It’s not often Rolls Royce launches an all-new model. Uber-luxurious limos have a long and costly development process, which means manufacturers have to keep them on sale for many years to recoup their investments/make a profit. The all-new Rolls Royce Ghost was launched today replacing a model that was launched ten years ago.

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Entry-level

To those aren’t really familiar with the brand’s models, the new car’s appearance is quite similar in execution to its predecessor. There are changes, naturally, but they are quite subtle. When it debuted over 10 years ago the Roll Royce Ghost marked a new line for the British (but German owned) manufacturer; it served as the entry-level Roller.

Click here to read about the Ghost’s closest rival from Bentley.

As parent company BMW was keen to keep costs of the newcomer contained, it used the same platform as the then range-leading 7 Series saloon. The all-new Rolls Royce Ghost is based on a new, RR-specific platform. This results in an overall length that has grown by 89 mm, compared to the first Ghost, to 5 546mm, and its overall width has grown by 30 mm to 1978 mm. Total mass is 2 490 kg of which 100 kg is sound deadening material.

850-star interior

As expected of the marque, the interior is ultra-luxurious. High quality hides, wood, electrical systems and trim are used plentifully. The large facia features an unsealed wooden finished. In front of the driver is a digital instrument cluster and ahead of the front passenger is a panel that hides 152 LEDs which create a night sky motif. Speaking of which, the roof lining has the same effect to show 850 ‘stars’ in against a dark ‘sky’.

To access the rear of the cabin occupants need only touch the door handle or wait for the chauffeur to click a button on the centre console, doing so operates the rear, clamshell-style doors that are completely electric in operation. Both rear passengers have touchscreens to operate the car’s infotainment system.

Powertrain

Under the long bonnet is a 6,75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 , which Rolls Royce is keen to point out is a new unit developed by them for their own use. The unit produces 420 kW and 850 N.m of torque; the latter is available from just 1 600 r/min. Power is delivered to all four wheels through an automatic transmission. This luxo-barge can complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4,8 seconds and is limited to 250 km/h. To make the car more nimble it features rear-wheel-steer and to increase comfort levels there are two dampers for each front wheel. You can learn about the new Ghost from people who created it in the video below.