GHOST IN THE MACHINE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The Rolls-Royce Ghost has been subtly rejuvenated in Series II form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look

Ten Second Reviewword count: 77

For the ultimate in automotive technology concealed behind a veil of leather and wood with a cloud-like driving experience courtesy of a V12 twin-turbo engine, look no further than the Rolls-Royce Ghost, here improved in Series II form. This enhanced version of the second generation model adds an enhanced cabin experience, slightly smarter looks and more exclusive options to a luxurious recipe that no other rival can quite match. But of course, that's reflected in the price.

Backgroundword count: 209

Rolls Royces are traditionally driven by people other than their owners. If you can afford one, you can afford to sit in the back. But what kind of car might this famous brand make if it were to design a means of conveyance aimed at people who would slip behind the wheel themselves? One as comfortable with curves as it was in the showroom? Back in 2010 with the original version of this car, the Ghost, Rolls Royce answered that question. The brand had been at that point once before. Back in 1929 when, like today, their range was headed by an imposing Phantom model, the company identified the need for a slightly smaller, more driver-orientated design. But the 20/50 model they produced was feebly-powered and ultimately unsatisfying. Perhaps in fear of repeating this mistake, the modernday Ghost we saw in 2010 employed hi-tech handling and a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12. But it borrowed too many parts from parent company BMW and felt a world removed from a Phantom, even when the brand updated it to 'Series II' form. In 2020 though, a new generation Ghost arrived, this car, which was updated to this 'Series II' form four years on and claims to be everything a Rolls Royce should be.

Driving Experienceword count: 289

One day soon, all Rolls Royces of this kind will be electrically driven but for the time being, this Ghost remains gloriously un-electrified, as before using the 6.75-litre twin turbo V12 borrowed from the Cullinan SUV. It develops a mighty 563bhp in standard form or 592bhp in uprated 'Black Badge' guise; either way, most of the torque is available from just 1,600rpm. And this leviathan of a powerplant drives all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox that Rolls insists isn't borrowed from BMW, but which must surely share some Munich technology somewhere. We said it wasn't electrified; well that's not quite true. There's a 48V active anti-roll bar which draws data from a forward facing camera and will slacken right off if it sees a bump coming. Despite that, there's a little more body roll than you'd get in, say, a Bentley Flying Spur. But Rolls Royce is fine with that; this Ghost, unlike its rival, isn't burdened with any pretensions of 'sportiness'. Yet it's still very fast; even in the standard model, sixty two mph from rest occupies just 4.8s. There's adaptive damping too of course from the planar suspension system, but Rolls Royce doesn't trust you with modes to activate it; Ghost owners expect those sorts of decisions to be made for them. You also get air springs at each corner. And four wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels 5-degrees opposite to front lock for extra manoeuvrability under 40mph; and 5-degrees the same way as the fronts for extra stability over 40mph. In addition to its extra power, the faster 'Black Badge' version gets decreased pedal travel, a raised brake point and a 'Low' drive mode with 50%-quicker gearchanges when the throttle is 90% opened.

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