A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost vs BMW X4: the short answer
Black Badge Ghost and X4 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Maximum Power
Black Badge Ghost441 kW
X4285 kW
Maximum Torque
Black Badge Ghost900 Nm @ 1700 rpm
X4500 Nm
Engine Size
Black Badge Ghost6749 cc
X42998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Black Badge Ghost6.33 km/l
X412.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
Black Badge Ghost118 mm
X4140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost
Black Badge Ghost Series II
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Black Badge Ghost
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
X4
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Black Badge Ghost
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
X4
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Model Introduced Year
2022
2018
Generation
Second-generation Black Badge Ghost in Series II form
Five-door coupé-style SUV from the established X4 generation, separate from X3 and without a current full-M derivative.
Facelift History
The current-generation Black Badge Ghost debuted globally in 2021, was introduced in South Africa in 2022 and evolved into Black Badge Ghost Series II in October 2024
Current South African X4 listing retained on BMW’s live range; current exact identities are xDrive20d and M40i.
Facelift Launched Since
2024
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Four-door performance-luxury saloon
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Full-size performance super-luxury saloon
Premium SUV
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion passenger car
Car
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Length
5545 mm
1 mm
Width
1998 mm
1 mm
Height
1573 mm
1 mm
Wheelbase
3295 mm
1 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
118 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
118 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
500 l
472 l
Kerb Weight
2505 kg
1555 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3130 kg
2060 kg
Payload Capacity
625 kg
452 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.5 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1030 mm
992 mm
Rear Headroom
990 mm
941 mm
Front Legroom
1060 mm
1038 mm
Rear Legroom
1075 mm
883 mm
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Engine
6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol in high-power configuration
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
N74B68A
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6749 cc
2998 cc
Cylinders
12
6
Cylinder Layout
V
Inline
Valves
48
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
10.5:1
Bore
89 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
90.4 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
441 kW
285 kW
Maximum Torque
900 Nm @ 1700 rpm
500 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.7 sec
4.8 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Low
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Yes
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
176 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
359.3 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Rear-wheel drive
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Yes
Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock (EDS); no mechanically lockable differential
Yes
Paddle Shifters
No
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
Yes
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection via column stalk with Low button
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
RWD
4WD Engagement
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive
Electronically controlled AWD
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Yes
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Yes
Gearbox Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Yes
Low Range
Not Applicable
Yes
Axle Layout
All-wheel-drive power delivery with active rear-axle steering
Yes
Transmission Speeds
8
8
LSD Available
-
M sport differential
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Yes
Front Differential Lock
-
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
-
Yes
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Claimed Mileage
6.33 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
1 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
6.33 km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
90
1
Combined Driving Range
570-584 km (calculated from 90 L and 15.4-15.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
822 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
576 km
420 km
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Airbags
8
6
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Vehicle immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Yes
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Yes
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Front Head Protection System
Yes
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Yes
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Vehicle immobiliser
Standard
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Standard
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Yes
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
Standard
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Yes
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Yes
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Driver Attention Alert System
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Yes
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Yes
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
Standard
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
Yes
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Seat Material
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with decorative stitching
Heated Seats
Heated front seats; rear-seat heating available
Front
Ventilated Seats
Front and rear seat cooling available
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Illuminated Fascia with Black Badge infinity motif
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel M Leather
60 40 Split Seat
No
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Technical Carbon and Placed Perforation available
M Sport Seats
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Standard
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access keyless entry
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Push Button Start
Yes
Wireless Charging
Wireless smartphone charging
Yes
Sunroof
No
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Power open/close luggage compartment
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Yes
AC Type
Automatic four-zone climate control
Standard
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands
Yes
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Yes
Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth wireless technology
Yes
Number of Speakers
16
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT
14.9
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT
14.9
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
LED Headlamps
Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Series II daytime-running-light treatment
Standard
Fog Lamps
Front fog lamps
Yes
Roof Rails
No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke colour commissions available
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Yes
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Auto; Sport; Eco
Locking Differential
Electronic differential lock (EDS); no mechanically lockable differential
Yes
4WD System Type
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
All-wheel drive
Approach Angle
-
25 deg
Departure Angle
-
23 deg
Breakover Angle
-
20 deg
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Tyre Size
255/35 R22 102Y front and 285/30 R22 104Y rear; 255/40 R21 102Y front and 285/35 R21 105Y rear; 255/45 R20 105Y front and 285/40 R20 108Y rear; 255/45 R20 105V M+S all-round
Runflat tyres
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
M Sport brakes
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
M Sport brakes
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
20-, 21- and 22-inch approved fitments; 22-inch part-polished seven-spoke forged Black Badge wheels
20
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Electronic
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Front Suspension
Black Badge Planar Suspension with electronic dampers and self-levelling air struts
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Black Badge Planar Suspension with electronic dampers and self-levelling air struts
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
CO2 Emissions
359 g/km
1 g/km
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Service Plan
4 years / unlimited km
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Ownership Role
High-power owner-driver expression of the Ghost saloon
Private, business and fleet
Pricing Role
Price on application
Current recommended retail price
Price Zar
-
1600000 ZAR
Starting Price
-
1600000
Starting Price Zar
-
1600000
Spec
Black Badge Ghost
X4
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This Black Badge Ghost and X4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Black Badge Ghost 100 vs X4 97.
Efficiency index: Black Badge Ghost 29 vs X4 57.
Safety-equipment index: Black Badge Ghost 99 vs X4 92.
Practicality index: Black Badge Ghost 63 vs X4 60.
Ownership-cover index: Black Badge Ghost not separately scored vs X4 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Black Badge Ghost and X4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
X4 leads by 2 points
Black Badge Ghost and X4 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Black Badge Ghost +3
Efficiency
X4 +28
Safety
Black Badge Ghost +7
Practicality
Black Badge Ghost +3
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
X4
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
60/100
Black Badge Ghost
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
29/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
63/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW X4
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 76 pts for Black Badge Ghost
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X4 leads. However, Black Badge Ghost may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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