Rolls-Royce has unveiled its most powerful car yet – a hotted-up, blacked-out version of its Spectre electric vehicle (EV).
The Black Badge Spectre is the latest model (and the first EV) to join the British luxury carmaker’s more potent Black Badge lineup, which includes the Ghost and Cullinan.
Claimed to be “Rolls-Royce at its most potent and audacious”, the Black Badge Spectre features tweaked exterior styling, bold colours, a refreshed interior and colossal power and torque figures.
The Spectre has also received revised chassis engineering in line with the Black Badge range, as well as a series of new drive modes designed to allow the driver to unleash the car’s full power and torque capabilities.
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Rolls-Royce says the Black Badge Spectre was developed with the assistance of a “select group” of owners, who were granted early access to specially made test cars under the condition of secrecy.
The British marque’s engineers were able to gather driving data to tailor the Spectre’s characteristics to the style of driving owners did most.
After finding its owners “exploited maximum power in short pulses more than over extended periods”, the Spectre’s characteristics were developed accordingly.
This has resulted in an increase to maximum outputs, with the Black Badge Spectre capable of producing up to 485kW of power and 1075Nm of torque – up 55kW and 175Nm on the ‘regular’ EV.
This is also a hefty increase over the 441kW and 900Nm outputs of the Black Badge Cullinan and Ghost, which have had their 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engines dethroned as the most potent powertrains in the Rolls-Royce lineup.
Drivers can engage the Spectre’s ‘Infinity Mode’ using a button on the wheel. Named for the Infinity symbol used for Black Badge models, it unlocks the full 485kW and provides a “more direct throttle response” while also adjusting the appearance of the car’s interior dials.
Separately available is ‘Spirited Mode’, implemented to provide a quick “burst of intense, instantaneous acceleration”. The mode is engaged when stationary and acts as a launch control function.
With this mode active, the Black Badge Spectre can accelerate from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in just 4.1 seconds.
Rolls-Royce engineers adjusted the Spectre’s steering weight and roll stabilisation to improve cornering ability, while also revising its suspension dampers to reduce squatting under acceleration and deceleration.
On the outside, the Black Badge Spectre debuts a new colour named Vapour Violet, inspired by club culture of the 1980s and 90s.
Owners also have the option of commissioning unique customisation items through Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke program, including unique exterior finishes.
Other trim elements have been blacked out in keeping with the Black Badge line, namely the grille, door handles, window trim, bumper accents, Rolls-Royce double ‘R’ badge, and Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament.
The grille has also been fitted with an illuminated backlight, while the Spectre rides on 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminium wheels, with either a part-polish or all-black finish.
Inside, the Spectre has been fitted with an illuminated gloss-black dashboard panel featuring more than 5500 star-like lights.
There’s also new upholstery, carbon-fibre panelling, and a digital instrument cluster that can show five different colour themes.
The Spectre’s dimensions remain unchanged, measuring 5453mm long, 2080mm wide, 1559mm tall while riding on a 3210mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is approximately 3000kg.
In Australia, the Rolls-Royce managed 54 sales over the course of 2024. Leading the way was the Cullinan SUV on 25, followed by coupe/convertible models – including the Spectre – on 19, and sedan models (including Phantom) on 10.
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