Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge revealed with 592bhp
More power, improved dynamics and a number of subtle design tweaks are part of the Ghost Black Badge package
A year after its reveal the second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost has now been given the Black Badge treatment. Alongside the usual darkened trim, the Ghost has also received a handful of changes designed to improve the driving experience. Prices are yet to be announced, but order books are open now.
Some five years since the launch of the marque’s Black Badge range, the recipe remains the same. Unlike an ordinary Rolls-Royce you won’t find any chrome trim, with the Ghost’s window trims, Pantheon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy are plated in a darkened metal finish before being buffed to high gloss.
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You won’t find chrome wheels either, with bespoke 21-inch composite items unique to the Black Badge. Though not quite full carbonfibre, as found on the likes of Renault’s Megane RS Trophy-R, a ‘3D-forged’ aluminium hub is paired to a 44 layer carbonfibre barrel with titanium fasteners.
Despite the use of such lightweight materials in the construction of the wheels, the most popular paint option is expected to be 45kgs worth of the firm’s ultra Black. Said to be the darkest black in the industry, it features two layers of clear coat with hand polishing bringing it to a high gloss. This is just one of the 44,000 colours available, with buyers also able to create their own hue.
At its heart is the same 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 found in the rest of the Rolls-Royce range, but output is lifted by 29bhp and 37lb ft over the standard Ghost to 592bhp and 664lb ft. Revised performance figures haven’t been disclosed, but don’t expect much change from the standard car’s 4.8sec 0-62mph time and 155mph top speed.
Yet the Black Badge is about more than just increased performance, so Rolls-Royce has given the Ghost some chassis setup tweaks to make it more engaging to drive. It has done this with new air springs with internal pressures that are designed to reduce body roll, and the bite point of the brakes have been raised and travel reduced for a more precise feel. Select ‘Low’ mode via a button on the gear selection stalk and the exhaust note makes its presence known, gearshift speed increased by 50 percent (at 90 percent throttle and above), while the throttle calibration has been tweaked too.
The Black Badge treatment continues on the inside, with ‘carbon veneer’, the Black Badge Infinity lemniscate symbol and unique three-dimensional wood inserts featuring throughout. The lemniscate adorns the Champagne cooler, constructed from aluminium and applied between the third and fourth layer of tinted lacquer to create a floating illusion. All the internal brightwork is also darkened, with even the timepiece now without any chrome. The Ghost Black Badge also features an illuminated fascia either side of the timepiece, displaying 850 stars.
Rolls-Royce hasn’t disclosed pricing for the Ghost Black Badge, but expect it to sit just shy of the £300,000 mark. Order books are open now.
