Latest news with #BlackBadgeSpectre
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving The new 2026 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre
The new Black Badge Spectre is the most powerful car Rolls-Royce has ever made. That fact alone will likely be enough for plenty of well-heeled buyers to take the plunge on the company's latest EV – but there's more to it than numbers alone. Aside from the total output of 650 horsepower and 792 lb-ft of torque – both suitably vast, even for an equally large car that weighs over 6,500 pounds – the new flagship Spectre has a couple of dynamic tricks up its sleeve. Not long ago, Rolls-Royce would surely blush at the mention of performance car tools like sport mode and launch control. But now, while the vocabulary is suitably elevated, the Black Badge Spectre has such functions. There's a new button on the steering wheel to engage Infinity mode. This tells the two electric motors to deliver all of their 650 horses – 72 up on the standard Spectre – and increases the sensitivity of the accelerator. The result isn't quite night-and-day, but it certainly gives the big Roller a greater sense of urgency at just about any speed. It turns pulling out of tricky junctions or merging onto fast-flowing highways into child's play. Next on the new feature list is launch control. Only of course Rolls-Royce doesn't call it that. Instead the Black Badge Spectre has the aptly-named Spirited mode. A not-at-all subtle nod to the brand's Spirit of Ecstasy hood mascot, this is accessed by coming to a stop with Infinity mode enabled, then fully pressing both the brake and the accelerator. Pulses of torque are deployed by the motors, giving the impression of a wild animal straining at the leash, before you side-step the brake and keep the right-hand pedal pinned to deploy the full 792 lb-ft of torque – 128 lb-ft up on the regular Spectre. Do all that and, Rolls-Royce says, its new car will hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, a 0.3s improvement on the standard model. The speedier acceleration isn't as noticeable as the changes Rolls-Royce has made to the Spectre's steering and suspension. The former is slightly heavier than before, with greater roll stabilization introduced to increase feedback and reduce body-roll. Meanwhile, the latter has enhanced dampers designed to increase body control and reduce both squat when accelerating and dive during braking. This is where drivers are most likely to notice the Black Badge difference, since the new car is less prone to raise its nose like a Riva Aquarama when you put your foot down. None of this has suddenly transformed the Spectre into a stiffly-sprung Lotus, but the extra tautness – which is a constant with the Black Badge, not enabled by any mode button – is welcome, even when driven sedately. The rest of the car is as unparalleled as ever. It's a huge car, the Spectre, but like all modern Rolls-Royces you very quickly get used to its scale. Even on the smaller roads of the UK, where I'm based, the Spectre fits in and round regular traffic with no more difficulty than a Range Rover. The levels of comfort and refinement on offer are simply word-class, as you'd expect from Rolls-Royce. The cabin is as quiet as a church, the thick wool carpets are sumptuous and there's a sense that every single component has been made to the highest possible specification, not to save costs or weight. Crucially, Rolls-Royce has retained its tactile approach to the infotainment and secondary controls. There's a touchscreen running a BMW-sourced operating system, but you needn't ever really touch the display, since there are buttons and switches for everything. Rolls-Royce's iconic 'organ-stop' ventilation controls are still here too, which you pull to increase or push to decrease airflow. The signature ambient lighting system is still here too, comprising thousands of tiny LEDs installed in the headlining, dashboard and doors. The starlight ceiling looks impressive in standard form, but ask Rolls-Royce nicely and it'll recreate the stars and constellations of a night sky of your choice, down to the location and even the date. Further changes unique to the Black Badge Spectre include exterior trim and badged in black instead of chrome, of course, and a new illuminated front grille backplate. Color choices for this statement piece include Tailored Purple, Charles Blue, Chartreuse (yellow-green), Forge Yellow and Turchese (turquoise). New illuminated Black Badge tread plates for the door sills can be ordered to match or complement the grille backplate, and are available in 10 colors. Inside, changes for this model include a unique pattern on the illuminated dashboard fascia, which sits ahead of the front passenger and incorporates the infinity symbol used across the rest of the Black Badge family. I'm not usually a fan of excessive carbon fiber detailing, especially on a car that plainly doesn't benefit from the lightweight material. But I rather like the 'Technical Fiber' used here. It's a diamond-shaped weave that uses carbon and a fine metal thread laid atop a black wood base, then sandblasted and sealed with a half-dozen layers of lacquer. The battery capacity and maximum charge rate are the same as before. This means a whopping 102 kWh and 195 kW. The former is huge, but the latter isn't the best in the business since the Spectre runs at 400 volts and not 800. Rolls-Royce claims an electric range of between 306 and 329 miles, but at the start of my drive I saw just 257 miles at about 95 percent. That said, Rolls-Royce claims the majority of Spectre drivers charge exclusively at home. Ultimately, this is the Spectre we already knew and loved, but with the wick turned up. It has a bit more power (unlocked by software alone, by the way, no new motors to report), a quicker 0-60 time, slightly heavier steering and a bit more composure that manages not to rob any comfort. Since money is somewhat irrelevant at this level – $400,000 to $500,000 is generally where these cars land – I suspect almost all Spectre buyers going forward will pick the Black Badge, simply because it's the newest and has the biggest numbers.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre a powerful electric car with Spitfire vibes
