After the introduction of the fully electric Rolls-Royce Spectre, a model that put the driver at the center, the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II may now call itself the most driver-oriented V12 Rolls-Royce ever. While the steering wheel takes the spotlight, the rear-seat passengers are certainly not forgotten!
Text By Anja Van Der Borght
“A Rolls-Royce is a car you should step out of feeling more refreshed than when you got in,” says Stephen Finch, Manager of Product and Launch Ghost. And that is precisely one of the aspects Rolls-Royce has elevated to an even higher level with the new Ghost Series II. You now have a choice of exquisite interior finishes and features that were never before available on the Ghost.
Monolithic Simplicity
The Ghost is currently the most popular model from Rolls-Royce. The first generation, introduced in 2009, was aimed at a new category of affluent individuals seeking a more accessible and versatile Rolls-Royce—a model they could drive themselves instead of always being chauffeured in. The second-generation Ghost (2020) was a further development of these principles, with a nimble, driver-oriented chassis, simplicity in design, complexity in craftsmanship, and power. At the time, it was the most technologically advanced V12 Rolls-Royce. The Ghost Series II takes this even further. Equipped with the drivetrain that made this car a legend, it primarily received subtle design enhancements.
“Ghost Series II represents the fundamental principles of Rolls-Royce—serenity, effortlessness, and elegance—distilled into an expressive, monolithic form,“ says Juliane Blasi, Head of Exterior Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “That expressive, monolithic look is especially emphasized at the front with a simplified fascia that wraps around the corners to the daytime running lights in one seamless piece.” The Ghost Series II also incorporates elements from the Spectre, such as rear lights with the RR monogram and the ability to match the digital instrument colors with the interior or exterior palette. This option adds a customizable atmosphere to the car, a must-have in our opinion.
Fish Scale Paint
“We also highlighted the shoulder line of the Ghost Series II by extending the hand-painted pinstripe to the top of the rear light block,” says Blasi. The turquoise blue pinstripe on the show model pairs beautifully with the new, literally dazzling “Mustique Blue” exterior color, which joins the existing palette of over 44,000 prêt-à-porter shades. “The color reflects the atmosphere of the Caribbean island it is named after and contains glass and mica particles for a shimmer reminiscent of sunlight reflecting on a tropical sea,” Blasi explains. The color also nods to one of the first driver-oriented Rolls-Royces: a lightweight Phantom II Continental prototype from 1929. This car, in a similar blue hue designed by Henry Royce for personal use, was one of the first in history to feature pearlescent paint, then made from crushed fish scales.
Bamboo Forest
The Ghost Series II serves as a platform for bold expressions of contemporary craftsmanship. One fascinating feature is Duality Twill, a rayon fabric made from bamboo, introduced a few months ago on the Cullinan Series II. The Rolls-Royce design team found inspiration in the vast bamboo forest of Le Jardin des Méditerranées, a botanical garden on the French Riviera near Sir Henry Royce’s former winter residence.
The Duality Twill material took over a year to develop in collaboration with a female master weaver. Creating a fully Duality Twill interior can take up to 20 hours and involves 17.7 kilometers of thread and as many as 2.2 million stitches. The base fabric is available in three colors—lilac, chocolate, and black—with threads in 51 shades.
Champagne Expertise
A favorite option is the champagne cooler. Rolls-Royce specialists consulted a master sommelier, learning that the ideal serving temperature for non-vintage champagne is around six degrees Celsius, while vintage champagne is best served at eleven degrees. The cooler offers two settings, catering to both.
Unmatched Ride Comfort
The Ghost Series II retains the 6.75-liter V12 twin-turbo gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that powers all four wheels. The maximum torque, available from just 1,600 rpm, delivers the impression of an endless surge of acceleration, embodying Rolls-Royce’s unique “waftability.”
The advanced Planar Suspension System, featuring an additional damper above the front suspension, electronically controlled shock absorbers, and self-leveling air suspension, enhances the signature “magic carpet ride.” The Flagbearer System scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension for optimal comfort. Satellite Aided Transmission uses GPS data to pre-select gears for upcoming corners. These technologies ensure the Ghost doesn’t just respond but anticipates challenging road conditions. Despite its size, the car remains impressively agile and dynamic, with phenomenal acceleration. However, the Lane Keeping Assist is less subtle than before, providing stronger feedback through the steering wheel.
More Comfort for Rear Passengers
The Ghost Series II also brings improvements to entertainment and connectivity for rear-seat passengers. They can independently stream content on individual screens and manage features like massage, heating, and cooling through a new interface. Bluetooth® headphones can connect to the rear infotainment system, and all passengers benefit from enhanced Wi-Fi® and USB-C® ports.
Prices start at €333,355, with the Black Badge version available from €396,275.
