2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Review

Rolls-Royce says the outgoing Ghost is the most successful model in the company's 116-year history. 

Not bad, considering the first Goodwood Ghost has only been around since 2009. And while the factory doesn't give specific numbers, this all-time best-seller means it outperformed over 30,000 Silver Shadows produced. from 1965 to 1980

Unlike the brand's flagship Phantom, the Ghost is designed for owners who want to drive and have fun. The goal is to make it less conspicuous but more fun, and according to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Otvös, there was a lot of listening involved in developing the next generation Ghost. 

He says a team of "luxury intelligence specialists" contacted Ghost owners around the world to get a clearer picture of their likes and dislikes. And the result is this car.

While its predecessor's engineering DNA included more than a few strands of the BMW 7 Series (BMW owns Rolls-Royce), this all-new vehicle stands apart on the RR alloy platform that also underpins the Cullinan SUV and flagship Phantom.

The factory claims that only the “Spirit of Ecstasy” parts on the nose and umbrellas inserted in the doors (holders for them, by the way, are heated) were transferred from the previous model.

We were offered to spend the day behind the wheel, and it was a revelation.

Rolls-Royce Ghost 2021: SWB
Safety Rating
engine's type	6.6L
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	14.3l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$500,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 10/10

Good value is open to broad interpretation in this rarefied part of the new car market. At first glance, the cost may refer to standard equipment; features that make life in the car safer, more comfortable and more efficient.

You may also need to make a list of competitors to determine how much sheet metal, rubber, and glass you will get for your money. Maybe a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class or a Bentley Flying Spur?

But take those layers off and you're closer to the heart of the Rolls-Royce cost equation. 

Rolls-Royce is a statement of wealth, a confirmation of status, and a measure of success. And that will be enough for some. But it also benefits those who appreciate the last few percent of creativity and effort that produces exceptional results.

Rolls-Royce is a statement of wealth, a confirmation of status, and a measure of success.

Sounds like some bullshit. But once you dive into the backstory of this car's development and experience it firsthand, it's hard not to.

We could write a separate story about the standard features of Ghost, but here's a video with the highlights. Included: LED and laser headlights, 21" twin-spoke alloy wheels (partially polished), electrically adjustable, ventilated and massage seats (front and rear), 18-speaker audio system, "Effortless Doors" electric doors. , head-up display, all-leather trim (it's everywhere), multiple digital screens, active cruise control, adaptive air suspension and more. lot more.

But let's select a few of them for a closer look. The audio system is designed and manufactured in-house, equipped with a 1300W amplifier and 18 channels (one for each built-in RR speaker). 

The audio system is designed and produced in-house, equipped with a 1300 W amplifier and 18 channels.

In fact, there is a sound quality team and they turned the whole car into an acoustic instrument by calibrating the resonance through its structure to optimize clarity. Not a five-minute job that requires complex interaction with the design and engineering teams, not to mention the bean counters.

And yes, there is leather everywhere, but it is of the highest quality, analyzed at a (literally) detailed level to make sure it is suitable for use in this car. Even the stitching is set to a specific (longer than normal) length to minimize visual noise.

How about having RR staff travel the world to measure raindrops to make sure rooftop gutters work the best they can (true story). Or 850 LED "stars" on the dash, supported by a 2.0mm thick "light guide" with 90,000 laser-etched dots that spread the light evenly but add shimmer.

Even the stitching is set to a specific length to minimize visual noise.

You get the idea. And while they say, "If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it," the cost of entry for the 2021 Ghost, before any options or travel expenses are included, is $628,000.

Depending on your point of view, a whopping $42.7 for an entry-level Kia Picantos, a car that can get you from point A to point B just like the Ghost. Or, on the other hand, the brilliant value of the utmost attention to detail put into the design, development and execution of this car. You be the judge, but be that as it may, I'm in the last camp.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

Rolls-Royce adopted what it calls a "post-luxury" philosophy when designing the new Ghost. In particular, restraint, "refusal of superficial manifestations of wealth."

This is because, in general, Ghost clients are not Phantom clients. They don't want to make big announcements and prefer to drive as often as they prefer to be chauffeured.

This Ghost is longer (+89mm) and wider (+30mm) than the previous model, yet has a superbly balanced shape with minimalism as its main design principle. 

This Ghost is longer and wider than the previous model, yet perfectly balanced.

However, the iconic "Pantheon grille" has grown larger and is now illuminated by 20 LEDs under the top of the heatsink, and its individual slats have been further polished to subtly reflect light. 

The car's wide surfaces are tightly wrapped and deceptively simple. For example, the rear fenders, C-pillars and roof are made as one panel, which explains the lack of plumes around the rear of the car (except for the trunk contour, of course).

Rolls-Royce refers to the Ghost's cabin as an "interior set" of no less than 338 individual panels. But despite this amount, the feeling inside is simple and serene.

The car's wide surfaces are tightly wrapped and deceptively simple.

In fact, Rolls says its acoustic engineers are experts in peace of mind. Looks like Darryl Kerrigan needs Ghost for a family trip to Bonnie Doone.

