Rolls-Royce Ghost

 A Rolls for the rest of us.

An announcement at the 2006 Paris Motor Show was short and sweet. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced work had begun on a new series of automobiles scheduled for offering by the end of the decade. Code-named RR4, it would become the Rolls-Royce Ghost. The smallest of all the Roller saloons, it would hit dealers in late 2009.

Smaller doesn't necessarily mean it has cast off all those design cues and details that make it a Roller. Au contraire, it just means that now it will fit in a standard parking space at the local Super Target.

And that's just where we took ours.

What is it?
It is a four- or five-place saloon offering the ultimate in cush and refinement in the segment. (The segment being the bespoke sedan market for automobiles costing upwards of $200,000.)

Using the best of everything, from exotic woods for dash trim to leather from the finest bovine specimens to the latest in high-tech electronics and creature comforts, the Ghost coddles and cocoons its occupants with a feeling that leaves you not wanting.

For anything. Even a run through Target.

What's it up against?
A Maybach 57 perhaps. A Bentley Flying Spur. Or Arnage. Or the upcoming Mulsanne. These are the cars that live in the Ghost's neighborhood.

A BMW 7-Series or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class makes a nice car - for the hired help.

Any breakthroughs?
In the realm of automobiledom? No. For a Rolls-Royce? Probably a few. Start with the powerplant. A 6.6-liter V12 behemoth that sounds as though it is using a VW Beetle engine - not the Beetle's starter motor but the whole engine - just to get the Rolls-Royce's "just enough" powertrain up and running.

How does it look?
Like an extremely large piece of jewelry. From the retractable "Spirit of Ecstasy" hood ornament (lock the doors and it retracts to its resting place under the top of the iconic grille) to the slab-like sides to the chromier than chrome door pulls, to the shiny stuff around the window frames and the trunk area, and finally to the grille itself, the Ghost has all the iconic features that let even the most casual observer know that this is a Rolls-Royce Motor Car.

But this Rolls is updated with the latest in technologies, unlike its surprisingly basic predecessors, including smart key access, LED running lights, Xenon headlights, retractable mirrors and the upright wheel spinners which keep the RR logos perfectly oriented when the car is at rest.

And finally adding to the sheer presence that the Ghost has over others which are mere cars: The long aircraft carrier-sized hood and the shorter overhang trunk, which despite its short length, still appears to accommodate four full size golf bags"¦lengthwise. Speaking of length, although the Ghost is nearly 16-inches shorter than big brother Phantom, its interior dimension is comparable.

And on the inside?
Starting with the steering wheel, actually as big as a tiller on a hook and ladder fire truck, life is as big as you would expect in a Rolls-Royce. We push the starter button and the massive V12 roars to life. But then we close the doors and are awash in silence. Except for the whirring of the air conditioning fan motor, you won't hear much. That's what occurs from an auditory standpoint. From a visual side, you immediately notice the large expanses of mahogany veneer across the face of the dash. And then a swivel occurs at the top of the centerstack as the cover of the 10.2-inch diagonal monitors open up to show off what lurks underneath.

Designed as a refuge from the outside world, (you can easily hide behind the C-pillars) the rear seating area of our Ghost test vehicle featured a head-up display, individual climate controls, ventilated and heated seats, and veneered picnic tables (please make sure that your tray tables are in their upright and locked position). Add to that twin but independent 9.2-inch diagonal video monitors for the optional theater configuration. Fully operational by the backseat passengers, the system can play individual DVDs and audio tracks through the speakers or headphones. Oh, and did we mention the pushbuttons, that when activated, close the rear-hinged doors automatically? Good for these hard times when you might have had to lay off the chauffeur.

As over the top as all this may seem, it would seem incomplete without the proper audio system. To that end, the Ghost does not disappoint. The 600-watt system is complete with a 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers with subwoofers. Sirius Satellite Radio equipped, it also offers CD/DVD and 12.5 GB of hard drive space along with AM and FM-HD capabilities.

Simply put, there isn't much about the Ghost's interior that won't knock your socks off. Classic yet contemporary at the same time, it feels worth every penny of the list price.

But does it go?
The Ghost is powered by a brand new 6.6-liter twin-turbo direct injection V12 that is unique to the brand. Built by the BMW parents in Germany, it is a 563 horsepower, 575 lb-ft. of torque behemoth powerful enough to propel the 5,445-pound Ghost from 0-60 in 4.7-seconds. That's a fast figure for dedicated sports cars that tip the scales at half of the Ghost's curb weight, keep in mind.

This is partially achieved through the smooth shifting ZF-built eight-speed automatic transmission, which promptly downshifted when called upon.

As is typical, the Roller is limited to 155 mph. Mileage, you ask? The EPA says to expect mpg around 13 city/20 highway, but that doesn't really matter here.

The suspension system of the Ghost acts as though riding on a cushion of air - because essentially it is. While held together with double wishbones in front and a multi-link kit in rear, the four-cornered air suspension with electronic variable damping uses sensors that compensate for ride variations at the rate of every 2.5 milliseconds. All the other assists including Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control, stability control and cornering brake control are all included to help the ride feel as stable as possible under varying road conditions and maneuvers.

Underway in the Rolls, the one thing we notice is this is not a car for the casual driver. Yes, the ride is amazing. The acceleration gives one a swift kick in the trousers, that is out of character for a car this big. It requires you to think about what you want to do with the vehicle and then make certain that your moves are deliberate. It's not like the Ghost is boat-like and without feeling. It is quite the opposite, actually.

A corner carver it is not, but the Ghost offers a precise level of driving pleasure that is difficult to quantify or, for that matter, to offer up other vehicular comparisons. More composed than the limo-like Maybach, the Ghost is meant to be enjoyed by its driver - even if it's not as manic as a Bentley can feel. It redefines the Rolls-Royce experience for the 21st century, an era where few Westerners are shuttled around by a driver.

It is really so majestic that you sit up with authority as though you were the Captain on the Queen Mary. It rewards good driving and makes sure that you don't do anything untoward to the vehicle. We also found ourselves throwing more money to the valet jockeys than we normally do. As if!

Why you would buy it:
Because you appreciate total coddling by one of the truly great motorcar brands in the world, just on a smaller scale than the Non-plus ultra Phantom. And it would look good parked in the garage next to your Gulfstream 550.

Why you wouldn't:
Because, in this segment, size really does matter, and you want the Phantom. Rolls-Royce is more than happy to offer up a car to be seen in.

Leftlane's bottom line:
As majestic as ever, the Rolls-Royce line continues to evolve. Including the latest in technologies and comforts, this new Ghost model makes it clear to see why the revered marque maintains its otherworldly status.

With the new Ghost's base price of $245,000, it is the Rolls-Royce for the "rest of us."

2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost base price, $245,000. As tested, $305,075.
Bespoke options throughout.