First launched in 2009, the Rolls-Royce Ghost was designed to appeal to a younger generation of society’s rich and powerful elite, with bold exterior styling and high-tech luxury features. It was redesigned for 2015 as the Ghost Series II and was given re-sculpted bumpers for a wider, bolder stance; longer hood lines; and additional paint and wheel options. This is a bespoke vehicle, so it comes with an extensive list of options—and if you ask, Rolls-Royce can customize your Ghost with almost any feature you desire. For 2017, the Ghost sees the addition of a new Black Badge trim with a unique appearance package and powertrain enhancements. For its 2015 redesign, the Ghost’s already luxurious seats were upgraded even further with electronically adjustable thigh support and depth adjustment. Three-level seat heating is standard, with the option of massage and ventilation, and the rear seats now come angled in the Lounge configuration for easier conversation between passengers. New polished metal accents surround the instrument dials and clock, and two beautiful new veneers—Paldao and Walnut Burr Crossband—are available to make your Ghost uniquely yours. The interior of the Ghost is, in every way, the height of luxury car elegance. The leather is hand-stitched, the roof lining is cashmere, the floormats are available in lambswool—everything looks and feels beautiful. Standard features include tinted glass, reverse opening doors, rear climate control, integrated navigation with voice activation, a mobile hotspot, cigar lighters, and a 16-speaker, 600-watt stereo system with 2 subwoofers. The materials in the Ghost are rich and welcoming, making the idea of lounging in the back nearly more appealing than sitting behind the wheel. The Ghost is equipped with a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine good for 563 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque. All that power is sent to the rear wheels and can propel the 5,490-pound Ghost to 60 mph in only 4.8 seconds—an impressive feat for a car this heavy. The engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with satellite-aided transmission technology, which links the gearbox to the GPS system, analyzes the road ahead, and then optimizes the transmission to best suit the terrain. The Ghost provides a supremely smooth and quiet ride, boasting redesigned front and rear struts, adjusted dampers, and new rear hydraulic axle bearings that enhance the driving experience. Both the ride and style are impressive, but fuel economy is another story. The average Ghost buyer will likely not be too concerned with fuel efficiency, however, which is good since the numbers are decidedly low. It requires premium fuel and gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg highway, 12 city, and 14 combined. The 2017 Ghost’s new trim—the Black Badge— adds both unique interior and exterior design elements and a boost in power. The outside features black and high-gloss dark chrome on the grille and throughout the bodywork, and the exhaust pipes and badge are darkened, as well. The striking 21-inch carbon-fiber composite wheels, exclusive to the Black Badge version, harken back to the Italian supercars of the 1960s. The team at Goodwood used 0.014mm aluminum threads hand-woven with carbon fiber to create the fascia on the dashboard, and other cabin enhancements include deep chrome air vents and a clock with orange-tipped hands. Finally, the engine receives an upgrade for 603 hp and 620 lb-ft in output and a 0-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds, making it the fastest Ghost variant available. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is available from a starting price of $305,800 with the standard wheelbase or $339,775 with the extended wheelbase with extra legroom. Pricing for the Black Badge trim is expected to start at roughly $350,000.