The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost
Exceeding a Benchmark in Luxury Architecture –
Rolls-Royce’s New Ghost
It was in 2009 when Rolls-Royce announced a new addition to its portfolio that offered something entirely different to its flagship Phantom. First sought-after a with a relentless pursuit of perfection in design, engineering and craftsmanship, the marque’s mission was then to create a more modest and minimalist expression of Rolls-Royce, welcome to the Goodwood Ghost.
After Ghost’s decade-long market presence, Rolls-Royce utilized data collected by Luxury Intelligence Specialists to allow for the reinvasion – gathering behaviors in how Ghost clients use their motor car, how they commission it and how they perceive Rolls-Royce. It is now that we see the latest vision in the company’s 116-year history, after Ghost’s formidable success the market welcomes a new collective result being a motor car precisely tailored to its clients, appearing perfect in its simplicity, underpinned by remarkable substance, and focused on less is better. This is the ‘Post Opulence’ take on the is new Ghost.
What this new generation offers is nothing short of engineering mastery. As our eyes glanced upon the redesigned saloon during first previews at the prestige Manhattan Motor Cars Rolls-Royce showroom, it was viewed in its most pared back form. New lines, tech features and a true client-centric experience is what the brand was driving at (pun intended). Hitting the road with an increased vehicle with to subtly communicate it’s presence, you are initially greeted by a new illuminated grill. With 20 LEDs placed just underneath it’s top, a subtle glow is cast down each of the pantheon veins. The glow is further accentuated by a subtle design integration upon the initial introduction of this feature the aesthetic team felt the reflection was too striking, so each of the veins feature one brushed side to mute and amplify a softer feel. The iconic /Spirit of Ecstasy’ which sits atop each vehicle has also been simplified, now positioned to sit snugly within the vehicle’s bonnet. The body itself also sees a softened appearance, taking cues from boating design with a smoothed lower waft line and striking roofline arch recalling the coachbuilt days of the Silver Dawn and Silver Cloud. The rear is also minimalistic, keeping with the cues which are notable to the brand but with a tighter more-breathy boot, speaking to its modern feel.
From it’s simultaneously hand-welded points, the body and chassis now are rebirthed with the expectation of luxury. New Ghost, which features a proprietary aluminum spaceframe architecture, now has the flexibility and furthermore scalability that will allow the marque to serve both the unique aesthetic and mechanical demands to be seen. This new platform has created an acoustically superior, highly rigid and dynamic proposition for this model’s future. The Rolls-Royce architecture is based around four fixed points, one at each corner of the motor car. The moveable aluminum bulkhead, floor, crossmembers and sill panels were positioned specifically to ensure that the new Ghost meets client expectations as a motor car that is equally enjoyable to drive as it is to be driven in. Two of the cast suspension mounting assembles were pushed to the very front of new Ghost, which placed its upgraded 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine behind the front axle to achieve an optimum 50/50 weight distribution. The engine sees a power increase from the previous 6.6-litre and now boasts a remarkable 627lb of torque, so if you are concerned about propelling the total 5628.4-lbs of curb weight, don’t be.
Along with some other technical upgrades we see an evolution in the marque’s hallmark Magic Carpet Ride. Specialists have added the new Planar Suspension System which incorporates a world-first, an Upper Wishbone Damper unit that is located above the front suspension assembly. This works in direct conjunction with the vehicle’s Flagbearer camera system that reads the road ahead and helps ‘prepare’ for suspension and driving changes. This also uses the vehicles Satellite-Aided Transmission which helps select the optimum gear to keep your corners sharp and hills filled with torque.
Upon entering the vehicle you are greeted with the fully powered door operating system, allowing you to now close and open with power assistance at the push of a button or grab of a handle. Refined cabin ambiance was a factor in Ghost’s ‘Formula for Serenity’ with many of the technical design cues which included an obsessive approach to make your driving or riding experience virtually silent. Double-glazed windows, redesigned steering and drive shaft, interior acoustic dampening panels and a new seamless body silhouette all add up to equal the perfect formula to acoustically-harmonizing the car. You will also be greeted by the hallmark Starlight Headliner, which features over 1,300 individually placed fiber-optic points, but also something a little extra. The illuminated facia, which sits above a newly refined tyle of open-poor wood, now features the Ghost nameplate also features 152 individual LEDs, mimicking the headliner and warming the interior ambiance. The vehicles’ Bespoke audio system also received an upgrade as it now features 18 individually controlled channels providing a 1300W output for optimal audio enjoyment. Serenity isn’t truly found unless you experience the integrated ‘MEPS’ or Micro-Environment Purification System. With a set of highly sensitive impurity detection sensors, the ability to detect poor air quality is instant, allowing for all airborne contaminates to be passed through a nanofleece filter removing ultra-fine particles in less than two minutes. Drive, ride, listen and breathe better with Ghost.
If safety should be a question, this model is noted to be the most technologically advanced of the Rolls-Royce line up yet. Equipped with LED and laser headlights that feature more than 1,900 feet of illuminated range, a vision assistant that includes day and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning, an alertness assistant, and the unparalleled collision and cross-traffic assistant that are all available on the integrated heads-up display. Of course, if you need the reassurance, all standard features like a premium navigation and entertainment system, Wi-Fi hotspot and self-park are there too.
The new Ghost is a showcase in emerging design movement that brands stive to achieve while possessing the insight and intellect of their most valuable resource, its owners. Should you have the means to drive, experience, and possibly own one of the fine-tuned saloons, you will understand why the mastery of this heritage brand is so highly coveted.
