Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II review: The satellite-guided cathedral on wheels

When creating a sequel to a blockbuster movie, it is in the producer’s best interest to create a plot, and populate the cast with actors that do not stray too far from the original. Boyishly handsome shrinking violet/subverted rage monster Tobey Maguire is to boyishly handsome shrinking violet/subverted rage monster Andrew Garfield as Doc Ock is to that pulsing cerulean-zombie thing played by Jamie Foxx. Familiarity breeds compensation.

So it is with Rolls-Royce and the follow-up to its hit Ghost sedan. Before the invention of this “entry level” ne plus ultra-luxury cruiser in 2009, the venerable double-R brand was selling just over 1,000 cars a year worldwide, and losing lustre. This year, based in no small part on the success of the Ghost—and its more sporting two-door sort-of variant, the Wraith — it's soaring toward the 4,000-car mark. Spectre breeds specie?

It would thus be unwise to mess with success, and the newly released Ghost Series II is nothing if not devoted to the original. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you might not be able to discern the differences. Which is precisely what Rolls designers are going for. If you’ve just shelled out over a quarter-million dollars for entrée to a brand’s “volume” vehicle, you’re not going to be happy if the new model comes out and renders yours immediately and visibly archaic. A Rolls-Royce is an occasion car, and that occasion is “I’m rich and I always get exactly what I want.”

Fortunately for you, we were present at the recent press introduction of this car in Dallas and are thus expertly trained in identifying the markings of this newly minted (emphasis on the mint) super-species. For expert spotting, look ahead of the thigh-thick A pillar where nearly all of the exterior changes are concentrated. Twin contrails, like those emanating from a private jet’s turbines, now flow down the center of the prodigious hood. Chrome inlays surround the air intakes below the iconic (Ionic?) “Parthenon” grille, which has itself been moved up in the nose, and is topped by an ever so slightly canted version of the silver-winged Spirit of Ecstasy. There’s also been a bit of cold laser body contouring around the fenders for a crisper, more defined appearance (and no recovery time!)