Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2011) unveiled

[EP.]

When does a Rolls-Royce Ghost become a Phantom rival? When you add 170mm to the wheelbase and launch the Ghost Extended Wheelbase.

At 5569mm long, the LWB Ghost is still comfortably shorter than the 5834mm regular Rolls Phantom (the stretched Phantom soars beyond six metres!).

The Ghost LWB was launched today at the 2011 Shanghai auto show. Rolls will only build the long-wheelbase Ghost to order and will start production later in 2011.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase: how much more room?

Goodwood claims that rear legroom is more than doubled compared to the regular 'SWB' Ghost, itself hardly a cramped place to sit.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said: 'Ghost Extended Wheelbase delivers all the poise and dynamism enjoyed by discerning Ghost owners, with the indulgent experience of an extended wheelbase car. It is the very best of both worlds. This is the first time we have undertaken a world launch of a Rolls-Royce car in China, underscoring the strategic significance of this market and the Asia Pacific region.'

Powering the Rolls-Royce Ghost LWB

It's business as usual under the bonnet of the stretched Ghost. There's the regular 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 which produces 555bhp and 575lb ft at just 1500rpm - enough for 0-62mph in just 5.0sec.

Rolls says customers in China bought more Centenary Collection special edition cars than any other market in the world. Its dealers in Beijing and Shanghai topped global showroom sales, and it's busy expanding its Chinese dealer network to 11. It's a reflection of a booming economy when the locals can afford a £482,000 Ghost Extended Wheelbase - local taxes hugely inflate the price of luxury imported vehicles.

Rolls-Royce appears to be prospering in 2011: in the first quarter, sales have jumped 160% compared with 2010. The biggest market remains America, followed by China, the UK, the UAE and Japan.

Source: Car UK
Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase (2011) unveiled | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online

[vina]

Beautiful car and I hope someday I can afford one

On a recent trip to Shanghai I found that the cheapest cars they had on road was VW Santana (all taxis) and VW Jetta.( VW is the most popular brand there.)

Looking at the buildings and prosperity I wouldn't be surprised at all the China buys bulk of the RRs

[Sn1p3r]

I somehow do like the original Ghost. This one is for the dimension suckers only. Ghost will never get the equipment list like Phantom so why pose like one. AFAIK Ghost was built for people wanting to drive their own RR and this is something in contrast. But thats just me.

Enjoy!

[DicKy]

Makes a compelling case against the Phantom,but still i would prefer the Phantom anytime.
p.s-just can't stand ow China is going up like anything and we are decades behind them,look at the showrooms.We have only three RR showrooms while they have now 11!!!!!

[srishiva]

Looks like a Bus. Would anyone buy it if it were cheaper and not a Rolls?

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by srishiva

Looks like a Bus. Would anyone buy it if it were cheaper and not a Rolls?

Ouch! Personal view mabye, but buddy you just did automotive blasphemy.
To tell a Rolls looks like a bus,is like telling a Ferrari looks like a toy car.

[AltoHoncho]

Didnt understand the need for this, I mean:

Ghost = Baby Phantom
EWB Ghost = Teenage Phantom???

The baby phantom itself was long enough for the NBA kinds, tomorrow some car maker would think 'you know what, we want our easter island giant customers to really sleep like a business class and hence lets just extend the WB again... RR, better manufacture beds in walnut wood trunks only and add some wheels and a V12.

[Sahil]

Its take courage to launch a product like this, as it threatens your flagship product itself.

What is the price difference between the Ghost EWB and Phantom SWB?

I reckon most of the upcoming Ghost ordered in India will switch to EWB now

[avishar]

China has always been a market where extended wheelbase versions of a lot of cars have been launched.EWB 5 series,E class,A6 and what not.

I think RR saw an opportunity here for an EWB and decided to go for it,and subsequently introduce it all over the world.But no doubt it was the chinese market which instigated the need for an EWB.

[GTO]

I always thought Rolls had it pretty clear:

Phantom = Chauffeur driven billionaires
Ghost = Self driven billionaires (or their wives)

Isn't a LWB Ghost going to bridge the divide? Of course, they could restrict the LWB to China only.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by avishar

I think RR saw an opportunity here for an EWB and decided to go for it,and subsequently introduce it all over the world.But no doubt it was the chinese market which instigated the need for an EWB.

Quite ironic, given that Chinese people are quite short.

[vina]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Quite ironic, given that Chinese people are quite short.

Sahil

you'll be surprised, but the median height of a male in china is 5'7" in urban areas, and 5'5.5" in rural areas - taller than Indian numbers by about 2" ! Also Chinese women hold two world records for being the tallest in the world while an Indian man has the world record of being the shortest

Human height - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


I was in Shanghai in Feb and at 5'8" I was one of the smallest guys around at the office. Even many of the women were taller !

[smalhotra_93]

The Alloys on this one.. A BIG NO NO !
They're not going along with the car in any way , from any angle .

[EP.]

Originally Posted by smalhotra_93

The Alloys on this one.. A BIG NO NO !
They're not going along with the car in any way , from any angle .

Dont worry about that, all Rolls Royces are customizable

[KwokFist]

Beautiful car! Like the Phantom but this one looks very good. The alloys look like they could've been better designed.