Tuesday 19th April 2011

LWB Rolls-Royce Ghost Unveiled

Shanghai show marks debut of Ghost Extended Wheelbase

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Catering for 'customers who require increased space and comfort without sacrificing Ghost's unique balance of dynamism and poise' Rolls-Royce has unveiled a stretched wheelbase version of its Ghost luxury saloon.

The Ghost Extended Wheelbase will be built to order and is available in only limited numbers for 2011 - Goodwood won't stretch (sorry, groan etc...) out to full production until 2012.

The Extended Wheelbase variant has been created by lobbing in 170mm to the car's wheelbase, but with no detriment to the model's balanced proportions and stunning contemporary design (says Rolls-Royce). Legroom is obviously rather more copious in the rear, and knee-room is more than doubled compared with the standard Ghost.

Although Rolls says the car is just as good to drive, that extra space and the new panoramic sunroof leave you in no doubt where the owners of this car are really expected to sit.

Mind you, that twin-turbo charged V12 engine is still good for 555bhp and 575lb ft of torque, so the Ghost Extended Wheelbase is obviously no slouch.

Rolls-Royce also showed a bespoke China Edition Ghost at Shanghai. Specifically designed to suit the tastes of Chinese customers, this model features a consort red interior, gold twin-coachlines, gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy and stainless steel pinstripes and is available to order in limited quantities by discerning Chinese customers.

[nouze]

Bit pointless IMHO

[JCB123]

nouze said:

Bit pointless IMHO

+1 - for as much as I don't want to say it.


Conclusion - buy a Phantom.

[JumpinJack]

so this is a phantom?

[stuart-b]

nouze said:

Bit pointless IMHO

I'm sure RR think it's pointless too, that's why they built it.

I think half the comments about new cars on PH start with "Bit pointless".

Perhaps you should apply to said car company as their new head of product development.

[stuart-b]

JCB123 said:

+1 - for as much as I don't want to say it.


Conclusion - buy a Phantom.

It isn't pointless to the Chinese market, hence why they said "Released to the tastes of the Chinese Market".

Chinese businessmen like to be driven by chauffeur. They need the extra leg room (apparently), plus it is a statement of wealth and power in their culture.

Pointless? Good business move.

• edited to realise my obvious mistake

Edited by stuart-b on Tuesday 19th April 17:21

[Nest]

Did anybody else notice the worlds largest door mirrors?

[J4CKO]

"bespoke China Edition"

Anyone else think Edd China first, perhaps a converted skip style Rolls or a Sofa Rolls ?

[kaldrooby]

It was only time for the LWB Ghost to come out. It is the prettiest Rolls Royce ever produced at Crewe. Congrats BMW for your efforts and long term vision for RR. A few comments on the LWB, the wheels should be much nicer then the one in Shanghai auto Show. Also RR should consider looking at the front end of the Ghost made by Mansonry. The lines are more completed.
Kal

[wotnot]

No problem with building a China Edition but have to agree with sentiments regarding a stretched Ghost. Surely a Phantom has all the room you need and is truly bespoke (unlike a Ghost). Would have thought that once the cost of the extension is factored in the price wouldn't be far short of a Phantom anyway.

[Not Ideal]

Nest said:

Did anybody else notice the worlds largest door mirrors?

Painful new EU regs which state mirrors have to be proportional to the size of the vehicle.

[infradig]

stuart-b said:

JCB123 said:

+1 - for as much as I don't want to say it.


Conclusion - buy a Phantom.

It isn't pointless to the Chinese market, hence why they said "Released to the tastes of the Chinese Market".

Chinese businessmen like to be driven by shofers. They need the extra leg room (apparently), plus it is a statement of wealth and power in their culture.

Pointless? Good business move.

Agreed, probably the same reason they made a lwb e39 and sold it alongside the normal 5 and 7ser,also if I remember correctly the original Skoda Superb was basically a Chinese market lwb Passat. Obviously our 70's sitcom stereotype of short Chinamen isn't entirely accurate.

[Evo]

Considering a large amount of these cars will probably be chauffeur driven I would have thought it to be a very obvious car to produce.

Very pretty car and sits perfectly against the Phantom.

[cookie1600]

kaldrooby said:

It was only time for the LWB Ghost to come out. It is the prettiest Rolls Royce ever produced at Crewe.

I'm sure the workers on their way to Goodwood tomorrow morning, will be delighted to see the factory has moved to the Bentley site!

[Lets Torque]

Not Ideal said:

Nest said:

Did anybody else notice the worlds largest door mirrors?

Painful new EU regs which state mirrors have to be proportional to the size of the vehicle.

Some People could say its Not Ideal , as it doesn't look right...

[gumsie]

Euuugghh!

[AyBee]

Next up, convertible, then coupe

[Alfa numeric]

stuart-b said:

It isn't pointless to the Chinese market, hence why they said "Released to the tastes of the Chinese Market".

Chinese businessmen like to be driven by chauffeur. They need the extra leg room (apparently), plus it is a statement of wealth and power in their culture.

Pointless? Good business move.

As much as I agree with you in tha there must be a market for it, the question still remains- why would you have a LWB Ghost when you could have a Phantom?

Or is it considerably cheaper?


It looks cool though

[Garlick]

Make small car, make small car as big as the bigger car, make bigger car bigger.

Repeat.

[soad]

Nest said:

Did anybody else notice the worlds largest door mirrors?

They sure look Huuuuuuuuge

[AyBee]

soad said:

Nest said:

Did anybody else notice the worlds largest door mirrors?

They sure look Huuuuuuuuge

Legislation now unfortunately