It is 10 years since the Rolls-Royce Phantom was joined by a second model inside the production centre here at Goodwood. The new, smaller saloon was called, with a big nod to RR’s heritage, the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and today it ranks as the most successful Rolls-Royce ever built. Now soon there will be a fresh apparition emerging from West Sussex…
The Ghost Zenith Collection is the Ghost’s send‑off
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Ten years, four more than the average, is the life-cycle of a Rolls, which means that the car which has done more than any other to establish the BMW-owned brand to a new breed of younger buyer is about to bow out – but not before it takes centre stage for a final time.
Other marques have run-out specials come new-model time; Rolls-Royce has the Zenith model, a limited-edition version that represents the crowning glory of a glittering career. First in 2016 there was the Phantom Zenith, now there is the Ghost Zenith.
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It’s a Ghost-with-the-most and more besides, including a piece from the concept car that begat it, the 2009 200EX, set into the centre console. With typical Rolls-Royce aplomb, this momento is an ingot of metal melted down from the concept car’s Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Homage to the 200EX continues with an abstract artwork based on 200EX blueprints engraved into the console.
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Other bespoke touches include illuminated perforated leather door pockets and, from the woodshop, a contemporary new interpretation of marquetry for the doors. The leather specialists have been busy too, creating contrasting upholstery with embroidery on the back seats that takes its inspiration from the 1907 Silver Ghost.
More than 1,300 fibre optic lights are hand woven into the cabin headliner to create not just Rolls’ signature starlight roof but one where shooting stars fire across the roof at random intervals. Every car needs a talking point…
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And on the outside? What else but the silver bonnet from 200EX concept along with a choice of three two-tone paint jobs, just the names of which sound indulgent: Iguazu Blue with Andalusian White, Premiere Silver with Arctic White, and Bohemian Red with Black Diamond.
For Rolls-Royce chief Torsten Müller-Ötvös the Ghost Zenith marks an important milestone in the company’s modern history. “The Ghost Zenith Collection presents an entirely forward-looking study of the unique characteristics that have seen Ghost ascend to the status of the most progressive super-luxury saloon ever conceived.”
There are only 50 of them for the world, and if you have to ask the price…
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