Driving report Brabus 700 based on Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB
Desired blasphemy
Brabus 700 based on Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB
© press-inform – the press office
The Brabus 700 based on Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB brings together things that don’t really belong together. Or maybe yes? The luxury limousine in the Bottrop style of the house definitely has its appeal.
Brabus and Mercedes, that fits? But tuning a Rolls-Royce Ghost? That sounds like blasphemy to many fans of the luxury brand. This attitude also corresponds to the self-image of the British automobile manufacturer. You can’t do better than Rolls-Royce. The vehicle is a total work of art that only the company’s own “Bespoke” department is allowed to work on. The Bottrop-based car tuner still dares to do this. “We listened to customers who want the Brabus design to be used in other brands as well. This Brabus masterpiece. This is specially tailored to the requirements of the customer and designs, quilting patterns and materials are used that differ essentially from those of other manufacturers,” says Brabus Head of Development Jörn Gander.
Brabus has pre-buttoned the Rolls Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase (EWB), i.e. the version with a long wheelbase. That means: 5.72 meters long, 2.15 meters wide and 1.57 meters high, with a wheelbase of 3.47 meters and a weight of a good 2.5 tons. And the Bottropers do it consistently. When we open the door of the black car, we inevitably squint at the bright white leather. Porcelain colors is the name of the color at Brabus. The look of the seats with the square, perforated quilting pattern from the in-house upholstery shop is typical for Brabus and fulfills the customer request mentioned at the beginning. The haptic palm test of the leather also confirms this. In the rear left, the Bottrop version of the luxury ship can be traveled appropriately and princely, just like in first class.
The binary play of colors of black and porcelain white runs through the entire interior: starting with the dark Alcantara headliner and the ubiquitous leather to the obligatory carbon inserts in the center console and in the lower part of the dashboard. However, the bright cover is clearly reflected in the windshield.
Anyone who knows the Bottrop tuner knows that nothing works without more power. Ghost back, interior refinement ago. So far, the Rolls-Royce managers have announced in a slightly nasal voice: “There is enough power.” From now on, the confident Brits will have to add “in our opinion”. As standard, a double-charged 6.75-liter twelve-cylinder with 420 kW / 571 hp and maximum torque propels the luxury cruiser forward. In order to remain in the style of the Rolls-Royce managers, quite enough power to accomplish the effortless gliding that is often sought. But every driver knows that you can never have enough power, especially when driving a vehicle that weighs well over two tons.
The Brabus 700 is logically 514 kW / 700 hp and 950 Nm maximum torque. The 95 kW / 129 hp and 100 Nm additional power are achieved through a modified engine control system, which is connected to the engine electronics via plug-and-play and changes the maps for injection and ignition as well as the electronic boost pressure control. The result is acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, before the electronics at 250 km/h declare that the gentleman cruiser is fast enough. Even at top speed, the Ghost sits firmly on the road. Even if the body rolls 30 millimeters lower over the road with the help of the air springs, comfort is maintained. That’s how it should be.
You won’t find a tachometer in this Rolls-Royce either. While the power reserve pointer usually stays below ten percent with the normal Ghost, it remains almost stoically at the bottom of the scale with the Brabus Ghost. In the world of mere mortals, that means maximum torque is available at 2,000 rpm. Sovereign. As soon as you lure the twelve-pointer out of the reserve with a brilliant step on the gas pedal, it gets ambitious, but unchanged majestic to the point that you strive completely decoupled from the actual speed.
This driving license endangering remoteness is also due to the fact that the Bottropers are so smart and don’t touch the basic attributes of the Rolls-Royce Ghost. This also includes around 100 kilograms of insulating material and the special panes. Despite the four-pipe flap sports exhaust, only a pleasant, sonorous combustion noise reaches the ears of the occupants, even at full load. Thanks to the all-wheel steering, the extra-long Rolls-Royce can get around tight corners in the city center without any problems. The bottom line is that the blasphemy succeeded. However, the Bottrop feat of 649,191.41 euros also has its price.