Several details stand out. The open pore wood finish is a nice tactile change from high quality veneer that often goes out of its way to look like plastic.

Proper metal chrome trim elements of the cabin speak confidently of quality and solidity, and the steering wheel, as well as the buttons around the multimedia controllers, are subtle echoes.

Starlight's signature headliner, using innumerable LEDs to create a glittering rooftop night sky, now includes a shooting star effect.

The wheel has a round center panel with additional buttons around the bottom perimeter, echoing the style of the 1920s and 30s. You half expect the ignition advance/retard lever to grow out of its center.

And the buttons around the media controllers use a combination of shape, color and font to evoke thoughts of the same era. They can be made from Bakelite.

For those addicted to it, the signature 'Starlight Headliner', which uses innumerable LEDs to create a glittering rooftop night sky, now includes a shooting star effect. You can even select the constellation of your choice.

Proper metal chrome trim elements confidently speak of quality and solidity.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost is over 5.5m long, over 2.1m wide, and about 1.6m high. And within that sizable footprint is a 3295mm wheelbase, so unsurprising utility and practicality aren't exceptional.

First, the entrance inside. The "bus" or "clamshell" doors will be familiar to current Ghost owners, but their "easy" operation is new: A gentle push on the doorknob triggers welcome electronic assistance.

Once at the rear of the car, as with the previous model, pressing a button on the C-pillar will close the door.   

"Carriage" or "clamshell" doors will be familiar to current Ghost owners, but their "easy" operation is new.

But up front, it's easy to get into the spacious driver's seat thanks to the Ghost's sheer size and large doorway. 

The carefully thought-out layout offers enough space for people and things. Large glove box, large central storage box (with every possible connection option known to mankind), phone slot and two cup holders under a sliding wooden lid. The door pockets are large, with a sculpted bottle compartment. 

Then the rear. Obviously designed for two, the back seat is designed for three. Luxurious all-leather seats are electronically adjustable in multiple directions, and NBA players (almost certainly future owners) will be happy with the leg, head, and shoulder room provided.

Up front, it's easy to settle into the spacious driver's seat.

Need even more rear space? Step forward to a 5716mm (+170mm) long wheelbase version of the Ghost, with a 3465mm (+170mm) wheelbase, up to $740,000 (+$112,000). It's $659 for an extra millimeter, but who's counting?

But back to the rear of the car with a standard wheelbase. Fold the large center armrest down and two cup holders pop out at the front. The wood-finished top lid then swings forward to reveal a rotary media controller.

Behind, a beautifully finished storage box offers ample space and 12V power, and behind door number three (a flip-down leather panel at the back of the armrest opening) is a small refrigerator. What else?

Then the rear. Obviously designed for two, the back seat is designed for three.

At the rear of the front center console are separate climate control outlets, as well as USB and HDMI connectors.

Push a discreet chrome button and small tables (RR calls them picnic tables) fold out of the backs of the front seats, clad in the same open-pore wood as the dashboard, console, steering wheel and door trims, finished in flawless chrome.

The entire interior benefits from the Micro-Environment Purification System (MEPS), and rather than bore you with details, let's just say it's exceptionally efficient. 

Trunk volume is a solid 500 liters, with a power lid and plush carpet lining. Of course, the air suspension system can lower the car to make it a little easier to load heavy or awkward items.

Trunk volume is a solid 500 liters, with a power lid and plush carpet lining.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

The new Ghost is powered by an all-alloy 6.75-liter V12 direct-injection twin-turbocharged engine (also used in the Cullinan SUV), producing 420 kW (563 hp) at 5000 rpm and 850 Nm at 1600 rpm.

The "six and three-quarter liter" V12 is distantly related to the BMW "N74" engine, but Rolls-Royce goes out of its way to point out that this unit stands on its own two legs, and that every part of it carries a PP part number. 

The new Ghost is powered by an all-alloy 6.75-litre V12 twin-turbocharged direct injection engine.

It works with a custom Ghost engine map and constantly drives all four wheels through an eight-speed GPS-controlled automatic transmission.

That's right, the GPS link will pre-select the most appropriate gear for the upcoming turns and terrain in order to create a "feel of one endless gear". More on this later.

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How much fuel does it consume? 6/10

Rolls currently lists NEDC European Fuel Consumption (NEDC) data for the new Ghost, which is 15.0 l/100 km on a combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle, while the large V12 engine emits 343 g/km of CO2.

On starting power, driving about 100km in city driving, cornering on B roads and cruising on the freeway, we saw 18.4L/100km written on the dash. 

Rolls is currently quoting European fuel consumption figures for the new Ghost.

Premium unleaded 95 octane is recommended, but if circumstances warrant (presumably at heart), standard 91 octane unleaded can be used. 

Whatever you choose, you will need at least 82 liters to fill the tank, with our average fuel consumption, which is enough for a theoretical range of 445 km.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

Rolls-Royce doesn't submit its cars for independent safety assessments, so the new Ghost doesn't have an ANCAP rating unless, of course, the local testing authority decides to purchase it. Enough said...

The previous Ghost was limited by its outdated 7 Series platform when it comes to the latest active safety technology, but this version, mounted on a custom RR chassis, increases the speed of the Roller.

