The Mercane WideWheel PRO gets users anywhere in any city (stair sets and curbs included). Capabilities include a 26-mph top speed, 22-plus mile range, and impressive ability to scale a 30% incline. Dual 500W motors kick it in gear. “Ultra” wide airless tires and front and rear suspension keep it planted on the pavement no matter the circumstances — unless you’re airborne while sending a sick gap or grinding a rail, that is.

If that’s what you usually do on your morning commute or coffee runs, the Mercane WideWheel PRO has you covered. For anyone interested in electric skateboards, the electric scooter is the logical progression.

Mercane WideWheel Pro Scooter Specs

The WideWheel PRO’s two 500W motors give it a serious giddy-up. I don’t have one, and if I did, I think it would scare me — the videos are intense. One rider wears a motocross-style helmet. Make no mistake, 26 miles per hour feels effing fast when you’re riding what amounts to two sticks with wheels attached.

But the WideWheel PRO is so much more. Its dual suspension, dual 120mm disc brakes, and wide tires should help it ride easier and tame the panic factor. You’ll never get a flat with its airless tires. And the suspension looks legit, flexing at least an inch or two. The ride should be more than comfortable for sidewalk cracks, and the scooter should even handle potholes and loose gravel pretty well.

A 48-volt, 15Ah lithium-ion battery charges and recharges the scooter. It’s unclear exactly how, but we suspect a USB cable.

A display between the handlebars delivers speed, mileage, and voltage information. It also enables intuitive gear selection and cruise control. Wait, cruise control? My truck doesn’t even have that…

Options & Portability

Mercane makes a keylock version of the WideWheel PRO available to help deter any sidewalk senders with sticky fingers. Note that any such person would have to be pretty strong to push it away manually — the rig weighs a robust 54 pounds.

Its weight and bulk make it a questionable choice for bus commuters, who are unlikely to do a bunch of cool spin tricks and then sling it over their shoulder a la Hansel in Zoolander. But Mercane points out that riders can still carry it in one hand, and it should fit in most cars’ trunks. I mean, it also has a 22-mile range — you could just ride it between A and B.

How To Pick Up the Whip

It’s a shame to put a price tag on the experience of looking really cool on your way to work or the grocery store, busting out 180s, manuals, grinds, and bunny hops, but somebody’s gotta do it. The capable WideWheel PRO comes with a $1300 MSRP; start saving and start sending.

When it comes to luxury and performance in a larger automobile, compromise often happens between the two. While you’re doing your car shopping, consider the 2021 Lincoln Navigator, an intentional and elegant combination of performance, convenience, and features rolled into a sleek design that carries eight people in luxury. Add a roof rack, and you have a vehicle with ample space for any adventure you can imagine. Go anywhere in style with the Lincoln Navigator.

2021 Lincoln Navigator Basics and Customization

With seating for up to eight people — and cupholders for all, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasts an impressive amount of space for anything you can think of, whether that’s a rafting trip or a large family outing around town.

Everything in this car moves at the touch of a button, including all eight seats and fold-away side view mirrors. A large 10-inch touchscreen provides a portal to all functionality. Six USB charging ports and wireless charging capability keeps all of your devices at the ready. An optional sunroof offers grandiose views of the world outside. The SUV’s many color options (nine exterior and four interior) allow for 36 creative combinations to ensure your 2021 Lincoln Navigator suits your style.

A twin-turbo 3.5-liter powerplant squeezes out 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway, extending the time between trips to the gas station compared to similar large vehicles.

Connectivity in the 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The power of Lincoln Connect sets the stage for the seemingly unending capability of your new favorite vehicle. A mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is the epitome of embedded technology. Sync Applink allows you to navigate to your favorite places, jam out to all your favorite tunes, and make it all happen with just the sound of your voice. In case of an emergency, 911 assist has you covered and will send help when you need it most.

