Autocar September 2, 2020

FOR THE PAST few years, Fiat has effectively become the 500 Car Company after it turned chunks of its range into models unashamedly designed in the image of the city car, no matter how big or weird-looking they were. Now there’s an all-new 500 – but the old one isn’t done yet. For Fiat will keep the old 500 on sale alongside the new version (driven, p20), same name and all. The 500 Car Company now spans not only different model lines but different generations, too. There is prudence in Fiat’s decision, however confused the strategy might prove for buyers. The new model is electric-only, technology priced above what 500 buyers are used to before you even consider whether an electric car is suited to their needs. Fiat will still…

FOR THE PAST few years, Fiat has effectively become the 500 Car Company after it turned chunks of its range into models unashamedly designed in the image of the city car, no matter how big or weird-looking they were. Now there’s an all-new 500 – but the old one isn’t done yet. For Fiat will keep the old 500 on sale alongside the new version (driven, p20), same name and all. The 500 Car Company now spans not only different model lines but different generations, too. There is prudence in Fiat’s decision, however confused the strategy might prove for buyers. The new model is electric-only, technology priced above what 500 buyers are used to before you even consider whether an electric car is suited to their needs. Fiat will still have the…

“The Ghost bristles with engineering refinements to reduce noise” Rolls-Royce has unveiled an all-new, second generation version of the most successful car in its history: the Goodwood-built Ghost saloon. The new model ditches the BMW 7 Series-derived underpinnings of the original car in favour of the latest flexible aluminium spaceframe already used for the Phantom and Cullinan. Billed as a “slightly smaller, less ostentatious means of owning a Rolls-Royce” than the Phantom, the new Ghost is 90mm longer than its predecessor, at 5549mm, and 30mm wider. It’s powered by a specially adapted version of the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 introduced with the Cullinan, replacing the outgoing model’s 6.6-litre unit but offering unchanged power (563bhp) with 10% more peak torque, up to 627lb ft. With a commensurate entry price of £208,000 before local taxes (nearer…

“The Ghost bristles with engineering refinements to reduce noise” Rolls-Royce has unveiled an all-new, second generation version of the most successful car in its history: the Goodwood-built Ghost saloon. The new model ditches the BMW 7 Series-derived underpinnings of the original car in favour of the latest flexible aluminium spaceframe already used for the Phantom and Cullinan. Billed as a “slightly smaller, less ostentatious means of owning a Rolls-Royce” than the Phantom, the new Ghost is 90mm longer than its predecessor, at 5549mm, and 30mm wider. It’s powered by a specially adapted version of the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 introduced with the Cullinan, replacing the outgoing model’s 6.6-litre unit but offering unchanged power (563bhp) with 10% more peak torque, up to 627lb ft. With a commensurate entry price of £208,000 before…

You’re calling this the most high-tech Rolls-Royce; is it more advanced than the Phantom? “Yes it is, by virtue of the permanent four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, and because we’ve made various iterative changes to systems like navigation and suspension.” There’s now a close relationship between the new Ghost and Phantom suspension hardware, right? “Yes, indeed. That’s the whole point of building cars on our shared architecture. It doesn’t mean they have to be the same size or proportions, but it brings many new benefits to Ghost it couldn’t have had before.” What does your Flagbearer stereo camera see when it looks down the road? “It doesn’t actually see every bump or pothole; it works to assist our other Planar suspension measures. It’s our way of going the extra mile.…

You’re calling this the most high-tech Rolls-Royce; is it more advanced than the Phantom? “Yes it is, by virtue of the permanent four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, and because we’ve made various iterative changes to systems like navigation and suspension.” There’s now a close relationship between the new Ghost and Phantom suspension hardware, right? “Yes, indeed. That’s the whole point of building cars on our shared architecture. It doesn’t mean they have to be the same size or proportions, but it brings many new benefits to Ghost it couldn’t have had before.” What does your Flagbearer stereo camera see when it looks down the road? “It doesn’t actually see every bump or pothole; it works to assist our other Planar suspension measures. It’s our way of going the extra mile. In reality, it sees shadows…