Rolls-Royce presented an exclusive edition of the Black Badge Ghost called Ekleipsis, featuring unique exterior and interior specifications inspired by the celestial phenomenon of the solar eclipse. The model is limited to 25 units, all of which have already been spoken for. The full name of the sedan is Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection. The main shade for the exterior is a dark Lyrical Copper featuring a special “powdered copper pigment” treatment that produces an iridescence effect under the light. The Mandarin accents on the bumper intakes, hand-painted coachline, center caps, and brake calipers, resemble the color of the sun as it hides behind the moon in the stages leading to a total eclipse.
The interior is a tad more dramatic than
the exterior (for a Rolls Royce), with the high-contrast colors loosely
reminding us of Mansory’s earlier builds. The “Panoramic Sunset” theme combines
Mandarin and black for the perforated leather upholstery of the bi-coloured
seats. The dashboard fascia depicts the stages of a total solar eclipse with
1,846 laser-etched stars taking over 100 hours to complete. Furthermore, the
analog timepiece is decorated with a shiny 0.5-carat diamond integrated within
the bespoke bezel. Rolls-Royce designers added illuminated side sills, and
Mandarin piping on the door-mounted umbrellas.
Still, the ultimate highlight of the
interior is the animated version of the Starlight Headliner, with a black area
in the middle surrounded by 940 stars and 192 more stars scattered further
away. This animation replicates the effect of a solar eclipse every time the
doors close and the driver starts the engine. The spectacle remains visible for
7 minutes and 31 seconds which is the longest possible duration of a total
solar eclipse. After that duration, the headliner returns to a usual starry-sky
effect, as in all other Rolls-Royce models.
The special edition is based on the
performance-focused Black Badge Ghost which comes fitted with a more potent
version of the twin-turbo 6.75-liter V12 engine producing 592 hp. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic, with
the Ghost-specific planar suspension taking care of the signature “magic
carpet” ride. The debut of the special Ghost on October 12 is very close to a
solar eclipse that will be visible in parts of the Western Hemisphere on
October 14. The company didn’t disclose the price of the Black Badge Ghost
Ékleipsis Private Collection, but revealed that the 25 examples have already
been allocated to “clients around the world”.
