Latest news with #SpiritOfEcstasy
Khaleej Times
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Car review: The 2025 Ghost Series II Black Badge is a mobile fortress of solitude
For those who've made it — or are on their way — few cars reflect success like a Rolls-Royce. While the marque offers special editions for every kind of buyer, it's the dark-themed Black Badge variant that appeals to those seeking a more dynamic experience. We had the rare opportunity to pilot the 2025 Ghost Series II Black Badge and found there's no shortage of talking points. Allow us to elaborate. DESIGN & AESTHETICS Rolls-Royce cars have never been subtle — their sheer size commands presence, filling both the lane and your field of vision. The new Series II stretches over 5.5 metres, keeping with that tradition. Previously built on BMW's CLAR platform (shared with the 7 Series), the Ghost now rides on Rolls-Royce's bespoke Architecture of Luxury platform, also used by its larger siblings. Upfront, the iconic Pantheon grille is now backlit with 20 LEDs, flanked by almost-rectangular headlamps that mark the beginning of its long bonnet. The profile remains elegant, tapering to the rear where slimmer taillights with vertical elements now reside. Despite its size, the Ghost feels refined in its design. With smoother surfaces, a visual fluidity has been endowed to these hard metal elements. The Black Badge Ghost reveals Rolls-Royce's darker, more assertive side — it's Venom to Spider-Man. It debuts a unique lower grille and redesigned air intakes. Signature black chrome darkens the Spirit of Ecstasy, grille, badges, and door handles, and it sits on Black Badge –specific 22-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels that dramatically expose the disc brakes and bold yellow callipers. But the interior is even more of a spectacle, with every inch a masterclass in personalised luxury, where even the smallest details are thoughtfully considered. Entry and exit at the rear are handled even more gracefully than the front, thanks to wide-opening, rear-hinged coach doors. Press a discreet button and a full-size umbrella emerges. Press another and the doors close on their own — an electronic chaperone. The cabin feels extraordinarily spacious. The rear is designed primarily for two, but an optional three-seat arrangement is available, along with rear privacy glass to keep out prying eyes. Our test example featured striking yellow-and-black leather upholstery, enhanced by up to 107,000 laser-checked perforations forming cloud-inspired, eye-catching 3D patterns. Below, a deep-pile lambswool carpet invites your feet to sink in, while above, the signature Shooting Star Headliner dazzles with hundreds of tiny LEDs. In the driver's space, you get a view of the classic structured dashboard, and everything you touch is authentic. That signature black-stained metal is also found on the organ stops, air vents, and door pulls. Start-up is via a button left of the slim-rimmed steering wheel; gear selection is done through a column-mounted stalk. POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE The Black Badge produces 29 PS and 50 Nm more than the standard model, thanks to its massive 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12, now delivering a supercar-like 600 PS and 900 Nm. On the move, the steering is feather-light yet precisely weighted — you could guide it with a stiff finger. The Black Badge-specific Planar Suspension, with adaptive dampers and self-levelling air struts, delivers an even more agile version of Rolls-Royce's signature 'magic carpet ride.' What you notice — or rather don't — is the absence of ambient noise; it's all reduced to pin-drop silence. Despite weighing around 2.5 tonnes, stomp the right foot and it surges to 100kmph in under five seconds, raising its nose and squatting at the rear in the process. Activate 'Low' mode via the gear stalk and shifts quicken by 50 per cent at 90 per cent throttle, with a deeper, more assertive exhaust note. Still, I prefer a gentle foot and gracious pace — this is where it truly shines. All-wheel drive and all-wheel steering work seamlessly to provide superb grip and yaw control at all sensible speeds. Braking is confident, with a higher bite point and reduced pedal travel ensuring responsive deceleration. But remember, this speedy variant still favours poise over aggression. FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY The boot is deep and holds plenty of luggage, though the centre cool console meant for your favourite beverage and flutes takes up some space and gives