When it comes to British design, you won’t find any product in the world that encapsulates the idea more than the Rolls-Royce. Ever since the company was founded back in the early twentieth century, they’ve been producing some of the most luxurious vehicles in the world. While other areas of the market have wavered, Rolls-Royce has never strayed from its objective and this has to be admired on every level.
For those lucky enough to own or be driven around in a Rolls-Royce, you’ll know how good it feels to arrive at a venue and then step out of the classy Rolls-Royce doors. To this day, the car is hired for proms, weddings, and all sorts of other events and this doesn’t look likely to change. In fact, the market is now set to welcome the 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost and we couldn't be more excited.
In this guide, you’re going to learn everything there is to know about this model from its price to the design, from the technology to the interior. First, let’s look into the basics along with the figures that have already been provided by the company.
Basic Details
With a top speed of 154mph, this new Rolls-Royce offers 605 lb-ft of torque and 563 horsepower which will allow it to reach 60mph in an estimated 4.7 seconds. How does it achieve this? Well, the biturbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine is a huge reason but it pairs with the eight-speed automatic transmission to run like a dream.
As a rear-wheel drive vehicle, experts believe it will allow for 12 city miles to the gallon; this extends to 18 for a highway and 14 combined. With this in mind, it certainly is a gas-guzzler but there will be more on this a little later.
In terms of the finer details, the full weight is set to reach around 5,700 pounds with a seating capacity of four people. For cargo volume, drivers will have just over 17 cubic feet to play with and it all comes in with a base price of $311,900. This being said, the figures and features we’re going to discuss today were all achieved and calculated with the improved model which will be available for a little under $395,000.
Exterior (Design)
In truth, we aren't going to say anything here that you wouldn't expect from Rolls-Royce. Immediately, the vehicle looks imposing yet stunningly beautiful at the same time. If the budget allows, the Henley Inspiration package will be available for $44,350 and this adds a two-tone effect (white and silver) as well as an orange pinstripe for a bit of character.
In the past, people have said that Rolls-Royce models have been too official-looking and this probably comes from their role with the Royal Family in the UK. However, it’s fair to say the new Ghost has a playful nature about it. Once you add the 21-inch alloys (five-spoke), it even has a sporty feel and completes the model that offers a little of everything while keeping the classic Rolls-Royce charm we all love.
Interior (Comfort)
If we were scoring these categories, the Ghost would achieve perfect marks for interior and this is no exaggeration. As soon as you open the rear door, you become instantly aware of where your investment has gone. Even at speed, the vehicle seems to float across the road because both noise and vibration are kept to a minimum. With lambswool carpets and leather seats, it personifies ‘luxury’ and it doesn’t even seem as though it’s trying.
With the orange pinstripe accent on the outside, this makes its way inside too and the Mandarin Orange adds a little color to the whole theme. In addition to this, the wooden trim pieces combine with the polished stainless steel to finish the look perfectly. Once again, there is an extension package available for $10,000 if you so wish and this will install a custom audio system inside.
Handling and Performance
When it comes to handling and performance, we’ve been underwhelmed by many cars in the market today. With the Rolls-Royce, we aren't so much underwhelmed as perhaps confused. With the fantastic biturbo 6.6-liter V12, you have over 560 horsepower and over 600 lb-ft of torque. With this engine alone, you can leave unwanted attention in the dust and watch it quickly fade away in the rear-view mirror.
On the other hand, you could argue that the model was actually designed for efficient handling over anything else. Sure, it holds very well when cornering and probably better than you might expect from Rolls-Royce. Yet, when it comes to driving pleasure, this is less existent than you might find elsewhere. From the steering wheel, you get very little feedback while it corners but it still gets the job done.
Technology
As we’ve said in the past, technology is now essential for all motor vehicles whether it’s the most expensive supercars at one end of the market or the more affordable family cars at the other. Considering the advancements we’ve seen, it’s just something we expect. In the past, Rolls-Royce has been a little hit and miss with unique and novel technological features because it tends to stick with its classic origins. With the Ghost, there is a starlight headliner but it follows in much the same way as its predecessors (i.e. there isn't much innovation).
