Rolls Royce was never famous for making small cars, but some of its models are smaller than others just like the Ghost is smaller than the Phantom. The Ghost then could be considered an entry-level Rolls Royce, but don't go thinking you will be missing something from the Phantom. Even though the Ghost is the baby Rolls Royce, it's still 5.5 meters long or 5.7 if you go for the long wheelbase model which is enormous considering that a Tahoe is only 5.3 meters long. You won't be missing anything when it comes to power either as the Ghost gets the same engine as the Phantom plus the Ghost Black Badge horsepower is higher than any other RR sedan. Given that the Black Badge is the only optional trim level you get in a Ghost, the Ghost Black Badge price is considerably higher, and it's not exactly a bargain even when compared to the Phantom. So, why does Rolls Royce have two very similar sedans on sale, and why does the Ghost even exist next to the Phantom? Those are some of the questions we will answer in this Ghost Black Badge review starting with the history of the model. But before that, if you are looking for a Rolls Royce Ghost, there are almost always a few hidden at Exotic Car Trader where you can also sell your exotic car.
Rolls Royce hardly ever had a smaller model next to the Phantom and when it did, those models never really gained much traction. Even today, those models cost about the same as a new Toyota Corolla, and often much less. The main reason Rolls Royce made them was to diversify its model lineup as those smaller chassis were easier to convert into coupe and convertible body styles. And that's the case with the Ghost which was made into the Wraith and the Dawn. But another major reason Rolls Royce made the Ghost was to appeal more to the younger crowds, specifically the millennials, and the plan was a success. The Ghost almost single-handedly lowered the average Rolls Royce buyer's age from 56 to 43 and it's still the manufacturer's best-selling model. How many Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badges were produced is hard to tell as Rolls Royce doesn't publish its production numbers in such detail but out of the 6,000 cars it made last year, it's safe to say that at least 30% of those were Ghosts, including the Black Badge and the Silver Badge. Even though the Ghost is the smallest model and the entire company is owned by BMW, each model is made in Goodwood, although the engines come from Germany. Now, let's dive into the more technical part of this Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge review.
All the way until the late 2010s, when asked how much horsepower its engines were making, Rolls Royce always said the horsepower was sufficient without disclosing the real number. And that's fair considering that no Rolls Royce buyer wants to think about such vulgar things as horsepower but that would quickly change with the influx of younger buyers. That's when we found out that the old 6.6 liter V12 was making right around 550 horsepower. But the Ghost Black Badge horsepower and torque ratings are 600 and 664 lb-ft. That's thanks to a new 6.75 liter V12 that's still based on the old BMW 6.6 but is tuned to deliver more power than any other Rolls Royce model until now, including the Cullinan SUV. That helps the Ghost Black Badge sprint from 0-60 in just over four seconds which was supercar territory just a decade ago. The Ghost Black Badge's top speed however isn't that impressive as it's electronically limited to 155 mph. But let's not forget that even though this is a sedan, it still weighs more than most modern SUVs. The Ghost Black Badge weight is rated at 6,482 lbs or just under three tons. With that in mind, all of a sudden that 4-second 0-60 time sounds more impressive than a supercar doing it in three.
The exterior design of the Rolls Royce Ghost is wonderful, to say the least, but the high point of all Rolls Royce cars is the interior. Starting off with the driver's side you get a big multi-function steering wheel covered in leather, and beautiful, crisp gauge cluster dials with that famous RR power reserve gauge in place of a rev counter. A huge screen divides the passenger side of the dashboard from the driver's side and it's pretty much a personalized BMW unit, but there is nothing bad about that. On the passenger side, the art gallery from the Phantom is gone, but in the Black Badge, you get a glowing infinity sign signifying infinite power, plus a glowing star constellation around it, all on a black surface. In all Black Badge Ghosts, the interior is largely black with colored accents all around depending on how a client customizes the car. Carbon fiber is a fairly common trim option for the Black Badge as it's supposed to be a sportier version of the standard Ghost. The headliner in the Black Badge, like in all other Rolls Royce models, can be modified any way you like with the most common option being a star constellation that's accurate to a specific time, date, and place. Any other pattern is also possible, including different colors. But the Ghost Black Badge interiors can be customized in so many ways that the customers often need help from Rolls Royce interior design employees which means that each Ghost is 100% unique.
The Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge exterior doesn't have a different design from a standard Ghost, but the two can definitely be distinguished. To begin with design in general, the Ghost is smaller than the Phantom and looks much more attractive and modern which is where the younger crowd appeal comes from. From certain angles, it even looks like a sports sedan thanks to flowing lines that look much more aerodynamic than those on the Phantom and the first-generation Ghost. So, how is the Black Badge different from the Silver Badge. Well, the Ghost Black Badge exterior replaces all the chrome trim in place of black chrome. That includes the surrounding tail light trim, window trim, the front grille, badge, the trunk lid trim, and the front bumper mesh. The Black Badge also gets black carbon fiber wheels. Yes, you heard that right, carbon fiber wheels on a Rolls Royce. But that pretty much concludes all the exterior differences. And while the Ghost Black Badge design doesn't sound all that exciting, all those black accents make a huge difference, especially in examples that are painted in colors other than black. Overall, the Ghost Black Badge looks like a much more serious driver's car without looking aggressive or like it's trying to be something it's not. That goes to prove once again that Rolls Royce knows what it's doing.
When the first Rolls Royce Ghost came out in 2010, it was built on the BMW L6 platform that was shared with the BMW 7-Series. Journalists at the time mocked the Ghost because of that and so did many enthusiasts as well, but it was never justified. The L6 BMW platform was nothing more than the floor plus engine and trunk frames. Everything else besides that was developed by Rolls Royce. But the latest Rolls Royce Ghost saw many changes including an all-new platform developed 100% by Rolls Royce for Rolls Royce only. The platform is shared with the new Phantom which now upscales the Ghost, unlike the previous L6. Interestingly, Rolls Royce began thinking about sound insulation from the very beginning so the platform is designed in such a way that it uses specific sheet metal angles which deflect road noise. That, along with other sound insulation efforts resulted in a disorientingly quiet cabin. So much so that Rolls Royce plays specific frequencies through the speakers just to pollute the cabin with some noise so that it becomes bearable. And if that doesn't make the ghost an engineering marvel, the engine definitely will. The new Ghost Black Badge technology continues with the 6.75 liter V12 which is an homage to the old Rolls Royce V8 and V12 engines. Unfortunately, the engine is likely the last V12 Rolls Royce and BMW will ever develop as Rolls Royce is quickly shifting toward electric powertrains.
Realistically speaking, the customer decides how expensive his Rolls Royce will be, and Rolls Royce pretty much only puts a reserve on each of the models and trim levels. That's mainly because you can quite literally pick any material in the world to install into the interior or exterior, as well as any design or any technology for that matter. The sky is the limit when it comes to Rolls Royce prices. But what about those reserves. Well, the Rolls Royce Ghost trim levels include the Silver Badge (entry-level) and Black Badge (the more expensive trim). The Silver Badge Ghost starts at around $354,000 in the US, while the Ghost Black Badge starts at $390,000. That's in case you are wondering how much is a Ghost Black Badge worth in basic trim but again, the prices often go well beyond $400,000. Now, that's a lot of money but even the Black Badge is a hundred grand less than the Phantom and for someone who doesn't plan on getting chauffeured around, the Ghost is a much better choice. If you are looking for a Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge for sale, check if there are any available at Exotic Car Trader.
Ultimately, the Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge is a model aimed at Bentley Continental customers. Bentley has put much more emphasis on driving feel and performance in the past few decades while Rolls Royce went in the opposite direction. In an effort to draw more customers in, the Black Badge trim was developed to entice younger clients. But even though the Black Badge is largely just a cosmetic upgrade, it was a major success. If you are looking for a Black Badge Ghost, a Silver Badge Ghost, or any other exotic or luxury car, Exotic Car Trader can help you with every step of the purchasing process from sourcing the vehicle to delivering it to your front door. At the same time, we can help you sell your exotic car, or help arrange a trade. To conclude this Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge review, we should mention that the Ghost Black Badge prices on the used car market don't differ much from the Silver Badge so this is a trim you should consider only if you personally like it.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
