Rolls-Royce Ghost: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Rolls-Royce Ghost catalogue covers Sedan versions from April 2009 onward. The first generation used 6.6 AT configurations with RWD, while the second generation changed to 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT Long or 6.75 AT L configurations with AWD. The central choice is therefore between the earlier, lighter 6.6 AT cars and the later AWD models with more torque.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost catalogue covers Sedan versions from April 2009 onward. The first generation used 6.6 AT configurations with RWD, while the second generation changed to 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT Long or 6.75 AT L configurations with AWD. The central choice is therefore between the earlier, lighter 6.6 AT cars and the later AWD models with more torque. Within each period, the figures support three distinct priorities: the 612 hp first-generation restyling for the strongest power-to-weight ratio, the 600 hp second-generation 6.75 AT for maximum listed torque and quickest measured acceleration, or the 571 hp second-generation 6.75 AT for the same core mechanical layout with lower output.
Rolls-Royce Ghost generations and version changes
The first generation ran from April 2009 through October 2014 as a Sedan with four listed versions, all named 6.6 AT. They must be distinguished by output and other specifications: two produce 601 hp, while two produce 570 hp. Every version has a 6,592 cc Gasoline engine, 12 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, Turbo boost, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Depending on the exact entry, kerb weight is 2,360, 2,420 or 2,420 kg, and measured acceleration from 0–100 km/h is 4.9 or 5.0 seconds.
The first-generation restyling ran from March 2014 through August 2020, remaining a Sedan but offering five listed 6.6 AT versions. Four produce 570 hp, with either 780 or 820 Nm, while the highest-output version produces 612 hp and 840 Nm. All retain the 6,592 cc Gasoline, 12-cylinder, V-shaped, Turbo engine, 8-speed Automatic transmission and RWD. Kerb weight ranges from 2,360 to 2,450 kg, and measured 0–100 km/h times span 4.8–5.0 seconds.
The second generation began in September 2020 as a Sedan with three listed versions: 6.75 AT with 600 hp, 6.75 AT with 571 hp, and 6.75 AT Long with 571 hp. These cars use a 6,749 cc Gasoline engine with 12 cylinders, a V-shaped layout and Turbo boost, paired with an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. The 600 hp version began in October 2021; it develops 900 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. Both 571 hp entries develop 850 Nm and record 4.8 seconds.
The second-generation restyling began in October 2024 and contains four Sedan versions: 6.75 AT with 571 hp, 6.75 AT with 600 hp, 6.75 AT L with 571 hp, and 6.75 AT L with 600 hp. All have the same 6,749 cc Gasoline, 12-cylinder, V-shaped, Turbo configuration, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and AWD. The 571 hp versions list 850 Nm and a measured 4.8-second 0–100 km/h time. The 600 hp versions list 900 Nm, but their acceleration and fuel-consumption figures are not measured.
Rolls-Royce Ghost engine and specs
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation — 6.6 AT | 601 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation — 6.6 AT | 601 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First generation — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First-generation restyling — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First-generation restyling — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 820 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First-generation restyling — 6.6 AT | 612 hp | 840 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First-generation restyling — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 780 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First-generation restyling — 6.6 AT | 570 hp | 820 Nm | 6,592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation — 6.75 AT | 600 hp | 900 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation — 6.75 AT | 571 hp | 850 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation — 6.75 AT Long | 571 hp | 850 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 6.75 AT | 571 hp | 850 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 6.75 AT | 600 hp | 900 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 6.75 AT L | 571 hp | 850 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second-generation restyling — 6.75 AT L | 600 hp | 900 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
The 612 hp first-generation restyling produces approximately 92.8 hp per litre, the highest figure in the catalogue. The 601 hp first-generation versions deliver approximately 91.2 hp per litre, while the later 600 hp 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT L versions produce approximately 88.9 hp per litre. The 570 hp 6.6 AT versions provide approximately 86.5 hp per litre, and the 571 hp versions with the larger engine provide approximately 84.6 hp per litre.
Torque changes more decisively across generations. Compared with the 780 Nm first-generation baseline, a first-generation restyling with 820 Nm adds 40 Nm, and the 612 hp version with 840 Nm adds 60 Nm. A second-generation 571 hp version reaches 850 Nm, adding 70 Nm over that baseline, while a 600 hp version reaches 900 Nm, an increase of 120 Nm.
Rolls-Royce Ghost performance and fuel economy
Every listed Ghost version has a top speed of 250 km/h. The quickest measured result belongs to the second-generation 6.75 AT with 600 hp and 900 Nm: 0–100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds. The 612 hp first-generation-restyling 6.6 AT follows at 4.8 seconds, equalled by the second-generation 571 hp 6.75 AT, 6.75 AT Long and the restyled 571 hp 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT L.
