In the sprawling showrooms of Abu Dhabi Motors on the Airport Road, within the BMW division, there is a small theatre that seats around thirty guests – usually very important guests. Within those closed doors, Wednesday night witnessed perhaps one of the most striking and dramatic debuts ever staged there. The Middle East launch of Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II.
Launched first in 2010, the Ghost has become one of the most popular Rolls-Royce models in UAE and now the legendary British carmaker has given it a subtle design facelift and a distinct face of evolution in technology. Inside the small theatre, there were not many people to stop me from marking my first intimate encounter with the cabin of a Rolls-Royce.
See the electric curtain on the window. For utter privacy!
While I had attended the launch of the Wraith some months ago, the Ghost Series II was my first chance to enwrap me in the haloed luxury. And as the C-pillar mirrored my delighted face as I cuddled into the rear seat, my eyes stated the obvious: “Really, there is nothing to match this feeling in the entire automotive world, that has no dearth of luxury trappings.”
Arno Husselmann, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Motors: “The Ghost Series II promises uncompromising control of the road thanks to precise and innovative engineering – driving it is an effortless experience. Every detail has been designed to create a dynamic feel and we are honoured to be the first dealer in the Middle East to share this masterpiece of modern engineering with our esteemed clients…”
In the Ghost Series II, Change begins with subtly re-sculpted LED headlights encircled by daytime running lights while a tapered ‘wake channel’ on the bonnet, seemingly emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy, calls to mind a jet’s vapour trail or wake of a super-yacht.
Subtle re-sculpting of Ghost’s bumpers creates a stronger stance and a sense of extra width and height, whilst the contemporary design is further enhanced with the addition of chrome inserts to the front air intakes, which now lets in more air to cool the front brakes. The famous waft line has been re-designed to lean further forwards emphasising the car’s effortless vigour.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II integrates the modern technological controls of contemporary life with the old-world charm of a serene sanctuary in a busy world. The Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), debuted in the Wraith ensures the new Ghost automatically adapts to its surroundings, augmenting the drive experience. Updates to navigation systems and the car/user interface eases the access to Ghost’s features. Bespoke Audio is an option (Optional? I never thought there was anything optional in the world’s ultimate ultra-luxury car) – what Rolls-Royce calls the most exhaustively engineered and finest audio system in automotive history.
Even as the Ghost Series II is launched, Abu Dhabi Motors has reported a 6% increase in the sales of the ultra-luxury brand in the first half of 2014. Earlier in the year, Abu Dhabi Motors was once again named ‘Global Dealer of the Year’ title. Brand Manager, Kadhim Al Helli, was chosen for the ‘Brand Manager of the Year 2013’.
