Ghost...what a shame
Discussion
I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I took my first trip in one of these recently.
The plastic door handles were the first shock and then a jumbled interior that just doesn't feel special. Beautifully put together yes, but the plastic-coated 'chrome' switches are a real shame - especially when you compare it to a new Mulsanne.
Exterior wise, unless it has the aluminium bonnet it just doesn't have any presence for me. You see them in London and if they're in a dark colour (like 90% of them), there is a hideous similarity to a Rover 75...
Is it just me?
The plastic door handles were the first shock and then a jumbled interior that just doesn't feel special. Beautifully put together yes, but the plastic-coated 'chrome' switches are a real shame - especially when you compare it to a new Mulsanne.
Exterior wise, unless it has the aluminium bonnet it just doesn't have any presence for me. You see them in London and if they're in a dark colour (like 90% of them), there is a hideous similarity to a Rover 75...
Is it just me?
Edited by Captain Speaking on Friday 31st December 19:06
I was fortunate enough to sit in (but not drive) the Ghost, and I half agree.
I think the exterior works brilliantly; for a car that's positioned between the S-Class/XJ/7-series and the Phantom, it has the right proportions, it's classy without being vulgar and it feels "special" in the way that it should. It couldn't be anything other than a Rolls Royce. I'm not keen on the suicide doors, but then I'm probably not their target market. And I think the bonnet should be body-coloured (not silver).
However, I was disappointed with the interior. There is no disputing the quality of the materials (some switchgear aside) and the general fit and finish. But the layout lacked the elegance and logic that I knew from the old Shadow and Spirit. There was a lack of design co-ordination between the different elements - the overall style being an awkward mash-up of art deco (clock, dials), traditional Rolls Royce (temperature controls, air vents) and modern BMW (iDrive, seat controls).
And I felt there was just too much going on. A Rolls Royce dashboard should be a model of simplicity; the controls should be the minimum required to operate all the functions of the car. Whilst I appreciate the huge amount of functionality in this car compared to (say) the Spirit, this didn't seem to be the case. It all felt too crowded and, dare I say it, Germanic.
I suspect that the designers were restricted by the need to use interior parts from the BMW 7-series, and had limited freedom in terms of switch placement.
I think the exterior works brilliantly; for a car that's positioned between the S-Class/XJ/7-series and the Phantom, it has the right proportions, it's classy without being vulgar and it feels "special" in the way that it should. It couldn't be anything other than a Rolls Royce. I'm not keen on the suicide doors, but then I'm probably not their target market. And I think the bonnet should be body-coloured (not silver).
However, I was disappointed with the interior. There is no disputing the quality of the materials (some switchgear aside) and the general fit and finish. But the layout lacked the elegance and logic that I knew from the old Shadow and Spirit. There was a lack of design co-ordination between the different elements - the overall style being an awkward mash-up of art deco (clock, dials), traditional Rolls Royce (temperature controls, air vents) and modern BMW (iDrive, seat controls).
And I felt there was just too much going on. A Rolls Royce dashboard should be a model of simplicity; the controls should be the minimum required to operate all the functions of the car. Whilst I appreciate the huge amount of functionality in this car compared to (say) the Spirit, this didn't seem to be the case. It all felt too crowded and, dare I say it, Germanic.
I suspect that the designers were restricted by the need to use interior parts from the BMW 7-series, and had limited freedom in terms of switch placement.
Very well written AmitG.
So I had a really good luck at a Mulsanne this week - an hour's poke-and-prod with no-one hovvering. It really IS special. Unbelievable cabin quality and build, the paint was flawless and it had a proper old Bentley feel (well, late Arnage T), ie pukka quality and nothing scrimped on. You really can see why it's a 220k car (250-260 with modest options). I am smitten.
Interestingly, I can have one to order for August delivery - I thought these things were sold out until 2012? Apparently not.
So I had a really good luck at a Mulsanne this week - an hour's poke-and-prod with no-one hovvering. It really IS special. Unbelievable cabin quality and build, the paint was flawless and it had a proper old Bentley feel (well, late Arnage T), ie pukka quality and nothing scrimped on. You really can see why it's a 220k car (250-260 with modest options). I am smitten.
Interestingly, I can have one to order for August delivery - I thought these things were sold out until 2012? Apparently not.
Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff