Posted January 10, 2015 by 99MilesPerHour Extreme Luxury

Today’s Rolls Royce: Ghost Series II

hyper-luxury at its finest

The Rolls Royce Ghost is the contemporary manifestation of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Ghost Series II was unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show for North American customers. It is the most popular automobile in the $250,000+ hyper-luxury class. Classic simplicity, exquisite refinement, and prodigious power has attracted a new generation of Rolls Royce buyers.

This dynamic new expression of contemporary luxury is winning media and customer acclaim. Ghost is leading a new, younger clientele to the joys of Rolls Royce ownership. Available in Standard and Extended Wheelbase, Ghost Series II is the ultimate contemporary combination of luxury, technology, and connectivity.

Rolls Royce has a relentless pursuit for perfection through technology. The man/machine interface is foremost with the brand. Ghost Series II presents a full suite of the latest technological advancements. The Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller is the key to the car’s technological functions. A one-touch call button accesses on-board Wi-Fi connectivity. This sophisticated network facilitates email, file sharing, telephony, and video-conferencing.

A comprehensive network coordinates the environment. The Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller and the one-touch call button also enables the occupants to watch televised business news and provide navigation assistance. It can be programmed for verbal commands. The significantly updated Multimedia Interface and Navigation System is displayed on a new 10.25” high definition screen.

The Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller uses a touch-pad instead of a touch-screen to avoid unsightly finger prints. This system gives the ability to write characters by finger as well as scrolling through function menus by turning a chrome dial to select functions. The system recognizes English, Latin, Arabic characters, and mandarin to assist drivers in China. The Rotary Controller’s touch-pad allows “pull & pinch” features replicating intuitive smart phone functionality. This helps to pinpoint chosen areas on the screen or to enlarge them.

Ghost Series II technology includes Bespoke Audio, which is the most extensively engineered automotive stereo system ever developed. The cabin is acoustically balanced and designed into its architecture. Engineers were consulted throughout the design process of the Ghost Series II for optimum audio performance.

Eighteen individually tuned speakers has “Theatre” and “Studio” settings to deliver a live sensation. Two bass speakers are located in the boot to compliment seven strategically placed speakers in the cabin. Two “exciter” speakers are mounted into the headlining which brings the sound closer to occupants’ ear level to create a unique listening sensation.

The audio system incorporates a highly sensitive microphone that monitors exterior noise while subtly adjusting the volume and tone settings to deliver consistent perfection. This technology utilizes frequency and phase correction for individual speakers to eliminate potential loud and dead spots caused by exterior noise levels.

Ghost Series II is equipped with a 20.5 GB hard drive mounted in the boot. It can hold approximately 5,700 items of music downloaded via USB port located in the center console or glove compartment. iPod and iPad connections allow the importation of music, podcasts, and audio book downloads. Bluetooth audio streaming is an option. Music searches may be selected via the Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller. The superb sound quality is astoundingly realistic, it rivals home audio sound systems. Bespoke Audio is the pinnacle of in-car entertainment systems.

The Series II refinements freshened the 2009 design. Front end styling is augmented by redesigned LED headlamps framed by daytime running lights. Adaptive headlamp technology uses electronically controlled reflectors that are designed to move in the direction of travel in response to steering wheel activity. This illuminates with greater depth while cornering. They produce a whiter, brighter light on dark roads to ensure safety.

The automatic dipping of full-beam headlamps has been replaced with a new glare-free technology. When an on-coming car approaches, light is deflected so as not to dazzle the on-coming driver. Ghost Series II has the safety benefit of constant full-beam visibility at all times.

Ghost Series II has a provocative silhouette highlighted by a new bumper design which makes the car appear larger than it is. New front intakes with chrome accents provide more cooling air to the brakes. The long bonnet and short rear over-hang projects a dynamic profile for Ghost Series II.

Its subtle refinement and understatement retains the poised dignity that is the hallmark of every Rolls Royce. The iconic radiator grille is re-imaged for Ghost to reflect its modern dynamism…it is softer and less formal yet immediately identifiable. The Spirit of Ecstasy – in all her majesty – adds the crowning touch as a Rolls Royce signature. Flowing ‘yacht-lines’ and powerful rear flanks express a timeless yet modern attribute. Ghost Series II remains at the cutting edge of an ever-changing world…it is the contemporary expression of Rolls Royce luxury.

Ghost Series II is available in standard and extended wheelbase configurations. The standard Ghost measures 212.6” in length, has a 76.7” width, and rides upon a 129.7” wheelbase. The Extended Wheelbase saloon measures 219.3” in length, has the same 76.7” width, but rides upon a long 136.4” wheelbase. The EWB saloon affords more rear passenger room which provides extra space for the addition of various multimedia equipment to be installed for the owner who must work while traveling.

