Is there such a thing as an ‘affordable Rolls-Royce'? The manufacturer is known for many things, but building small affordable cars is not one of them. However, with the Ghost, the British carmaker whose very name is a byword for luxury, is getting closer - relatively speaking. This model - only the fourth all-new car from Rolls-Royce in 50 years - costs less than half of its best-selling Phantom, and is about half a metre shorter in length.
And the price? It costs a little more than Dh1 million but, before you gasp, compare it with the Phantom's base price of Dh2.1 million or the Dh2.5 million price tag of the coupé version of the same car.
The Ghost, which went on sale in the UAE last year, was a very important vehicle for the legendary UK carmaker for it was an attempt to attract a wider customer base. That bet apparently is already paying off. Rolls-Royce Middle East announced a 310 per cent increase in sales of its cars last year after the Ghost was launched. It certainly is more approachable as I found out during the four days I had the car.
Comfort beyond belief
Like its bigger siblings, the Ghost has an immaculate interior, but with even more technology hidden beneath its hand-crafted wood trim and exquisite leather (which comes from an exclusive Alpine herd whose skins are not blemished by even the smallest impurity). Soft, generous curves buffet you inside the cabin. Throne-like front seats provide an elevated view, much like those in an SUV. The elevated sofa-style rear seat provides perfect comfort. Headroom is so generous some of us could raise our arms and still just feel our fingers brush the roof. Coach-style rear-hinged doors make it easy for back passengers to slide in. Legroom is plentiful, and the rich carpeting makes you want to kick off your shoes as soon as you settle in.
The driver is surrounded by classy chronograph-style dials highlighted by a speedometer. The design is a blend of the traditional and modern - including organ-stop pulls for the vents and ‘violin key' steering wheel switches.
The Ghost also has an astonishing array of cutting-edge features and technology. The high-resolution widescreen centre display appears from behind an exquisite veneer panel at the touch of a button. It provides communication, navigation and entertainment features via an iDrive-type rotary controller in the centre console.
The four- or five-passenger interior can be customised extensively.
Safety first
Safety features include surround-view cameras that aid parking anda night-vision camera hidden behind the front grille. One even creates a virtual top-down view to assist when backing into a space.
An alphabet soup of safety systems - including CBC (Cornering Brake Control), ARS (Anti-Roll Stabilisation) and Dynamic Brake/Stability/Traction Control - feed data 2,000 times per second to an advanced crash and safety management system. Lane departure warning, active cruise control and high-beam assist are all standard, and just what the doctor ordered for long trips.
One system wakes up drowsy drivers by vibrating the steering. There is also a pedestrian detection system that uses an infrared imaging technology to warn the driver of imminent danger. Just as a classic should be, little of all this technology is apparent to passengers. The systems work in conjunction with each other behind this super luxurious facade to provide a driving experience that's remarkably composed.
Forward visibility is excellent, though the standard rear-view camera is a welcome addition in a car of such length.
At around 14 cubic feet, the fully upholstered boot is smaller than you would expect in a vehicle of this size. Then there are myriad little accessories including a Teflon-coated umbrella that tucks discreetly into the driver's side-door, that is sure to make the owner happy.
Driving pleasure
Everything you've heard about Rolls-Royces is true. A brand new, 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 engine that churns out 563 horsepower and 779Nm of torque - the most power ever for a Rolls-Royce.
All that power, and an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission, ensures the smoothest 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.7 seconds.
The power is instantaneous but delivered without even the slightest hint of harshness. Driving along Shaikh Zayed Road you get a lot of respect - the Ghost does tend to part traffic. Faster cars very willingly give way to it just to see it sail by.
You wouldn't expect a car that weighs more than 2,500kg and is5.4 metres long to take a corner without being flustered. But the Ghost doesn't ‘rock and roll' while cornering. Its remarkable composure is the work of a four-corner air suspension that self-levels at even the slightest movement.
A friend asked me about the experience of driving the Ghost. I told him in one word: unequalled.
Specifications
Engine: 6.6-litre turbocharged V12
Power: 563hp
Torque: 779Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic ZF