it an awkward shape. On the technological front, Bluetooth connectivity is easy, but the voice control system is underwhelming. Rear-seat passengers control the infotainment via the centre console, where they can adjust music, navigation, and more. The proprietary Bespoke Audio system, developed in-house, grabs attention with its metallic speaker grilles and orchestral sound quality. The rear-seat occupants can also access optional individual 12-inch HD screens or retractable tables for dignitaries to carry out signature duties. The AC system performed well front and rear, even after hours parked in the sun. And thanks to the physical, tactile controls and clear markings, finding comfort was made easy. VERDICT The Rolls-Royce remains the darling of the automotive world. While the Phantom may be the most emphatic, the Ghost no longer plays second fiddle — sharing the same platform but aimed at a different customer: one who loves a drive. Stomp the throttle and the Ghost Black Badge surges ahead with added enthusiasm. But mirroring what the musician Sting once said: 'A gentleman will walk, but never run', I'd rather coast along at a gracious pace, bask in the plush seats, and enjoy quiet serenity than shred those tyres. It is less about aggression and more about an attitude of refined athleticism. Sportier rivals do exist, the optional extras can be pricey, and you'll flinch every time someone parks too close. But for those who can afford it, it's their mobile fortress of solitude. SPECS: Body type — 5-seater; 4-door premium full-size sedan Engine — Front-engine; twin-turbo 6.75-litre V12; all-wheel drive Transmission — 10-speed automatic Peak output — 600 PS @ 5,250rpm — 900 Nm @ 1,700 rpm 0 to 100kmph — sub-5 seconds (estimated) Top speed — 250kmph (electronically limited; claimed) Price — Starting at Dh1,350,000 EDITOR'S RATING: 8/10 stars
Car and Driver
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Rolls-Royce Phantom Dentelle Is Adorned with Delicate Embroidery
Rolls-Royce has revealed another bespoke one-off, the Phantom Dentelle, which was commissioned as a present for the buyer's father. The Dentelle has two-tone bodywork, pairing Arctic White with a unique Palais Nemasker Dawn hue and a thin coachline that includes a depiction of a leafy plant. The floral imagery appears again on the dashboard and between the rear seats, embroidered with intricate, multi-layered stitching. Did you forget Father's Day this year and feel guilty about it? Well, get ready to feel even worse, because the latest one-off Rolls-Royce was commissioned by a client from the Middle East as a gift to their father. The bespoke creation, called the Rolls-Royce Phantom Dentelle, draws specific inspiration from a couture lace piece that bore three-dimensional floral designs. Rolls-Royce The Phantom's upright, distinguished bodywork wears a two-tone paint job, with the lower section finished in Crystal over Arctic White and the upper body painted Crystal over Palais Nemasker Dawn, an exclusive hue. A delicate coachline runs from the grille to the taillights on each side and is mirrored by a white coachline along the hood and after the rear doors. Above the rear wheel, the main coachline, which is finished in the color Sunrise, is interrupted by an intricate, hand-painted depiction of a leafy branch. The 22-inch disc wheels feature a center cap with a body-colored ring, and the Pantheon grille hosts a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament in rose gold. Rolls-Royce Open the doors and step over rose gold engraved sill plates, and you'll find a mix of leather upholstery in Sunrise and Grace White. But the real focus is on the dashboard, where what Rolls-Royce calls the "Gallery," the space ahead of the front passenger, displays an ornate embroidered image of flowers, with Rolls-Royce using a series of different stitch techniques and thread densities to create a layered, three-dimensional look. The dashboard artwork consists of over 160,000 stitches. Rolls-Royce The rear passengers get their own masterpiece, with another set of elegant flowers adorning the section between the rear seats, requiring 70,000 stitches. Mirroring the hood ornament, the speaker grilles are finished in rose gold, and there are Rolls-Royce logos on the headrests. There's no word on how much the Phantom Dentelle costs, but we imagine it is quite a bit more than the Phantom's $517,750 base price. Regardless, the one-off creation is a beautiful reminder that the toolset you bought Dad for Father's Day isn't going to cut it, at least not when you've got millions of dollars in the bank. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Motor 1
