Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II Review: On Its Own Playing Field

What we like:

Superlative refinement and comfort

Lovely V12 engine is a dying breed

Bespoke options make it truly stand out

What we dislike:

Maybe not ever owning one in Singapore due to prohibitive costs

The facelifted version of the second-generation Ghost has a very familiar spec sheet - a twin-turbo 6.75-litre V12 under the bonnet, mated to an 8-speed automatic delivering power to the rear wheels. No hint of electrification here, not even a mild hybrid setup. Even the power outputs are identical to the Series I - 563 bhp and 850 Nm, although they are definitely nothing to scoff at.

But that really is the beauty of the car, isn’t it? In an age where cars are following trends in a worryingly blind fashion (just observe the ubiquity of buttonless interiors with huge screens), Rolls-Royce is just sticking to what works, and darn well at that. Yes, it has entered the electric realm in the form of the Spectre, but it has kept its ICE vehicles virtually unfettered. And that’s absolutely the right thing to do, in my books.

The Ghost Series II is one of the most serene ways to travel on the road, period. Everything I said about the Series I remains; the fact that it sits in a Rolls-Royce exclusive platform shared with the Phantom and Cullinan makes a significant difference. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the Ghost has the comfort and refinement levels of the Phantom. It’s staggeringly peaceful inside, cocooned from all manner of craziness in the world out there. The team members of Planar Suspension, Flagbearer (reading what’s on the road ahead and preparing the suspension beforehand) and Satellite Aided transmission system (same, but for the gearbox) all work together cohesively to deliver an otherworldly experience that’s truly unmatched. The only other car I can think of that pampers its occupants so opulently is the Range Rover LWB, so you might ask, why pay the premium for a Rolls-Royce?

Herein lies the core appeal of a Rolls-Royce - the ability to make it truly yours. In Rolls-Royce parlance, bespoke really means bespoke. You want to match the particular orange on your pet parrot to your paintwork? Sure. How about using wood from a tree in the estate as interior veneer trim? Certainly. You get the drift. Unless the customisation affects safety or the integrity of the vehicle, it is within the capabilities of Rolls-Royce to get it done. It crash tests its bespoke parts too, by the way - just imagine how many versions they’d have to sacrifice to the Euro NCAP altar!

The particular test car provided to us for the test drive was impressively specified, a rare sight for Singapore’s high-tax market. Every option added to a car would be subject to many folds of tax. Such is the tax burden that the car without any options added (and COE) retails for approximately $1.9 million, but the test car is asking for $2.6 million!

With its exterior finished in Olivin, a sort of dark green hue, the Ghost Series II cuts a beautiful subtle figure, showing different shades of black and green under changing light. On the inside, there is a tasteful mix of Havana, Grace White and even Iceland Moss as a contrast colour - the latter being a lighter shade of green. It all comes together to a perfect case study of Make Green Great Again.

The other option worth mentioning is the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio. Don’t assume for a moment that just because it lacks a familiar brand name, it’s an inferior sound system. It has been designed, literally, as the Rolls-Royce of sound systems. With 18-speakers and 1400 W, it is truly divine listening to my favourite classical pieces while the Spirit of Ecstasy guides me along.

There is nothing quite like being in a Rolls-Royce. It feels special, whether you’re behind the wheel or sitting in the passenger seat. The key difference with the Ghost is that it genuinely feels usable everyday, especially where size is concerned. To enjoy this level of luxury even for the most mundane of everyday tasks is truly something to savour. Heck, it almost feels worth what it’s asking for, even with the crazy taxes added.

Photos by Sean Seah

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