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.
11/06, 11:20 AM
posted by:
Szabla
“green’ has gone too far.
V12 with that many ponies, adding an electric booster to the tranny…?
Wow.
11/06, 11:36 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Adding a weighty battery and hybrid system to a hefty V-12 powered vehicle just for a 15% gain in fuel economy makes about as much sense as replacing a fat kids’ half-pound bag of plain M&Ms with a half-pound bag of dark chocolate M&Ms because they should be better for him in the long run.
11/06, 11:37 AM
posted by:
DB9
TDF:-))) Cool Dawg, wait, don’t cut that bank draft for 400 large! Wait for the Hybrid version and save a few pennies at the pumps;-)
Let’s see… Hmmm…. (Rolls Royce+V12)/(Hybrid) = Hubris even in the new math/zeitgeist – yup;-)
DB9;-)
11/06, 11:40 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
soon to be followed by a rolls royce crosstour (bmw is in charge, after all…)
11/06, 12:05 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
This has to just be for overall fleet economy purposes or something… No one is so stupid to do this just because they think rich people want a fuel efficient Rolls Royce.
11/06, 12:07 PM
posted by:
americanAUDIfan
Thats a lot of power coming from a Hybrid, but i think i would sell the house ( and possibly my left kidney) for this car, this is such a good looking Rolls!
V.A.G
11/06, 12:12 PM
posted by:
Fx NauGhtY
it will be a ghost cause I live in the city and I hardly see any plain rolls-royce at all
11/06, 12:55 PM
posted by:
scratchy
it’s BMW , the hybrid thing is just for show and they know it. they will put a hairdryer electric engine in the car like they did with the 7 Series hybrid and call it a day. rappers and Hollywood starts can now drive their “green” Rollers and fell good about it.
11/06, 2:11 PM
posted by:
American_Cars_Crap
This car would be great to drive around in Detroit. The contrast of fine European craftsmanship and driving down the rotted streets of Detroit while the big lip people stare and scratch their heads and only think about how much crack they can get for a car like that!
11/06, 2:39 PM
posted by:
The Stig
At this point they should skip the transmission altogether and go pure electric drive.
11/06, 9:59 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
For the money I would have expected a Hybrid that did everything and returned better than 30mpg city. I mean aren’t luxury companies where the best tech usually goes first?
And I do agree with “The Stig”, a GEV with Direct motor drive would have been better, Although that isn’t to say they ROLLS isn’t working on that in the room next to the broom closet. A BEV would be a bit unattractive for the lacking range. Cost not being an option, who cares how much the batteries would cost.
11/07, 12:48 AM
posted by:
spg900
A_C_C ….. I hope “big lip people” is not what I think it is !
11/07, 1:14 PM
posted by:
scratchy
Blakkarr , the purpose of luxury hybrids isn’t to get better mpg or to pollute less , it’s only a image booster. rich people have been “forced” to drive cars like the Prius for too long , now they can go back to the cars they really like without a guilty conscience.