RE: Rolls-Royce Ghost - First Drive

[The Wookie]

Can't help but look at it and think it 10-15 years time these will end up being the horrendously dated old tanks, resplendent in gold/beige sitting at the back of a used car lot for less than 15 grand like the Quentin Wilson spec Silver Shadows/Spirits of old.

[Johnpidge]

gangsta rappers gonna love this...............

[Smartass]

Johnpidge said:

gangsta rappers gonna love this...............

Word.

[dealmaker]

How much are these going to cost in Blighty??

[LuS1fer]

J B L said:

LuS1fer said:

However good this car is, it looks dross and destined to join the Conti GT in the slightly vulgar excess category.

Disagree. It's all in the public's perceptions:
- RR: class (nobody make the BMW connection)
- Bentley: jumped up VW Phaeton

My 2p anyway

You need to read the last thread based largely on a jumped up 7 series.

Neither is it a case of specsavers, the "hallmark" of VW at the moment is that little wrap-round chrome bit which, however, unintentional, this car apes. At least make them all one colour and then...then...I still wouldn't have one.

[bencollins]

Very classy yet original styling without cliche, not an easy thing but definitely accomplished.
So high praise from me then.
not necessarily a good thing given my tie collection

[AndrewW-G]

Good grief, Rolls Royce feeling the need to mention power outputs, standards are slipping when Rolls Royce need to divulge power outputs instead of a simple “adequate”

[Schmeeky]

AndrewW-G said:

Good grief, Rolls Royce feeling the need to mention power outputs, standards are slipping when Rolls Royce need to divulge power outputs instead of a simple “adequate”

I know what you mean, I loved the way RRMC never revealed the BHP... But I think that in certain countries the law says you have to divulge the power.

[Twincam16]

MrSpike said:

Fantastic write up, the only thing that irks me is why is it released in California? You talk of old money and footballers being RR target market, which to my mind is back in Blighty. I know the weather is awful there in the Uk, so surely they could of post-poned the first drive?

Probably it's just me, so I'll go back to my corner now.

Couldn't work that out either, especially as I caught a magazine testing one whilst out walking in Derbyshire on Boxing Day.

[williamp]

The Wookie said:

Can't help but look at it and think it 10-15 years time these will end up being the horrendously dated old tanks, resplendent in gold/beige sitting at the back of a used car lot for less than 15 grand like the Quentin Wilson spec Silver Shadows/Spirits of old.

well it hasent happened to the Conti Gt...yet...

[Insight]

Quoted from article, "While R-R is reluctant to pigeonhole its customer roster, the Ghost's 'everydayness' seems geared towards three broad (relatively speaking) owner groups. First up are the existing Phantom owners, who presently save their big Rolls for trips to the opera or the races and want something less showy for the run to garden centre, or perhaps even to own a Rolls the wife won't mind driving. Then you've got 'captain of industry' types hoping the price of a Ghost will irk shareholders less than a claim for a Phantom. And finally you've got your 'ordinary' rich folk - the ones who used to buy R-Rs until a decade or so ago, but feel the Phantom's presidential style is a little too obvious for their neck of the home counties. Add a sprinkling of footballers, lottery winners and wheeler-dealing scrap metal merchants, and you've probably covered most of the bases."

Thanks for this, good journalism and genuinely insightful.

[I WISH]

Look .... I have always loved the idea that Rolls Royce exist, and that they're British (well nearly nowadays ... but you know what I mean) ...... and I absolutely ADORE the Phantom ... because it has massive road prescence (like a RR should) and is hugely different from any other saloon car (like a RR should be) .... take a breath ...

BUT ..... the Ghost is NOT a real Roller ..... because it hasn't got a proper RR radiator shell!!!

This car looks like one of those kitsch japenese replicars .... at least from the front.

A Rolls Royce without its world famous (universe famous?) radiator shell is a bit like a Ferrari with steel wheels , or a Mini with a boot. It just doesn't work. On the front of this new car the "RR grille" is like an afterthought. The might just as well have called it a BMW 7 series "LUX" or something.

BMW should be ashamed that they have damaged the heritage of one of our motoring jewels so soon after taking custody.

There ...... I feel better now. I think I'd better go an lie down.

[Baked_bean]

To the person saying the grill apes an R32 (which is a lovely car), havn't Rollers always had chrome grills etc anyway?

[LuS1fer]

Baked_bean said:

To the person saying the grill apes an R32 (which is a lovely car), havn't Rollers always had chrome grills etc anyway?

Yes but not the accentuated wrap-round clam surrounding it.

[Fire99]

To me this is the kind of modern-day car Bentley should be building. Still has it's classic lines to a degree intact and has modern-day dynamics underneath.

[g3org3y]

LuS1fer said:

Why are they trying so hard to make it look like a rival Volkswagen with that chrome bit at the front?

Hold on...you were being serious.

[the Fantom]

I started reading this and eagerly looked for the interior pics expecting loveliness. How disappointing and hideous. The dash is ok, but the centre console looks poorly conceived to me - like they just filled the space with buttons. I know the designers are quoted as talking about "yacht line" styling, but it looks like a cobbled-together in the boatyard affair. I would have hoped to see wood, or better, satin-polished metal extending across the width with discrete buttons secreted in it. Also the seats, or should I say chairs. They look comfortable, but very bland. I think BMW/RRMC could try harder there.

And to relieve my ignorance, why does a twin-turbo V12 petrol engine need 8 ratios in the 'box. With such huge torque 6 or probably even 3 would suffice. Is it just one-upmanship over the plebs in their 6 speed manuals?

By the way, I enjoyed the article - nice informative read.

Edited by the Fantom on Wednesday 24th February 18:24

[Mclaren]

Lovely write-up but, come on, an absolute woofa!!!

[elster]

Mclaren said:

Lovely write-up but, come on, an absolute woofa!!!

In 63 months, that is all you have to say.

I'm shocked.

[kiteless]

Lovely, lovely, lovely