The Rolls-Royce Ghost had its first official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2009, and represents the British luxury marque’s entry-level offering. The Series I iteration of the Ghost used a heavily revised BMW 7-Series platform in its construction, and its Bavarian underpinning remains as it was till this day. Rolls-Royce uses the Ghost’s platform for some of its other cars such as the Dawn and Wraith as well. While it might be the iconic brand’s most “affordable” model, it’s still very much a Rolls-Royce -- meaning it simply isn’t meant for those of us who get anxious whenever the fuel gauge drops below a third of a tank, obviously.
Now it may have several German hardware and software behind its actual making, but make no mistake - the Rolls-Royce Ghost is still put together at the company’s highly advanced and sophisticated plant based in Goodwood, England. However, in 2014, the Series II Ghost was unveiled, bringing along certain design updates, newer technology and several mechanical upgrades. In the UAE, the Rolls-Royce Ghost takes on other luxury nameplates such as the Bentley Flying Spur and Jaguar XJ to name a few.
Exterior
If it’s sheer expression of elegance, unadulterated feeling of class, and an almost unmatched sense of success, few motor vehicles do it as well as a Rolls-Royce. And that’s certainly true for this baby Rolls as well -- in every bit of its 5.5-meter long (EWB) body. As you can see, the Ghost is definitely on the larger side, considering its “entry-level” status -- it’s 1.948 meters wide and has a wheelbase spanning 3.465 meters in the case of the Extended Wheelbase variant. On the practicality front, the total boot space of the Rolls-Royce Ghost is 490 liters. Unlike some of its flashier counterparts, the whole philosophy behind the Rolls-Royce Ghost’s design is that of simplicity and clean lines. Viewed head on, the Series II Ghost features the marque’s trademark and stately front grille. It’s more compact than the one on the Phantom, but still doesn’t lose out on that upscale appeal.
The revised front fascia of the Series II Ghost also sports full-LED headlamps, the iconic and hood-mounted Spirit of Ecstasy ornament, and an unfussy bumper with its integrated LED turn lights and restyled lower apron. Along the sides, the most noteworthy design highlights are the Ghost’s long hood, short overhangs, enormous 21-inch wheels, regal-looking 'yacht lines', and undisturbed yet subtly sculpted body panels. The rear is just as unfussy as the rest of the Ghost, and there’s not a single unwanted line or styling for the sake of styling.
Interior
Step inside the Rolls-Royce Ghost and shut the electronically-operated door, and you’re surrounded almost instantly by pin-drop silence. The interior design is simple, effortlessly elegant and posh, and customization options are almost endless. The quality of various trim, accents, leather upholstery and wood veneer is top-notch. The massaging seats are splendidly comfortable, while pleasant blockers are a royal touch. Some of the Ghost’s never-ending equipment list includes adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, adaptive headlamps, quad-zone climate control, head-up display, mood lighting, 10.25-inch multimedia interface, 18-speaker custom audio system, internet connectivity, climate-controlled seats, and double-glazed windows to name a few. As one can imagine, the Ghost also comes packed with plenty of modern safety features, both passive and active.
Engine and performance
The most powerful avatar of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost is the Black Badge edition. Its 6.6-liter V12 has been massaged and now chucks out 612 horsepower and 840 newton-meters of shove at the rear wheels. This means that despite its hefty 2.4-ton mass, the Ghost will scram from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 5.0 seconds, with the electronic governor coming into force at an indicated 250 km/h.
Verdict
The price to enter the Rolls-Royce Ghost club kicks off from “only” AED 1,310,000, and that’s without any optional extras -- of which there are PLENTY. Meanwhile, the Black Badge incarnation starts from AED 1,550,000.
