2nd-gen Rolls-Royce Ghost to use novel planar suspension

MANILA: With the launch of the all-new Ghost months away, Rolls-Royce has released details about its highly innovative, one-of-a-kind planar suspension system (PSS).

Rolls-Royce engineers decided not to use the pre-existing platform and configured its proprietary spaceframe architecture to incorporate elements like all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering while adapting the structure to accept a totally new suspension system.

Instead of stiff longitudinal linkages between the chassis and the wheel, a PSS uses a spring-damping strut so that vibrations in any direction on the wheel plane can be isolated. This allows wheels to move back and forth in relation to the chassis.

Rolls-Royce’s implementation of the PSS is composed of three elements. The first is an Upper Wishbone Damper unit, which is mounted above the front suspension assembly and creates an even more stable and effortless ride. The second is the Flagbearer system, which uses cameras to read the road ahead and prepare the suspension system for any changes in road surface. The third is Satellite Aided Transmission, which draws GPS data to pre-select the optimum gear for upcoming corners. The Planar system allows new Ghost to anticipate and react to even the most demanding road surface.

“Ghost clients told us that it’s the car in their collection that they’re drawn to the most. They love its uncomplicated versatility. It’s not trying to be a sports car, it’s not trying to be a grand statement – it’s simply exceptional and exceptionally simple. When it came to creating a new Ghost – one that outshines its incredibly capable predecessor – the engineering team had to start from scratch. We pushed our architecture even further and created a car even more dynamic, even more luxurious and, most of all, even more effortlessly useable,” said new Ghost Engineering Lead, Jonathan Simms.

Photo from Rolls-Royce

Also read: Rolls-Royce CEO pens letter teasing all-new Ghost