Rolls-Royce Motor Cars started 2010 whirring with its super-luxe saloon launch yesterday. Previously named as the 200EX concept in the Geneva motor show, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is the first in a new 'baby' model series, separate from the Phantom family.

The new Ghost is affectionately referred to as the 'baby Roller' in some circles. Its wheelbase measures 3,295mm - some 300mm shorter than the Phantom's. Its lines, on first glance, are more informal than the Phantom family but its numbers are, by no means, churlish.

The Ghost boasts a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine that peaks at 5250rpm with 563 horsepower. Combined with a maximum torque of 780Nm at a low 1,500rpm, the Ghost will strike 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Top speed will be electronically limited to 250km/h. The impressive numbers just mean one thing - you may want to clobber your chauffeur over the head and take over the job just for this car.

Despite the sporty numbers, electronic aids will keep the baby smooth and composed. They include anti-roll stabilisation, dynamic brake control, dynamic stability control, traction control and cornering brake control.

The Ghost will cost $998,888 for the basic variant and delivery dates are expected to be in the second quarter of 2010.

New Ghost, new customers

The modernistic addition to the Rolls-Royce family seems to have garnered attention from new quarters.

According to Ms Brenda Pek, Rolls-Royce's general manager for South and East Asia-Pacific, 80 per cent of the orders taken came from new customers, with previous clients making up the remaining orders.

About a dozen customers have already put down deposits for the new Ghost, The Straits Times reported on Thursday.

Mr Dan Balmer, product manager of the Ghost and now Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' marketing manager for Asia-Pacific, told the national broadsheet that he is confident the new model will help the company double sales this year.

In Asia, Rolls-Royce has already taken about 250 orders for the Ghost, the company's Asia-Pacific regional director Mr Colin Kelly, told Reuters.

An extended wheelbase variant, a coupe and a drophead coupe may be produced if all things go well, said Mr Kelly.

"I think all these things will be very, very popular but we have to go through the process of having this approved," he told Reuters.

The company hoped to sell about 3,000 cars worldwide this year, compared to about 1,200 in 2008, Reuters reported.

To cope with anticipated demand, Rolls-Royce has already increased its manufacturing workforce at Goodwood, UK, by 50 per cent.