GREATEST VEHICLES: Rolls-Royace GHOST

Introduction Introduction

The 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost is the latest model to come from this storied manufacturer, and it's positioned as the brand's entry-level vehicle. At a quarter-million dollars worth of starting price, that's quite a misnomer. As with all Rolls-Royce vehicles, the new Ghost surrounds occupants in top-notch luxury and unmistakable style. Attention to detail and craftsmanship border on the obsessive. However, we wonder if it's really worth the added cost over a Mercedes-Benz S600 or Jaguar XJL Supersport. Still, for shoppers with the financial means, the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost is an intriguing choice. As for Rolls-Royce, it’s the business savvy and engineering might of BMW that has kept the stately and exclusive automobiles at the very forefront of the ultra-luxury segment. Since 2003, when the brand was transferred from Volkswagen to BMW, the line has included just one model—the Phantom and its four different variations.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost luxury sedan comes in a single four-door body style in one well-equipped trim level. Standard feature highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, an active air suspension, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry/ignition, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic xenon headlights, power-closing rear doors, leather seating and trim, a pair of umbrellas stored within the front doors, heated front and rear seats, 10-way power and massaging front seats, four-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a navigation system, adaptive cruise control and a 16-speaker premium audio system with a 12.5GB hard drive music server, satellite radio, a CD/DVD player and USB/auxiliary audio inputs.

Luxury features that come standard on the car (in most markets) include deep-pile carpeting, violin key switches, chrome door handles, chrome vents with organ-stop plunger controls and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The Ghost also has the flashier, traditional Rolls touches: the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, power-operated coach doors, 16-speaker Lexicon audio system and gauge set with a power reserve meter in place of the more common tachometer.

Powertrains and Performance

All Ghosts come with a turbine-smooth 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 that produces 563 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rolls-Royce quotes the 0-60-mph sprint as taking less than 5 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

Company estimates put the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost's fuel economy at a relatively impressive 13 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

Interior Design and Special Features

Exotic wood veneers and metallic accents are used liberally throughout the cabin, where passengers are cosseted in the finest leathers. Though plush carpeting is of course standard, one may opt for genuine lambswool mats that will have you taking your shoes off. As nice as the Ghost is, however, it's really not that much nicer than a Benz S-Class or Jag XJ, and certainly not as grand as the Phantom.

Despite the dizzying array of high-tech luxury features, the Ghost presents a relatively clean dash and console. Part of the reason is that the multi-display screen is hidden when not in use behind a wood panel. The BMW-sourced multi-controller knob is mostly intuitive (unlike the earlier versions of BMW's iDrive) and elegant buttons and knobs recall the keys of musical instruments such as a flute or saxophone.