If there was an edgy darkness over the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed, it was almost assuredly due to the rich, imperial shadow cast by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars decision to decorate the famous Hillclimb with the Wraith Black Badge and Ghost Black Badge.
Wraith Black Badge
The most powerful Rolls-Royce in the world at 624hp, the Wraith now benefits from 70Nm more torque, improved air suspension, and upgraded gearbox—three benefits that were demonstrated with the utmost clarity by driver and Festival of Speed favourite, Justin Law. The interior of the Wraith on display was Black and Mugello Red contrast leather, with aluminium-threaded carbon fibre composite facia, and a Black Badge Black exterior finish.
Ghost Black Badge
Driven by various members of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars team, the Ghost Black Badge roared across the Hillclimb Run thanks to a power increase of 40hp (to 603hp) and torque increase of 60Nm when compared to current Ghost. The Ghost Black Badge also sported upgrades to the famed 8-speed automatic transmission, giving it an added sense of urgency as it moved along the course. The interior of the Ghost was Black and Cobalto Blue contrast leather, with aluminium-threaded carbon fibre composite fascia, and a Black Badge Black exterior finish.
Goodwood Custom
Built specifically for display at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, but cars featured a Spirit of Ecstasy logo in high-gloss black vamp, and double R badges inverted to become silver on black. Traditional chrome surfaces—including the front grille, exhaust, and boot lid—were turned dark, and the Black Badge ‘Unlimited’ infinity logo was embroidered on the upholstery.
Black Badge
Rolls-Royce Black Badge speaks to the darker, more assertive confidence of the new Rolls-Royce customer. It is a Bespoke response the ever-evolving interplay of brand and customer, and has substantially altered the appearance of both Rolls-Royce Ghost and Wraith, transforming them into Ghost Black Badge and Wraith Black Badge.
Multiple layers of paint and lacquer go into creating Black Badge Black. They are then hand polished again and again to create the deepest, darkest and most intense black ever seen on a production car surface.
To learn more about the Wraith Black Badge and Ghost Black Badge, or any member of the exclusive Rolls-Royce Motor Cars fleet, contact H.R. Owen here.