AEB included, including "Vision Assist" (wildlife and pedestrian detection day and night), active cruise control (with semi-autonomous driving), cross-traffic alert, lane departure and lane change alert, and Vigilance Assistant.

Rolls-Royce doesn't submit its cars for independent safety assessments, so the new Ghost doesn't have an ANCAP rating.

There's also a four-camera system with a panoramic view and a helicopter view, as well as a self-parking function and a high-resolution head-up display. 

If all this isn't enough to avoid a crash, passive safety includes eight airbags (front, front side, full-length curtain, and front knee).

The two outer rear seats also have top straps and ISOFIX anchorages to securely secure child restraints for children lucky enough to travel in this style. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

4 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Rolls-Royce covers its Australian range with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty, but that's just the tip of the ownership iceberg.

It is claimed that the Whispers owners' mysterious portal, "the world beyond", provides an opportunity to "access the inaccessible, discover rare finds, communicate with like-minded people." 

Rolls-Royce covers its lineup in Australia with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Paste your vehicle's VIN into the app and you'll receive curated content, event invites, news and offers, as well as access to your own "Rolls-Royce Garage" and XNUMX/XNUMX concierge. Everything is free.

What's more, service is recommended every 12 months/15,000 km, and it's free for the duration of the warranty.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

So, if this Rolls is meant to be driven, what's it like behind the wheel? Well, for starters, he's plush. For example, the front seats are large and comfortable, but surprisingly supportive and infinitely adjustable.

The digital instrument panel tips its hat to the classic RR dials, and despite the thick pillars (especially the bulky B-pillars), visibility is good.

And if you think that 2553 kg is a lot for the Ghost, you are right. But there is nothing better than using the 420kW/850Nm of beefy V12 twin-turbo engine for this purpose.

Peak torque is already reached at 1600 rpm (600 rpm above idle), and Rolls-Royce claims it reaches 0 km/h in 100 seconds. Put your right foot on and this car will quietly get you to key-throw speeds in the blink of an eye, with an eight-speed automatic shifting seamlessly all the way. And even at full throttle, the engine noise is relatively low.

If you think that 2553 kg is a lot for the Ghost, you are right.

But aside from that amazing traction, the next revelation is the incredible ride quality. Rolls calls it "The Flying Carpet Ride," and that's no exaggeration.

The bumpy road surface disappearing under the front wheels just doesn't match the unruffled, perfectly smooth ride you experience. It's incredible.

I've only had that feeling once, driving a Bentley Mulsanne, but it was perhaps even more surreal.

Rolls-Royce's Planar suspension system means "a geometric plane that is completely flat and level" and it works.

The setup is double wishbones at the front (including an RR-unique upper wishbone damper) and a five-link design at the rear. But it's the air suspension and active damping that creates the magic that Rolls calls "flying on the ground."

Apart from this amazing traction, the next discovery was the incredible ride quality.

The Flagbearer stereo head-up camera reads information about the road ahead and pre-adjusts the suspension at speeds up to 100 km/h. The name is reminiscent of the early days of "car manufacturing" when a man waved a red flag in front of cars to warn unwary pedestrians. This slightly more sophisticated approach is just as eye-catching.

This time, the Ghost has all-wheel drive (rather than RWD), and it cuts down power brilliantly. We dared to push it quite aggressively on a twisty section of the B road, and all four fat Pirelli P Zero tires (255/40 x 21) kept the car on track without much squeal.

The 50/50 weight distribution and the rigidity of the car's aluminum space frame help keep it balanced, planted and handling. But, on the other hand, the feeling of the steering wheel is almost completely absent. Numb and too light, it is the missing link in Ghost's impressive dynamic performance.

Take a freeway cruise and you'll experience incredibly low noise levels. But not as quiet as it could be. Rolls says he's able to achieve near-total silence, but adds that it's disorienting, so he added an ambient "whisper"... "a single subtle note." 

This time, the Ghost has all-wheel drive and is brilliant at downsizing.

To achieve this level of tranquility, the bulkhead and floor were double-walled, internal components tuned to a specific resonant frequency, and 100kg sound-absorbing materials in almost half of the car's structure, in the doors, on the roof, in the double-glazed windows, even inside the tires.

The four-wheel steering system helps with agility on the highway (where the front and rear axles turn at the same time), but comes into its own at parking speeds (where they counteract), because even with numerous cameras and sensors, the parking machine is 5.5m long and weighs 2.5 tons is not an easy task. However, the turning radius is still 13.0m, so be careful. If all else fails, the car will still park itself.

Powerful ventilated disc brakes front and rear dampen speed smoothly and without a hint of drama.

Other highlights? The multimedia system is the only thing that is clearly borrowed from BMW, but this is not a problem, because the interface is excellent. And this 1300-channel, 18W, 18-speaker audio system is just crazy!

Verdict

You may think that this is an obscene luxury or a piece of engineering prowess, but there is no denying that the new Rolls-Royce Ghost is exceptional. Incredibly refined and capable, this is arguably the most impressive entry-level car in the world.