Discretion that becomes an arduous mission for a car 5.5 m long, with a V12 engine and owner of sumptuous lines. The new Rolls-Royce Ghost uses a new platform and an evolved chassis to enhance its dynamic merits.
As natural as it sounds to the idea of a ghost (ghost) going invisible on 99.9% of the Earth's surface, claiming that a Rolls-Royce has a discreet presence on the road is the equivalent of expecting an elephant to go unnoticed. inside a china shop.
But the super-luxury British brand in the hands of the BMW Group has taken a step in that direction, as the priorities of its target customers seem to have shifted slightly since the launch of the first generation a decade ago. At least that's what they personally told the CEO of Rolls-Royce.
Rather than holding regular clinics to assess their tastes, they were invited to a dinner (probably Michelin certified) with Torsten Müller-Ötvös, who prides himself on ensuring that “Rolls-Royce is the car manufacturer with the closest contact with its customers”.
And it was under the soft light of a crystal chandelier and a truffle foie gras, paired with a 1970s French red, that they told No. 1 Rolls-Royce that they would prefer to have a more discreet Ghost in the future. And that was an idea that expressed itself globally, at a time when Rolls-Royce was better than ever, with 5152 units sold in 2019, the best year in the brand's 116-year history, courtesy of the then recently launched Cullinan , the SUV, of course.
Probably, by the time the gourmet dessert was served, the name “Post-Opulence” had already taken shape in the brain of the prominent marketeer seated at the same table with such honorable company (for the standard-bearer Phantom, however, rules will apply different, too, in the future.
less with more
But even with Ghost, reducing opulence isn't about size — on the contrary: the second generation is nine centimeters longer (5540 mm) and three centimeters wider (1978 mm). And although only the aristocratic statue on the hood and the umbrellas (in the door pockets) have been carried over from the predecessor, it takes a well-trained eye to distinguish the two models from each other.
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The new generation has fewer ornaments and creases, the brand's typical front grille is smaller and more discreet (and with vertical fins with opaque glare so the 20 LEDs above it wouldn't make them too bright), and the most famous hood ornament in the world has been pushed back a bit. This step alone is technically complex, because the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine has to pass through an opening with pinpoint precision when the hood is opened.
If the moderation of the exterior design isn't entirely evident, the post-opulence inside is at least a little more noticeable, if not obvious.
Okay, we didn't get off to a good start in this regard because entering the second row of seats we realized that not only does it still have “suicidal” doors (inverted opening), but also, and for the first time, this spoiled passenger can now open the door with electrical assistance. . First, release the inner latch and then allow it to return to its rest position to check for any obstacles outside, then pull and hold for full assistance opening — just one touch of the button would not be approved in most markets around the world.
Right after you leave, you can close the door fully automatically, by pressing a button on the door's outer handle or closing it manually, but with electrical assistance. Longitudinal and transversal sensors, as well as “g” force sensors installed in each door, allow it to always have the same weight, regardless of whether the car is on a hill or in a horizontal plane.
Architecture of Luxury
The car's structure is the aluminum spaceframe, called the Architecture of Luxury, used for the first time on the Phantom and Cullinan, and the bodywork is also a large continuous piece of aluminum with no gaps in the dashboard that could disturb the viewer's vision. (To make this possible, four artisans weld the bodywork manually at the same time), which increases the rigidity of the body (40 000 Nm/deg) and reduces the weight.
This new in-house developed platform (unlike the 2009 model, which used the rolling base of the BMW 7 Series) paves the way for a lower center of gravity and the fact that the engine was pushed behind the front axle was key to generating a 50/50 weight distribution (front/rear).
shock absorber
Ghost suspension is probably where most of the technical progress can be found. First, there is the so-called “Planar” suspension which is an evolution of the previous “Magic Carpet Ride”.
He's the master mind behind controlling a lot more technologies than just using stereo cameras to “see” the road ahead and proactively (rather than reactively) adjust the suspension up to 100 km/h (Flagbearer system , in a reference to men who were required, by law, to carry a red flag in front of the first automobiles more than a century ago).
In their quest to create a gliding-on-land feel never before achieved by an automobile, engineers incorporated the first mass damper into the upper wishbone of the front suspension. Simply put, it is a shock absorber for the… shock absorber and allows to further improve the already remarkable result achieved by the combination of electronically controlled variable shock absorbers and the self-levelling air suspension.
The five-arm rear layout is no less sophisticated: in addition to the same air suspension technology, it benefits from a new steering axle. It's really useful for improving the Rolls-Royce Ghost's overall maneuverability and agility, as much as one might expect (and even not expect) from a car over 5.5 m long and weighing 2.5 tons.
The last V12
The 6.75 l V12 engine is inherited from the first generation, but it is itself a piece of engineering excellence and “historical value” added, as it is likely to be the last internal combustion engine in the Rolls-Royce Ghost ( the builder has already declared its intention to become an all-electric brand post-2030 and as each Ghost lasts about ten years… well, it's pretty easy to do the math…).
It is coupled with the well-known eight-speed automatic (torque converter) transmission that extracts data from the GPS to pre-select the ideal gear for every occasion. Last, and certainly not least for wealthy customers living close to the Globe's poles, the Ghost has switched from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive.
The new customer wants to drive
Tortsen Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce"Around 80% of all Ghosts are now owner-driven, even in China, we know that many customers are chauffeur-driven during the week but sit behind the wheel on the weekend."
