There is no shortage of expensive, head-turning cars in the UAE but when it comes to ultimate stature and a symbol of success and extravagant wealth nothing really comes close to a Rolls-Royce.
– #Quiz360: WIN dinner for 2 at Channels
– Car of the week – January 1 – Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
They ooze elegance and decadence in equal measure and their reputation as hand-built masterpieces which combine tradition with the very latest automotive technology is the reason why the company has just announced record global sales for the fifth consecutive year of 4,063, with Abu Dhabi the most successful dealership in the world.
Sales were driven by the Wraith, the fastest Roller ever built and the Ghost Series II while the Phantom remains the company’s flagship product.
All three are magnificent cars but having been fortunate enough to have driven them all the Ghost II is the one that impresses me the most.
I say this because I am no lover of cruising around in a car the size of a battleship, no matter how luxurious or powerful it may be, which sort of rules out the Wraith and the Phantom. Yes, I know it’s ridiculous to rule out owning any Rolls-Royce and the chance to buy one would be a fine thing, but the Ghost II is everything you need in a prestige car, and more.
It’s still a big vehicle but not quite so behemoth as the other two and yet it has a gigantic personality and is guaranteed to put a huge, if a little smug, smile on the face of anyone who drives it.
It represents contemporary Rolls-Royce luxury but has a really modern dynamic feel which will appeal to a younger generation of successful entrepreneurs whilst retaining desirability for older, more mature drivers like me.
This latest incarnation of the Ghost, which was first launched in 2009, has had a subtle redesign. At the front there are re-sculptured headlights with daytime running lights framing the new, sharper shape. The beautifully long bonnet now has a tapered ‘wake channel’ emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wings which is supposed to represent a jet’s vapour trail…er, right.
The bumpers have been reworked to give the car a sense of extra width and height and there are new chrome inserts to the front air intakes. The side of the car is pure elegance and the back continues the powerful, but refined theme. Optional 21-inch forged wheels set the whole thing off rather nicely, or you can stick to the standard 19-inch.
Open the car’s coach-doors and you are met by the welcoming luxury yacht-like feel which has been upgraded with redesigned seats in the front and rear to provide even more comfort. The instrument panel is a magnificent mix of traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology.
The dials have been tweaked with individually applied polished metal chaplets around them which makes them look a bit like hand-made luxury watches with matt chrome centres in the middle of each instrument.
The cabin is a plethora of luxury leathers and veneers and whilst it retains its old-school charm which Rolls-Royce should never, ever, abandon, it has a really modern, almost sporty aura. The feelgood factor comes as standard.
A really nice touch is the embossed Spirit of Ecstacy logos which appear on the ins-ide of the doors and on the rotary controller which operates the impressive infotainment system.
The Ghost II is powered by a 6.6-litre V12 which serves up its considerable power via an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. This car also uses Satellite Aided Transmision which uses GPS to predict what lies ahead and ensures the car stays in the appropriate gear to ensure ultimate performance.
This Ghost is stunningly good with endless appeal to both driver and passenger. All you need is Dh1.3million and be in no doubt, it is worth all of that, and more.
Rating: 9.5/10