Thought Rolls-Royce’s new flagship model couldn’t get any fancier? You’d be completely wrong

With the launch of the new Black Badge variant of the Spectre, Rolls-Royce has somehow made their flagship model even more luxurious and opulent. Oh, and it just so happens to have 659 horsepower courtesy of its electric motor, making it the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever made in the brand’s illustrious 121-year history.

Goodwood’s favourite son’s Black Badge models are aimed at clients who aren’t satisfied with a “regular” Rolls-Royce but desire superior power, torque and handling, while having a range of bespoke finishes on the interior and exterior.

Rolls-Royce has revealed that the development of this latest Black Badge model has been aided by its collection and analysis of its Black Badge clients’ anonymised driving data. A key discovery was that clients liked exploiting the car’s full power in short bursts rather than gradually.

Thus, the car has been equipped with a newly developed Infinity Mode, a tribute to the Infinity logo specially reserved for Black Badge Rolls-Royces. Simply press the ∞ button on the steering wheel and all 659 horses and a faster throttle response are immediately made available to the driver.

Another new gimmick is Spirited Mode, which temporarily increases the car’s torque to a staggering 1075Nm and allows the driver to experience a moment of rapid intense acceleration, similar to Tesla’s notorious Ludicrous Mode. All the driver has to do is to fully depress the brake and throttle simultaneously, wait for a haptic and visual response of confirmation, fully release the brake and hang on for dear life as the car surges to 100 km/h in a lightning-quick 4.1 seconds. Not bad for a luxury barge that weighs almost three tonnes and is visually closer to a yacht than a car.

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Out of the 44,000 ‘prêt-à-porter’ colours of choice, the Black Badge Spectre featured at the launch in Goodwood is finished in an elegant premium colour named Vapour Violet, and features a newly introduced painted Iced Black bonnet that creates a bold two-tone contrast with the body colour. Also new on this model is the owner’s ability to commission a ‘waft’ coachline, which makes the design of the car’s lower third section more prominent and further emphasises its wide dimensions.

Moreover, the car features complex but elegant 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminium wheels, available in either a part-polished or all-black finish. And for any clients brave enough to have it driven in precarious conditions, winter tyres are an available option for the new wheelset.

This newest model also receives the signature Black Badge exterior touches, where its hallmark Pantheon Grille surround, Spirit of Ecstasy, badges, door handles, side window surround and bumper accents are all stylishly finished in black. However, it is the first to bear Rolls-Royce’s new Illuminated Grille backplate. Available in Tailored Purple, Charles Blue, Chartreuse and Forge Yellow, this lighting adds to the vibrancy and prominence of its already striking front facade.

This ambient lighting extends into the interior too, with newly developed Illuminated Black Badge Treadplates available in ten complementary colours. As always, the craftsmanship and attention to detail of Rolls-Royce interiors continue to impress. The Illuminated Fascia now displays an abstract expression of the Spirit of Ecstasy and the signature Infinity symbol used across the Black Badge line. This display comprises over 5,500 lights of different proportions and intensity set on a Piano Black background, all while encased on a rich Technical Fibre surface finish which utilises carbon and fine metal thread on a black Bolivar wood base. This thread is hand-laid in a diamond pattern between multiple carbon fibre layers, creating a mesmerising 3D effect. Sounds extravagant, to say the least.

Infotainment hasn’t been forgotten either, as the SPIRIT operating system ensures that remote charging and location information are readily accessible to the driver, together with Whispers, Rolls-Royce’s private digital members club. SPIRIT can also be used to switch the instrument dial lighting between a choice of 5 colour themes depending on the client’s preference.

“Reflecting the Black Badge character, our designers and artisans realised their most dramatic and provocative vision with vivid details and exquisite contemporary crafts,” said Chief Executive Chris Brownridge. “The result is Black Badge Spectre: the alter ego of our brand, amplified.”

The price of obtaining this exclusive latest Black Badge model in Singapore hasn’t been revealed just yet, but you can expect it to have a fairly hefty premium over the current Spectre’s S$2,138,888 retail price excluding COE.

Text: Tan Kai Wyn
Photos: Rolls-Royce