Unmatched Safety and Convenience

Driving your vehicle has never been as easy with all the tools that the 2021 Lincoln Navigator brings to the table. The lane-keeping system helps you watch the road and alerts you if you begin to drift to the outside of your lane. Pre-collision assist and emergency braking scans the area in front of you for other cars and pedestrians and sends an alert if your attention falters. If you’re unable to correct your path, it applies the brake for you — an unbeatable safety feature.

Hate parallel parking? Me too. With park assist, your car parks itself, making those frustrating moments a thing of the past. Adaptive cruise control makes road trips a breeze by scanning for changes in traffic ahead and auto-adjusts to keep your drive simple, and adaptive LED headlights change the way they light the path ahead based on your speed.

Lastly, if you have multiple drivers, you can set up driver profiles and preferences, so the Navigator will adjust before you even get in the car. No more altering the seat and mirrors when you hop in the car. Your car notices what key is present and adjusts accordingly.

The Buy

Now, the part you’ve been waiting for — the buy. How does one come to possess such an impressive vehicle? Head to the Lincoln website or your local Lincoln dealer. The Lincoln website allows you to schedule a showing right from your phone or computer or build your perfect Navigator with ease. With a starting MSRP of $76,185 and starting leases of $844 per month, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator’s presence can grace your driveway and be the star of the next neighborhood barbeque.

Road trips dotted my college years, and it was during those years, my anxiety over flying grew worse, and my naiveté about climate change wained. The price of electric vehicles was unattainable, and the range? Blasphemously unimpressive. Fast forward to today and enter electric automaker, Lucid Motors, a company bent on shaving down drag and elongating mileage with the 2021 Lucid Air EV.

The 2021 Lucid Air EV is a purposefully sleek electric vehicle with 400+ miles of range and luxurious legroom.

Lucid Air EV Power Systems

Lucid Motors relied on aerodynamics specialists to engineer the Lucid Air into the most aero-efficient electric vehicle on the market.

The Lucid Air EV uses a Dual ActiveCore motor with AWD miniaturized electric powertrain. The hardware is the LEAP or Lucid Electric Advanced Platform, which paves the way for the spacious interior. Max horsepower is a whopping 1080, and 0 to 60 only takes 2.5 seconds.

As for the EV’s range, the stock battery option commands a little more than 400 miles per charge. But, when hooked to an extended power pack, the Lucid Air can fetch up to 517 miles per charge.

Charging the Lucid Air’s battery is easy owing to its Combined Charging System (CCS). The onboard CCS is compatible with all Level 2 and 3 recharging stations and can achieve enough power for 300 miles in just 20 minutes.

Lucid Air EV Interior

The front row seats sport a darker tone for a pilot business aura. In front of the driver is a 34-inch curved 5K resolution glass display for frequently used information and an additional central display with supplemental information and controls that conceals a hidden compartment between the driver and passenger.

The Lucid Air app goes above and beyond standard connectivity. Your smartphone will sync not only with the EV’s two display screens but with more traditionally analog systems, too. Unlock the EV using proximity metrics. Once in the driver’s seat, utilize the integrated app’s facial recognition AI to prompt adjustments. Also on deck are route planning, Alexa voice control, and automatic software updates.

Lucid’s Space Concept takes advantage of the miniature powertrain and battery. The resultant space allows for dual, split-level storage compartments in the trunk and hood, along with the legroom for the tallest of your friends. For weekend warriors, the back seats lie down flat for ample extra storage or larger cargo.

Running the entire cabin’s length is a glass canopy for an undivided view of the surroundings, making the vehicle seem even bigger. The whole space feels like an SUV in a sedan-sized package.

A Sustainable Arrangement

The unique interior pulls focus from technology to luxury. Lucid Motors took cues from the airline industry, too: the Lucid Air interior resembles a high-end cockpit and spacious first-class seating. Californian landscapes inspire the interior color palette. Sustainably sourced and developed leather, wood, and fabrics adorn the cabin, carefully selected with Mother Nature in mind.

It comes as no surprise Lucid Motors is a product of the environmental poster child, California’s EV industry. Lucid is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has a Casa Grande, Arizona factory in the works. It’s a company bent on becoming the benchmark EV standard.