Therefore, as this is the only Rolls with a significant number of owner-drivers, it makes sense to move to the left seat of the front row.
But before leaving this aristocratic second row, it is important to note that, in addition to the usual massage, heating and cooling functions of the rear electric seats, polluted air is automatically kept out and the ultra-fine particles are purified in two minutes thanks to a sophisticated nano-filter. No doubt pleasing details and "slightly" opulent.
The fine champagne and crystal glasses inside the refrigerated compartment between the ultra-comfortable rear seats? Well, it's still a Rolls-Royce, isn't it?
Now, sitting in Ambrose's seat, I can confirm that there is sheet of wood, metal and real leather as far as the eye can see (20 cow skin socks are used for each interior, so it's hard to say that no animal got hurt during the ride. “making of” by Ghost), which can only mean the target customer isn't quite ready to embrace a vegan, eco-friendly interior in their limousine.
“Authenticity with substance” in the words of designers-turned-marketers, a trend that has already entered the world of high-end jewelry, boat design, architecture and fashion.
To be condescending, I can admit that the lines of the dashboard have been simplified compared to its predecessor and there is not a watch decorated with diamonds here, but rather the longest decorative seam used on any car (it extends across the entire dashboard), which is the pride of designers.
Aha! Finally, you can confirm some kind of reduction, in this case, in the number of commands and switches on the new Rolls-Royce Ghost (and it's no use coming up with the argument that it's a transversal trend in the sector, even if it's true…). Disadvantages? The readability of the small buttons on the center console has deteriorated, in the same way that the seat heating indicator lights can be seen as a minor weakness.
No Sport button and no gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel, of course, but with Rolls' traditional “power reserve” indicator on the digital dashboard, “dressed” to look analogue.
there are stars in the sky
Before starting the engine, a few observations that deserve to be highlighted: after the starry roof created in 2006 (90,000 laser-engraved dots and three layers of composite materials, to help create a shimmering effect above the occupants' heads), engineers Britons have now created the illuminated dashboard. No fewer than 850 stars elegantly placed around the Ghost nameplate in front of the front passenger (hidden until the passenger compartment lights are turned on).
Then there are the subwoofers built into the doors, the “excited speakers” in the ceiling lining and the 1200W stereo system that potentially transforms music listening into an incredible sound immersion experience.
And that's not all: even silence has been worked out, as not only does the aluminum construction have an acoustic impedance superior to steel, but also careful measures were taken to eliminate noise (more than 100 kg of acoustic damping materials spread across the cabin and floor of the vehicle) and two microphones were used to neutralize any unpleasant frequencies inside, all to give users a sense of well-being from the second they step into the car.
In fact, the end result was so eerily silent that it even created an artificial whisper like white noise. Shhhhhh...
250 km/h, 4.8s from 0 to 100 km/h…
It's time to step on the gas and enjoy the improved dynamics. The twin-turbo V12 feels more energetic even if you lightly press the throttle, as a result of its availability. 1600 rpm is enough to reach the peak torque which, together with the maximum power of 571 hp, makes the V12 able to disguise the enormous weight that can easily reach three tons with four people and the 507 liters of luggage on board.
The 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 4.8s and the top speed of 250 km/h gives an idea of what the monolithic Rolls-Royce Ghost is capable of, even if it's the “how” and not the “how much” what really sets the experience of driving and being driven in this Rolls apart from anything else on the road.
This is not a luxury limousine that likes confined urban spaces, even though the directional rear axle makes life much easier in that environment as well as improving your agility on winding roads. Don't expect the car to perform the kind of performance it wasn't designed for, and when cornering speeds increase, the added grip of the all-wheel-drive system will come in handy, even if it doesn't completely mask its natural tendency to understeer.
On highways, at speeds that only German highways allow, the quality of construction, the sophistication of the chassis and the noise-insulating measures combine to define an outstanding ride comfort, impossible to surpass thanks to the adjustable shock absorbers. electronically working in conjunction with the camera system.
But also, thanks to the front suspension which, on the one hand, guarantees the famous buoyancy of a magic carpet, and on the other is much more agile, with no signs of denying the driver the chance to feel the road. And without imparting a totally artificial driving experience, due to this mechanical solution.
Technical specifications
| Rolls-Royce Ghost | |
|---|---|
| Motor | |
| Position | longitudinal front |
| Architecture | 12 cylinders in V |
| Capacity | 6750 cm3 |
| Distribution | 2 ac.c.c.; 4 valve per cylinder (48 valves) |
| Food | Injury Direct, Biturbo, Intercooler |
| power | 571 hp at 5000 rpm |
| Binary | 850 Nm at 1600 rpm |
| Streaming | |
| Traction | on four wheels |
| Gear box | 8-speed automatic (torque converter) |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension | FR: Independent, “Planar” with auxiliary damper; TR: Independent, multiarm |
| brakes | FR: Ventilated discs; TR: Ventilated Discs |
| Direction/No. of turns | Electro-hydraulic assistance/N.D. |
| turning diameter | N.D. |
| Dimensions and Capabilities | |
| Comp. x Width x Alt. | 5546mm x 2148mm x 1571mm |
| Length between the axis | 3295 mm |
| suitcase capacity | 507 l |
| Wheels | 255/40 R21 |
| Weight | 2565 kg (EU) |
| Provisions and consumption | |
| Maximum speed | 250 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h | 4.8s |
| Combined consumption | 15.2-15.7 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 347-358 g/km |
Authors: Joaquim Oliveira/Press Inform
Note: Published price is an estimate.