Although the Ghost is Rolls-Royce’s smallest and least expensive sedan, the average bystander wouldn’t think it. With a starting price of $250,000 and a twin-turbo V-12 under the hood, it competes with the likes of a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, or perhaps a well-accessorized Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG.
For 2013, Rolls-Royce adds optional leather headlining along with a panoramic sunroof. All Ghosts get a softer center console with more padding and the option of natural grain leather. A new available feature opens the trunk from outside the car with a simple leg movement.
Though stately by anyone’s standards, the Ghost’s lines are sleeker than the brand’s larger, more upright Phantom sedan. The size comparisons, of course, are all relative: At 212.6 inches long, the regular-length Ghost stretches more than 10 inches past most minivans. The extended-wheelbase edition adds almost 7 inches to the length. Exterior features include:
- Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels are available, with self-righting centerpieces that display Rolls-Royce’s double-R logo right-side up no matter the position of the wheel
- Retracting Spirit of Ecstasy statuette on the hood
- Rear-hinged doors can power shut at the touch of a backseat button
- Front doors have storage nooks with Teflon-coated umbrellas
Up front, the Ghost’s dashboard is an imposing array of wood and chrome. There’s an iDrive-like controller that shows the influence of Rolls-Royce owner BMW. Technological features include a navigation system with graphics similar to BMW’s latest version of iDrive, a head-up display and a 16-speaker stereo with full USB/iPod integration. Interior features include:
- Recessed backseat sits well behind the door openings, meaning many passengers would require a hand to make a graceful exit
- Two- and three-seat rear configurations available
- Both rows of seats feature leather from cows raised in fields free of barbed wire to minimize imperfections
- Each car’s wood inlays come from the same tree to ensure consistent coloration as the wood ages
The Ghost’s twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V-12 makes 563 horsepower and 575 pounds-feet of torque. Working through an eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine can propel the car to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, Rolls-Royce says. Other sedans may be quicker, but at nearly 5,500 pounds, the Ghost weighs nearly as much as some full-size SUVs. Mechanical features include:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Runs on premium gas
Safety features include:
- Antilock brakes
- Traction control
- Electronic stability system
- Side-impact and side curtain airbags
