Design Concept: Beyond Luxury. The New Rolls-Royce Ghost Makes Its Japanese Debut

ROLLS-ROYCE Ghost | Rolls-Royce Ghost

The New Rolls-Royce Ghost Makes Its Japanese Debut

On October 5, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced the new Rolls-Royce Ghost and Ghost Extended, which were unveiled to the world on September 1, in Japan as well.

Text by HARA Akira

First Adoption of Aluminum Spaceframe Architecture, Similar to Phantom and Cullinan

The first-generation Ghost, launched in 2009, was conceived as a distinct model from the flagship Phantom. It resonated with customers seeking a more understated and minimalist Rolls-Royce, becoming the marque's best-selling model in its 10-year production run. It was also announced that the Goodwood factory has returned to full capacity, having scaled back production due to COVID-19, coinciding with the start of production for the new Ghost.

Design Concept: Beyond Luxury. The New Rolls-Royce Ghost Makes Its Japanese Debut | ROLLS-ROYCE — Rolls-Royce Ghost

During the ideation sketch phase of development, the design concept for the new Ghost was named "Post-Opulence." This concept is already established in fields such as architecture, fashion, jewelry, and boating, characterized by reduction and substance. Achieving this requires careful selection and utilization of special materials, with a design that eschews ostentation in favor of intelligence and restraint.

The chassis of the new Ghost features the aluminum spaceframe architecture, developed exclusively for Rolls-Royce, which is already used in the flagship Phantom and the innovative SUV, Cullinan.

The body dimensions are 5,545mm (5,715mm for the Extended) in length, 2,000mm in width, and 1,570mm in height. To meet customer demand for near-silent operation even while driving, it is powered by an evolved 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 gasoline engine. A dedicated engine mapping for the Ghost has been developed, delivering 571ps (420kW) of maximum power and 850Nm of maximum torque to the all-wheel steering and all-wheel drive systems, ensuring dynamic performance with ample power. This engine produces its maximum torque at a low 1,600 rpm, just 600 rpm above idle.

The suspension features the "Planar Suspension System." Named after the word "planar," which refers to a perfectly flat and horizontal geometric plane, this suspension system, developed and tested over a decade, delivers a ride quality that feels as if the car is floating above the ground. The system incorporates a world-first upper wishbone damper mounted above the front suspension assembly.

The body is constructed from hand-welded aluminum. A new feature is the subtle illumination of the inner bars by 20 LEDs positioned below the radiator grille's apex. The interior eschews ornamentation, relying on the inherent beauty of materials like fine leather, wood, and metal to satisfy discerning tastes. The design aims to maximize the impact of bespoke color personalization.

Technologically, it is the most advanced Rolls-Royce model to date, equipped with LED/laser headlights offering a range of over 600 meters, Vision Assist with night and day detection of pedestrians and wildlife, Alertness Assistant, a four-camera system providing panoramic, overhead, and aerial views, Active Cruise Control, Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning, Lane Departure/Lane Change Warning, a class-leading 7x3-inch high-resolution head-up display, automatic parking, and the latest navigation and entertainment systems.

Additionally, the newly installed "Micro Environment Purification System (MEPS)" directs cabin air through a nanofleece filter, removing nearly all microscopic particles and bacteria from the interior air within two minutes.

With only the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot and the umbrella carried over from the first-generation Ghost, the new model is priced from 35.9 million yen for the Ghost and from 42 million yen for the Ghost Extended. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in January 2021.