Rolls-Royce Ghost reaches its Zenith

BRITISH super-luxury marque Rolls-Royce has decided to give its ageing Ghost upper-large sedan a super-exclusive farewell with the announcement of the Zenith Collector’s Edition, which will see off the current Ghost after a decade-long production run.

Available in a global run of just 50 units, Rolls-Royce claims the special edition will feature “the highest levels of bespoke ever seen on a Ghost Collection car”, with a number of enhancements that set it apart from its ‘regular’ counterpart.

Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific told GoAuto that the Ghost Zenith Collection has not yet been confirmed for Australia, however there is a precedent with the swansong Phantom VII Zenith model being ordered in the past as well as other limited-run models including the Wraith Eagle VIII, Private Jet Ghost and Wraith Adamas.

If it does make it here, the Zenith Collection should fetch a sizeable premium over the standard Ghost, which currently retails for a lazy $595,000 driveaway for the standard wheelbase and $675,000 for the extended wheelbase.

The Zenith Collector’s Edition draws inspiration from the 2009 200EX concept on which it is based, as well as the original 1907 Silver Ghost.

Customisation begins with a commemorative ingot set in the car’s centre console and engraved with the individual vehicle’s build number, with the ingot crafted from smelted-down metal sourced from the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem on the 200EX.

The Ghost’s door sills, analogue cabin clock and Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament have all been engraved with ‘Ghost Zenith Collection’ lettering, while the centre console features a complex engraving with a large piece of artwork divided into 50 pieces and set in each of the 50 Ghosts, giving every example a unique touch.

Continuing the bespoke interior theme, a unique triangular marquetry pattern created by Rolls-Royce’s woodshop is available for the door trim, available in either wood, technical fibre or piano-finished veneer.

Ambient interior lighting is also embedded behind the perforated-leather door trim for added effect, while Rolls-Royce’s famous ‘starlight’ headliner takes on a new look for short-wheelbase versions, with a ‘Shooting Star’ configuration that makes use of 1340 individually mapped and hand-woven fibre-optic lights.

For extended-wheelbase versions, the headliner features a lined pattern that thrusts forward through the cabin towards the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament.

The customisation continues with the Ghost’s leather upholstery, with the rear seats drawing inspiration from the 1907 Silver Ghost with the two-tone trim that transitions from the front to the back.

From the outside, the Ghost Zenith Collection can be had in three two-tone paint finishes, consisting of Iguazu Blue with Andalusian White, Premiere Silver with Arctic White, and Bohemian Red with Black Diamond.

No changes have been made to the Ghost’s powerplant, a 6.6-litre aspirated V12 engine producing 420kW/780Nm, driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said the Ghost Zenith was a fitting send-off for the most successful model in the brand’s history.

“This unique Collection provides patrons of the marque with a rare opportunity to own a motor car truly evocative of our time,” he said.

“Ghost is the most successful Rolls-Royce ever created and the Zenith Collection marks an important milestone in our modern history.”

Rolls-Royce sales have climbed by a considerable 88.2 per cent in 2019 from 17 sales to 32, due in no small part to the introduction of the Cullinan SUV, which has accounted for 11 of the sales.