Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II: driving test and video
Posted on 05-01-2015 at 16:00 by CasperH – 69 Comments”
Rolls-Royce builds her own words-the most popular car in the highest segment. And that car is now even better, tighter and more dynamic.
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
For the record: that last are the own words of Rolls-Royce. If it is all right, there we come back to later. First, let’s talk a little bit about the popularity of the Rolls-Royce Ghost in us, is a small CO2 tax is stricken little country. In 2013 sold Rolls-Royce, a handful of cars in the Netherlands. Literally, in november 2013 they had three new cars on the number plate. Thanks to the advent of the Wraith increased that number in 2014 to around 15 cars, but it should be clear that you do not need to fear to be on every street corner, a Ghost or Phantom.
And let’s be honest: what can you do with a Rolls-Royce in the Netherlands? Whether you fall for the charms of a Ghost, Phantom, or something else from the collection, you buy a Rolls-Royce but with one reason: because you have one. Furthermore, the rather unwieldy, gigantic cars. The Wraith is fun when you’re behind the wheel and want to pockets, the Phantom is the variant in which you drive. So why then is the Ghost? Rolls-Royce sees the Ghost as the center between the aforementioned cars. The car in which you (certainly in the EWB (extended wheelbase) version) can let it ride, but where you yourself are behind the wheel can crawl. There it is: the raison d’être of the Rolls-Royce Ghost.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost, in 2009 on the market with the thought that some owners are not always in the back would want to stay, but also without a driver on step would like. And that reason had to be the Ghost not only by a professional driver through the traffic can be guided. Result: a just not gigantic car that still has all the Rolls-Royce qualities of houses in terms of performance and comfort. From this perspective, we could say that Rolls-Royce has succeeded in its intent: I have a few days with the Ghost spent and that is successful without the chunks. Stronger still: I got the Rolls-Royce even under my carport, parked. Sure 4/5th part of the Rolls-Royce fit under it in any case, because for Dutch standards, it’s also the baby-Rolls-still a huge car.
The styling of the Rolls-Royce Ghost does not bother the proportions to hide. Long lines, high and breedgeschouderd and huge wheels. Cameraman Martijn and I ask us whether we have the Mini (that seemed to us an appropriate car for a comparison in terms of size) between the open suicide doors would be able to park, but we decide not to do it. Not because we are afraid that we opened the doors of the Rolls would cause damage, that they feel as if they were an atomic explosion would endure. But when those doors closed by accident fall with the Mini Cooper S in between, then there’s that last probably nothing and that we would sin.
The styling is slightly changed with the facelift. And by “light” we mean “barely” actually. Since the facelift are the headlights less square and they have a LED halo in the lichthuis. Behind the Spirit of Ecstacy, there is now a “wake” (in English pronounced) that the performance should emphasize, such as the vaportrails of a plane. The bumpers are slightly changed, and in addition the changes on the outside is not visible, unless you go for one of the new (up to 21-inch) wieldesigns with self-righting naafkappen choose. Our testauto, however, is on 19 inch winterrubber.
There are more changes by the way: the rear seat is now in a “lounge” composition available, and the Sattelite Aided Transmission from the Wraith has been moved to the Ghost. This enables the eight speed automatic transmission on the basis of GPS-data is already back for certain turns. That should allow for more dynamic behaviour. Also the chassis has been revised with the mission of more dynamism to the car. The wheel would have more feedback to give, and the rear axle is more stable. Finally, there is an infrared camera available.
To come back on the dynamics and feedback through the steering wheel: this is my first experience with a Rolls-Royce. Nevertheless, I have never in the assumption lived a Rolls-Royce “dynamic”, let alone “feedback through the steering wheel” would have to do. Because of the statements in the press release, I have tried the dynamics in the chassis to discover. In a long, fast bend, I have the V12 (6.6 litres) once encouraged to be a little more of the “Power Reserve” of 570 hp to to speak. The result is a kind of G-kracht2 that you try out the turn to pull. Really, forget the aspect of “dynamics” if you will for this car. It does not matter that you are in 4,9 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour sprint. It’s nice that it can, but you do not want it. You just want the first one, sliding, cruising. That automatic return mode based on GPS? It will all, however, if the system works as it does in any case, behind so many layers of insulation you not to notice.
The comfort in this car is so extreme that you actually have almost the aspect of “drive” from the eye is about to lose. This is more of a relaxed lounge where you from destination to destination without too much notice. You can watch tv, drinking champagne, a bit of work, that sort of thing. All in an environment that you yourself have constructed from the finest materials. The choices of colors for exterior and interior is infinite. Think about it and it is by craftsmen hand-made for you. It is a kind of a private jet, but better finished, without the inconvenience of screeching jet engines and with less vibration and turbulence. And if you sneak from home to go out at night and your driver is not in your adventures with your mistress want to involve you can still ride. You drive way down in silence, because the V12 doesn’t, certainly not at low revs.
Is it something for me? No. Absolutely not. But I understand the charm of a Rolls-Royce. It is a car that can, but not must. Uniquely comfortable, unprecedentedly luxurious and at the same time, you say to the world “a Mercedes S Class / BMW 7 Series / Audi A8? Da’s for paupers.” Cost? If you have to ask, you can’t pay. If you can pay, then you do not care. And that’s that. Movie!
Gallery: Rolls Royce Ghost Series II
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