The second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost has just made its local debut here in Malaysia, with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur offering it in two variants: regular and long wheelbase.
First unveiled globally in September last year, the all-new Rolls-Royce Ghost adopts a new “post-opulent” design language throughout the entire car. While it may look like a largely evolutionary design, especially on its exterior, the bespoke carmaker says that this Ghost is completely new, with the only carry-over items being the Spirit of Ecstasy, and the in-door umbrella.
EXTERIOR
Post-Opulent supposedly means an increased emphasis on minimalism. The body panels are a prime example – the area around the Spirit of Ecstasy is now completely void of any panel lines, making the iconic hood ornament sculpture look like it’s standing within it’s own “lake” of bonnet.
On the side, a single character line accentuates the length of the car, complemented by a “waft line” lower down, a design element borrowed from boats which uses reflection to “lighten the surfacing and create a pure, uncomplicated sense of motion”.
While we’re on the topic of length, the standard wheelbase version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost measures 5,545 mm long, while the extended version spans 170 mm more at 5,715 mm long, with the additional length going directly to the rear passenger quarter.
Moving to the back, the iconic “near-square” lights have been modernised on the all-new Ghost with a slight tilt towards the front, and again, is also clear of any panel shut lines around it.
The main highlight (pun not intended, really) of the new Ghost however, especially when viewed from the front, is the new illuminated grille – a first-of-a-kind on a Rolls-Royce vehicle. Using 20 individual LEDs located underneath the top of the grille, the resulting illumination effect is a soft, restrained glow on the metal vanes for a touch of modernity, without sacrificing its classiness.
INTERIOR
The modernised minimalist design theme is also continued in the interior, and in classic Rolls-Royce fashion, everything is made with the utmost attention to the most minute detail, with the most exquisite furnishing materials.
The dashboard is characterised by a Ghost word mark, surrounded by more than 90,000 laser-etched dots across the surface to echo the twinkling starlight effect on the headliner. Rolls-Royce even specifically crafted a 2 mm thick light guide underneath it to ensure that the entire panel is lit evenly – almost as if it’s an OLED display.
And just because it’s a Rolls-Royce, you can also equip the all-new Ghost with a champagne fridge, developed with the assistance of a Master Sommelier. The champagne fridge operates at two cooling modes: six degrees or 11 degrees centigrade, which are supposedly the “optimum serving temperature” for non-vintage and vintage champagnes.
To deliver the ultimate motoring experience for the elite bosses, Rolls-Royce packed the all-new Ghost with more than 100 kg of acoustic insulation material in the doors, roof, between the double-glazed windows, throughout the entire aluminium spaceframe architecture itself, and even inside the tyres in what the company calls “Formula for Serenity”.
The obsession to details led to the development of the ‘whisper’, where each component on the car is specifically tuned to a common resonant frequency, experienced as a soft subtle tone of a single note while on the move to offset the otherwise eerily-quiet cabin.
With acoustic treatment rivalling that of a professional sound studio, it’s only right that it also gets the ultimate sound system. To that end, the Rolls-Royce ghost features a 1300 watt “audiophile grade” 18-speaker set-up, where even the Starlight Headliner is also in effect acting as a large speaker.
Even the motorised doors – a first on the Ghost – gets the same attention to detail. Sensors are fitted to the doors itself to ensure that it opens and closes with the same graceful speed, no matter the gradient that the car is parked on.
And to finish off the lavish interior, the second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost also comes with a new Micro Environment Purification System (MEPS), which automatically switches the fresh air intakes to recirculation mode if unacceptable levels of airborne contaminants are detected outside. If needed, it can even purge the entire cabin environment in less than two minutes.
PERFORMANCE
Both versions of the all-new Rolls-Royce Ghost are powered by a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, serving up 571 hp and 850 Nm of torque. The massive powerplant is paired to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission to send powers to all four wheels, allowing the luxobarge to achieve a century sprint time of just 4.8 seconds – when the driver demands it, of course.
Most journeys experienced in a Rolls-Royce will be on the relaxing side. On that front, the all-new Ghost delivers the signature “magic carpet ride” via its self-levelling air suspension, further enhanced by the new Planar Suspension System which equips the front upper wishbones with additional dampers for an even smoother ride.
The ride quality is further aided by the Flagbearer function, which uses a set of stereo cameras to scan the road ahead, immediately altering the air suspension system to prepare it for bumps and undulations.
PRICING
The all-new Rolls-Royce Ghost starts at RM1,450,000 for the regular wheelbase version, and RM1,650,000 for the extended wheelbase model – both of which are without relevant taxes and of course, the long list of options available for customisation.
Each of these bespoke cars will come as standard with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty, with options for an additional two, three, or five years of coverage.
GALLERY