The Buy

For the 2021 Lucid Air EV, MSRP starts at $69,000, which competes directly with the Tesla Model Y Performance hybrid. It’s not exactly an average household price, but it’s the first step towards an affordable EV with an impressive intercity range.

Purchase

Overland vehicle travel is an intense game. Beyond 4×4 travel, beyond “offroad,” overlanding is the practice of exploring the remotest terrain possible. Self-sufficiency is a prerequisite, so campers are the tools of the trade. Combining the capability of an offroad vehicle with the convenience of a house is overlanding’s holy grail. EarthCruiser gives it a shot with its overland camper. You might have to take out a second mortgage to finance one, but when you do, you’ll be rewarded with a sustainable, livable vehicle outfitted for any thinkable contingency.

The Australian-born vehicle maker contends that each of its vehicles “exists with a humble purpose of facilitating true adventure — and nothing more.” Let’s climb into one and see what the bluster is all about.

On Point Off-Road: Overland Camper Powertrain

Let’s start from the land — er, the ground — up. EarthCruiser utilizes a Mitsubishi Fuso body-on-frame chassis fitted with axles designed in-house. The full-float rear axle bears the overland camper trailer’s weight while locking hubs and a range of 4WD options handle the rowdiest terrain. The platform is built for versatility: EarthCruiser says its vehicles “perform flawlessly on tight city streets and wide-open sand dunes in the Sahara.”

A 6.0L Vortec V8 powers each truck with 297 HP at 361 lb-ft of torque. Fill it up with regular unleaded and ignore the price display on the pump — the tank holds 60 gallons. Allison handles the 6-speed automatic transmission, but EarthCruiser programs it.

14” disc brakes on all four wheels maximize stopping power and limit rim heating, helpful on long descents.

Wherever you’re going, EarthCruiser gives you a solid chance to get there. But in overlanding, a lot can happen between points A and B. What happens when life happens?

When Life Happens: Safety Features

EarthCruiser prioritizes safety in its overland campers. Priority one is keeping you and your vehicle moving. That’s why EarthCruiser installs a front bull bar (a grill guard on steroids) and custom-fabricated skid plates.

Even so, anyone who’s driven vehicles through enough gnar knows the clock is ticking: getting stuck is inevitable. When it happens, there are recovery points on all sides of the EarthCruiser, so all you need is a sturdy object. Attach the Warn 16.5ti-S heavyweight winch to the overland camper and let it do the rest — 16,500 pounds of pull capacity is plenty to get your rig out of the ditch. If you only need a little added traction, opt for the TRAXX/ax/shovel holder.

Lighting is another vital concern in overlanding. During the day, up to 11 windows allow for plenty of natural light and views. At night, the EarthCruiser camper lights up like the Las Vegas Strip. A cab-controlled Lo-Pro Extreme LED light bar, reverse and drive lights by Vision X, driver and passenger cab ditch lights, and an upgraded off-road light package — is that enough to banish the darkness?

Now that we’ve gone over how EarthCruiser gets you where you’re going safely, let’s talk about what happens when you get there.

Base Camp: Capable Overland Camper

Living in vehicles can get sloppy: less space means more multi-purpose usage. That multi-use leads to abuse and mess. Thankfully, EarthCruiser designs its overland camper interior for easy pass-through and compartmentalization. Separate sleeping and dining areas, a 150-pound capacity loft, and a compact bathroom shape the space.

EarthCruiser does all it can to keep you powered-up and hydrated: five standard solar panels feed a battery system, complete with backups and 80 gallons of freshwater storage.

If you’re interested in overlanding but more into glamping, you can add a 12v DC-powered air conditioner, microwave, and outdoor kitchen.

Adventure Time: How To Buy It

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: a new overland camper from EarthCruiser will cost you at least $370,000 as each one is custom-built. Is a house you can drive anywhere worth that cost? That is for you to decide.

One doesn’t necessarily think of Russia when pondering which country makes the best motorcycles. But if you’re searching for one with a sidecar, the Rooskies have a lock on that market thanks to their pride and joy, the Ural. Commonly thought of as an urban motorcycle — something you might throw your dog or significant other into ­­— Ural has something else up their sleeve with the Gear Up GEO.