With front and back rotary controllers, they work just fine but are a little slow when trying to navigate the somewhat complex infotainment screens. In terms of the screens themselves, they pale in comparison to newer models like the X3 from BMW. As you might expect, they’ve chosen to forgo Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but this isn't necessarily high on the list of needs for most Rolls-Royce customers.
All in all, it would mark as ‘distinctly average’ on a scale between the worst and best cars for technology. While other manufacturers are becoming more and more innovative and proactive in their journey for the best technology, Rolls-Royce is happy to stick with what worked many years ago.
Fuel and Running Costs
If you’re looking to save money with a Rolls-Royce, it just isn't going to happen but, then again, you probably suspected as much with the 560 horsepower and 6.6-liter engine. Once you add into this fact the 5,700 pounds weight of the model, you’ll have yourself a vehicle that struggles to get 12 city miles to the gallon and 14 miles combined (18 highway miles to the gallon). In addition to this, owners will need to pay $2,600 on a Gas Guzzler tax.
As we saw with Apple CarPlay and the more advanced features, this may not be a concern for most Rolls-Royce prospective buyers. If they’re looking to buy a Ghost, they know the history of Rolls-Royce, they know what the manufacturer is all about, and they aren't likely to change their ways anytime soon.
Safety
Before launching into a discussion about the price tag (you won’t be surprised at the cost, not only because we showed you earlier!), we should cover the safety features of the model because this has also increased in importance in recent years. First and foremost, the Ghost feels like a tank as you drive along with the security of a bank vault. Over the years, this has become synonymous with Rolls-Royce so there’s no chance you won’t feel safe when driving (or being driven) around.
In addition to the bulky frame, the car also has a number of different systems installed for safety purposes. Once you combine these with a number of cameras that give 360-degree vision all around the car, it’s almost like you’re an owl with the ability to see everything around you all at once. However, this doesn’t mean the driver is forced to take their eyes off the road because there’s actually a heads-up display.
Price
Now for the detail that will take the majority of us out of consideration for the model; the price. Ever since the company first launched and the first models entered the market, Rolls-Royce has always positioned itself towards the luxurious end so this is now built into the foundations of the business. No matter how many changes of leadership the company has had, the public perception will always lead to ‘luxury’ as soon as the brand name is mentioned.
Starting at $311,900, the Ghost is no different and the ‘as-tested’ price extends to a whopping $395,000. With this in mind, the Ghost will become one of the most expensive, exclusive vehicles the world has ever seen. When looking at the price of a Rolls-Royce, it’s easy to think ‘it’s more expensive because of the name’. However, we should mention that the Ghost is even more expensive than usual when compared to the other models on the market. Even in the world of ultra-rare vehicles, the Rolls-Royce manages to stand alone for price. At a price of $168,600, the Mercedes-Maybach S560 should be a ‘poor man’s version’ of the Rolls but this simply isn't the case; the S560 is absolutely stunning.
When it comes down to it, Rolls-Royce has created its own economy through the years where everything works in their favor. Firstly, the rarity increases the price which, in turn, increases the rarity of the unit, which increases the price, and so on and so forth. Will people still buy the Rolls-Royce at this price? Of course, they will, and we could probably say the same in 100 years too.
Summary
Despite the lacking technology, efficient handling (over enjoyment and experience), high running costs, and a high price, the Rolls-Royce has everything you would expect including a stunning exterior, comfortable interior suitable for royalty, and some fantastic safety features. For those who get to ride in the back, there’s also the sense of accomplishment that comes with being driven to events in a Rolls-Royce.
For us, the Ghost is but a distant dream but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the model. Thanks for reading our complete guide to the Rolls-Royce Ghost!
Tags: Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, New Model, Reviews, Specs