Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge unveiled with 600PS and 900 Nm

A year into its launch, Rolls-Royce has now given the new-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost the Black Badge treatment. The new Ghost has seen over 3,500 orders over the past year and now pairs with the also successful Black Badge line of cars. The Black Badge versions first launched in 2016 with the Wraith and previous Ghost and are now specified on over 27 per cent of all Rolls-Royce cars.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge exterior

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in all the 44,000 ready-use colours option or bespoke shade but the highlight is the signature Black paint option. This uses 45 kgs of paint and two layers of clear coat which is then hand-finished over a three to five hour process by four craftsmen to achieve a gloss piano finish. A hand-painted contrasting bodyline is then added for the black/neon theme of the Black Badge models. The exterior chrome elements like the Spirit of Ecstasy and the Pantheon Grille are given a dark chrome mirror finish only one micrometre thick using a specific chrome electrolyte in the traditional chrome plating process. The Ghost Black Badge is also fitted with model-specific 21-inch carbon-fibre wheels which uses 44 layers of carbon0fibre weave and a 3D-forged aluminium hub. The floating hubcap and a tinted lacquer is applied to finish it off.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge interior

On the inside, Rolls-Royce has developed a complex new weave using carbon and metal fibres to achieve deep diamond pattern. The interior body panels are finished in black Bolivar veneer over which the resin-coated carbon and contrasting metal-coated thread is laid by hand to bring a 3D effect. Each panel is then cured for one hour under pressure at 100°C before six layers of lacquer are hand-sanded on. Optionally, the Black Badge line's Lemniscate, a symbol signifying potential infinity can be lacquered onto the champagne cabinet at the rear between the layers of veneer for a floating effect. The bright metallic elements inside the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge are given a darker colour via vapour deposition while the interior clock is now done up in a more subdued style.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge engine, chassis

The Black Badge treatment to the Ghost has also brought with it mechanical changes. Rolls-Royce's aluminium architecture has been tweaked to be more rigid while larger air springs have been added to reduce body roll. The all-wheel-drive, four-wheel steering and the unique front suspension design. The 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 is carried over but now produced 29PS more power at 500PS and 50 Nm more torque at 900 Nm, all of the latter available from 1,700 rpm. The 8-speed ZF gearbox and the throttle response has been retuned as well. The Low mode in the gearbox enhances the engine note via a new exhaust system shift speeds are increased by 50 per cent when the throttle position is beyond 90 per cent. Completing these changes is a raised brake bute point and reduce brake pedal travel.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expected price, launch date

The Ghost Black Badge has gone on sale globally and should launch in India over the next few months along with the standard Ghost. Prices should start from around Rs 6.5 crore.

Also read,

Rolls Royce preview its first electric car, the Spectre and will go on sale in 2023

How does the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 stack up against the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan?

Rolls-Royce unveils second-gen Ghost, most technologically advanced Rolls yet