Whenever we think that Rolls-Royce can’t surprise us with another special order, we’re proven wrong. The BMW Group’s ultra-luxury brand never seems to run out of ideas for customizing its already luxurious vehicles. Case in point: Based on the hotter Black Badge, this Ghost takes on a retro gaming theme.
A wealthy customer with a passion for the 8-bit era and arcade games ordered the super sedan with a unique trim. The buyer opted for a two-tone paint job that combines Salamanca Blue with Diamond Black, but that’s not what sets the car apart. Neither are the 22-inch wheels with a seven-spoke design and black brake calipers.
So what does it mean? It is the coachline that separates the two colors and expresses the customer’s fondness for video games of yesteryear. The so-called “Cheeky Alien” sits next to an 8-bit explosion that is hand-painted in different color combinations depending on the side of the vehicle. There are no fewer than 89 individual pixels, each measuring 3x3mm, reminiscent of what enthusiasts know as the third generation of video game consoles.
The arcade game atmosphere continues as soon as you open the doors. Illuminated side skirts display nostalgic messages: “Increase level”, “Press start”, “Load” and “Insert coin”. The tech entrepreneur who ordered the one-off Ghost Black Badge asked Rolls-Royce to label the seats “Player 1” through “Player 4,” in a special 8-bit font, of course.
Even the rear picnic tables are adorned with the Cheeky Alien, presented as a metal inlay. It’s a recurring motif that also appears on the front and rear headrests. To illustrate the point, spaceships depicted between the back seats are reminiscent of vintage games like Space Invaders.
No modern Rolls-Royce would be complete without the Starlight Headliner. Here it consists of 80 individually placed battlecruisers, represented in pixel form using fiber optic lights. For even more visual drama and to the delight of the gamer owner, the lights mimic laser fire thanks to individual programming.
The Black Badge Ghost Gamer leaves the engine compartment untouched. As a result, Rolls-Royce’s venerable 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 continues to deliver 591 hp and 663 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque.
Photos: Rolls Royce
