Since its introduction in 2009, Rolls Royce Ghost has been marketed as an entry-level model, and most people consider it a low-cost Rolls Royce. However, there is nothing remotely entry-level or cheap about this car. It is a large and extremely luxurious sedan that costs a quarter million dollars and comes with the prestige of owning a Rolls Royce. In other words, if someone does have the money to spare for this car, there is no need to be embarrassed about buying it just because it is smaller and cheaper than the Phantom. In most ways, the Ghost is pretty much just a slightly shrunk Phantom, which gives it better handling and more of a daily car.
New For 2013
The Ghost receives a few equipment updates. The night-vision system now precharges the brakes if it detects a pedestrian in the car’s path. The Comfort Access Package adds Smart Boot Opener, which pops the trunk when the owner waves his or her foot under the rear bumper. The engine has been reprogrammed for a minor reduction in emissions.
Exterior
The 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost has almost same stately exterior design as the Phantom, but it is a lot sleeker than its bigger sibling. Despite the fact that it is the smallest Rolls Royce, the Ghost is still a very large sedan. It has a length of 212.6 inches, which is around 10 inches longer than most minivans. The extended-wheelbase model is seven inches longer. The Ghost is bigger and heavier than the Chevrolet Tahoe, with 19-inch or 20-inch wheels fitted. The wheels of the sedan have the self-righting Roll Royce centerpiece with the double R logo that stays upright no matter what the wheel’s position may be. The front end gets the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy, and the rear-hinged doors can be closed with a power button near the back seat. The front doors come with storage nooks for storing umbrellas, and the car can be fitted with a number of accessories on the outside if needed.
Interior & Cargo
The 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost gets the best of the best in its cabin. Polished metal accents and exotic wood veneers are present around the cabin, and the seats are covered by the finest and best quality leather. The floor gets plush carpets as standard, but people who want even more luxury can go for genuine wool mats. Overall quality is typically that of a Rolls Royce, but it is just slightly better than the interior of other top-end cars like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Jaguar XJ, or the Audi A8. High-tech features abound in the cabin of the Ghost, but the dash still retains a clean look. The same applies to the center console as well, thanks to the thoughtful distribution of controls and the automatic hiding of the multi-display screen. The screen neatly tucks away behind a wood panel when it is not being used. The multi-controller knob is quite intuitive, even more so that the controller knob used in the BMW iDrive system. This is quite surprising because the Ghost’s controller knob is sourced from BMW.
The front passenger and driver get lots of space and comfort, but the real pampering is reserved for the passengers at the back. The seats are well-designed for support and comfort. The center of the bench has a large fold-down armrest, and the thick roof pillars surrounding the seats provide privacy. One exceptional feature of the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost that does not even come with the Phantom is the ventilated, adjustable, and massaging outboard seats at the rear. Since the car clearly gets better as one moves towards the rear, it would be a given that the trunk at the back is cavernous. Surprisingly, that is not the case. At 14 cubic feet of space, the trunk of the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost is just average, which is shameful since everything else about the car is over the top.
Safety
Anti-lock brakes, active front head restraints, stability and control system, side curtain airbags, and front seat side airbags are standard for the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost. Optional safety features include automatic high beams, night vision camera, heads up display, and a lane departure warning system.
Driving Experience
The 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost gets a twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter, V-12 engine that delivers 563 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed, automatic transmission is standard, and so is rear wheel drive. It takes less than five seconds to go from zero to 60 miles per hour, and the estimated fuel economy is 13/20 mpg city/highway. The massive V-12 engine is clearly a powerhouse, but it is also as silent as a mouse. The high refined engine provides a smooth and gentle throttle response and delivers a silky-smooth ride. However, it is not afraid to let out the horses when pushed hard, taking the car effortlessly to dizzying speeds. The automatic transmission is perfect, as expected.
The air suspension is as soft as it is supposed to be, dampening any bumps or ruts on the road to keep the ride steady and smooth. Despite the softness of the suspension, the car handles quite well especially when compared to the bigger Phantom. In fact, it feels a lot smaller and lighter than it actually is, and the steering makes it a breeze to maneuver the car precisely. At highway speeds, the 2013 Rolls Royce Ghost is quite and fast, and it tends to roll a little around the corner, but complaints from the driver would generally be few.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost