The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost: When ‘Entry-Level’ Costs $330,000
Considering a model of Rolls-Royce’s SUV costs more than some new cars, it’s difficult to describe one of its vehicles as ‘entry-level.’ However, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is indeed the cheapest car the British luxury automaker offers. And for 2021, it’s been redesigned from the ground up.
The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost: what’s new underneath
Previously, the Rolls-Royce Ghost rode on the same platform as the BMW 7 Series, one reason for its relatively low price. In terms of on-road refinement, you couldn’t really tell, Car and Driver, and Top Gear report.
However, the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost uses the same platform as the much more expensive Phantom and Cullinan, Car and Driver reports. Not only is it wider and longer than the previous-gen car, but the all-aluminum chassis grants the Ghost some new features.
The 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 is now behind the front axle for better weight distribution, The Drive reports. It’s lower for a better center-of-gravity. Plus, it’s more powerful, and finally paired with all-wheel drive, Automobile reports. With 563 hp, 627 lb-ft, and an 8-speed automatic, the 5,628-lb Rolls-Royce Ghost goes 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, Roadshow reports.
The new chassis also let Rolls-Royce give the Ghost rear-wheel steering as well as updated air suspension, Autoblog reports. Motor Trend reports the previous-gen car’s ride quality didn’t quite live up to the automaker’s sterling standard. However, the new set-up may resolve that. The suspension uses GPS and camera data to prep the Ghost for oncoming road imperfections, MT explains. And now, it has additional hydraulic dampers to further refine its ride. Also, that GPS data? It tells the transmission when to shift.
What a $330k+ interior looks like
Only 2 parts from the previous-gen Rolls-Royce Ghost carry over to the 2021 model, Motor1 reports. Those are the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and the door-mounted umbrellas.
The previous-gen car’s interior was another place where some of Rolls-Royce’s cost-cutting could be seen, MT reports. Some trim pieces were merely chrome-plated, not solid metal, for instance. This matters for the clientele who purchase a six-figure sedan.
Luckily, the Rolls-Royce Ghost’s interior gets an update for 2021. The open-pore wood trim resembles the Phantom’s pieces, and the leather upholstery comes from 20 half-hides. And yes, the switches and buttons are fully metal, Roadshow reports. Plus, remember the door-mounted umbrellas? Those doors are now both power-closing and power-opening. And the rear ones are still rear-hinged.
To make the journey pass in serenity, the sedan has over 220 pounds of sound deadening material, as well as double-insulated glass and felt insulation. Even the HVAC system’s components are designed to make less noise, Autoblog reports.
Speaking of the HVAC system, the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost comes with a built-in air purification system. If sensors detect too many contaminants, the sedan goes into recirculation mode, passing the air through a ‘nanofleece’ filter.
Like the Phantom, the Ghost also offers the LED-powered ‘Starlight’ headliner and ‘Illuminated Fascia’ dashboard, The Drive reports. There are even LED lights located behind the grille to create a subtle lighting effect.
How does the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost compare to the competition?
The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost officially launches on September 2nd, 2020, with prices starting at $332,500. Roadshow reports deliveries should begin early next year.
But even at its relatively high price point, the Rolls-Royce Ghost has some competition. One of the most prominent is the S-Class-based Mercedes-Maybach S560 and S650, Roadshow reports. And the S650 is more powerful than the Ghost, with a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 rated at 621 hp and 738 lb-ft. However, it’s about $130,000 cheaper than the Ghost.
And the Maybach is arguably better-equipped than the Rolls. True, it doesn’t have a GPS-linked transmission. But it does have a 9-speed automatic, AWD, and many ADAS features, Car and Driver reports. And, despite offering WiFi and seemingly endless customization options, the Rolls-Royce Ghost doesn’t have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It uses an older version of BMW’s iDrive which doesn’t support them.
There’s also Bentley. The Flying Spur is about $120,000 cheaper, and it has a more powerful 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12. Plus, with its AWD, its 0-60 time is better than the Ghost’s or the S650’s time. And not only is it fittingly luxurious, with its adaptive anti-roll bars, but it may also be even better to drive, Car and Driver reports.
More money, more problems, more choices, huh?
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