Rolls Royce are to build a Hybrid Ghost
Rolls Royce are developing a hybrid version of the new RR Ghost, featuring the mild hybrid system from the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 Series.
The reveal of the Rolls Royce Ghost was another of those long, drawn-out reveals that seem to be the norm these days. As far back as February we revealed the first official pictures and told you to expect a Hybrid Rolls Royce Ghost before very long. And it looks like the wait is over (I know, you couldn’t sleep for worrying about when it will arrive) if reports by Autocar are to be believed.
In another of those ‘What a shock’ revelations, it would appear the RR Ghost Hybrid will be based on the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid. You’d never have guessed, would you? I mean, just because the Ghost is based on the 7 Series platform…
All of which means that the Ghost Hybrid is going to be a mild hybrid. None of this running on electric only (we’ll have to wait for the Electric RR Phantom for that – if it happens). It will utilise the ActiveHybrid system from the 7 Series (which is actually co-produced with Mercedes-Benz) which will use a single 20kw electric motor sandwiched in the Ghost’s 8-speed ZF ‘box. The Ghost will save kinetic energy created under braking and on the over-run and store it in batteries in the boot. The Ghost will lose its alternator and use the electric motor to start the car, and the stored power will also come in to play for things like the climate control when the stop-start is in play.
Assuming Rolls Royce sticks with its new V12 in the Ghost – and isn’t tempted to drop in the V8 from the 7 Series – the hybrid system will give a useful boost to performance and reduce fuel consumption.
Who knows, you might even manage 20mpg in the RR Ghost Hybrid. If you try really hard.
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