With only 20 units available, this hand-painted, off-road capable sidecar is as unique as it looks. And at $26,999, it’s as expensive as it is unusual, but that’s what’s so appealing about the Gear Up GEO.

Does it have what it takes to be your next uber-capable grocery getter? Pour a shot of straight vodka, and let’s sip our way through the features of this Russian renegade.

Ural Gear Up GEO’s Base

As a platform for this off-road wonder, Ural looked to their already capable 2WD Gear Up ($17,549). The Gear Up comes bedazzled with fanciful parts like Brembo brakes, fuel injection, a reverse gear option, nearly 7 inches of ground clearance, and 2.9 cubic feet of space in the trunk. The base Gear Up is capable of hauling 1,325 pounds as-is. But this wasn’t enough capacity for the GEO; Ural decided to level-up, and level-up they did.

Ural Gear Up GEO’s Trick Bits

The GEO receives a blend of convenience and capability that befits the stylistically conscientious adventurer with looks to spare. Nitron shocks, Heidenau K 37 tires, and an off-road-only GPR exhaust system were added to the base-model Gear Up to improve off-road capabilities.

Additionally, a new spare wheel rack, sidecar nose rack, crash bars, headlight grill, and light guards wrap the GEO up in high-viz orange protection.

Rotopax supplied an additional fuel cell for those extended voyages, while a handlebar-mounted GPS top clamp guides the way. A skidplate and USB charger are there to assuage your worries once you get off the beaten path, and the ergonomic upgrades will keep you in the saddle longer.

Not For Everyone

Sure the military-inspired camo is de-natured by the bright orange accents, and the price tag is seriously steep for such a utilitarian vehicle, but I’m in love with the GEO. If only I had an endless expanse of backcountry and an off-the-grid cabin to ride it to; I’d probably be in line for one of these right now. But alas, Vlad and the boys back in The Motherland will have to sell my model to someone with more means.

Maybe next year, Ural!

Commonplace electric motorcycles take a lot of heat for possessing toyish design features, often looking more like a wannabe urban motorcycle commuter than a serious contender on the racetrack. But slowly, electric bike technology is bleeding into the world of competition. And there’s some severe aesthetic ingenuity bleeding in with it. And the retooled, one-off electric SR/S by Deus ex Machina and Zero Motorcycles combines a most capable electric powertrain with exceptional architecture.

Taste-maker Deus ex Machina partnered with Zero, the leader in electric motorcycles, to completely re-imagine what an electric bike could look like sans conventional restraints. To complete this task, the companies turned to none other than renowned bike builder Michael “Woolie” Woolaway. The result was a swing for the fences.

Zero SR/S Bike Platform

To begin this project, Zero gave Woolaway its soon-to-be-released SR/S way back in February 2020. The SR/S model is one of Zero’s latest attempts to buck the perception that electric motorcycles are just appliances with wheels. The SR/S model is Zero’s first full-fairing motorcycle whose ergonomics are more akin to a touring machine’s than a race bike’s. However, the bike has all the right stuff for a remodel.

Motorcycle Playground

Looking at Woolie’s redesigned Zero, it is almost challenging to envision the original SR/S living beneath the new livery. Woolie claims he “shaped the bike by hand,” starting with the gas tank and working his way through the fairings and tail section. Electing to buck the trend of sketch-ups and computer renderings, the Venice-based builder instead implemented hand tools to shape everything out of foam plastic.

There’s much more to this re-imagined SR/S than just a new fairing. The windscreen from Zero Gravity is all-race, so don’t expect to get behind it unless you’re prepared to go full-on race mode. Saddlemen provided the low profile seat, and a custom thumb break came straight from Spain to add a little MotoGP-inspired technology.

Overall the design is a beautiful re-think of what an electric bike can look like. Let’s just hope that this kind of look carries over into the consumer world because this bespoke bike ain’t for sale.

