Auto writer Cindy-Lou Dale slips behind the wheel of the Black Badge Ghost, the most successful ride produced Rolls-Royce in its 117-year history.
The ultimate entrepreneurial business tool just happens to be the most technologically advance Rolls-Royce yet, at least according to a new generation of owners.
READ: New Wellness Programme for Absolute Sanctuary
During 2022, Rolls-Royce built 6,021 cars, with the biggest buyers from China and the USA. If anything, this proves that the future lies in new money. So when the young generation of uber-rich statement car owners spoke of their ‘rolling office’ requirements, the engineers at Rolls-Royce listened and created a 6.75-litre V12‘Black Badge’ Ghost, which delivers unparalleled luxury, dark aesthetics, with an aggressive character, and bold design.
Built entirely on a rigid, bespoke Rolls-Royce aluminium spaceframe, the engine comes alive when you floor the accelerator. When the mascot tips towards the sky you’ll feel an atomic power surge. The ZF eight-speed transmission has been re-engineered to generate a total output of 591PS and the sense of a single, infinite gear has been dramatised, delivering a total of 900NM in torque.
A Bold Reimagining
The ‘Black Badge’ Ghost (nearly a third of Rolls-Royce cars receive its blacked out ‘Black Badge’ trim) exudes an active menace. It has a commanding presence, it’s edgy with sleek contours, and has a seamless silhouette with bold detailing. In addition, the engineers at Rolls-Royce have developed a huge range of ‘ready-to-wear’ colour palettes and technical surface treatments.
READ: TAG Heuer’s Ode to Team Ikuzawa
At the front there are dramatic headlights, plus daytime running lights around the frame, a down lit Pantheon grille coated with black chrome electrolyte, and a discreetly illuminated retractable Spirit of Ecstasy black chrome mascot. Then there’s the illuminated fascia around the Ghost nameplate, plus illuminated ‘Black Badge’ treadplates, black brake callipers, and 21-inch carbon alloy composite wheels.
Inside, think wood, metal, and leather, complete with a chunky steering-wheel and beautiful instrumentation graphics. The illuminated facias are dramatic as is the techno-carbon veneer. There’s a central touch-screen multimedia display, plus a vast suite of assistance systems, including a camera with panoramic and helicopter views, and an industry-leading hi-res heads-up display.
There’s a full suite of connectivity – from multimedia streaming to live traffic information, seat-back televisions, plus a complete mobile infrastructure designed to extend signals from outside into the car – cabin technology for a mobile office.
READ: A Pen Mightier Than the Engine
The front seats are sculpted around its occupants with every electronic gadget imaginable, including extendable thigh supports and ventilated massage seats. In the back, passengers are also enveloped in immersive massage seats, complete with a fixed centre console which, should you tick the option, could incorporated a cool drinks cabinet.
There’s also a bespoke audio system with 18 individually tuned speakers, electric opening and closing rear suicide doors, shagpile lambswool carpet that’ll swallow your feet, and small considerations like Teflon umbrellas in the door frame.
A Modern-day Icon to Success
The moment you climb into driving seat of the vast cabin, you’ll feel strangely empowered as you position yourself in the leather seats. Lean your head back on the RR monogramed headrest and take look down the long hood at the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Slip into drive, gently stroke the accelerator pedal and the V12 silently glides off on its 21-inch wheels.
READ: Look Who’s Launched Their Own Gin
A pleasurable sensation runs up your arms at every turn of the steering wheel. The ride is so graceful that for most of the time you are surprised to find that you are in forward motion.
This is pure driving heaven. Everything feels fluid and responsive with moving reflectors which point the beams around corners and sensors that spot oncoming traffic and blocks the beam to avoid dazzling them. Then there’s the 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
READ: Varoz is the Foiling Yacht of the Future
This is the ultimate all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering driving experience; it’s incomparably brilliant. But be warned – the Ghost is a massive car and dominates the road. It will have you wincing when passing other vehicles on narrow county lanes; overtaking isn’t much of an issue as you’re far more likely to be limited by road width than a gap in oncoming traffic.
The Ghost’s effortless driving personality is as dramatic as it is to look at, with in-depth acoustic tuning, complete with voluminous air springs to ensure good grip in tight corners. It has Satellite Aided Transmission which knows what road you’re on and what gear you should be in, which makes the gear shifting so smooth you barely feel it swapping cogs. It’s the smoothest magic carpet ride imaginable.
Heritage for Today
Driving the whisper quiet Ghost through the misty valleys surrounding Munich evokes feelings of nostalgia. The way it regally sweeps through the bends delivers its own unrivalled sense of occasion.
Owners of other high-worth vehicles check it over. They want to have a look inside and stand back in awe for the doors to be electrically opened, which is an event as everything is illuminated – including the shooting-star headliner.
READ: Black Tomato Launches See You in the Moment Collection
It screams unadulterated success and reflects ‘post opulent’ design, rejecting superficial expressions of wealth.
