2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost VIDEO REVIEW

2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost VIDEO REVIEW by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Imagine you’re a Captain of Industry, the kind of successful man or woman who has amassed a mountain of wealth. According to Rolls-Royce, you’re in a unique, exclusive group of exceptional achievers who drive success in today’s world.  You know what you want, and go out to achieve it.  Is this you?  Well, then it’s time to reward yourself with the ultimate symbol of success…a Rolls-Royce Ghost.

You’re looking at the most popular car in the $250,000 + class. With pricing that makes most Bentleys look like bargains, the 4 car lineup from BMW-owned Rolls-Royce is for those with another million or two in the bank.  A top of the line Phantom can cost $500,000 and this Ghost, with an options list that’s worth as much as a high-end BMW, stickers for $362,665.  That includes a bespoke interior…one of the characteristic joys of buying a Rolls-Royce; customization.  You truly get to craft the automobile of your dreams.  There’s no color combination or material choice that’s out of reach.  Just ask, pay and you shall receive.

That said, this Ghost is rather inconspicuous in its conservative Silver paint; a process involving 5 coats.  One of my biggest surprises this week was, by in large, how unnoticed it went…a trait certainly some Rolls-Royce customer will appreciate.  It’s over 5,400lb curb weight is palpable from the moment you open the door.  Step inside and push start the BMW derived 6.6-liter V1.  You won’t hear it, but once the Spirit of Ecstasy ascends you know you’re ready to go.  This is the quietest car I’ve ever experienced.  Even from outside, there’s little mechanical noise to break the silence.  The 563 horsepower output is every bit as brawny as it sounds but it’s part of the Ghost’s inner strength.  Flooring it results in being gently shoved into your seat with little else to indicate a 0-to-60mph time of only 4.8 seconds.  Speed builds in a tranquil manner, so much so that if you’re going to avoid Johnny Law you’d better glance down at the speedo from time to time because you’re always going 20mph faster than you’d think.  Gas mileage averages about 15mpg.

When you have this kind of coin, you don’t need a do it all sort of car. You have a sports car to be your sports car and a luxury car like this to coddle you. So driving the Ghost is a unique experience of prodigious power underpinned by the floatiest ride ride you’ve ever felt. It’s soft and mushy to keep the occupants unruffled. It’s not a driver’s car per se unless you’re the chauffeur.

The upsized 21” tires and optional Dynamic Package do all they can to hold on and the handling, though odd feeling in its squirminess, isn’t disorderly.

This Ghost debuted in 2009 and was updated in 2014, known now as the Ghost Series II. Beyond evolutionary design changes, the suspension has been enhanced to increase the car’s cornering ability without sacrificing ride comfort which is shall I say completely isolating.  It floats down the road in silent serenity.  And with the rear theater configuration, you don’t even need to tell the driver where you want to go…you can enter the next destination yourself.

The Ghost is all about indulgence and its focus on the occupants. Hand built and crafted with the finest materials, perfection is the benchmark Rolls sets for itself and in the Ghost, simplicity is the aim.

You’ll want to take your shoes off before entering because these lambswool floor mats are the softest, fluffiest thing you’ve ever felt.

Beyond the look and feel of the highest order of British artisanship, I’m particularly impressed with the modern electronics – something the Bentleys I’ve tested have seriously lacked. Here, they’re integrated nobly with the timeless Rolls-Royce charm, thanks to BMW.  The Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller is akin to iDrive and works equally as well.  There’s a camera system, night vision and other safety assistive features, though not the one I like the most – side blind zone alert.  A heads-up display and an additional user interface in front of the driver give you a number of ways to access infotainment.  Oddly, there’s no auto climate control…just a system of dual wheels and blower settings for all 4 positions.  The Bespoke Audio System, which the company says is the most exhaustively designed automotive hi-fi system ever developed, sounds like they’re telling the truth, consisting of 18 individually tuned speakers.  And of course, when it rains, there are umbrellas in each door.

The air sprung Ghost with its steel body, aluminum hood, LED lighting and self-righting wheel centers is an amazing machine, whether like this or in its extended wheelbase livery. Rolls-Royce sells less than 100 cars per month in the States…will you be next?