I don’t know anybody who, in their wildest dreams, would imagine buying a Rolls-Royce. You know, that money-no-object desire for a car? Pick a car – any car, no matter how much it costs – and it’s yours: Would you instantly fantasize about owning a Rolls-Royce?
If not, well join the club. However, there is something about a Roller that's tantalizing, attractive and lustful. I’m not talking about the car’s silhouette, which looks like a polished brick, but the pleasantly disturbing, wealth-soaked aura that surrounds a vehicle like the 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
I drove a Phantom a few years ago and was amazed at the car’s easy driveability despite its tank-like proportions and weight. In the big Rolls, however, most people would likely prefer riding in the back, blissfully enveloped in soft cowhide and shaggy carpeting -- even in a short-wheelbase version.
With the Ghost, it’s different; you might buy it to actually drive it. Oh, you can still ride in the back and get chauffeured around, no problem. But why not enjoy it for yourself?
After all, you will be paying $246,500 for it. In US dollars. Plus tax.
If you think that’s outrageously expensive, it’s not, at least not for a Roller. The Ghost is by far the cheapest (uh, most “affordable”) car in the snooty lineup. Others include the Phantom ($380k), Phantom Coupé ($408k), Phantom Drophead Coupé ($447k) and Phantom Extended Wheelbase ($450k). The Ghost Extended Wheelbase should be available shortly, and will probably cost a little over 300 grand.
Don’t go thinking the baby Roller is small just because it’s the smallest in the lineup. The Ghost stretches 5,400 mm in length, while its wheelbase is as long as a full-size pickup’s. And at 5,500 lbs, it weighs as much as a pickup, too.
To counter that sheer mass, the Ghost gets one big engine; we’re talking about a 48-valve, 6.6L V12 powerhouse that belts out 563 horses as well as 575 lb-ft of torque that peaks at just 1,500 rpm. All that muscle is delivered seamlessly and fluidly, and 100 km/h will be yours in a claimed 4.9 seconds. As for fuel consumption, this Rolls is rated at 16.2/10.1 L/100km city/highway (but who cares, really?).
If not, well join the club. However, there is something about a Roller that's tantalizing, attractive and lustful. I’m not talking about the car’s silhouette, which looks like a polished brick, but the pleasantly disturbing, wealth-soaked aura that surrounds a vehicle like the 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
I drove a Phantom a few years ago and was amazed at the car’s easy driveability despite its tank-like proportions and weight. In the big Rolls, however, most people would likely prefer riding in the back, blissfully enveloped in soft cowhide and shaggy carpeting -- even in a short-wheelbase version.
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| The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost carries a $246,500 USD sticker. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
With the Ghost, it’s different; you might buy it to actually drive it. Oh, you can still ride in the back and get chauffeured around, no problem. But why not enjoy it for yourself?
After all, you will be paying $246,500 for it. In US dollars. Plus tax.
If you think that’s outrageously expensive, it’s not, at least not for a Roller. The Ghost is by far the cheapest (uh, most “affordable”) car in the snooty lineup. Others include the Phantom ($380k), Phantom Coupé ($408k), Phantom Drophead Coupé ($447k) and Phantom Extended Wheelbase ($450k). The Ghost Extended Wheelbase should be available shortly, and will probably cost a little over 300 grand.
Don’t go thinking the baby Roller is small just because it’s the smallest in the lineup. The Ghost stretches 5,400 mm in length, while its wheelbase is as long as a full-size pickup’s. And at 5,500 lbs, it weighs as much as a pickup, too.
To counter that sheer mass, the Ghost gets one big engine; we’re talking about a 48-valve, 6.6L V12 powerhouse that belts out 563 horses as well as 575 lb-ft of torque that peaks at just 1,500 rpm. All that muscle is delivered seamlessly and fluidly, and 100 km/h will be yours in a claimed 4.9 seconds. As for fuel consumption, this Rolls is rated at 16.2/10.1 L/100km city/highway (but who cares, really?).
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| The Ghost is equipped with a 563 hp 6.6L V12 engine. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |