Coupe version of Rolls' Ghost is on the way

Rolls-Royce executives says derivatives of the Ghost sedan probably will appear within two years, but they have axed plans for an electric Rolls-Royce.

Customers showed no interest when the Phantom-based 102EX plug-in hybrid EV concept went on a road tour. So there will be no electric or hybrid model for the superluxury brand.

Owners also showed no interest in smaller engines and urged Rolls-Royce to keep the 6.75-liter 12-cylinder that powers the Ghost and the Phantom.

Ghost: A coupe version will debut in 2013 or 2014. Spy photos appeared last month showing a two-door that is shorter than the sedan. If Rolls-Royce follows its traditional nomenclature protocol, the coupe will get a different name.

A convertible likely would appear two years after the coupe.

Phantom: The sedan, Drophead Coupe and Coupe have been freshened. They will be called the Series II models when they go on sale in the United States in September. This is the first change since the Phantom went on sale in 2003. The cars get an updated navigation system and, for the first time, connections for mobile phone and entertainment devices. The most important change is the new eight-speed automatic transmission that replaces the current six-speed automatic and boosts fuel economy by 10 percent.

When it is redesigned -- probably about 2016 -- the Phantom will share its architecture with the new-generation BMW 7-series sedan and will make extensive use of carbon, aluminum and other lightweight compounds to reduce body weight and improve fuel economy.