The all new 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost has broken cover 11 years after the debut of the first generation model. The new Ghost is more of an evolution and is expected to be more luxurious than before.
The new Rolls Royce Ghost is built on the on the same aluminium space frame architecture that underpins the Phantom. Dimensions wise, it is longer by 89 mm, 30 mm wider and has a 21 mm increase in height. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 3,295 mm. There are new Laser headlamps with an illumination range of 600 metres and C shaped LED daytime running lamps and an illuminated Pantheon front grille. The side remains largely unchanged from the predecessor and there are new design tail lamps at the rear.
The interior speaks luxury all the way but not in a very flashy manner. There is a large three spoke steering wheel, a touch screen infotainment system, a variety of buttons and round AC vents. The doors now electrically open and close, just like in the Phantom. A cool feature is the illuminated dashboard panel on the passenger side with the GHOST nameplate and 850 stars. This display goes off when the car is shut down. The Starlight headliner now comes with Shooting stars.
The Rolls Royce acoustic specialists experimented with a completely silent interior suite, but found the experience to be disorientating. To overcome this, they elected to create a ‘whisper’, a soft undertone that is experienced as a single, subtle note. To achieve this, each component had to be tuned so it shared a common resonant frequency. The seat frames in early prototypes, for example, resonated at a different frequency to the body, so damping units were developed to bring the noise together into a single note. Additionally, the large, 507-litre boot cavity produced a low frequency that could be felt at motorway speeds – ports were built underneath the rear parcel shelf that allowed these disruptive sound waves to escape and therefore better harmonise new Ghost’s overall acoustics.
The new Ghost comes with a Bespoke audio system. It puts out 1300W and comprises of an amplifier with 18 channels, one for each speaker. In the new Ghost, exciter speakers were used alongside more conventional cone-type speakers. These units are bonded to the surface of an object, imparting vibration from the exciter’s moving mass directly into it – in the case of new Ghost, the Starlight Headliner, in effect transforming the motor car’s ceiling into a large speaker.
The new Rolls Royce Ghost is powered by a 6.75 litre twin turbo V12 engine that develops 571 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque. It goes from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 250 kph (electronically limited). Power is sent to all four wheels and it also comes with all wheel steering.
Also new on the Ghost is the new Planar suspension system. Named after a geometric plane, which is completely flat and level, the system is the result of ten collective years of testing and development to create a sense of flight on land. Created through physical engineering developments as well as sophisticated scanning and software technology, it incorporates a world-first Upper Wishbone Damper unit above the front suspension assembly, creating an even more stable and effortless ride. This works alongside the Flagbearer system, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and prepare the suspension system for any changes in road surface, as well as the marque’s Satellite Aided Transmission. These technologies are managed as one through a bespoke Planar software system. The technology comprises of consists of a stereo camera system integrated in the windscreen to see the road ahead, adjusting suspension proactively rather than reactively up to 100km/h. The second is Rolls-Royce’s Satellite Aided Transmission system, which draws GPS data to pre-select the optimum gear for upcoming corners.
Other significant features include vision assist, including day and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning; alertness assistant; a four-camera system with panoramic view, all-round visibility and helicopter view; active cruise control; collision warning; cross-traffic warning; lane departure and lane change warning; an industry-leading 7×3 high resolution head-up display; Wi-Fi hotspot; self-park; and the very latest navigation systems.
The new Rolls Royce is expected to hit Indian shores sometime in 2021 with ex showroom prices starting at around Rs. 6 crore.
