ghost tech spec

Rolls-Royce has confirmed details of its new Ghost sports saloon.

It’s going to pack a 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 that’s unique to Rolls (rather than being related to a BMW unit) and boasts 563bhp and a very potent 575lb ft, the latter from just 1500rpm. It’ll put the Ghost’s performance in a slightly different league to the Rolls Phantom with its 453bhp and 531lb ft naturally aspirated V12.

The new engine is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and hustles the Ghost to 60mph in 4.7sec and onto an electronically limited 155mph top speed. There’s independent four-corner air suspension with multi link aluminium axles, which as well as making it a sharper driver’s tool, is designed to enhance the comfort for those inside.

The Rolls-Royce engineering director, Helmut Riedl said – ‘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.’

The four-door, five-seater saloon is 5.4 metres long with a 3.3m wheelbase (compared to the Phantom’s respective 5.8m and 3.6m) and despite the high power and optimised dynamics, it’s set to stick to typical Rolls traits by being as silent as possible inside and out.

The UK price (excluding taxes and delivery) is £165,000, which means its on the road price is likely to be around the £190K mark - £80K short of a Phantom. The production spec car (these pictures show the 200EX concept that heavily influences the Ghost) gets its big unveil at the Frankfurt motor show in September, with customer deliveries starting at the end of 2009.

Don't forget you can follow evo on Twitter, too. Simply head this way...