Rolls-Royce Ghost

Stepping into the Ghost is an event in itself. The fit and finish are absolutely flawless, with every surface draped in the finest leathers, open-pore woods, or bespoke metals. 

Cabin Layout Quality

The design is a brilliant mix of traditional luxury and modern technology. While the standard Ghost leans towards classic wood veneers, the Black Badge cabin is a masterclass in "Technical Fibre". The dashboard, panels, and steering wheel have a stunning diamond-patterned carbon fibre weave that feels uniquely upmarket. The signature Starlight Headliner continues to recreate a breathtaking night sky on the ceiling.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

The front seats are incredibly plush and endlessly adjustable, meaning you can be assured of excellent support during long journeys. The driving position is high and commanding, stretching over the long bonnet. All the touchpoints, meanwhile, feel sublime; even the climate control vents have solid metal organ dials that feel so tactile.

Second Row

The rear seat experience is top-of-the-line here. The Extended Wheelbase model adds 170 mm of length behind the B-pillar, creating a cavernous amount of legroom. The seats are perfectly contoured, allowing passengers to sink into the incredibly soft leather.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• Comfort Doors: Press a button on the panel, and the massive coach doors close automatically.
• Rear Seat Tech: Passengers get dedicated AC and seat controls, along with a powered fold-out table.
• Integrated Refrigerator: A champagne fridge is built directly into the rear seats.
• Privacy Curtains: One touch of a button deploys thick curtains for the side and rear windows to block out the outside world.

Buying a Rolls-Royce is not easy at all. Because these cars are heavily bespoke, the final price mostly settles on how much you actually customise it. In India, the standard Ghost Series II asks for a colossal premium, starting around Rs. 8.95 crore. Step up to the Extended Wheelbase or the darker, performance-oriented Black Badge, and this price tag will comfortably cross Rs. 10 crore.

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

No one buys a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 thinking about fuel economy, so expect the Ghost to be a thirsty machine. The car's massive kerb weight and the engine's size mean that running costs will be over the roof. However, for buyers in this segment, fuel bills don't matter anyway.

Observed Fuel Efficiency During Testing

While Rolls-Royce does not loudly advertise crash test ratings or typical active safety jargon, the Ghost is built like a vault. The underlying aluminium spaceframe architecture is incredibly rigid; you get exceptional structural integrity in this machine.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

The cabin has six airbags to shield both front and rear occupants from every angle. The doors are thick, and the pillars are substantial. While Global NCAP or Euro NCAP hasn't tested how well it absorbs crashes, the underlying BMW-derived electrical architecture makes sure that it meets the highest global safety standards.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

The Ghost has a large suite of modern safety systems, integrated discreetly so as not to disturb the serene driving experience. It has advanced traction control, electronic stability control, and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system (on the newer models) that constantly monitors grip levels. You also get high-resolution 360-degree cameras, night vision with pedestrian recognition, and adaptive cruise control.

Safety Verdict

The Rolls-Royce Ghost has an incredibly secure, cocooned environment. Buyers can rest assured that this sedan offers world-class protection for them and their families.

The cabin of the Ghost is a masterclass in craftsmanship, leaning heavily into unrivalled, old-school luxury rather than gimmicky screens. It manages to feel highly technical without overwhelming the driver with a convoluted kit list.

Infotainment and Interface

• The infotainment display stays discreet, letting the materials do the talking.
• In the Black Badge, instead of traditional wood veneers, you get a diamond-patterned carbon fibre weave in the dashboard, panels, and steering wheel.
• Dials are clear, crisp, and beautifully physical in their presentation.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• The signature "night sky" starlight headliner remains a breathtaking touch.
• You have dedicated AC and seat controls, a refrigerator built into the seat, and a powered fold-out table.
• For absolute privacy, one touch of a button deploys curtains for the side and rear windows.
• The famed "Comfort Doors" remain a highlight. Press a button on the panel, and the massive doors close themselves. To be precise, you don’t close your own doors; you press a button and say goodbye to the outside world.

Lifting the heavy, beautifully damped boot lid gives room to a properly practical storage area. You get 490 litres of boot space in this vehicle, which gobbles up the luggage you need for a cross-country tour. The boot is deeply carpeted in materials that put most living rooms to shame. While it does not have a low load lip, lifting your bags into this cavernous space is not too difficult at all.

Underneath the skin, this sedan is engineered to isolate you from the outside world’s harsher surfaces completely. You enjoy the planar suspension system, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and dampers to absorb irregularities, providing you with that magic carpet ride feeling. You also get the Satellite Aided Transmission, which uses GPS data to pre-select gears for corners.

City Driving

Pottering around town, the Ghost cushions occupants from the realities of poorly maintained stretches of road. It glides. The steering is vague by design, requiring merely a gentle touch to navigate tight city streets. However, stepping up to the darker model brings a slight change. The Black Badge isn't just a trim level; the drivetrain and chassis have been re-engineered for a more spirited drive. It is designed to be driven, not just driven in.

According to Shams,

"The first thing you notice is the car’s driving attitude."

Highway Driving

For highways, the Ghost gets a "Low Drive Mode" (Rolls-Royce speak for Sport Mode) that sharpens the engine response, speeds up the gear shifts, and tweaks the exhaust note to be just a bit more vocal. It feels totally planted at triple-digit speeds. The V12 also packs tremendous mid-range grunt, ensuring you never feel out of breath when executing a high-speed overtake.

Because this is one highly customisable vehicle, the standard kit list is merely a starting point. However, the base lineup generally gives you three flavours.

Picking the right Ghost depends entirely on where you plan to sit; if you want to drive, the Black Badge is better, and if you want to relax, the Extended Wheelbase wins.

The Driver's Choice

If you plan on taking the wheel, the Ghost Black Badge is the clear winner. The darker chrome brightwork and carbon elements give the interior a sportier, more urgent feel that matches the "Black Badge" essence. Its alloy wheels also handle the car's increased performance much better.

The Chauffeur-Driven Executive

If you spend your life in the second row, the Extended Wheelbase is the undisputed king. The extra 170 mm of legroom takes the rear seat experience to another level, from exceptionally comfortable to properly palatial.

The Traditionalist

The standard Ghost remains a compelling proposition for those who want a classic, fuss-free luxury sedan that looks elegant without the slightly menacing edge of the Black Badge.