Ghost Series II EWB saloon

Ghost Series II is a bold new generation of Rolls Royce motorcars. The interior enhancements are perfectly in tune with this contemporary expression of the brand. Comfort has been escalated to new heights with Ghost Series II’s redesigned seating. The front seats have electrically adjustable thigh supports with a new seat structure. The rear passenger compartment uses a “lounge seat” configuration, where the seats are slightly angled towards each other creating a more intimate setting. The seats are available with three-level heating as standard with an optional massage function. They may also be reclined for comfort.

The dash has been re-styled with new instrumentation with individually applied polished metal chaplets around the dials and matt chrome centers have a “floating” effect in the middle of each gauge. Two new exquisitely crafted veneers called Paldao and Walnut Burr Crossband are available to further personalize even further. The dash features a new “soft-feel.” Leather trim may be optionally extended to the “A” & “C” pillars. The Ghost Series II is a highly bespoke saloon limited only by its owner’s imagination.

Ghost Series II is built as a steel monocoque bodyshell with aluminium bonnet, doors, and boot lid. The bodyshell is constructed with double front bulkheads to absorb and cancel engine noise and vibration before it reaches the cabin. Safety is paramount with Ghost Series II. It incorporates side impact beams in the doors. The contemporary architecture has energy-absorbing crumple zones front and rear that accordion at a controlled rate upon impact. The doors will neither burst open nor jam shut in an accident.

The sophisticated Advanced Crash and Safety Management (ACSM) system monitors vehicle parameters through sensors located around the car. It works in conjunction with engine and chassis management systems to judge which safety features to deploy in the event of an impact. The ACSM will activate seat belt pre-tensioners and all-encompassing air bags inside the cabin to create a safe environment for all occupants.

Ghost Series II uses a sophisticated air suspension that is so sensitive it detects the smallest change and compensates accordingly. It has a “lift and kneel” function to raise or lower it as required. The ride height is maintained by a complex computer system that reads multiple inputs from strategically placed sensors throughout the vehicle. The dampers make load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds.

The four-wheel independent suspension has a double wishbone front and multi-link rear set-up. The intuitive air suspension and electronic variable damping delivers refinement that has been long associated with the brand for over 100 years. Ghost Series II is electronically augmented by sub-systems to keep the Rolls Royce magic carpet ride on any road surface. Boulevard travel intrusion is negligible.

Anti-Roll Stabilization, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, and Dynamic Traction Control are just a few of the many sub-systems that enhance overall vehicle operation. These technologies work together under dual Integrated Chassis Management systems to keep Ghost Series II well poised under any driving situation. Rolls Royce is dedicated to the relentless pursuit of perfection through evolutionary refinement.

Ghost Series II moves with aplomb. It is powered by the Rolls Royce alloy 6.6 litre 48-valve twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Power output is rated as 563 hp @ 5,250 rpm with 780 Nm of peak torque @ 1,500 rpm. It is a highly spirited performer. Longitudinal acceleration is rated as 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph (governed). It can do the ¼ mile in 13.3 seconds. The electronic engine management system uses direct injection. The engine is mated to a ZF 8HP90 8-speed automatic shift-by-wire transmission.

The showcase of technology continues with the addition of a Satellite Aided Transmission. This feature was introduced on the Rolls Royce Wraith in 2013. The Satellite Aided Transmission uses GPS mapping data for its intuition, allowing the vehicle to predict the driver’s next move based upon location and driving style. It uses this information to select the appropriate gear from the 8-speed ZF gearbox to maximize power from its 6.6 litre V12 engine to ensure a seamless and effortless driving experience.

Ghost Series II is available with an optional Dynamic Driving Package. Suspension enhancements provides the perfect blending of driving dynamics and legendary Rolls Royce comfort. New rear hydraulic axle bearings enhance ride quality and rear stability. Re-designed front and rear struts, new steering geometry, and adjusted dampers significantly increase Ghost Series II’s cornering ability. The assurance of effortless fade-free stopping is due in no small part to its power four-wheel ventilated disc braking system. This car is one class act –

For a bird’s eye view completely around the car, Ghost Series II is equipped with rear, front, side, and top view cameras. The cameras provide ground images with obstacle recognition and reverse path prediction for parking. A Night Vision camera when activated, detects and displays images on the central screen in the dash. The car’s control system receives infrared heat images from the camera. It then considers the speed and direction classifying them to assess imminent danger, deploying the appropriate action to warn the driver.

The heads-up display relays crucial information such as speed or navigation directions onto the windscreen in front of the driver. The driver programs the details and position suitable for the display.

Ghost Series II is a car complete. Myriad comfort and convenience features and accessories are standard, everything from automatic temperature control, and speed control to power assisted steering, power door locks with central locking feature and security system. It would be easier to tell you what it doesn’t have as standard equipment.

And…if your taste goes beyond status-quo…Ghost Series II is a highly bespoke saloon where its detail can be as exquisitely individual as its owner’s signature. It is a new breed of Rolls Royce for the 21^st century…hyper-luxury is the provocative new niche in the automobile industry. Both, Rolls Royce Ghost Series II and Rolls Royce Wraith are the epitome of hyper-luxury – this is another superlative in the continuing saga of Rolls Royce evolution.