Rolls-Royce Unveils Black Badge Spectre: The Top-Tier Electric Spectre With Launch Control

Rolls-Royce has introduced the Black Badge version of its Spectre electric vehicle (EV), marking a watershed moment as the most powerful vehicle in the company’s history. This enhanced variant of the all-electric Spectre demonstrates how the legendary luxury automaker is embracing both electrification and performance while maintaining its distinctive character.

Notably, the Black Badge Spectre impresses with the introduction of two new performance features that draw inspiration from Rolls-Royce’s aerospace heritage. The first is “Infinity Mode,” activated by a dedicated steering wheel button, which unleashes the full 485 kW of power and provides more responsive throttle control. The second is “Spirited Mode,” the company’s version of launch control, which pays homage to a similar power boost feature found in World War II-era Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engines, though modern drivers won’t need to report their usage to engineers as Spitfire pilots once did.

Moreover, the Black Badge variant also receives chassis enhancements to handle its increased performance capabilities. Engineers have increased steering weight and adjusted roll stabilization to improve feedback and reduce body roll during cornering. Enhanced dampers help control the vehicle’s tendency to squat during acceleration and dive under braking, creating what Rolls-Royce suggests might be its most engaging driving experience yet.

In addition, the development of the Black Badge Spectre was uniquely data-driven, with the company analyzing anonymous driving data from existing Black Badge customers to understand how they use their vehicles. This research revealed that owners typically exploit maximum power in short bursts rather than sustained periods, helping engineers optimize the car’s performance characteristics.

The Black Badge Spectre conveys a noteworthy performance upgrade over the standard model, generating an outstanding 659 horsepower and 792 lb-ft of torque – an increase of 82 horsepower and 128 lb-ft respectively. This additional power enables the massive 6,300-pound luxury coupe to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, shaving 0.3 seconds off the standard Spectre’s time.

Aesthetically, the Black Badge Spectre introduces several distinctive elements, including a darkened finish on the illuminated grille, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and window trim. The vehicle debuts in a striking new Vapour Violet finish, inspired by 1980s and 1990s club culture, though buyers can choose from Rolls-Royce’s palette of 44,000 colors or commission their own unique shade.

As for the interior, it receives equally dramatic treatment, featuring a new Technical Fibre finish that combines carbon and fine metal thread in a diamond pattern, creating a three-dimensional effect. The Black Badge infinity symbol appears throughout the cabin, including on the illuminated fascia, which contains over 5,500 stars of varying sizes.

While the enhanced performance does impact range slightly – dropping to 266 miles with 22-inch wheels and 251 miles with 23-inch wheels – the Black Badge Spectre maintains a substantial driving range that should satisfy most luxury buyers. Starting at $490,000, around $70,000 more than the standard Spectre, the Black Badge version targets a specific clientele who, as Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge notes, “fearlessly reject convention.”

Read More: Rolls-Royce Sets The Stage To Launch Two EV Models By 2028

As a result, the Black Badge Spectre showcases the transition to electric power can enhance rather than diminish the brand’s legendary capabilities. By combining unprecedented performance with traditional luxury and cutting-edge technology, Rolls-Royce has created a vehicle that honors its heritage while embracing the future of automotive excellence.

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