2010 Rolls Royce Ghost To Spawn Variants

BRITISH LUXURY MARQUE Rolls Royce expects its upcoming 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost to nearly double sales for the company, but it won't be kicking back while the money rolls in.

In a recent chat with UK car rag Autocar, the Ghost's exterior stylist, Andreas Thurner, revealed that the prestige manufacturer is working on a family of models based on the Ghost.

“The Ghost was designed in a way to make other body styles,” Thurner told Autocar. “We have to build up a family for the Ghost just as we did for the Phantom.”

No new Ghost-based models have been specifically approved for development or production, but Thurner's comments indicate that growing the Ghost line is being discussed at Rolls Royce.

Likely directions for expanding the Ghost name would include a convertible - a soft-top or folding hardtop - and a two-door coupe.

Exploring the idea of introducing smaller cars to the Rolls range - such as a BMW 3 Series equivalent - Thurner was clear that it wasn't likely.

“The Ghost is about as small as you could go for an authentic Rolls-Royce,” Thurner told Autocar. “Any smaller and it would lack the presence, comfort, space and stance that we want.”

The 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost is set to be a technological tour de force for the British marque, with a highly sensitive multi-link independent suspension system applied at both the front and rear, with four electronically-controlled airbags ensuring a smooth ride.

Cornering should be just as smooth, with Active Roll Stabilisation keeping the body upright through the turns.