Rolls-Royce has unveiled a new addition to its portfolio – a second-generation Ghost that’s entirely different from its predecessors. With its subtle and minimalist design, the update is set to please its new generation of clientele.
Introduced 10 years ago, the first Goodwood Ghost became the most successful model in the company’s 116-year history. Made to be driven rather than chauffeured like the flagship Phantom, its distinct design was also pivotal in the company’s global growth.
“The first Goodwood Ghost was a response to a whole new generation of clients, both in age and attitude,” Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said in a statement.
“These men and women asked us for a slightly smaller, less ostentatious means to own a Rolls-Royce. The success of the product we created for them fulfilled our most ambitious expectations.
“These business leaders and entrepreneurs demand more of their Ghost than ever. They require a new type of super-luxury saloon that is dynamic, serenely comfortable and perfect in its minimalism. Ghost is this product.”
Torsten further explains that the only components carried from the first Goodwood Ghost were the Spirit of Ecstasy and umbrellas. “Everything else was designed, crafted and engineered from the ground up,” he said.
“The result is the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet. It distils the pillars of our brand into a beautiful, minimalist, yet highly complex product that is perfectly in harmony with our Ghost clients’ needs and perfectly in tune with the times.”
The Rolls-Royce architecture is based on four fixed points, one at each corner of the car. Two of the cast suspension mounting assemblies were pushed to the front of the new Ghost, placing its 6.75L V12 behind the front axle to achieve an optimum weight distribution.
The car’s overall length was increased by 89mm, compared to the first Goodwood Ghost, to 5546mm, and its overall width has grown by 30mm to 1978mm. Significant changes were made to the double-skinned bulkhead and floor structure packaging.
These were undertaken to incorporate an all-wheel drive train, all-wheel steering and completely redesigned planar suspension system, which further enhances the marque’s hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’.
This was achieved without compromising the motor car’s low centre of gravity, which aids cornering dynamics.
“These business leaders and entrepreneurs demand more of their Ghost than ever. They require a new type of super-luxury saloon that is dynamic, serenely comfortable and perfect in its minimalism. Ghost is this product.” – Torsten Müller-Ötvös
The car’s outer body is rendered as one clean, expansive piece, flowing seamlessly from the A-pillar, over the roof and towards the rear of the car, recalling the seemingly one-piece coach-built Silver Dawn and Silver Cloud models.
Moreover, Rolls-Royce clients have enjoyed self-closing doors since the first Goodwood Phantom.
For the new Ghost, the marque’s engineers elected to develop this hallmark technology further and for the first time, clients can also open the doors with power assistance.
Priced from A$628,000, the new Ghost is the most technologically advanced motor car Rolls-Royce has ever produced.
The luxury vehicle includes LED and laser headlights with more than 600m of illuminated range, vision assist, including day- and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning; alertness assistant; a four-camera system with panoramic view and all-round visibility and helicopter view.
Additionally, the model features collision warning; cross-traffic warning; lane departure and lane change warning; an industry-leading 17.7cm x 7.6cm high-resolution head-up display; wi-fi hotspot; self-park; and the latest navigation and entertainment systems.
“Today, we set new standards in customer-centricity by creating a completely new motor car for a unique group of Rolls-Royce’s clients,” Torsten confirmed.
