Latest news with #Spectre
Motor 1
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
You Don't Need a V-12: Why Rolls-Royce's New Performance Car Is Better As an EV
The V-12 is dying. Apart from a few holdouts endeavoring to keep the monstrous motor alive, most companies have downsized or electrified as The Man cracks down on emissions-spewing, fuel-thirsty engines. Rolls-Royce is one of the few remaining dreamers. Its 6.75-liter V-12 is ubiquitous—a monument to luxury and performance that has somehow stood the test of time in an era of downsizing. But, not even Rolls-Royce is immune to electrification. In 2023, the company released the Spectre —a slinky replacement to the discontinued Wraith. But in this case, the Spectre eschewed its iconic V-12 for a massive battery pack and two electric motors. A risk for a brand so synonymous with big engines. But that risk paid off; the Spectre has been a smash hit. It was the single best-selling Rolls-Royce in Europe last year, and it's even pulling in an entirely new, younger audience. More than 40 percent of Spectre buyers are brand new to Rolls-Royce, the company announced recently, and those buyers average around 35 years of age. The median age of Rolls-Royce buyers as a whole, meanwhile, has plummeted to 42 years—a far cry from the median of about 60 years old from a decade ago. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Now there's a Black Badge variant, which should only improve those figures. In Rolls-Royce speak, "Black Badge" means "performance." That same nameplate dons the Cullinan and Ghost, giving each model a bit of extra boost and some aggro black accents. In this case, the Spectre's output jumps from an already impressive 584 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in the standard variant to 659 horsepower and 792 pound-feet of torque on the Black Badge model. Even though it's powered by the same 102.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors, that marks an increase of 82 hp and 128 lb-ft. Thanks to that bit of extra oomph, the Spectre Black Badge races to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds (instead of 4.4 seconds) and onto a top speed of… fast enough (or, electronically limited to 155 miles per hour). Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Rolls-Royce also tweaked the dampers to reduce squat under hard acceleration and less body roll in corners. The steering also gets heavier and more feelsome for extra responsiveness. But it's not just performance that makes the Spectre Black Badge stand out. Hearty 23-inch wheels give it a distinctive stance, while a high-gloss black chrome finish coats nearly all of the exterior trim pieces—including the Spirit of Ecstasy badge on the hood. No, it's not paint. The interior is rich with carbon-fiber accents alongside, in this case, an absolutely lovely Peony Pink leather—a perfectly shouty hue to match the subtlety of the Tempest Grey exterior. And of course, the signature Starlight Headliner comes standard (as it should on all Rolls-Royce models). Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 But as the so-called "performance" model of the group, does the Spectre do its Black Badge siblings justice with an electric powertrain? Or does it long for the V-12? Initially, you might crave the subtle rumble and charming character of a 12-cylinder engine, especially in a beautiful performance coupe such as this. But as I pedal the Spectre Black Badge harder, I'm less interested in what's under the hood—blasphemous as that may sound—and more impressed with how the electric powertrain performs. Dipping into the accelerator yields an endless wave of electric torque; a whopping 792 lb-ft shoves me square into the seatback. For something that weighs more than 6,300 pounds, this car is brutally, addictively quick. More so than the Ghost or Cullinan before it. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 I work the steering wheel more aggressively as the road gets twistier, and believe it or not, the Spectre Black Badge actually turns—a novel concept. It's no McLaren, mind you, but this car is far more confidence-inspiring than it has any right to be. Rolls-Royce tweaked the suspension just enough so that it's as capable as it is refined. The steering, meanwhile, is light but more responsive. Body roll—well, there's still plenty of it. But at least it feels more eager to go 'round corners. Activate the aptly named "Rolls-Royce Sound," and a subtle futuristic whoosh fills the cabin as you accelerate harder. It's no V-12 rumble, but it does the job. Even without it, the Spectre Black Badge still bombs down the road, just… more silently. Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 And for all the carbon fiber within eyeshot, the interior doesn't go too far on the boy racer accents, either. It's every bit as comfy and posh as a proper Rolls-Royce. Just a bit quicker. That, in large part, is why the Spectre Black Badge makes the most sense as an EV. It's quiet, refined, and comfortable, yet still quick as hell. As history tells us, a Rolls-Royce shouldn't be shouty. It shouldn't be loud. Even the V-12 models can be a bit too rumbly at low speeds. How uncouth . For all the doom and gloom surrounding downsizing and electrification, Rolls-Royce is one of the few luxury brands actually doing it right—V-12 be damned. More From Rolls-Royce The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Is Even Better As a Black Badge: Video Review Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge: This Is It Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Hypebeast
