Rolls-Royce embraces post-opulence with latest Ghost

Rolls-Royce, following the 2018 addition of the brand's first SUV, the Cullinan, is returning its product spotlight onto the Ghost sedan, the best-selling car in the automaker's 116-year history.

At first glance, the redesigned Ghost is clearly a Rolls-Royce, given the sedan's face and stance. However, a "minimalist aesthetic" was the design team's chief objective, even before customers' newfound desire for less flashy, "post-opulent" styling, the company said.

Aside from the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament and the umbrellas found inside the doors, no other design elements carried over from the previous Ghost, Rolls-Royce said.

The aluminum body is rendered as one expansive piece, harking back to the Silver Dawn and Silver Cloud models of the brand's past. The automaker notes that the Ghost's design requires four manufacturing employees to hand weld the body together simultaneously.

With the redesign, the Ghost makes the jump onto the British ultraluxury brand's aluminum architecture, which also underpins the Cullinan and the Phantom flagship sedan.

The latest Ghost features a bigger footprint.

It is now 218 inches long, up 3.5 inches, and 85 inches wide, up 1.2 inches. The wheelbase is 130 inches, helping to keep the interior spacious.

All-wheel-drive

Perhaps the biggest changes to the Ghost are found behind the skin.

In a pivot from the previous generation, which was rear-wheel drive, the Ghost now features all-wheel-drive, as well as all-wheel steering.

The Ghost's suspension was also an area of focus. Rolls-Royce developed what it has named the Planar system for the suspension and is highlighted by three components.

They include an upper wishbone damper unit, which is mounted above the front suspension assembly and allows a more stable ride. A camera-based Flagbearer system monitors the road ahead and prepares the suspension system for any changes in surface. A satellite-aided transmission also "draws GPS data to preselect the optimum gear for upcoming corners," the automaker said.

Power is supplied by a 6.75-liter V-12 engine with 563 hp and 627 pound-feet of torque. The Ghost checks in with a curb weight of 5,628 pounds, but can still hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, Rolls-Royce said.

The engine has been placed behind the front axle for a 50/50 weight distribution, the automaker said.

'Illuminated fascia'

Inside, Rolls-Royce has spared few details, with 20 half hides making up the Ghost's interior of 338 individual panels of leather.

Over the years, Rolls-Royce has added unique, far-out design touches to vehicle interiors such as a starlight headliner. The redesigned Ghost is no different thanks to what Rolls-Royce is calling the illuminated fascia.

Instead of a dashboard with bespoke wood or other fine materials, the Ghost's dashboard will light up. Literally.

Thanks to 152 LED lights mounted above and beneath the dash, the word 'Ghost' along with over 850 stars will light up. The three-layer component is invisible while not operational, Rolls-Royce notes.

Deliveries of the redesigned Ghost will start globally in the first quarter of 2021, Rolls-Royce said. Pricing was not announced.

Rolls-Royce sold 5,152 vehicles worldwide in 2019, fueled by demand for the Cullinan. North America accounted for around one third of total global sales.