OpenRoad Driver Volume 13 Issue 1 | Page 56

56 » OpenRoad Driver 2016 Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II » If you’re looking for the epitome of British motoring, or desire the ultimate in luxury driving experience, a RollsRoyce motor car is your answer. The Rolls-Royce marque and its iconic Spirit of Ecstasy winged ornament are both legends in the world of automobiles. Whereas other luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW are now building lower-priced entry-level luxury cars to bring more customers into the brands, Rolls-Royce has catered steadfastly to the onepercenters around the world. As one would expect, all Rolls-Royce cars are hand-built at the Goodwo od plant in England. The interior boasts only the most sumptuous leather seating and handsomely crafted wood veneers. Have a favourite grove of trees on your private estate? No problem. Rolls-Royce can have your car customized with wood veneers from your own trees. Under the hood topped by the Spirit of Ecstasy is a silkysmooth twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine, producing 563 hp. This engine is paired with the company’s GPS satelliteaided eight-speed automatic gearbox, which uses the GPS data to read the road ahead and to anticipate which gear to best shift into accordingly. If you desire more rear legroom, an extended wheelbase version with longer doors is available and adds almost an extra seven inches of space to an already spacious interior.