Rolls-Royce unveils all-new Ghost limousine

SUPER-LUXURY car-maker Rolls-Royce has unveiled its all-new, second-generation Ghost limousine, with a ground-up redesign that has led to what the brand describes as its most technologically advanced model yet.

Replacing the first-generation version that went on sale in 2009, the only components retained from the outgoing model have been the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and the car’s umbrellas – everything else has been constructed from a completely new design.

Rolls-Royce created the new Ghost under the design brief of ‘Post Opulence’, a concept based around the simplicity and substance, as opposed to flashy but meaningless features that only give the impression of luxury.

The simpler aesthetic starts from the exterior, with a typically squared-off front end dominated by the classic Rolls front grille with chrome vertical slats, enhanced by the inclusion of 20 LED modules underneath the top of the radiator grille, which help to subtly illuminate the grille slats.

A wide lower bumper combines with the 30mm extra vehicle width to give the Ghost a commanding on-road presence, while the simple LED headlight cluster completes the front-end look.

Suicide rear doors continue to feature on the new model, with large alloy wheels and long, clean body panels helping to add to the car’s sense of length.

At the rear, the tail-light design is similar to the outgoing model, with a sloping bootlid and twin-exit exhaust pipes.

The Ghost is underpinned by Rolls-Royce’s aluminium spaceframe architecture as seen on the Cullinan and Phantom, which has seen the new Ghost grow in length by 89mm to 5546mm and width by 30mm to 2148mm, while wheelbase length is pegged at 3295mm.

Its new underpinnings allow for greater torsional rigidity leading to improved acoustic insulation, while moving the Ghost’s engine behind the front axle has resulted in perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

Speaking of, the new Ghost is powered by a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, tuned to produce a healthy 420kW/850Nm with peak torque available from just 1600rpm.

Power is sent to all four wheels with all-wheel steering included as standard, while the sprint to 100km/h in the big barge can be completed in a brisk 4.8 seconds.

The trademark Magic Carpet Ride suspension system has been upgraded too with the new Planar Suspension System, a result of a decade of testing and development.

Combining a new upper wishbone damper unit above the front suspension assembly, a series of cameras that read the road ahead and adjust accordingly and a transmission that uses sat-nav tech to optimise gear changes, the Ghost creates a new level of ride comfort from the double-wishbone self-levelling air suspension set-up.

One hallmark of Rolls-Royce cars is the incredible acoustic insulation, and the Ghost is no exception with over 100kg of sound-deadening materials used to minimise outside noise. 

Noise will only come from within the car – namely an 18-channel, 1300W sound system, while an air purification system ensures only the cleanest air is breathed within the Ghost’s cabin.

As usual, the interior is a mix of the finest materials in the industry spanning wood, leather and various metals, while the hallmark Starlight Headliner is included.

The dashboard incorporates the new Illuminated Fascia feature on the passenger side, which mirrors the Starlight Headliner with a series of 152 LED lights colour matched to the car’s clock and instrument dial.

A full suite of active safety features will be included, as will new-gen navigation and infotainment systems and a high-resolution head-up display.

The first customer deliveries of the new-generation Ghost will begin in the first quarter of 2021.

To the end of August the brand has sold 29 combined vehicles, down 23.7 per cent over the same period last year.