The original first-generation 6.6 AT versions take either 4.9 or 5.0 seconds. Restyled 570 hp versions take 4.9 or 5.0 seconds, so their detailed torque and weight specifications matter when selecting among cars sharing the same name. Acceleration for the restyled second-generation 600 hp 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT L is not measured.
Among first-generation entries, combined fuel consumption ranges from 13.6 to 14.1 l/100 km. The lowest listed figure belongs to a 570 hp 6.6 AT at 13.6 l/100 km, based on 20.5 l/100 km in the city and 9.6 l/100 km on the highway. Another 570 hp 6.6 AT records 13.7 l/100 km combined, while the 601 hp entries record 14.0 or 14.1 l/100 km.
First-generation-restyling consumption ranges from 14.0 to 14.6 l/100 km combined. The 570 hp, 780 Nm 6.6 AT with a 2,360 kg kerb weight records the lowest result at 14.0 l/100 km, with 21.2 city and 9.8 highway. The 612 hp version consumes 14.6 l/100 km combined, 0.6 l/100 km more, while gaining 42 hp and cutting the measured 0–100 km/h time by 0.1 second.
The second-generation 600 hp and 571 hp standard 6.75 AT versions both list 15.2 l/100 km combined, 27.0 city and 12.3 highway. The 571 hp 6.75 AT Long lists 15.7 l/100 km combined, 27.8 city and 12.9 highway: increases of 0.5 combined, 0.8 city and 0.6 highway versus the standard 571 hp 6.75 AT. Restyled 571 hp 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT L versions list 15.2 l/100 km combined, 27.0 city and 12.3 highway. Consumption for both restyled 600 hp versions is not measured.
Rolls-Royce Ghost weight, tank and wheel specifications
The lightest listed kerb weight is 2,360 kg, found on several 6.6 AT versions. The heaviest listed kerb weight is 2,490 kg for the second-generation versions, a difference of 130 kg. Gross weight is 2,940 kg for every first-generation entry; it is not measured for the second generation.
The 612 hp, 2,360 kg first-generation-restyling 6.6 AT carries approximately 3.86 kg per horsepower, the strongest listed weight-to-power result. A 601 hp, 2,360 kg first-generation 6.6 AT carries approximately 3.93 kg per horsepower. The 600 hp, 2,490 kg second-generation 6.75 AT carries 4.15 kg per horsepower, while a 571 hp, 2,490 kg version carries approximately 4.36 kg per horsepower.
Ground clearance is 150 mm throughout the first generation and its restyling. Second-generation ground clearance is not measured. Fuel-tank capacity rises from 82 litres in every first-generation version to 83 litres in every second-generation version, a difference of 1 litre.
First-generation wheel listings vary by version. Available sizes in the data include 255/50 R19, 255/45 R20, 285/40 R20, 255/40 R21 and 285/35 R21. The first-generation restyling consistently lists 255/50 R19, 255/45 R20 and 285/40 R20. The non-restyled second generation lists the same three sizes. Wheel sizes for every second-generation-restyling version are not measured.
Which Rolls-Royce Ghost version should you buy?
For the best measured power-to-weight ratio, choose the first-generation-restyling 6.6 AT with 612 hp and 840 Nm. Its approximately 3.86 kg per horsepower is better than any other version with both power and kerb weight measured. It also reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, only 0.1 second behind the quickest measured car, though its 14.6 l/100 km combined consumption is the highest among the restyled first-generation entries.
For the quickest measured acceleration and highest torque, choose the second-generation 6.75 AT with 600 hp and 900 Nm. Its 4.7-second 0–100 km/h result leads the catalogue, and it supplies 50 Nm more than the 571 hp second-generation versions. Both standard-output levels list the same 15.2 l/100 km combined consumption, so the supplied figures show no economy penalty for choosing 600 hp over 571 hp in these entries.
For lower recorded consumption, look at the first-generation 570 hp 6.6 AT with 13.6 l/100 km combined. It uses 1.6 l/100 km less than a standard second-generation 6.75 AT at 15.2 l/100 km, although it has RWD instead of AWD and 280 Nm less torque than the 900 Nm version.
For the second-generation long-body choice, compare exact names carefully. Before the restyling, the version is 6.75 AT Long; after the October 2024 restyling, it is 6.75 AT L. The pre-restyling 571 hp 6.75 AT Long consumes 0.5 l/100 km more combined than the standard 571 hp 6.75 AT. In the restyled data, however, the 571 hp 6.75 AT and 6.75 AT L have identical listed power, torque, acceleration and consumption figures. Dimensions are not measured, so no numerical size comparison can be made from this catalogue.
The most balanced numerical choice is the second-generation 6.75 AT with 600 hp: it combines the quickest measured acceleration, the maximum listed torque, AWD and the same recorded combined consumption as the 571 hp standard version. The more performance-focused alternative is the 612 hp first-generation-restyling 6.6 AT, whose lower weight gives it the catalogue’s strongest measured power-to-weight ratio. Price, sale listings, interior equipment, problems and reliability are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.