Skip advert
Advertisement

Long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended launched

New “Extended” version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost has the most rear legroom of any four-seat saloon

This is the Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended, a long-wheelbase version of the British brand’s latest luxury saloon. It’s also available to order now, with first deliveries due to arrive at the end of 2020.

With the exception of the flagship Phantom LWB, it boasts the most rear legroom of any four-seat saloon currently on sale, say Rolls. The Ghost Extended shares the same styling as the standard saloon – albeit with an extra 170mm worth of metal slotted into the wheelbase. However, Rolls-Royce says it was careful to not alter the Ghost’s styling too much, so the only noticeable changes are a slightly longer rear door and a subtly enlarged rear quarter panel.

Inside, Rolls-Royce has given the Ghost’s rear cabin a lift – as the company reasons that buyers will spend most of their time there. Upgrades include a pair of new business jet-like reclining leather chairs and a Champagne fridge, which has been calibrated to meet the needs of both vintage and non-vintage bottles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

For the project, Rolls-Royce’s engineers consulted a Master Sommelier, who told them that vintage Champagne should be served at 11 degrees, while non-vintage Champagne is better at a temperature of around six degrees. And, naturally, the Ghost has a button to switch between the two settings.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Buyers get the same level of technology as the standard Ghost. So, there’s an on-board WiFi connection and a sophisticated cabin air filtration system, which can automatically detect impurities in the outside air and removes them using a nanofleece filter.

To keep the chauffeur happy, Rolls-Royce has retained the standard Ghost’s suite of driver assistance technology. So, there’s a 360-degree camera, an auto-park function, active cruise control and a radar system which can detect pedestrians and animals both during the day and at night. The Ghost’s laser headlights also have more than 600m of illuminated range.

The Ghost Extended is powered by the same twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine as the standard model. It delivers 563bhp and 850Nm of torque – enough for a 0–62mph time 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. 

Buyers are unlikely to hear their engines working, though, as Rolls-Royce fitted 100kg-worth of acoustic damping to the interior and chassis, in an effort to stamp out any intrusive sounds from the powertrain, road and wind.

Q & A: Henry Cloke - Lead designer, Rolls-Royce Ghost exterior 

Henry Cloke was tasked with leading the exterior design team on the all-new Ghost. We sat down with him to chat about his latest creation and what it means to him and his clients.

Q:  Dare we say the new Ghost looks sportier?

A:  “I think having the long bonnet and that stance, the proportions give it that flow and that dynamic. So it’s not really styled to look sporty in any kind of superfluous, sporty way, but it definitely looks like you would get in it and you might want to drive it.”

Q: What is your favourite part of the design? What do you look at and you just think, “That was me”?

A:  “For me, it’s the face of the car. We see the car as a clay model, and then as some prototypes; it’s actually quite a long time between. Then it almost comes off a truck fully finished where you suddenly see that face looking back at you that you sketched probably three or four years beforehand. I think that’s the bit that gets me. ”

Q:  How is the landscape of luxury shifting?

A:  “There are lots of people who actually want to come and really understand how their cars are made.”

Now read our review of the previous-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Top 10 best luxury cars to buy 2025
Best Luxury cars - header

Top 10 best luxury cars to buy 2025

Indulge yourself with our list of the best luxury cars on sale today
Best cars & vans
23 Apr 2025
New Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is (almost) a concert hall on wheels
Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II - front

New Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is (almost) a concert hall on wheels

Subtle changes mark out the new Series II Rolls-Royce Ghost, and clever new tech inside
News
8 Oct 2024

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025