Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Arrives In India - Welcome To The Dark Side Of Opulence

Speaking about the new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost, Irene Nikkein, Asia Pacific Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, "Black Badge is our response to a new segment of super-luxury customers whose desire for luxury is bold and non-conformist. Throughout Asia we are witnessing highly successful entrepreneurs who are younger and more diverse than ever before. They are innovators, trailblazers, 'rule-breakers' - and above all - those who dare. Black Badge is their code of luxury. With this new model, we celebrate Post Opulence in extremis and the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque's history."

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Specs & Dimensions

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost is powered by a tweaked version of the 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine from the 'regular' Ghost. The 12 cylinder, 48 valve engine produces 591bhp between 5,250 and 5,270rpm and 900Nm of peak torque between 1,700 and 4,000rpm.

The Black Badge version of the Ghost produces 29bhp and 50Nm of peak torque more than the standard car. The Black Badge Ghost's engine is paired with a recalibrated ZF 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels. In addition to the four-wheel drive setup, the new Black Badge Ghost also features four-wheel steering.

The new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost features a new Low button on the gear stalk. This is the closest that you can get to a 'Sport' mode in a Rolls-Royce and it unlocks the Black Badge Ghost's full suite of technologies. In Low mode, the Black Badge Ghost's gearbox switches between gears 50 per cent faster and the throttle is depressed to 90 per cent.

This allows the Black Badge Ghost to access its power reserves allowing the luxury limo to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Activating Low mode also switches the exhaust to a more vocal setting, allowing drivers to enjoy a bit more of the Black Badge Ghost's V12 soundtrack.

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost is 5,546mm long, 2,148mm wide and 1,571mm tall. The wheelbase is 3,295mm long and weighs 2,490 kilogrammes.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Design & Features

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost features a host of tweaks over the 'standard' Ghost. These include the blacked-out front grille and Spirit of Ecstacy. Instead of painting these highlights, Rolls-Royce instead introduced a specific chrome electrolyte to the traditional chrome plating process that is co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate, darkening the finish. These components are then precision-polished by hand to achieve a mirror-black chrome finish before being fitted to the car.

The exterior of the new Black Badge Ghost can be finished in 44,000 ready to wear colours. Customers can also choose a bespoke paint job for their Black Badge Ghost. Most customers though choose the Signature Black paint scheme. Rolls-Royce claims that this is the darkest black used in the car industry and is made using 45 kilogrammes of paint. The new special edition Ghost rides on bespoke 21-inch wheels that feature carbon-fibre barrels.

Step inside and the Rolls-Royce continues to show off what it calls the Ghost's Post Opulence design philosophy. The interior features a unique finish that incorporates a deep diamond pattern rendered in carbon and metallic fibres with subtle changes in the treatment of different surfaces and features like the clock.

The Black Badge Ghost features diamond-quilted upholstery and a dark chrome finish for the air vents. There is a backlit art piece on the front passenger's side of the dashboard that is studded with 152 LED lights. Also seen is a champagne cooler in between the rear seats.

Thoughts On the New Rolls-Royce Black Badge For India

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost adds another level of exclusivity to the Ghost in India. With more power on offer and a stealthy finish to normal chromed out sections, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost is for the discerning customer who doesn't mind being stealthy when the situation requires it.