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Is Even Better As a Black Badge: Video Review
Umbrella in the door, Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood, stars in the headliner—the list goes on. Almost all Rolls-Royce reviews focus on these elements first, which, yes, do make the cars from Goodwood feel special. But focusing on those features risks being a bit limiting. Well, this review is different. I'm driving the Cullinan Series II , an updated version of the brand's first luxury SUV. Even better is the fact that this is the Black Badge model, which, for those who don't know, is the name given to the brand's most daring vehicles. So if a standard Rolls-Royce is Dr. Jekyll, the Black Badge is his Mr. Hyde. Of course, don't expect too much cheekiness—we're still talking about a Rolls-Royce . Imagine this Cullinan is a gentleman who, at the end of the evening, loosens his tie or takes it off altogether as he's ready for the night on the town. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Series II: Monumental Photo by: Rolls-Royce In front of me is an SUV that is over 18 feet long, 6 feet wide, and as tall as a van. The Cullinan Series 2 commands respect, even amongst those who may not immediately recognize the brand. Although that might be difficult given the black Spirit of Ecstasy protruding from the hood. Nothing stops customers from ordering this SUV in crystal, gold, or any other ultra-expensive hue. And the black chrome extends everywhere. The new, low-swept headlights are more modern, but I preferred the shape of the lower air intakes how they were previously. The exhaust tips are new, as are the 23-inch wheels. But with the Black Badge, it's not just about looks. The 6.75-liter V-12 here produces 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and it takes 4.2 seconds for this SUV to reach 60 miles per hour. That's surprising when considering that this SUV weighs over 2.7 tons. Photo by: Rolls-Royce Photo by: Rolls-Royce On the Black Badge model, the pedal is more sensitive, and the V-12 is louder thanks to a repositioning of the sound-absorbing materials. Although there's no Sport mode, the eight-speed gearbox has a 'Low' mode that increases the responsiveness. All-wheel drive and four-wheel steering ensure roadholding, yet with its light steering, shock absorbers soften the ride quality to perfection, electronically adjusting themselves with no hint of sportiness in the Cullinan Black Badge's driving dynamics. But one thing's clear: It's not designed to 'make time.' It's built to resist it. Perfection may be unattainable, but the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge gets close. All it takes to get there is half a million dollars. Black Badge, Bespoke, Coachbuild: The Soul Of Rolls-Royce Photo by: Rolls-Royce Black Badge is for customers who want something less formal. Debuting in 2016, Black Badge is aimed at a younger audience who prefers driving their cars. But, as mentioned, it's not enough to just paint everything black: The performance is enhanced and the materials are more modern. With the Bespoke program, a further level of refinement is reached. In fact, it is the most advanced and detailed customization system in the entire automotive landscape, offering customers the opportunity to create some truly unique and even unrepeatable cars. Photo by: Rolls-Royce For example, one customer requested that the wooden inserts in the cabin be made from his favorite tree in his garden, while another commissioned a starry night interior that replicated the constellation visible on his wedding day. That kind of detail. The personalization process begins at the Rolls-Royce Private Office in the UK, a dedicated space where clients collaborate with designers and craftsmen to bring their vision to life. Here, every element of the car is customizable: From the paintwork, with over 40,000 shades to choose from, to the interior, where you can choose from a wide range of leathers, fine woods, and handcrafted details. I got the chance to visit this magical place where these Rolls-Royce models come to life. Of course, you can't forget the Coachbuild program. That's the exclusive service that allows customers to design completely new vehicles, such as the four cars in the Droptail family—one of which remains a secret. More From Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge: This Is It Every V-12-Powered Car You Can Still Buy in 2025 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
