A Rolls-Royce was meant to be driven in, not driven, but somebody's got to do the tough job.
Here's a tip to anyone planning a wedding; invite your friend who does car reviews. That way, you can be confident the car you drive off in will be something special, like the 2023 Rolls-Royce Ghost. When my friend Gerick invited me to his wedding, I knew I had to deliver something special. A quick call to Rolls-Royce yielded a Ghost-a Black Badge, no less, to chauffeur Gerick and his bride Samantha on their special day.
Here's what you need to know about this particular example. A “regular” Ghost starts at $393,500, but this one came with a multitude of options that brought the price tag to $475,600. The Black Badge Package was the priciest item at $43,850, adding a Bespoke audio system, theatre configuration, lambswool floor mats, monogrammed headrests, contrast seat piping, an illuminated grille, a power bump, and more.
This package also blacks out most of the exterior chrome bits, making the Ghost more stealthy. For any car lover on their wedding day, it's the ideal choice of vehicle.
Enhancing The Journey
Getting to the wedding required a drive from Orlando to Saint Petersburg, a relatively short trip of just over 100 miles down Florida's I4. Anyone who has driven this highway knows it is seldom free of stoppages due to congestion and crashes. This trip was no exception. Somehow, a traffic jam feels less frustrating in a Ghost. The lack of vibrations from the twin-turbo V12, the sensory deprivation chamber that is the interior, and the airy comfort from the Magic Carpet suspension keep the outside world removed from your consciousness. You don't mind sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic because it means more time in the car. You don't need to get to the destination because there's a good chance it won't be as comfortable as the Roller.
When the road does open up, it's alarmingly easy to breeze past the posted speed limit because the Ghost hides its athleticism so well. It is a gentle giant most of the time, but this car can hit 60 mph in just over four seconds and happily cruise at 155 mph with hardly any road or wind noise intruding into the cabin.
Even my girlfriend, who typically cringes in disgust whenever I open up the throttle on a car, did not notice whenever I laid into the Ghost's V12 engine to pass slower traffic. It's that stealthy. Hint; if you have a spouse who hates fast cars, buy a Rolls-Royce, not a Lamborghini. They'll never notice when you're doing triple-digit speeds.
Making The Day
Upon our arrival, it was time to escort the bride and groom from their hotel to the wedding venue. But not before the obligatory pictures. This particular Ghost should be called the “Wedding Specification” because aside from the red brake calipers, there isn't an ounce of color anywhere on it. The simple Arctic White paint is paired with body-colored wheel centers (a $1,350 option) and a matching interior in black and white. It perfectly matched the bride and groom, blending into the photos without drawing too much attention.
With my chauffeur hat and white gloves on, I escorted Gerick and Samantha into the car, shielding them from the scorching Florida sun with the Ghost's built-in umbrellas. A quick tap on the coach doors closes them automatically. Once inside, the potent air conditioning poured out of the metal vents, quickly cooling off the bride and groom after hours of outdoor wedding party photos.
The ride to the venue was brief but gave them time to enjoy the many luxuries, like the rear entertainment screens, massaging seats, cooled drinks cabinet, and lambswool carpets.
Why A Ghost?
For someone who has never been chauffeured in a Rolls-Royce, it is easy to wonder why these cars are priced so highly. Having me as a friend, Gerick and Samantha are fortunate enough that this was the third Rolls they've experienced (the others being the Cullinan SUV and Dawn convertible).
The Ghost is the ideal Roller for an occasion such as a wedding. It marks a comfortable middle ground in the lineup that is spacious for passengers but not too cumbersome to drive around or park, mainly thanks to the excellent rear-axle steering. A Cullinan is more practical but lacks the grace and style of the Ghost. A Phantom is larger and more comfortable but less youthful.
Unlike a Phantom, which I believe is best enjoyed from the back seat, the Ghost can be enjoyed equally from both rows, especially with the Black Badge Package. Opting for the Black Badge dials the output from 563 horsepower to 591 hp and recalibrates the eight-speed transmission. It's not a radical transformation, more so visual than mechanical. For buyers who prefer ultimate comfort over performance, Rolls also sells a Ghost Long Wheelbase with a more spacious back seat.
Room For Improvement?
Though nothing would stop us from ordering a Rolls-Royce Ghost if we won the lottery tomorrow, no car is perfect, and we see room for improvement in a few minor areas. Our first complaint is negligible, but it impacts this writer, who likes to travel with his emotional support water. A large Yeti barely fits into the Ghost's cupholders.
The second area where we see room for improvement is the cabin technology, particularly in the back seat. Rolls-Royce uses a slightly older version of BMW's iDrive software, and we have absolutely no issues with it in the front seat. Rolls kept the one-through-eight favorite buttons on the dash but still incorporates modern tech like wireless Apple CarPlay.
The rear entertainment screens, however, are relatively basic and only allow guests to control in-car functions like the radio and navigation system. Where is the built-in streaming? Even a Kia Carnival has that. Are we to believe rich people who ride in the back seat don't watch Succession like everyone else? When viewed next to the BMW 7 Series and its jaw-dropping 31-inch theater screen that drops down from the roof, the screens in the Ghost feel unimpressive. It may not arrive immediately, but we have no doubts Rolls will co-opt this feature from BMW.
Keyword: Playing Wedding Chauffeur In A Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge