For a short drive, we took the Black Badge model to Miami Beach.
In 2016, the Black Badge moniker was added to the Rolls-Royce lineup. It first appeared on the Wraith coupe. The Dawn convertible followed by the Cullinan SUV. Finally, the Ghost sedan. Five years later, the Black Badge trim continues to be a huge success for Rolls-Royce. The company claims that 27 percent of its vehicles are now Black Badge models.
The new Ghost, which has been greatly improved, is the latest vehicle to receive the sinister treatment. This is the 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge. It builds on the success and styling of the Black Badge models, adding more power and enhanced styling and, as we discovered firsthand, improving dynamics.
The Ghost Black Badge’s 6.8-liter V12 is powered by the same twin-turbocharged 6.8 liter V12 engine as the base model. This engine now produces 592 horsepower (435 Kilowatts) as well as 664 pound-feet (905 newton-meters), which is an increase of 29 hp (37 lb-ft) over the base Ghost. The engine is paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with a “Low” setting – the Rolls equivalent to Sport – which delivers power up to 50% faster and is only available to Black Badge models.
We had a brief time behind the wheel of Ghost Black Badge, but a full drive will be available later in the month. Then we pushed the sedan along a temporary drag strip near Miami Beach. Power improvements were evident immediately. Low-end torque was abundant and available at 1,900 RPM. Due to the new exhaust, the engine produced a slightly louder sound and saw a significant improvement in low-end power applications.
The Ghost Black Badge also felt slightly more dynamic. Engineers modified the suspension to reduce body roll, and made the steering heavier to improve responsiveness. The four-door was thrown around a parking lot near the beach, and Ghost Black Badge showed more control and agility than its non Black Badge base brothers. It could be called “sporty”, although Rolls-Royce wouldn’t likely use that term.
Initial impressions show that the Black Badge variant is very similar to the Ghost’s standard Ghost. If you look closer, there are some key elements that make this variant stand out. These 21-inch high-spoke wheels with 21-inch wheels look great and have a carbon-fiber barrel made up of 22 layers. The standard Ghost’s illuminated front grille also continues, lighting the vertical slats using 152 LED lights.
Rolls-Royce claims that the new “signature dark” color is applied to the sheet metal and is the most intense in the industry. The company begins with 100 pounds (45 kg) of paint. After atomizing the paint, the company applies it twice to the car. Four employees then polish the car thoroughly. The process takes between three and five hours, with impressive results.
The Ghost Black Badge can be customized with up to 44,000 colors, not including pure black. Two-tone paints are also available. Rolls-Royce darkened all exterior badges as it did with other Black Badge models, including the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem on the hood and the double ‘R’ monogram at the rear.
While the Shooting Star headliner remains the main feature of the interior’s interior, the Black Badge model replaces the illuminated “Ghost” motif on the passenger-side dash with a Black Badge Infinity logo. There are also infinity logos on the sill plates and other areas. As with all Ghosts, the color combination of the seats can be customized in many hundred ways. This particular car has a bright neon-teal finish.
What is the price? The Black Badge option costs $43,000 more than the standard Rolls-Royce Ghost which starts at $332,500. Buyers who are interested in a Ghost Black Badge can start putting their cars together today.