The handling of the Rolls-Royce Ghost on tight turns is a remarkable balance of effortless control, stability, and comfort, which is a hallmark of the brand's focus on luxury. Despite its size and weight, the Ghost handles tight turns with surprising composure, maintaining the brand's reputation for a smooth and controlled ride even in challenging driving conditions. Here's a breakdown of how it performs:
1. Advanced Suspension System
The Rolls-Royce Ghost features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, both of which contribute to a smooth and stable ride in all driving conditions, including tight turns. The suspension system is designed to minimize body roll and provide a sense of composure during cornering. Rolls-Royce’s air suspension works in tandem with the adaptive damping system, which adjusts the firmness of the suspension based on driving conditions. This results in excellent control and stability in corners, ensuring that the vehicle doesn’t feel overly floaty or unbalanced during tight turns.
2. Active Roll Stabilization
One of the standout features of the Ghost's handling is its active roll stabilization system, which helps reduce body roll during cornering. The system uses hydraulic actuators to adjust the suspension in real-time, ensuring that the car remains level and stable even through tight bends or sharp turns. This feature gives the Ghost a more composed and confident feel, especially when navigating tighter corners, making it feel more agile than its large size might suggest.
3. Rear-Wheel Steering
The Rolls-Royce Ghost is equipped with a rear-wheel steering system, which plays a significant role in improving its handling on tight turns. This system allows the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds, which reduces the turning radius and makes maneuvering in tight spaces, such as parking lots or city streets, much easier. At higher speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels to enhance stability during lane changes or sweeping turns. This rear-wheel steering enhances the car's maneuverability and responsiveness during tight turns, giving it a more agile feel than one might expect from such a large luxury sedan.
4. Weight and Balance
The Ghost is a heavy vehicle, with its luxury build and robust engine, but Rolls-Royce has made careful efforts to achieve a near-perfect weight distribution. The vehicle’s low center of gravity helps it stay composed during tight cornering, as the weight distribution reduces the likelihood of body roll or instability. Though it’s not a sports sedan, the Ghost's balance allows it to tackle sharp corners more effectively than other similarly sized vehicles.
5. Torque and Power Delivery
The 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine in the Ghost delivers a significant amount of torque (over 600 lb-ft), but it’s delivered in an incredibly smooth and controlled manner. The engine’s ability to provide instant torque from low revs means that the Ghost can accelerate smoothly through tight turns without hesitation or jerky power delivery, maintaining a composed feel throughout.
6. Precision Steering
The steering in the Rolls-Royce Ghost is precise and well-weighted, offering a sense of control without being too heavy or too light. The steering is responsive to driver inputs, providing feedback on road conditions while maintaining an incredibly smooth and relaxed driving experience. In tight turns, the steering allows for subtle adjustments to maintain the ideal line, while the electromechanical power steering system ensures that it remains light and easy to handle at low speeds.
7. Driving Experience
Overall, driving the Rolls-Royce Ghost through tight turns is a serene experience. The car’s focus is not on aggressive handling or sharp cornering but rather on effortless control. The car feels planted, stable, and incredibly refined as it navigates tight corners, with minimal body roll or disruption. The low-speed stability afforded by rear-wheel steering and advanced suspension ensures the car maintains its composure and comfort, even in more demanding driving situations.
Conclusion:
While the Rolls-Royce Ghost is not a performance-oriented car designed for aggressive driving, it excels in tight turns due to its advanced suspension system, active roll stabilization, rear-wheel steering, and precise steering. The result is a car that, despite its large size and weight, feels remarkably agile and controlled through sharp corners and tight turns, offering a driving experience that combines comfort, stability, and refinement. This focus on effortless performance is what sets the Rolls-Royce Ghost apart from many luxury sedans, offering an experience that’s both smooth and responsive, without sacrificing the comfort and luxury for which the brand is known.