New Rolls-Royce will be called Ghost
* Name has historical links
* Production starts later this year
Rolls-Royce has announced that its new saloon will be called Ghost.
Production of the new model which will be the most affordable in the Rolls-Royce range will start at the company's factory in Goodwood, West Sussex, later this year.
The Ghost will have a 6.6-litre V12 petrol engine producing more than 500bhp, linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Although the Ghost is 43cm shorter and 42cm narrower than a Phantom, it will be longer and wider than a standard-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
A concept car shown at this year's Geneva motorshow, called the 200 EX, gives an idea on what the new Rolls-Royce will look like.
The name Ghost was used by Rolls-Royce for cars made between 1906 and 1925. Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves said: 'We are delighted to announce the Rolls-Royce Ghost. It is one of the most revered names in automotive industry, evoking images of adventure and technical innovation.
'This car will be the first in a new generation of models to carry this evocative name and will give us two pinnacle product lines Phantom and Ghost.'
Prices and an on-sale date for the new model have yet to be confirmed.
