Latest Black Badge
The Rolls-Royce brand has a well-earned reputation for building some of the most luxurious and exclusive vehicles on the road, and those vehicles have always possessed powerful and quiet engines under their hoods (bonnets). That is, until last year when the famed British marque introduced its first electric model, the all-new Spectre. Now, that sleek, new electric Rolls receives the Black Badge treatment, and not only does it have a meaner look, but it is also the most powerful production Rolls-Royce in history.

All About the Customer
“The development of Black Badge Spectre began with our deep understanding of engineering the uncompromising nature of the Black Badge character, overlaid with the detailed analysis of client feedback and their driving style,” said Dr. Bernhard Dressler, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Black Badge owners from around the world permitted our specialists to access their anonymized data, enabling us to create a new driving experience perfectly suited to — and validated by — the way our clients use their motor car.”

Black Badge Story
The first entry in the Black Badge story came in 2016 with the Wraith and Ghost models, followed by the Cullinan in 2019. Black Badge variants have a more sinister look and are built with a nod toward greater performance without sacrificing the luxuries expected of a Rolls-Royce. Perhaps the best description of a Black Badge variant concerns perspective: a typical Rolls-Royce owner is often driven by a chauffeur; Black Badge owners likely prefer to drive themselves.

Sleek Styling
The Spectre came to market with a sleek take on the traditional Rolls-Royce style. Up front is the traditional bold grille, but for Spectre, it was restyled to be the widest and most aerodynamic version ever offered. The famed Spirit of Ecstasy ornament is streamlined for Spectre, and with its long, sloping hood and flowing roofline, Spectre is the most aerodynamic vehicle Rolls-Royce has ever produced, touting a 0.25 drag coefficient.

Darker Look
Those “in the know” will recognize the Black Badge edition of Spectre when they see it. All brightwork has a dark finish, including the Spirit of Ecstasy, double ‘R’ badge, and the legendary Pantheon Grille surround. The same treatment is given to the door handles, side window surrounds, and bumper accents. New 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminum wheels are available with a part-polished or all-black finish, completing the dark look.

Vapor Violet
Rolls-Royce customers can custom order almost any color imaginable, but the Black Badge Spectre debuted in the new Vapor Violet paint, which the company says was inspired by the neon ambiance of the 1980s club culture.

New Illuminations
The Black Badge may be awash in dark colors, but as a nice contrast, Rolls-Royce is introducing a new Illuminated Grille. Since airflow through the grille is not needed for an electric vehicle, engineers created a lighted backplate behind the grille that can illuminate the grille in a range of colors. This allows customers to extend the color of their vehicle to this unique canvas, which can be matched by the newly developed lighted treadplates in the doors.

Unique Elements
With the high levels of customization available, every Spectre interior has a different look and unique vibe; however, the Black Badge versions have their own distinct look. The illuminated fascia incorporates the Infinity symbol used to identify the Black Badge models and features a unique look with its 5,500 stars showcased on a Piano-Black background. Surfaces are finished in Technical Fiber, a diamond-shaped weave of carbon fiber and fine metal thread displayed on a black Bolivar wood base.

Luxurious Cabin
Aside from the special Black Badge elements, the Spectre’s 4-seat cabin is awash with high-end materials such as elegant leather trim and fantastically soft lambswool floormats. Classic round metal vents with a push-button open/close mechanism are a creative juxtaposition to the nicely integrated large infotainment display and simple digital driver display positioned behind a glass panel. Gauges are kept simple, and Black Badge customers can choose the color theme from Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and Synth Wave.

Added Performance
The new Black Badge Spectre sports more than just a new look – it gets a significant upgrade in performance as well. Like the standard Spectre, power comes from a dual-motor electric powertrain delivering 584 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. However, pressing the infinity button on the steering wheel activates Infinity Mode and unleashes 659 horses, making the Black Badge Spectre the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever produced.

Quick Launch
For those occasions when you just need a quick burst of power, there’s the exclusive Spirited Mode. Engaged by simultaneously depressing the brake and throttle, Spirited Mode temporarily boosts output to 792 lb-ft of torque. Releasing the brake launches this not-so-light Rolls-Royce to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds – certainly a fun party trick for everyone on board.

Better Handling
Not only does it have more power at its beck and call, the Black Badge Spectre gets enhancements to improve overall handling. The steering is heavier for better feedback, while roll stabilization keeps the big EV flat in the corners with reduced body roll. Dampers have also been revised to add stability during hard acceleration and braking.

Available Now
With the introduction of the Black Badge Spectre, the powerful EV joins the Ghost and Cullinan in the Black Badge Family. Pricing starts at $490,000.