Learn More

British-based automotive company Lunaz made a name for itself by re-engineering iconic classic cars into modern, sustainable, electric vehicles. The group’s work has focused on vintages models from three bellwether companies only: Bentley, Jaguar, and Rolls Royce. That is until recently, with the addition of the Range Rover Classic to the Lunaz line-up. But would you prefer a mint-condition Range Rover as is? Or the electric redux by Lunaz?

The Re-Built Lunaz Range Rover

With a starting price hovering around $450,000, Lunaz’s Range Rover Classic conversion won’t be attainable to the average driver. It’s drastically more expensive than other EVs on the market. Why?

Well, Lunaz isn’t just swapping out powertrains and engines; the automotive specialists strip each car down to the shell and completely rebuild it as a modern vehicle.

Lunaz uses traditional upholstery and restoration techniques; if you peeked inside one of its conversions — at first glance — it would appear original. Take up the driver’s throne, however, and you’ll notice that old gauges now display stats like battery life and torque. The group adds in all of the features of a modern car — Apple Play, leather side pockets cut for smartphones and devices — into a classic, giving each satisfied buyer a functional, vintage driver. It’s all history until you push play.

Because vintage cars aren’t often the subjects of auto conversions like those offered by Lunaz, the parts used in modern EVs don’t fit into these long-hooded hot rods.  The Lunaz-patented powertrain conversion meets power steering, updated brakes and suspension, air conditioning, and infotainment centers. The engineering team at Lunaz has taken care of it all — and hopes to add more modern features like cruise control in future rebuilds.

The Future of Classics

As a classic car owner, I first cringed at what Lunaz is doing. I’m not anti-electric; I’m just not a fan of butchering a classic.

I see both sides: with classics, it’s harder to find parts, the originals aren’t environmentally sound, but the aesthetic is a nod to the history. And I feel vintage car fanatics: horrified at the chop shop retooling, the tossing aside of an original. The lamenting mechanics and enthusiasts certainly could have gotten those bad boys up and running with original engines and a little TLC.

But battling with sustainability and the emergence of EV technology, Lunaz’s approach seems like a lifebuoy for older models. Lunaz recognizes the need for electric vehicles but doesn’t want to see these iconic cars left to rust as the industry moves on. These cars see a second life as daily drivers — not just as showcase specimens or lost relics.

Stripping Down To Swap

There’s not much information on the Lunaz Range Rover models yet, but the company focuses on quiet, reliable conversions. One of its first updates, the Jaguar XK120, is powered by a 120-kWh battery for a long range of 300 miles, comparable to current market EVs.

Of course, personally, my concern goes back to that mint-condition car. Yeah, parts for a 1950s Rolls-Royce may be difficult to come by. But there are scores of Range Rovers begging for restoration. I wonder, is Lunaz fishing for models too close to the present?

The Most Expensive Classic You’ll Find

Lunaz is undoubtedly forward-thinking. Founder, David Lorenz, felt indebted to his daughter and pursued the concept as a way to give her generation a chance to drive vintages like the Range Rover Classic.

Of course, the price point limits Lunaz Range Rovers to a very niche market. Lorenz’s daughter is probably one of a handful that will get the chance to drive one of these electric classics.

Learn More

On the ever-growing list of mega-buck items you want but may never have the ability to buy is undoubtedly a 6-wheel drive Mercedes mega-truck. If a piece of materialistic fantastitude like the Mercedes-AMG G 63 sports utility truck doesn’t grace your fictitious Mega Millions spending spree, let us convince you to sharpen the pencil and scribble it in. Jump in, brother (or sista), we’re going for a ride.

AMG G 63: Truck Grit

We’ll get to the glitz later. For now, let’s talk about the internals that makes this Mercedes-AMG G 63 truck as capable as it is flashy. Starting with the sneakers, this truck has 37-inch all-weather tires with a remote inflation system that can be activated while the car is in motion. Should a swath of snow or sand cover your oncoming causeway, simply air down the tires and drift right through, air them back up upon exit with the flick of a switch.