Published: 12:15pm, 22 Feb 2025 Rolls-Royce's new Black Badge Spectre has become the most powerful model in the company's history. The electric model brings 650bhp (485kW) and 1,075Nm (793lb/ft) of torque, enabling a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of just 4.1 seconds. Those power outputs represent a significant increase on the 577bhp and 900Nm of torque that you would get from the standard Spectre. As with nearly all Rolls-Royce models, the Black Badge Spectre includes several additions which refer to the company's past. One of the key additions to this latest model is a new Infinity Mode, which harks back to a special switch on the throttle of a Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane. With it, pilots could unlock an extra burst of power when required – which is just what the new Infinity Mode button on the Spectre's steering wheel does. Once pressed, the full output of the Spectre's electric motors is accessed while the dashboard dials change colour to reflect the switch in mode.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Black Badge Spectre is most powerful Rolls-Royce ever made
The new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre is the most powerful model in the West Sussex car maker's history, packing up to 650bhp and 793lb ft. Its arrival also takes the Black Badge moniker into the electric age for the first time. Launched in 2016, Black Badge branding is intended to denote powerful and more individualistic versions of its most luxurious cars and is targeted at younger buyers. Arriving just over a year after the Spectre went on sale as the brand's first electric car, the Black Badge model is pitched as a more aggressive proposition than the standard EV. While the dual-motor Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre offers the same 577bhp as the standard car in normal running, a new Infinity mode unlocks a further 73bhp and quickens throttle response. This performance-enhancing feature is said to be inspired by the Rolls Royce Merlin engine that powered aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire during the Second World War. It allowed pilots to call on an extra burst of power to escape dog fights. As well as the Infinity mode (the symbol of Black Badge), Rolls-Royce has added a launch control setting called Spirited mode, which boosts torque from 660lb ft to 793lb ft and primes the car for a 0-62mph time of 4.1sec. In all, the potent new Spectre model surpasses the output of the 2016 Wraith Black Badge, which made 623bhp and 642lb ft from its twin-turbocharged V12. In sync with the extra reserves of the Black Badge Spectre, engineers have fitted new dampers to reduce the effects of the three-tonne EV squatting under acceleration and diving under braking. They also increase the roll stabilisation for flatter cornering. The car gets heavier steering too. Rolls-Royce has introduced new levels of customisation with the Black Badge Spectre. One option enables buyers to fit the illuminated grille with a backplate that lights up in one of five colours. This theme continues inside, where the treadplate can also be illuminated, this time in 10 different colourways. The cabin houses the same luxuries as the standard car, which combines an array of high-end materials with digital screens and physical buttons. The Black Badge is also available with a new colour: Vapour Violet. This is said to be inspired by the 'neon ambience of 1980s and 1990s club culture'. The new colour can be paired with a white bonnet for a 'bold contrast'. Special new 23in fi ve-spoke alloy wheels are fitted and shod with Rolls-Royce's noise-cancelling run-flat tyres. 'Black Badge Spectre is one of the clearest statements of power and purpose we have ever made,' said Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge. 'Our engineers crafted an intense and uncompromising character and the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history.' The company has not disclosed pricing, but with the standard car costing from £332,055 before options, it is likely that transaction prices for the Black Badge Spectre will creep well beyond the £500,000 mark once cars are equipped to customers' specifications. ]]>
ArabGT
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Black Badge Spectre Becomes the Most Powerful Rolls-Royce Ever Built
Rolls-Royce has introduced the Black Badge Spectre, the most powerful model in the brand's history. Engineered for those who push boundaries, this ultra-luxury electric coupe delivers 485 kW (659 hp) and 1,075 Nm of torque, making it the most potent Rolls-Royce ever built. The development process was guided by anonymized driving data from Black Badge clients, ensuring a driving experience tailored to their bold and uncompromising expectations. Unparalleled Performance with Exclusive Driving Modes Black Badge Spectre introduces two performance-enhancing modes that elevate its driving dynamics. Infinity Mode, activated via a dedicated ∞ button on the steering wheel, sharpens throttle response and unlocks the car's full power. Meanwhile, Spirited Mode, inspired by Rolls-Royce's Merlin aircraft engine, delivers an instant torque boost, launching the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. These features align with the short, intense bursts of power that Rolls-Royce clients