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
Rolls-Royce May Have Built Its First Sports Car With the Black Badge Spectre
During Beverly Hills' prestigious Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance event on June 15, we were given a very rare and exclusive invite byRolls-Royceto test drive its brand new Black Badge Spectre model and experience something we thought we'd never see exist: a Rolls-Royce with 'Sport Mode' and even wilder, Launch Control. Before getting into the new modes, we wanted to address our favorite element of any Rolls-Royce vehicle: the presence of its design. TheSpectrehas been around since 2022, and in these last three years has gained an audience not only for its long dominating body, extended hood, and swooping rear hatch, but also for its sleeker approach to an ultra-luxury vehicle. We gathered that the Spectre would appeal more so to the younger, sportier crowd of car enthusiasts, less so the posh, luxury seekers who prefer a chauffeur who opens the doors for them. And that has not largely changed with the Black Badge edition. For Black Badge models, a high level of customization and expression is expected, as was our loaner which arrived in a vivid Salamanca Blue with a Mandarin Orange interior. The color combination may not seem so far fetched for a sportier car you'd expect from high end brands, but for a Rolls-Royce it's not as common – hence the Black Badge designation. The interior had key characteristics that were bespoke and custom-ordered, like the contrast piping and stitching around the upholstery, Navy Blue 'RR' monograms in the headrests, a thicker blue steering wheel, polished stainless steel touch points and more. The most stunning (and, at nearly $33,000 USD total, pricey) additions were the 'Shooting Star' illuminated headliner and matching Starlight Doors, the latter of which is a first time option for RR vehicles. Leave it to a company like Rolls-Royce to give you a better night time experience inside a car than the actual night. So getting back to the new driving modes and features, how does a Black Badge Spectre fare with its sports car credentials? The car's Infinity Mode is essentially what you'd consider 'Sport mode' or 'Dynamic' mode – a driving selection that unlocks the engine's full potential. In this case, Infinity Mode gives the driver the full 659 horsepower, which is 82 more than the standard Spectre. Because of its all-electric platform, the Black Badge simply runs at standard Spectre power levels when outside of Infinity Mode. Pressing the new Infinity button on the steering wheel doesn't necessarily 'shift' the car's feel, but there are key indications that the car is tightened up, both through the throttle sensitivity as well as visually in the gauge cluster which is thus painted in a more aggressive color scheme around the dials. Launch Control – which is known as Spirited Mode for the Black Badge Spectre – is even more of an oddity for Rolls-Royce, but we were surprised at how much we loved it not only for what it did but what it represents. Much like how you would expect, Spirited Mode is initiated by holding the brake pedal down and fully stomping on the accelerator. Doing so literally shimmies the steering wheel and car in whole, giving the occupants a visceral sensation preparing you for the launch to happen. Once you let go of the brake, the Black Badge Spectre's full 792 lb-ft of torque is transferred onto the pavement for a near-bang-on 0-60 in 4.1 seconds each and every time. We were able to execute this move twice during our drive and both times, it was exhilarating. Naturally the sensation of having a three-ton luxury vehicle the price of a house shoot off like a rocket is one thing, but we adore the idea that it's a speed and spectacle no one would or even could expect from a Rolls-Royce – the ultimate sleeper, in every sense of the word. The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre is a special order vehicle, available for the client who is looking for the above and beyond and, according to this example's $566,100 USD build spec, really deep enough pockets to fund one.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
7 People Can Ride In This $1.3M Electric Rolls-Royce
