Rolls-Royce is better known for luxury motoring than green technology, but the British automaker is reportedly readying a hybrid version of its all-new Ghost sedan. Rolls-Royce will lean heavily on parent BMW for the Ghost’s hybrid drivetrain.
As the Ghost is largely based on the BMW 7-Series platform, the hybrid Roller will borrow most of its technology from the ActiveHybrid 7-Series. Since the two vehicles are so closely related development is said to be moving rather quickly, although it remains to be seen when the Ghost hybrid will hit the market.
Like the standards Ghost, the hybrid model will employ a 563 horsepower 6.2L V12 engine. However, the hybrid drivetrain will add an electric motor integrated into the car’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Although the system doesn’t include an all-electric mode, the added twist of the electric motor – along with start-stop technology – will boost fuel economy by about 15 percent, according to Autocar.
Power for the system will be provided via a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid Ghost will do away with a tradition alternator, instead relying on the electric motor for smoother and quieter starts.
No word on when the hybrid Ghost will arrive in Rolls-Royce showrooms, but look for the more fuel efficient model to carry a hefty premium over its gas-only counterpart.