typically use, as revealed through extensive data analysis. To enhance handling, Rolls-Royce engineers have refined the chassis and suspension systems. Key improvements include: Increased steering weight for more precise control. for more precise control. Revised roll stabilization to minimize body roll during aggressive cornering. to minimize body roll during aggressive cornering. Enhanced dampers to reduce squat under hard acceleration or braking. to reduce squat under hard acceleration or braking. Magic Carpet Ride suspension fine-tuned for a dynamic yet effortless experience. A Bold and Darkened Aesthetic The exterior design of Black Badge Spectre embodies its rebellious spirit. A striking new Vapour Violet paint finish, inspired by the neon club culture of the 1980s and 1990s, debuts alongside a contrasting Iced Black bonnet. Clients can choose from over 44,000 standard colors or work with Rolls-Royce's Bespoke program to create an exclusive hue tailored to their taste. The car also features a new 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminum wheel design, available in polished or full-black finishes. Signature Black Badge styling elements further distinguish this model, including: Darkened chrome finishes on the Pantheon Grille, Spirit of Ecstasy, and door handles . on the . A lower 'waft' coachline accentuating the car's commanding stance. accentuating the car's commanding stance. Illuminated Black Badge Treadplates, available in ten custom colors. An Immersive and Customizable Interior Inside, Black Badge Spectre offers a dramatic and personalized environment. The Illuminated Fascia features the Black Badge Infinity symbol, a tribute to limitless power and ambition. Over 5,500 illuminated 'stars' create a celestial display against a Piano Black backdrop, reinforcing the brand's commitment to craftsmanship. The interior also debuts a new Technical Fibre finish, a diamond-patterned weave that combines carbon fiber and fine metal thread. This material is layered by hand and sealed with six layers of lacquer, producing a deep, three-dimensional effect. For further customization, Rolls-Royce offers: Instrument dial color themes including Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and Synth Wave . including . A personalized digital experience through the SPIRIT operating system, allowing access to remote charging data and Rolls-Royce's exclusive Whispers membership platform. Black Badge Spectre Owners: Driving Habits and Trends Data from existing Spectre owners reveals that the car is driven extensively, despite its exclusivity. Many clients own multiple Rolls-Royces, with Spectre forming part of a seven-car garage. Yet, owners are logging significant mileage: One owner in Dubai has driven 8,000+ miles in a year . has driven . A British entrepreneur regularly drives 300-mile round trips in their Spectre. regularly drives in their Spectre. A Slovakian client commutes 250 miles to Prague, accumulating 6,000+ miles in six months. Most owners charge their vehicles at home, reinforcing Spectre's effortless usability. Additionally, its driving dynamics have impressed clients, with some purchasing a second Spectre for different environments, such as Swiss mountain roads and Monaco's coastal highways. Market Success and Future Prospects The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre has exceeded expectations in terms of demand. In 2024, it became the second most-requested Rolls-Royce globally and the best-selling model in Europe. With the arrival of Black Badge Spectre, this momentum is expected to grow even further, cementing its place as a defining model in Rolls-Royce's electrified future.
The National
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Rolls-Royce unveils ‘most powerful car in brand history' in Dubai
Rolls-Royce unveiled the Black Badge Spectre, a new model in its line-up, at a private event in Dubai on Monday. Dubbed the most powerful Rolls-Royce produced to date, the car is a high-performance version of its all-electric Spectre model, released in 2023. The model is the brand's second electric car, with plans still in place for the entire line-up to be converted to electric by 2030. The car produces 659hp and 1075 Nm of torque, an upgrade from the Spectre's 576hp and 900 Nm of torque. In addition, the model introduces two powertrain features: Infinity mode, activated by a dedicated button on the steering wheel, which allows the driver to access the vehicle's full power and throttle response; and Spirited mode, which enables rapid acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. The car is more than a variant of the Spectre, also featuring a redesigned chassis made to accommodate the increased performance demands. The Black Badge also is made to give the car a heavier steering feel and enhanced roll stabilisation, with dampers added to enhance body control. According to Bernhard Dressler, Rolls-Royce's director of engineering, the car was designed based on the study of the anonymous driving data of its existing Black Badge models, tailoring the new car's capabilities to "the way our clients use their motor car", he says. "Following internal development, a small tranche of 'secret' Black Badge Spectres was built for a group of clients who requested the earliest possible access to this motor car. They emphatically approved of our engineering response," Dressler adds. The Black Badge Spectre also introduces a new colour finish to the Rolls-Royce line-up exclusive to the model – Vapor Violet – accompanied by an ice black bonnet, which draws design influence from 1980s and 1990s British nightclub culture. There are also bespoke coachline options and a new wheel design that also match this aesthetic. Pre-orders for the car are open now, with deliveries expected this year.
