WHEN Rolls-Royce first introduced the Black Badge, it was packaged as a full-noir experience.
The custom pure black paint job was designed to engage rising requests for a complete night-themed Rolls-Royce commission.
It was also brought together to appeal to a younger generation by tapping the essence of luxury and style, and being contemporary.
Thus, it came as a complete surprise when the luxury marque unveiled a Black Badge Ghost in white coating.
This was no mistake but rather to highlight what defines the Black Badge from here on out — that it is no longer about the outright obsidian choice.
It all starts with iconic hallmarks such as the Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille that's no longer in gleaming silver but rather a dark, mirror-black stainless-steel chrome composite finish.
Designed in the Black Badge house style and reserved for Black Badge Ghost, the barrels of its bespoke 21-inch composite wheelset is made up of 22 layers of carbon fibre laid on three axes.
For greater strength, they are then folded back on themselves at the outer edges of the rim forming a total of 44 layers of carbon fibre. A lightly tinted lacquer is applied to protect the deep diamond pattern weave of carbon and metallic fibre finish.
A 3D-forged aluminium hub is bonded to the rim using aerospace-grade titanium fasteners and finished with the marque's hallmark floating hubcap that ensures the "Double R" monogram remains upright at all times.
The interior components see the complex use of multiple wood layers with black Bolivar veneer for the uppermost base layer that forms a dark foundation for the technical fibre layers that follow.
The leaves are woven from resin-coated carbon while contrasting metal-coated thread laid in a diamond pattern are applied by hand to the components to create a three-dimensional effect.
The Black Badge family lemniscate (infinity) motif can be adorned on the technical fibre "waterfall" section of the individual rear seats if specified in the client's commission.
The air vents around the dashboard and rear cabin are darkened using physical vapour deposition — said to be one of the few methods of metal colouring that ensures parts will not discolour or tarnish over time or through repeated use.
Subdued chrome finish is also applied to the Black Badge Ghost's timepiece design with only the tips of the hands of the 12, three, six and nine o'clock markers picked out for dramatic effect. Additional timepieces are available to suit the client's aesthetic preference.
PUSHING PERFORMANCE
More than just a design statement, the new Black Badge Ghost also houses an improved performance over the standard variant.
Its twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine now generates an extra 21kW, creating a total output of 592hp/600ps. Its single infinite gear also delivers an additional 50Nm of torque at 900Nm.
The powertrain has received bespoke transmission and throttle treatments to further enhance the engine's increased power reserves.
The ZF eight-speed gearbox and both front- and rear-steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of feedback to the driver, depending on throttle and steering inputs.
As with all Black Badges, the 'Low' button situated on the gear selection stalk unlocks Black Badge Ghost's full suite of technologies. This is asserted by the amplification of the motor car's engine through an entirely new exhaust system.
All 900Nm of torque is available from just 1,700rpm and, once underway in Low Mode, gearshift speeds are increased by 50 per cent when the throttle is depressed to 90 per cent.
Its performance takes full advantage of the luxury carmaker's proprietary all-aluminium spaceframe architecture that debuted with the Phantom.
Not only does this sub-structure deliver enhanced body stiffness, but its flexibility and scalability allows the car to be equipped with all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and the award-winning Planar Suspension system.
This includes the fitting of more voluminous air springs to alleviate body roll under more assertive cornering.
Also, braking bite point has been raised and pedal travel decreased with a robust braking hardware package that's deemed sufficiently capable in extreme conditions given its increased power output.
A new suite of bold high-temperature brake caliper paint colours has also been developed in preparation for forthcoming Black Badge Ghost commissions.
Pricing for the Black Badge Ghost in Malaysia starts from RM 1.8 million before taxes and options.