Connecting the Xtreme Radials and bead lock rims to the vehicle is a six-set of portal axles that allow for more ground clearance around the tires. Tracing backward again in the drivetrain is the penultimate feature in this vehicle’s capability features, five differential locks. Now, one would assume that a vehicle with six tires might feature six differential locks, but the vehicle has three axles, allow for differential locks in all four of the back tires, and one shared lock upfront. We simply do not know how one would jump between this labyrinth of traction fine-tuning, but we’d love to find out!

Finally, the power plant: AMG’s world-famous Biturbo V8 engine produces a sound one must hear to truly appreciate. A rumble so low and soul-stirring you’d swear you were hearing Zeus himself gargling with pure rocket fuel as he prepares for a night out on the town, read this in as throaty a voice as you can muster: “guuguuguuguguguuuuuuuuu.” Five hundred forty-four ponies pull you off the line in the AMG G 63 truck, or up a sand dune, or simply drag your house down the street should you feel inclined. The 760-newton torque capacity of the drivetrain is happy to assist in your relocation.

AMG G 63: Sports Utility Glam

You’re not going to find this color of AMG anywhere else. The creamy champaign finish of the quarter panels have a touch of old-world Mercedes in them, but they’re butted right up against the hard and fast world of carbon fiber. The fenders, front hood scoop, and a number of other bits come constructed from the beautifully woven composite found on Formula 1 racers.

The finish of the AMG G 63 truck’s bed is the real selling point for me: wood. Not that you’re about to load up a stack of drywall and haul it home, look friend: this truck isn’t for your weekend projects. Nicely finished bamboo lines the threshold of what they comically refer to as the “load area.” A cute reference to a function you’ll never take advantage of, but hey, you don’t keep your mittens in the “glove compartment” either.

Mercedes-Benz Money

Bad news bro, we deeply buried the lede to the story here: this beast resides in Kuwait. But, if you’ve always wanted to visit The Kingdom and you’ve got the coin, you’re in luck. The good folks at Mechatronik will line up a look-see for you and a test drive if you appear to be ready to plunk down a little over a million dollars. If that’s you, report back to us and let us know if this beast does deliver that all impressive “guuguuguuguguguuuuuuuuu” as you blast down the road!

Purchase

Categories, like rules, are made to be broken. And when you buy a moped with an electric motor that rides like an e-bike that also goes 60 miles per hour, rules and categories be damned. The ONYX RCR 72V electric motorbike could be labeled as an urban motorcycle, but I’m less concerned with what to call it and more intrigued by how much trouble we could get in on it. But does it have enough curb appeal to make me part with $4,149? Let’s take a closer look.

ONYX RCR Electric Motorbike Build

The first thing to know about the ONYX RCR electric motorbike is that it does not have a VIN, which means that if you scoot up to your local DMV on that thing, you’re not leaving with a license plate. But, depending on where you live, that might not be a problem. At the moment, many big cities in the US are allowing e-bikes in the bike lane with a speed limit. But don’t say that we didn’t warn you if you get a ticket popping wheelies on the sidewalk. Don’t do that.

The motorbike itself is retro-inspired and looks like a retro-fitted café racer. Steel tubing supports the motor and battery unit. There are a headlight and taillight, blinkers, full suspension, and even a digital LCD dash with battery information and speed information. The electric motorbike’s styling is eye-catching, especially the wood and metal shrouds covering the battery unit, nice touch.

At first pass, the website would lead you to believe that this little baby is capable of some pretty impressive performance numbers. Electric bikes are still very much limited by their range and their charge time. ONYX claims that the RCR can ride 75 miles on a single charge and up to 60 miles per hour if you dare to push these 17-inch wheels that fast. But is this possible?

ONYX RCR Performance

Fortunately for us, there have been several “First Ride” style reviews of the ONYX RCR in the motorcycling press. What you should know about motorcycle journalists is that they tend to be on the smaller side, and because they get to ride all the cool new bikes, they can be somewhat jaded. However, they do know their stuff so you must take their feedback into consideration.

