Bentley Mulsanne vs Rolls-Royce Ghost
A good writer must keep his use of cliches to a minimum, but I literally have no choice here but to refer to the following comparison between the 5,976 lb. Bentley Mulsanne for sale and 5,490 lb. Rolls-Royce Ghost for sale as a “heavyweight” showdown. In the case of these two statements of status, the overwhelming amount of first-world coddling that goes into the production of both the Rolls and the Bentley are making it difficult for this normally cliche-less journalist to stay away from tired and overused phrases, a side of effect of staring at suburban home-sized price tags for too long.
Similar Price Point But Different Target Buyers
Though the Mulsanne and Ghost begin at roughly the same price point, with a $303,700 MSRP and $286,759 MSRP respectively, it would incorrect to call them direct competitors, in the way that you would for example the C-Class and 3-series. The Ghost is marketed as a “more measured, more realistic car” than its big brother, the Phantom, whereas the Mulsanne sits at the top of Bentley’s model range.
The Ghost of the BMW 7-Series
Introduced in 2009, the same year as the Mulsanne, the Ghost shares the same basic underpinnings of its parent company’s BMW 7-series, though heavily modified, and also shares about 20% of the same parts as the German sedan. Its 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 is a direct relation to the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 used in the 760Li, and one can see the similarities between the general layout of the Ghost’s interior to that of late-model BMWs.
No fault, however, to BMW, as with only the slightest of cost-saving measures they manage to produce the Ghost at a more competitive price point, and without losing any of the hand-crafted opulence that is the hallmark of the Rolls-Royce and its “Spirit of Ecstasy” hood ornament. 60 different pairs of hands will touch a Ghost during production, including those that will paint and hand-polish the vehicle’s body, the latter step taking no less than five hours.
Individual Attention at the Crewe Factory
Whereas a Continental GT takes about 200 hours to build, a Mulsanne takes 500, part of an 8-week process which will see about 1,000 units produced each year. Central to Bentley’s operating theater in Crewe, England, is the individual production of each 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 505-hp and a wallop of low end torque at just 1,750rpm, 752-lbs ft. to be exact.
Bespoke For Those With Big Bank Accounts
But aside from the magnificent, smooth engines, or the painstaking attention to detail that goes into both these icons of luxury is the over-the-top levels of customization available if only the pockets go deep enough. The Mulsanne offers over 100 exterior color options, 24 different leather color options and 10 veneers. Of the roughly 4000 cars Rolls-Royce sold in 2014, over 85% were ordered bespoke.
It’s been a pleasant journey day-dreaming of what one could do if only the heir to a Fortune 500 company or an international business conglomerate, but the mortgage-sized MSRP’s of both the Ghost and Mulsanne have quickly killed all visions of what leather/veneer combo I might spec for my new toy. But if I do strike it rich enough someday to purchase either, at least I’ll have a thorough appreciation for where my $300K is going.
