Rolls Royce Ghost LWB Spied

The Rolls Royce Ghost LWB caught testing

Rolls Royce are working on a stretched version of the Ghost – The Rolls Royce Ghost LWB –  will go on sale mid-2011.

At first we didn’t really ‘get’ the Rolls Royce Ghost. It seemed very close to the Phantom in all it offered, particularly in size. And seeing it for the first time – in isolation – as the EX200 did nothing to dissuade us from that notion.

But getting up close and personal with the Ghost (thanks to a friend of Cars UK – RR hasn’t sent us one yet) – especially when you have the chance to compare the Ghost with the Phantom side by side – shows just how clever Rolls Royce has been.

The Ghost is a car to drive and the Phantom a car to be driven in. The Phantom insulates you completely from the world beyond – real plutocrat transport – even though it offers a surprisingly good drive. The Ghost, on the other hand, is far more involving.

Don’t run away with the idea that the Ghost is a sports saloon in the mould of an XJ or an S65. It’s not. But it can do a very good imitation of one most of the time thanks to its very clever intelligent air suspension system with multi-link aluminium axles, with Active Roll Stabilisation and Variable Damping Control.

Sounds complicated, but it does conspire to offer sharp (ish) handling and a cosseting ride – the Holy Grail. And a thumping great 6.6 litre V12 with a 0-60mph of 4.7 seconds doesn’t hurt either.

And the Ghost is a big success with a long waiting list. Which will become an even more impressive waiting list when Rolls Royce reveals the Ghost Coupe and Ghost DHC – one of which could turn up as early as Detroit in January. But it seems Rolls Royce also has in hand a stretched Ghost – the Rolls Royce Ghost LWB.

Not entirely sure we see the market for a stretched Ghost – the Ghost LWB is said to gain an extra 6″ in the back – which will probably end up costing the same as a Phantom. Which could hurt Phantom sales or make the Ghost LWB a poor seller. But the marketing game in the car world these days is to cater for every conceivable niche which, thanks to modern manufacturing methods, is far more realistic than it ever was.

So – clever move or not – you’ll be able to grab a Rolls Royce Ghost LWB from the middle of 2011.