The new Rolls-Royce Ghost and Wraith Black Badge models are designed for the young, confident rule-breakers of the world who live unconventional lives and want status symbols that are as different as them.
Rolls-Royce vehicles are typical trophies of success for the ultra-wealthy, but the darker Ghost and Wraith, part of the new permanent Bespoke series of Black Badge cars, are cosmetically and mechanically different from their regular counterparts.
The Black Badge Ghost and Wraith receive high-gloss black Spirits of Ecstasy, reversed silver-on-black Rolls-Royce badges, and dark exterior trim, such as the front grille surround and exhaust finishers. Rolls-Royce took four years developing the wheels for them; the finished products are made of 22 layers of carbon fiber and surround 3D-forged, aircraft-grade, aluminum hubs. The black paint used on the exteriors of the Black Badge Ghost and Wraith ordered in that color is, according to Rolls-Royce, “the deepest, darkest and most intense black ever seen on a production car surface.”
Inside, the new models feature special leather color combos and hand-polished surfaces made of aluminum-threaded carbon fiber composite a la stealth aircraft. The air vents have been brought down several shades through the use of Physical Vapour Deposition, which colors the metal while making it impervious to tarnishing or discoloration.
To make the Black Badge Ghost and Wraith truly different, Rolls-Royce increased the power of both of them. The Ghost’s 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 now makes 40 more horsepower and 44 more lb-ft than the regular Ghost for totals of 603 horsepower and 620 lb-ft. Its eight-speed automatic, throttle response, brakes, suspension, and steering have been tweaked to keep up with that added performance.
The same goes for the Black Badge Wraith, which still generates 623 horsepower, but cranks out 52 more lb-ft of torque, which now sits at a lofty 642 lb-ft.
With that kind of output, it sounds as if the Black Badge Ghost and Wraith models are asking to be used to break some rules themselves: speed limits.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