If you are one of the very few people on the planet who's in need of an electric Rolls-Royce that can seat up to seven people, you'll have to go the restomod route. So far, the only production Rolls-Royce EV is the Spectre coupe. Fortunately, British company Lunaz - which specializes in electric restomods of classic luxury cars - has come up with the ultimate Rolls EV. This Phantom V has all the grace and majesty of the original model produced from the late 1950s, but now runs on silent electric power alone. The original Phantom V was equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission, being based on the Silver Cloud II of the period. Lunaz has not gone into any detail about how much power the electric powertrain produces, beyond saying that it uses an 80-kWh battery pack. We don't expect it to be shockingly quick by modern EV standards, as this is surely the kind of car that is most rewarding when driven gently. In the process of converting this Rolls to an EV, Lunaz replaced or re-engineered over 11,000 components over a period of 5,500 hours. As with the powertrain specs, we also don't know how long this Rolls will take to charge, but it's safe to assume that the buyer of this car has the wherewithal to install a home charger, so this car may never need to experience the indignity of charging alongside someone's old Nissan Leaf. But what about Alfa Romeo? Ficili, also the head of Alfa Romeo, has confirmed that Stellantis will review its strategy, too. He didn't share further details about this, as it seems like the automaker is focusing on Maserati first. We should know more by the end of the month. Alfa Romeo is currently struggling, not only with sales but also with the development of its upcoming products. Specifically, the next-generation Stelvio, Alfa's best-selling model, is in doubt since the company backpedaled from its full-electric lineup strategy, now heading to a hybrid path. However, a new post today suggests something new will be revealed next week: Of note, 15% of Alfa Romeo's sales are from America, the world's second-biggest automotive market. Again, tariffs will play a significant role in both automakers' business plans, for which Stellantis hired the consulting firm McKinsey.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge: Check 5 highlights of the luxury electric coupe
The Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge gets dark chrome-themed elements all around. Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Spectre Black Badge in India, priced from ₹ 9.50 crore (ex-showroom), making it one of the most expensive electric vehicles currently available in the country. This limited-run model builds on the all-electric Spectre and brings a sharper, darker, and more powerful identity to the British marque's EV journey. Here are the five key highlights that set this electric grand tourer apart: 1 Powertrain and performance The Spectre Black Badge holds the distinction of being the most powerful production Rolls-Royce to date. It houses two electric motors, one on each axle, producing a total of 650 bhp and a staggering 1,075 Nm of peak torque. This is a substantial jump from the 585 bhp and 900 Nm available on the standard Spectre. This surge in performance allows the coupe to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.1 seconds, remarkable considering the car's size, luxury equipment, and sheer curb weight. Performance can be further sharpened by engaging the 'Infinity mode', which unlocks the full potential of the powertrain, while the 'Spirited Mode' (Rolls-Royce's version of launch control) adds a more engaging dynamic for spirited driving. 4 Exterior True to its name, the Spectre Black Badge brings a visually darker, more sinister aesthetic to Rolls-Royce's electric coupe. It features a black chrome finish on prominent elements including the Pantheon grille, Spirit of Ecstasy, door handles, window surrounds, and bumpers. The car also gets exclusive 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminium wheels and debuts a bold new Vapour Violet paint finish. Buyers are not limited to a specific look, Rolls-Royce offers an extraordinary palette of 44,000 exterior colours to choose from. Furthermore, the grille backplate itself can be custom-coloured, allowing owners to craft a truly one-of-a-kind machine that reflects their personality. 5 Interior Inside, the cabin remains faithful to Rolls-Royce's signature opulence but adds exclusive Black Badge-specific flourishes. The passenger-side dashboard features a new Infinity symbol, signifying the Black Badge lineage, and is paired with an 'Illuminated Fascia' consisting of 5,500 fibre-optic stars arranged against a Piano Black background to simulate a starry night. The digital instrument console offers five distinctive colour themes, Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and Synth Wave, allowing owners to set the tone for their drive. The car also runs on the brand's advanced 'Spirit' operating system for seamless control over all infotainment and connectivity functions. The rear cabin remains a sanctuary, with individual seats separated by a waterfall-style central console finished with the Black Badge insignia, blending function with impeccable design. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 25 Jun 2025, 19:00 PM IST TAGS: rolls royce spectre rolls royce spectre NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS
