After 11 years on the market, it is time for the Rolls-Royce Ghost to finally retire. A second generation model will replace it which will be available starting this fall. The Rolls-Royce Ghost’s legacy goes way beyond its own 4-door luxury sedan. A Coupe, the Wraith, and a convertible, the Dawn were derived from it. Now that the british manufacturer offers an SUV, is it really necessary to even have the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost and Extended Wheelbase version? Text: Mickael B. © Photos: Rolls-Royce Motorcars
An entry level Rolls-Royce? Did that even made sense?
When the Ghost was presented, at the International Motorshow of Frankfurt, back in 2009, I have to admit I did not like it. An entry level Rolls-Royce? Did that even made sense? Rolls-Royce to me should be anything but entry level. Entry level meant going down. Offering something cheaper, smaller, and less refined than its flagship Phantom VII. I wanted more. Not less. And yet this is exactly what Rolls-Royce was offering, and which saved them. Maybe, I should never do automotive marketing. It really turns out that what I want is not what the real customers want.
Driving a Rolls-Royce was only something retired lords living in their castles would do
The Rolls-Royce Ghost had one purpose. Rejuvenate the ageing customer base of Rolls-Royce. The brand was carrying an image of aristocracy and royalty, both of which are dying. Rolls-Royce was still struggling with sales, although the Phantom VII had clearly given some fresh air to the dying name. The British manufacturer needed to convince fresh young owners that driving a Rolls-Royce was not only something retired lords living in their castles would do. They wanted to demonstrate that it was a way for young entrepreneurs to show their wealth and success.
The Ghost is for people who think the Phantom is too big.
Thus, the Phantom was too big. Not practical enough for going around town, and certainly not a driver’s car. Young people like to drive. The flagship was as well too expensive for young people. They’d rather spend a leased half million dollars on a Lamborghini rather than a Rolls-Royce. So it was time to change that. To offer a cheaper alternative to the Phantom, BMW, who owns Rolls-Royce, provided the F01 platform from its 7-Series. They mounted a 6.6 liter twin turbo V12 offering between 570 and 612 horsepower. The Ghost was smaller, and offered a more involving driving experience without compromising on the comfort and luxury expected from a Rolls-Royce.
The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost is now built on its own platform
Now there’s a new one. Not a facelift like in 2014. A brand new one. The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost, available in standard chassis and extended wheelbase. Rolls-Royce and BMW did not change the winning recipe which made its predecessor’s success though. It’s still smaller than the Phantom. Nevertheless standard 5.5 and 5.7 meters in extended wheelbase might be considered pachydermous in some countries. It aims to continue providing an entry level Rolls-Royce. The big news though, is that it is now based on its own aluminum space-frame platform. Nothing is anymore related to the 7 Series BMW. I think this is tremendous as it means that all Rolls-Royce models are currently built on the British manufacturer’s own platforms.
Spirit of Ecstasy, suicide doors and star roof – the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost has it all
What else is there to like with the new Ghost? I think the new design is a masterpiece, much better than the first generation, and the interior now features all the geeky tweaks and assistances you’d expect from a 2020 car. It is elegant, yet sporty and has the presence any Rolls-Royce should have. Of course, the retractable spirit of ecstasy is still there, just in case to remind you that you are not driving a peasant’s car. And when your chauffeur comes to pick you up at the private jet terminal, you’ll still be granted with the famous suicide doors which make it very easy to get in. Once comfortable in the plush leather seats, you’ll find the usual star-lined roof. The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost is quieter too, with 1 decibel less inside – where it matters – thanks to 100 kg of soundproofing materials.
Active rear wheel steering for better maneuverability
The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost engine is still a revised version of BMW’s N74 V12, bored out to 6.75 liter per the tradition, sub-code name B68, which delivers 560 horsepower and 900 Nm available from 1500 rpm. It is paired with an 8 speed automatic gearbox (still no paddles), four-wheel drive transmission and air suspension. There’s no driving modes, as you only drive a Rolls-Royce one way, but the British manufacturer has added some new interesting technology to improve further the driving experience of the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost. In addition to the already known GPS based system that preselects gears based on corners approaching, you now get active rear wheel steering which should ease the car’s maneuverability.
Active anti-roll bar in the rear and mass dampers in the front – party tricks to an even more opulent ride
The two most interesting driving features though are the active rear anti-roll bar and the front suspension mass dampers. The first one uses camera to read bumps and irregularities from the road based on shadows with the purpose to stiffen or loosen the rear anti-roll bar to provide more control or more comfort depending on the situation. The second one reads front suspension travel and frequency and adjusts accordingly 2.5 kilograms weights to minimize interior cabin movement. All this provides an even better isolated drive whether you’re behind the steering wheel or in the back enjoying the luxurious and quiet experience of the new 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
This new 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost is in my opinion how the entry level Rolls-Royce should have been from the beginning. A proper Rolls-Royce, based on its own platform, providing a different – yet similar – experience to the Phantom with its own technology. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of one and see how the new Wraith and Dawn will turn out…
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