In a country where even cramped hatchbacks are chauffeur driven, long wheelbase versions are bound to succeed. Knowing the market so well, the biggest marquee in super luxury segment, Rolls Royce, has pulled the cover off the long wheel base version of their most successful model in India – the Ghost.
The Ghost is the entry level limousine that Rolls Royce offers to welcome new customers to the brand. It is the most successful product across the globe because a lot of people who were planning to buy a Mercedes S Class or the Audi A8 suddenly saw the spirit of ecstasy in their sight.
The reason why RR is able to offer the Ghost as a lower price is because it did not develop the Ghost platform.
The Ghost is not a bespoke Rolls Royce; it is in fact a BMW 7 Series underneath. However, the boffins at the Goodwood plant have made sure that the connection isn’t so evident. Powered by a 6.6 litre, V12 that that pokes 563 ponies and 780 Nm of torque, the Ghost can do a 0-100 run in 5 seconds.
The long wheelbase version of the Ghost will set you back by a whopping 3.05 crores. Don’t try to sell your organs, you still won’t be able to reach that figure even if your heart is made of gold 
There will be a lot of ghost on streets if Rolls Royce ambitions are anything to go by. The baby Roller is all set to have many cousin sisters in the future.
Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, the CEO of Rolls Royce said to Bloomberg -
I’m quite confident that we’re going to see a Ghost derivative to come. There’s still a lot of potential in the market.
The RR Ghost utilizes the BMW 7 Series platform and the company managed to sell the full consignment of 60 Ghosts in less than 2 weeks.
The major focus of the company will be on emerging markets like China, India and the Middle East. The CEO’s enthusiasm is buoyed by the recent increase in the sales. Rolls-Royce had a 17% drop in sales in 2009 due to recession. But as the economy is recovering so are the sales and the company has set an ambitious target of 2,000+ cars in 2010.
Although he didn’t give any hint as to how the product line up will expand, we are expecting a longer wheel base model for the emerging markets following it up with a Drophead.
The 2.5 crore RR Ghost is almost sold out in India
The Indian market’s thirst for exotic cars far from getting quenched despite recession or other intervening factors. Rolls Royce, which introduced the Ghost in Delhi a little over two weeks ago, has almost sold out the sixty allotted vehicles for the Indian market.
The RR Ghost costs Rs 2.5 crore rupees. If you choose to customize it, it can cost up to 4.5 crore depending on the level of individualization.
Rolls-Royce has two showrooms in India, one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai.
According to company officials, 80 percent of those who have booked the Ghost are new to the brand.
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The cheaper Rolls Royce isn’t cheap. The Ghost is now available in India
Press Release -
Rolls-Royce Ghost Debuts in India
Mumbai, India, Friday, December 4th, 2009 –
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Headquarters: Goodwood, West Sussex, United Kingdom previewed its new four-door super-luxury saloon, Ghost, for the first time in India today.
Ghost is smaller and more dynamic than previous models and is instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce, achieving a new modernism but remaining true to its luxurious heritage. The car is the first in a new Rolls-Royce model series, separate from the Phantom family which comprises Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase (four door saloons), Phantom Drophead Coupé (convertible) and Phantom Coupé (fixed roof).
At the preview, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Asia Pacific Regional Director Colin Kelly said: “Ghost is a more informal design that broadens the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, combining refinement, new technology and contemporary style. It bears all the hallmarks of other Rolls-Royce cars, using the finest wood and leather materials and employing manufacturing standards which are no different to Phantom. Ghost will be built-to-order.”
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The Ghost is the entry level limousine that Rolls Royce offers to welcome new customers to the brand. It is the most successful product across the globe because a lot of people who were planning to buy a Mercedes S Class or the Audi A8 suddenly saw the spirit of ecstasy in their sight.
