One of the high points of the automotive history in the United Kingdom was the introduction of Rolls Royce Motor Cars. From the outset it seems clear that Charles Rolls and Henry Royce began their enterprise with the maxim, ‘start as you mean to go on’. That still rings true today with the British brand remaining at the pinnacle of classic prestige motoring. Others badges may come and go, they may go faster or accelerate quicker or hold the road like a four-wheeled limpet, but when it comes to luxury transport, Rolls-Royce remains pre-eminent. In short, motoring doesn’t get any better than this.
The icing on the cake of course is that although all the old build traditions remain, modern technology has also been fully absorbed. Rolls-Royce build ‘motor cars’, not vehicles. The fundamental tenets of the company; serenity, effortlessness and elegance, are fully integrated with the latest digital interface. Thus, the founders would no doubt be justifiably pleased with the latest offering; a new version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost: The Series II.
Design Elegance
There is elegance in simplicity and clean lines. The Ghost Series II is more closely aligned to Rolls-Royce’s sheer consistent design approach than ever. The front end has been distilled into a clean and contemporary showcase for the illuminated Rolls-Royce Pantheon grille, a famous element of Rolls-Royce’s design iconography that continues to be celebrated by buyers worldwide.
The Ghost’s modern presence is captured in its updated headlight and daytime running light graphics, which flow from the lower section of the grille to the edge of the front wings, dropping down to emphasise the motor car’s generous width. The lower portion of the front end provides a foundation for the grille, augmented by new chrome embellishments that form a ‘floating’ visual plinth for the iconic ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot.
In rear view, the Ghost Series II benefits from a new tail lamp configuration, harmonising the side and rear surfaces. This treatment was inspired by the brand’s Spectre model, each featuring two expressive, vertical light panels flanked by a curved chrome element, discreetly inscribed with the double ‘R’ monogram.
The fortunate customers can choose from two new 22 inch, 9-spoke wheel designs, one fully- and one part-polished. Both treatments are an elegant and modern complement to the Ghost Series II’s contemporary yet timeless design, subtly reflecting its underlying power.
Fit For A King
Rolls-Royce motor cars are not designed to be in vogue for a decade or two; they are made to last and personal garages around the world hold Rolls-Royce models of all vintages. Yes, of course they are bought and sold but, properly maintained, they will last a lifetime. That’s why the interiors are craftsman built.
The interior of the Series II celebrates that craftsmanship, both analogue and digital. Housed in the new pillar-to-pillar glass panel, the Central Information Display incorporates the marque’s advanced operating system. This enables owners to extend their bespoke commission from hardware to software as the colour of the digital instrument dials can now be tailored to complement the motor car’s interior palette or exterior finish. Owners can send destinations remotely to their car, view its location and manage vehicle locking from afar, highlighting the thinking that car owners increasingly view their vehicles as central to a wider lifestyle experience.
Entertainment and connectivity functions have been significantly upgraded for the Ghost Series II. Rear seat passengers can now connect up to two streaming devices to the rear screens, stream independently on each screen, and select their preferred entertainment from a newly developed interface, which also manages seating functions such as massaging, heating and cooling. Bluetooth headphones of any type can be paired with the rear seat infotainment system, and all occupants benefit from an upgraded Wi-Fi hotspot and USB-C charging ports hidden discreetly in the centre console.
It’s All In The Detail
This new Rolls-Royce benefits from bold new expressions of contemporary car-building craft, meticulously conceived by the brand’s artisans. To highlight this level of detail as an example, alongside the Central Information Display, on the passenger side, is the new ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet’. This houses an analogue timepiece and an up-lit, mirror-polished, solid stainless-steel ‘’Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. She is placed on a stage with a matte black back panel and high gloss side panels to create a reflection effect. On entering the motor car, the Spirit of Ecstasy is initially illuminated from below, as if she is being lit by a spotlight, before her stage lighting settles to a soft glow. It’s pure theatre.
Alongside this exquisite detail, and spanning the full width of the passenger side, is the ‘Illuminated Fascia’, an advanced craft feature that debuted with the original Ghost back in 2020. With the Ghost Series II, the new ‘Illuminated Fascia’ design looks to the stars for inspiration, capturing the movement of the night sky in a design reminiscent of time-lapse celestial photography and this can receive a bespoke change to suit the new owners own creation. You could literally be over the moon with this option. With open-pore wood, luxury leathers, new premium man-made fabrics and a whole host of options, the opportunities to truly make this car your own are almost limitless: At a price, needless to say.
The Ride Of Your Life
At the heart of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is the marque’s uncompromising, potent and near-silent 6.75 litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine and hallmark eight-speed gearbox. This powers the all-wheel steering and all-wheel drivetrain. Maximum torque is available from just 1,600rpm – only 600rpm above tick-over, creating the perception of one, endless gear and the unique ‘waftability’ associated with the Rolls-Royce experience.
The celebrated ‘Planar Suspension System’ incorporates the unique Upper Wishbone Damper unit above the front suspension assembly. This acts in concert with the continuously variable, electronically controlled shock absorbers and self-levelling, high-volume air strut assemblies to create an even more stable and effortless expression of the famous ‘magic carpet ride’. The five-link rear axle benefits from the same self-levelling high-volume air suspension technology.
The suspension and chassis systems are augmented with the company’s ‘Flagbearer System’, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and prepare the suspension for any changes in the road surface. This is supplemented with the ‘Satellite Aided Transmission’, which uses GPS data to select the optimum gear for exiting a corner depending on the extent of its curvature. These technologies work as one, allowing the Ghost to anticipate and react to the most demanding roads effortlessly, marrying peerless serenity with remarkable dynamism and agility.
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