ROLLS-ROYCE has revealed a new version of the Ghost, an automobile that is supposed to fulfil the requirements of the owner who wants a more modest vehicle...
'Modest' is a relative term, I suppose. And the Ghost is certainly modest compared to the gargantuan Phantom and the beaten-with-the-ugly-stick Cullinan SUV.
Whatever you think of the styling, almost no other vehicle is as obsessively engineered as a Rolls-Royce.
The Ghost sits on the same aluminium spaceframe architecture as the Phantom and Cullinan, which makes it highly rigid for an improved driving experience, as well as providing better sound insulation to keep the cabin whisper-quiet.
To ensure a 50/50 weight distribution, the front suspension mounts were pushed forward to keep the engine behind the front axle.
To accommodate this, the Ghost has grown in length by 89mm to 5,546mm, and its width has increased 30mm to 1,978mm.
This has also allowed Rolls-Royce to introduce an all-wheel-drive system and all-wheel steering.
Performance comes from the firm's 6.75-litre V12 petrol engine, which makes 563bhp and 627lb ft of torque. It has a redesigned air intake system to reduce sound in the cockpit.
The famed 'Magic Carpet Ride' system has been updated too, with a technology called Planar Suspension System.
Rolls-Royce says it has been in development for 10 years, and uses clever software that scans the road ahead for imperfections to prepare the suspension.
On the outside, the new Ghost aims to have a more minimalist design. It looks similar to before, but subtle design tweaks such as LEDs in the front grille, give it a more striking look, while the Spirit of Ecstasy is no longer surrounded by panel lines, instead it's alone within the bonnet.
An interior highlight is a new illuminated fascia, which brings a starry glow to the dashboard surrounding the Ghost badge.
And if the 'regular' Ghost is just a bit cramped for you, what about the 'Extended' model? It boasts the most rear legroom of any four-seat saloon apart from the long-wheelbase Phantom.
The Ghost Extended is 17cm longer than the Ghost and, says Rolls-Royce, presents its own identity with a "minimalist post-opulent design philosophy".
And, as they say, if you have to ask the price, you probably can't afford one...
