We count two Rolls-Royces among the
prototypes still out and about during this viral lockdown period, as the
long-wheelbase version of the 2021 Ghost has just been spotted testing
alongside its regular-wheelbase sibling.
This is the first time we see both modes
side by side, and the difference in length is clearly noticeable, with the LWB
model having a larger rear door and a longer roof, naturally. The two remain
heavily camouflaged, though thankfully free of any body cladding, which means
that this overall shape/design is what’s making it into production, along with
those brand new front and rear fascias.
Unlike its predecessor, the all-new Ghost
will ride on the latest Phantom’s aluminum underpinnings, thus ditching the BMW
7-Series architecture. This strategy will also be applied to the next-gen
Wraith and Dawn. Power is expected to come from the same 6.75-liter twin-turbo
V12 unit used by the Phantom, producing 563 HP and 00 Nm of torque with the help of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s also possible
that Rolls-Royce will electrify the architecture, meaning that a plug-in hybrid
version of the Ghost cannot be ruled out – nor can a zero-emissions model, but
nothing has been confirmed yet.
As for its interior, we’ve actually known
since last summer that the new Ghost will resemble the Cullinan in terms of its
dashboard layout, steering wheel design, air vent positioning and more. Still,
the upper dashboard on the Ghost appears to be straighter than what we get with
the Cullinan. Rolls-Royce should unveil the 2021 Ghost sometime next year.