Given the dimensions, a fairly low seat height, and a claimed dry weight of only 145 pounds, you can assume this electric motorbike is pretty nimble. Many ride reports claim the RCR feels like a miniature motorcycle, but quiet and quite agile. The 3,000-watt hub motor is said to crank out a whopping 7.24 horsepower, which at just 145-pounds should produce some pretty enjoyable hp.

Like all-electric vehicles, how much you mash the gas pedal, how much you weigh, and the inclines you’re navigating will play a huge role in the battery’s range. Though the 75-mile claimed range would be fantastic, most reviewers are seeing far fewer miles even with moderate throttle twisting. But if you need a short-distance commuter and just want to kick around town, then you really don’t need that kind of range.

Purchasing an ONYX RCR

The base model ONYX RCR will set you back $4,149. For an additional $1,050 you can bump the battery amperage up and double the range, though we aren’t quite sure what that would actually add up to given the mixed reviews.

If you’re like us, though, you’ll want to kick the bike up a notch and add the DRT ($299 extra). This gives you knobby tires, a front fender, and shock boots. Not that you’re likely to take this thing off-road, but it looks a whole lot cooler than the standard model.

So, if I had to decide at this very moment if this hard to categorize, police bait of an electric motorcycle is in my purchasing future, I’d say unlikely. But, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in yours. Just remember, no wheelies on the sidewalk, IMPROB said so!

Purchase

Slated for release this winter, the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost brings with it much from the luxury maker’s long history of excellence and grandeur. Yet, this rendition promises to be the cleverest Rolls-Royce progeny thus far.

Rolls-Royce’s Architecture of Luxury aluminum chassis and a severely quiet 12-cylinder engine are all par for the course, really. But when coupled with modernity’s latest technologies? Well, that’s a specter worth investigating. It’s the spirit of ecstasy indeed.

Speed

Those familiar with the outgoing model will see that much under the hood remains the same. And why shouldn’t it be? If the 6.75-liter, twin-turbo V-12 engine isn’t broken, don’t you dare fix it. From its precision-engineered bay, the 12-cylinder behemoth churns out 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.  That’s a near-unwieldy amount of verve pulsing the powertrain and more than enough to glide the Ghost’s 2.85-ton aluminum assembly from 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds.

The eight-speed automatic transmission manages all the shifting, which dovetails nicely with the grand touring machine’s all-wheel-steering and 50/50 weight distribution.

Semblance

Regarding interior specifications, Rolls makes it abundantly clear that customization of the Ghost means that the sky is your limit — well, or your bank account. Whichever comes first. So, we’ll stick to describing the standard options for the sake of brevity (and dignity).

Open the classic Rolls-Royce coach-style doors (now with gesture control) and enter the totally opulent cabin. Lush leather upholstery with painfully acute contrast piping; densely piled carpet lining; a cabin-wide overhead starfield that glimmers ephemerally and would be ostentatious were it not so spellbinding.

Rolls likes to call their styling “post-opulent,” but little about this reimagination strikes us as a Ghost of opulence past. In fact, its opulence seems quite grounded in modernity.

Safety

Rolls-Royce clearly put some thought into driver and pedestrian safety — heeding its call to a great power with great responsibility. From the 600-meter range laser headlights to park distance control, safety and driver-assistance aren’t afterthoughts with the Ghost. Automated emergency braking with optical pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance, responsive road-scanning optics, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous driving mode all come standard in the 2021 Ghost, too.

Spirit of Ecstasy: The 2021 RR Ghost

That’s right, semi-autonomous driving mode, not fully-autonomous. Semi. After all, you’d be silly to totally opt out of revving a machine with the Ghost’s amperage and éclat. It’s made to be engaged. This isn’t some glorified, electric cross-town cradle, crafted to bathe you in the low hum of a noncontroversial podcast. This is a razor-edge beacon that’s waited all day to rouse you from antipathy with an honest-to-asphalt, 12-cylinder, purring-engine verve.

And while the entry-level Rolls is nothing if not elusive – $332,500 gets you the standard options – for the luckily entitled few, giving up this Ghost won’t be easy.