Rolls-Royce Ghost

Every Ghost Series II uses a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard Ghost and Ghost Extended produce 563 hp and 820 Nm, while the Black Badge gets a higher-output version producing 591 hp and 900 Nm.

Power is sent to all four wheels, while all-wheel steering improves manoeuvrability at lower speeds and stability during faster driving.

The Ghost's performance is deliberately delivered without drama. The V12 builds speed with very little mechanical noise entering the cabin, and the strong low-end torque means the car can accelerate without frequent or obvious gear changes.

The suspension is central to the Ghost's driving character. Its Planar Suspension System works with electronically controlled dampers, air suspension and the Flagbearer road-scanning system to prepare the car for changes in the road surface. Rolls-Royce also uses satellite-aided transmission technology to select gears based on the road ahead.

Despite its size, the Ghost is therefore more than simply a rear-seat luxury car. The combination of rear-wheel steering, all-wheel drive and sophisticated suspension gives it a degree of agility that is unusual for a sedan of this size.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost variants in India comprise the Ghost Series II, Ghost Extended Series II and Black Badge Ghost Series II. All three use the same basic 6.75-litre V12 architecture and all-wheel-drive layout, but their focus is different.

Ghost Standard Wheelbase

The standard Ghost Series II is the most compact version of the three. Its shorter body makes it relatively easier to manoeuvre in urban environments, while retaining the spacious and exceptionally quiet cabin expected from a Rolls-Royce.

It is the natural choice for buyers who intend to drive the car themselves as well as use it with a chauffeur.

Ghost Extended Wheelbase

The Ghost Extended Series II adds 170 mm to the wheelbase, creating additional room for rear passengers. The extra space makes it particularly suited to owners who spend most of their time being chauffeur-driven.

The rear cabin can be specified with features such as reclining Serenity seats and massage functions, making the Extended version more focused on rear-seat comfort.

Ghost Black Badge

The Black Badge Ghost Series II is the performance-oriented version of the range. It gets the higher-output V12 with 591 hp and 900 Nm, along with darker exterior detailing, distinctive 22-inch wheels and a more driver-focused character.

It is aimed at buyers who want the Ghost's luxury and craftsmanship but place greater emphasis on performance and a more assertive appearance.

Rolls-Royce Ghost mileage is not its primary consideration, but its official fuel-consumption figures are useful when estimating running costs. The Ghost Series II has a claimed combined fuel consumption of roughly 6.3-7.1 kmpl in the figures listed for the Indian variants, while the Black Badge has a lower claimed figure.

Actual fuel economy will depend heavily on traffic, driving style, road conditions and the amount of time spent in stop-go city traffic. A large twin-turbo V12 luxury sedan should therefore not be judged by the fuel-efficiency standards of conventional luxury or mass-market cars.

The Ghost uses a large fuel tank, but frequent city driving can still mean relatively short distances between refuelling stops.

The Ghost Series II retains the recognisable proportions of a Rolls-Royce while receiving subtle design changes over the earlier Ghost. Its upright front end, Pantheon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy make its identity immediately clear.

The Series II brings revised lighting elements, updated front-end detailing and new rear lamp graphics. The design remains deliberately clean rather than aggressively styled.

Front Profile

The illuminated Pantheon grille remains the visual centrepiece of the front end. The Series II gets revised headlamps with slimmer lighting elements and updated daytime-running-light detailing.

The grille, Spirit of Ecstasy and broad bonnet give the Ghost the unmistakable presence associated with Rolls-Royce, while the restrained surface treatment keeps the design relatively understated for such a large luxury car.

Side Profile

The Ghost has a long bonnet, a flowing roofline and a clean shoulder line. Its coach doors remain one of the most distinctive features, opening in the opposite direction to conventional rear doors.

Large alloy wheels, flush door handles and carefully controlled body surfacing keep the side profile clean. The Extended version is visibly longer, with its additional wheelbase primarily benefiting rear passengers.

Rear Profile

The Series II gets redesigned rear lighting with a more horizontal treatment. The clean tail and absence of visible exhaust emphasis reinforce the understated approach to the design.

The Ghost remains a wide car, so its dimensions are noticeable on narrow Indian roads and in tight parking spaces despite the assistance provided by all-wheel steering and camera systems.

The Ghost's cabin is defined by craftsmanship, extensive customisation and a strong focus on quietness rather than a conventional luxury-car feature checklist.

The Illuminated Fascia, Starlight Headliner, high-quality leather, wood veneers and other Bespoke materials allow owners to specify a highly personalised interior. Rolls-Royce's SPIRIT digital architecture integrates vehicle information and controls without overwhelming the cabin with screens.

The rear seat is particularly important to the Ghost experience. The Extended version can be configured with reclining Serenity seats and massage functions, making it better suited to owners who regularly travel in the back.

The Ghost also uses Rolls-Royce's Whispers private-members application for selected connected-car functions.

The cabin's defining characteristic, however, is refinement. Extensive acoustic treatment and the near-silent V12 power delivery create a very quiet environment, allowing passengers to work, converse or simply relax while travelling.

The Ghost combines its aluminium architecture with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and parking technologies.

Active Safety

Available assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, lane-assistance functions, automatic emergency braking and a 360-degree camera system.

The Ghost also features Night Vision, which can help identify hazards beyond the range of the conventional headlights. All-wheel steering assists with manoeuvring the large sedan in confined spaces.

Passive Safety

The Ghost is built around a rigid aluminium architecture and comes with multiple airbags and other standard occupant-protection systems.

Rolls-Royce also integrates the battery-free vehicle architecture, suspension systems and driver-assistance technologies as part of a broader safety and stability package. However, an independent crash-test rating should only be quoted if a relevant Ghost Series II test has actually been published by the applicable safety authority.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost sits at the ultra-luxury end of the sedan market, where conventional comparisons based purely on price, engine output or equipment do not fully explain the proposition.

Bentley Flying Spur

The Bentley Flying Spur combines high-end luxury with a stronger emphasis on performance and driver involvement. The Ghost places greater emphasis on serenity, ride comfort, craftsmanship and the Rolls-Royce ownership experience.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class offers an especially luxurious rear-seat experience with a considerably lower entry price than the Ghost. The Ghost, however, operates at a different level of exclusivity and Bespoke personalisation.

The choice therefore depends less on a conventional feature comparison and more on the desired combination of craftsmanship, rear-seat luxury, driving character, brand identity and personalisation.

Even though the Rolls-Royce Ghost is a highly luxurious sedan that has a lot going for it, it has a few shortcomings. Hence, as a prospective buyer, one should be aware of both strengths and weaknesses of the vehicle before making a purchase decision. 

The Rolls-Royce Ghost makes sense for buyers who want the full Rolls-Royce experience in a sedan that is more driver-focused and slightly easier to manage than the Phantom. Its combination of a V12 engine, all-wheel drive, sophisticated suspension and all-wheel steering gives it a distinctive blend of comfort and usability.

The regular Ghost is a good option for car buyers who even intend to drive themselves at times, while the Extended Wheelbase version is strictly for those who plan to travel mostly in the back seat of the vehicle. Meanwhile, the Black Badge adds more performance along with a sporty tinge to the aesthetics. 

The compromises are straightforward: the Ghost is extremely expensive to buy and run, its large dimensions can be challenging in confined spaces, and extensive Bespoke personalisation can push the final price substantially beyond the starting figure.

For someone specifically seeking a Rolls-Royce sedan with a more contemporary, driver-oriented character, the Ghost is the model to consider. Buyers primarily interested in maximum rear-seat space and limousine-style luxury may instead look towards the Phantom or the Ghost Extended.