Rolls-Royce Unveils 659-HP Black Badge Spectre
Rolls-Royce doesn’t make sacrifices and that includes in its gradual shift towards electrification.
The British marque just unveiled its latest high-performance model, the Black Badge Spectre, on Tuesday. The commanding EV delivers everything drivers have come to expect from the brand—along with a significant performance bump.
Luxury and comfort may be the qualities most closely associated with the Rolls-Royce brand, but performance has long been a priority as well. The automaker has been building V-12s since the Phantom III was introduced in the 1930s after all. In 2016, it took things a step further by introducing the Black Badge line. Since then, the company has released high-performance variants of nearly all its models, including the Ghost, Cullinan, and, now, the Spectre.
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre
Rolls-Royce
The Black Badge Spectre, unlike its predecessors, is not powered by a 6.5-liter V-12, but that hasn’t stopped the engineers at Goodwood from getting more power out of the EV. Thanks to some adjustments and the new Infinity Mode the dual-motor powertrain now generates a maximum of 659 hp and 792 ft lbs of torque. Those increases—of 82 and 128 ft lbs of torque respectively—make the variant the most powerful production Rolls-Royce of all time, a title that used to belong to the discontinued Black Badge Wraith). There’s also a new Spirited Mode that gives drivers full access to the EV’s torque, allowing it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds.
The changes to the powertrain mean that the EV has taken a range hit. When equipped with 22-inch wheels, the Black Badge can travel 266 miles on a single charge, while the standard version can cover 277 in the same configuration. With 23-inch wheels range dips to 251 miles, compared to 253 miles. The two-door’s steering weight has also been increased and it comes equipped with enhanced dampers meant to increase body control. This helps ensure the latest Spectre still delivers the brand’s trademark Magic Carpet Ride.
Inside the Black Badge Spectre
Rolls-Royce
The special Black Badge modifications aren’t just reserved for the vehicle’s hardware. The variant is available in an exclusive color, Vapor Violet, and with an Iced Black hood and “waft” coachline running along the bottom half of the video. New 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminum wheels with either a part-polished or all-black finish are also available. Inside, expect more carbon-fiber and metal details, along a quintet of new lighting themes. The dashboard, meanwhile, features an intricate design that incorporates 5,500 “stars” into a Piano Black “sky.”
Unsurprisingly, the Black Badge Spectre is expected to cost more than the standard version. Motor1.com reports that the high-performance EV will start at $490,000, which is about $50,000 more than the regular Spectre. No release date has been announced yet, but expect the model to be available for purchase soon.
Click here for more photos of the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre.
