SHANGHAI, China — Reviving a fabled nameplate that is more than a century old, Rolls-Royce said the production version of its 200EX concept car — the so-called "baby Rolls" — will be christened the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It debuted at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show. Also known by its earlier development code name, RR4, the new sedan is slated to go into production late this year at the company's Goodwood plant in England.
Now owned by BMW, Rolls-Royce introduced the original Ghost in 1906 and once built a version of the car in Springfield, Massachusetts. The new model is expected to borrow heavily from the new BMW 7 Series.
The 2010 Ghost will feature a new turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 producing around 500 horsepower and coupled with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. Details, including the car's name, were announced here by CEO Tom Purves.
The 2010 Ghost, which will be slotted below the Phantom, is expected to be priced from around $250,000. A convertible variant is rumored for 2011.
Inside Line says: BMW so far has done a scrupulous job of preserving and maintaining this hallowed British brand. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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