New 2021 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost unveiled with 592bhp

Just in case the standard Ghost wasn’t exclusive enough, Rolls-Royce has launched a new Black Badge special edition. Like the Black Badge Cullinan, it gets extra power, black exterior trim and a reupholstered cabin finished in – you guessed it – black leather.

Rolls-Royce hasn’t issued a fixed price for the Black Badge Ghost, but the firm tells us that prices will start from around £300,000, and that buyers can easily push that figure past £400,000 with a few optional extras.

Exterior styling tweaks include a model-specific black paint finish and a unique set of 21-inch composite wheels, which are made from a blend of carbon fibre and aluminium and topped with the brand’s trademark self-righting centre caps.

The Ghost’s radiator grille and Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot are also finished in black chrome. However, rather than simply painting the items, Rolls-Royce developed a specific plating process that adds a darkened layer on top of the shiny chrome surface, meaning the effect won’t wear away.

20

The cabin gets black diamond-quilted upholstery, dark chrome air vents and a unique 3D-effect veneer, consisting of resin-coated carbon and metal-coated thread. There’s also a champagne cooler between the two rear seats and a backlit art piece for the passenger-side dashboard, studded with 152 LED lights.

It’s powered by a tuned version of the twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine found in the standard Ghost. Now, there’s an extra 29bhp and 50Nm of torque, which takes the saloon’s maximum output to 592bhp and 900Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Performance figures haven’t been confirmed, but the extra power should allow the Black Badge Ghost to shave a few tenths off the standard saloon’s 4.8-second time for the 0–62mph sprint.

To handle the extra power, Rolls-Royce has made a few changes to the Ghost’s chassis. So, the suspension settings have been tweaked and there’s some new high-temperature paint for the car’s brake calipers. The bite point for the brake pedal has also been raised and the pedal travel for the throttle reduced to help make the car feel more responsive.

Four-wheel steering comes as standard, and Rolls-Royce has fitted new, larger-capacity air springs which it says help to reduce body roll under “more assertive cornering”.

Now click here to read all the latest news about Rolls-Royce’s first electric car – the Spectre…