Rolls-Royce Ghost (1st Gen)
2009-2020 · Rolls-Royce Ghost (1st Gen) — Luxury Saloon, V12 Twin-Turbo, designed by Ian Cameron.
The Story
The 2009 Ghost was Rolls-Royce’s masterstroke: a smaller, more driver-focused ‘entry’ model that opened Goodwood to a far wider audience. Named after the 1906 Silver Ghost, it shared a steel monocoque engineered from the BMW 7 Series (F01) rather than the Phantom’s unique aluminium spaceframe – the deliberate compromise that made it both authentic and profitable.
It worked spectacularly. The Ghost more than trebled Rolls-Royce’s sales, pushing Goodwood past 3,500 cars a year, and – in classic Rolls fashion – its 563 bhp twin-turbo V12 made the ‘entry’ car quicker than the Phantom flagship above it. It also became the platform from which the Wraith and Dawn were spun. For many buyers it remains the sweet spot of the modern range.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Luxury Saloon class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Ian Cameron
Led Rolls-Royce design through the BMW-era relaunch as Director of Design (1999-2012), delivering the landmark Phantom VII (2003) and the first-generation Ghost (2009) before handing over to Giles Taylor.
Studio Motors POV
The first Ghost is the modern Rolls that made Goodwood profitable – and a clean, sensible-spec example is arguably the smartest entry into Rolls-Royce ownership today.
The Engine
BMW N73 / N74 V12
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Ghost (1st Gen)
Worth Knowing About the Ghost (1st Gen)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) The 'entry-level' Ghost is more powerful and quicker than the Phantom flagship above it (563 bhp vs 453). 2) Its steel monocoque is engineered from the BMW 7 Series (F01) – unlike the Phantom's bespoke aluminium spaceframe. 3) The Ghost more than trebled Rolls-Royce's sales, taking Goodwood past 3,500 cars a year.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 6.6L N74 twin-turbo V12, 563 bhp. 2) Rolls-Royce's best-seller of its era. 3) Extended Wheelbase (2011) and a Series II facelift (2014). 4) Named after the 1906 Silver Ghost. 5) Built 2009-2020.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Kim Kardashian (black, customised Ghost), Jennifer Lopez and Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner – all documented owners per autoevolution / press coverage.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The Series II (2014) and the Extended Wheelbase are the most desirable. Verify the turbos, air suspension and electronics. As the donor for the Wraith and Dawn it’s mechanically well understood; steep depreciation makes a sorted, well-specced car a strong buy.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Ghost (1st Gen)
- Class
- Luxury Saloon
- Production years
- 2009-2020
- Units built
- Not disclosed (RR does not publish per-model figures)
- Variants
- Extended Wheelbase (EWB, 2011); Series II (2014 facelift); Black Badge (2016)
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V12 Twin-Turbo
- Engine family
- BMW N73 / N74 V12
- Displacement
- 6.6L (6,592 cc)
- Power
- 563 hp
- Torque
- 575 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.8 s
- Top speed
- 155 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 228 hp/tonne · 9.7 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic (ZF 8HP)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 5445 lb
Questions
Ghost (1st Gen) FAQ
What engine is in the first-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost?
The first-generation Ghost uses a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 563 bhp and 575 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Why was the first-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost significant?
The first-generation Ghost dramatically expanded Rolls-Royce annual sales after its 2009 launch — sales jumped 171% in 2010 — making it the best-selling Goodwood-era Rolls-Royce. Its name honored the 1906 Silver Ghost, the marque’s founding model.
Is the Rolls-Royce Ghost faster than the Phantom?
Counterintuitively, yes. The first-generation Ghost’s twin-turbocharged 563 bhp V12 outpowers the Phantom VII’s naturally aspirated 453 bhp, giving it a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds against the Phantom’s 5.7.
How much does a used first-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost cost?
First-generation Ghost values typically fall between $90,000 and $160,000 depending on specification, Series II facelift status, and Black Badge trim. Hagerty tracks valuations for this model.
How does the first-generation Ghost differ from the second?
The 2009 Ghost used a BMW 7 Series-derived steel monocoque with rear-wheel drive. The 2020 second generation moved to the aluminium Architecture of Luxury platform with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
Buy, sell, source or lease this Ghost (1st Gen).
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