For years the UAE has had a love affair with the Rolls Royce and many will be salivating at the news this week about the latest model soon to be on the roads of the Emirates in the autumn of 2009.Ghostly Power
Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 6.6-litre V12, developed from the new all-aluminium 6.0-litre recently revealed in the BMW 7-series. Rolls won’t reveal the outputs of the new engine, only claiming that it will produce upwards of 500bhp – but the smaller BMW engine produces 536bhp, and 553lb ft from just 1500rpm, so performance from the Ghost should be adequate.
The 6.6-litre engine powers the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission – there are no more technical details but the same auto will come with stop/start in future BMWs so Rolls may also feature the technology.
Inside there’s seating for four or five (dependant on what options boxes you tick), and there should be plenty of room to lounge about thanks to the 3295mm wheelbase, making it bigger than even the long-wheelbase new 7-series (at 3210mm).
Holy Ghost
Production of the Rolls-Royce Ghost will begin at the company’s Goodwood factory later in 2009 and go on sale in the autumn of this year.
It is expected to cost just over Dh1 mill (£180,000 or US$300,000).
Dr Geoff Pound
Images: Rolls Royce Ghost.