Mint
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge launched in India: Here are 5 key highlights to know about it
Rolls-Royce has officially launched the Spectre Black Badge in India, priced at ₹ 9.50 crore (ex-showroom), a full ₹ 1.88 crore more than the standard Spectre. With this, the ultra-luxury British marque introduces not just one of the most expensive EVs in India, but also its most powerful production car ever. The Spectre Black Badge blends cutting-edge electrification with bespoke craftsmanship, enhanced driving dynamics, and a bold, dark visual identity. With the Spectre Black Badge, Rolls-Royce takes electric luxury to new heights. It's more than just a powerful EV—it's a statement of design, individuality, and performance. While its price tag may seem astronomical, it's a reflection of the craftsmanship, exclusivity and engineering that the Black Badge name stands for. Take a look at its five key highlights to know about this extraordinary machine: Visually, the Black Badge version adds a menacing edge to the already elegant Spectre design. The signature Pantheon grille, Spirit of Ecstasy, badging, and trim pieces are all finished in black chrome, replacing the usual polished metal accents. Even the window surrounds, door handles, and bumpers follow the darkened theme, lending the car a stealthier look. The coupe also debuts a new Vapour Violet paint shade and features exclusive 23-inch five-spoke forged alloy wheels, which further accentuate its assertive stance. However, being a Rolls-Royce, this is just the starting point—customers can choose from over 44,000 exterior colours. The grille's backplate can also be painted to match the body or personalised separately, allowing owners to build a car that is uniquely theirs. Inside, the Spectre Black Badge takes opulence to the next level. The overall layout mirrors the standard model, but with key upgrades unique to the Black Badge identity. The passenger side of the dashboard houses an illuminated 'Infinity symbol' surrounded by a stunning 'Illuminated Fascia', a panel featuring 5,500 fibre-optic stars embedded in a glossy Piano Black surface, simulating a galaxy in motion. The digital instrument cluster also gets a Black Badge makeover, offering five distinct colour themes: Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and Synth Wave. These themes allow drivers to adjust the car's cabin ambience to match their mood or aesthetic. The Spectre Black Badge also runs the brand's new 'Spirit' infotainment and operating system, designed in-house by Rolls-Royce. It offers advanced connectivity, navigation, climate control, and vehicle settings, all seamlessly integrated into the sleek interior interface. The four-seat layout is retained, with the rear seats separated by a waterfall-style central console, which, like the dashboard, bears the Black Badge Infinity symbol. Every surface is trimmed in the finest materials, from hand-stitched leather to open-pore wood, with nearly every inch customisable. The Spectre Black Badge isn't just about visual drama—it delivers serious performance. Under its long hood lie dual electric motors, one on each axle, combining to produce a formidable 650 bhp and 1,075 Nm of peak torque. That's a significant jump over the standard Spectre's 585 bhp and 900 Nm. This extra power gives the coupe sportscar-like acceleration, despite its 2.9-tonne kerb weight. It can go from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.1 seconds, while maintaining Rolls-Royce's signature whisper-quiet ride. The Black Badge also introduces 'Infinity Mode', which unlocks full performance potential, and 'Spirited Mode', a version of launch control tailored for this luxury EV. Rolls-Royce has made sure that the added power translates into a more engaging drive. While Spectres are generally tuned for effortless cruising, the Black Badge variant gets mechanical and software enhancements to improve agility and control. The steering system has been recalibrated for a heavier, more communicative feel, giving the driver better road feedback. Roll stabilisation has been enhanced to keep the body flatter in corners, and the dampers have been stiffened for a more responsive chassis. All of this makes the Spectre Black Badge the most dynamic car in the current Rolls-Royce lineup, without compromising ride comfort. Beneath its handcrafted exterior lies a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, shared with the standard Spectre. Despite the car's size and weight, it delivers an impressive WLTP-certified range of 493 to 530 km on a single charge. That's more than enough for a typical day's travel, or even a weekend road trip, without stopping to recharge. Thanks to its dual-motor AWD system and advanced power management, the Spectre Black Badge also handles a variety of driving conditions with ease. The car supports DC fast charging and includes regenerative braking, contributing to both energy efficiency and driving comfort.
