New Model News

Fresh 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge embodies the allure of the dark side

Harvey Briggs
Nov 7, 2019, 10:28 am

Rolls-Royce has just introduced its latest Black Badge model, the Cullinan Black Badge.

Photo by Harvey Briggs

With the recent introduction of Cullinan, their first ever SUV, Rolls-Royce took their brand to new places. Now they're pushing the boundaries even further with Cullinan Black Badge, an edgier, more daring, and more powerful version made for the streets.

The smoked chrome parthenon grille comes at you like a shadow. The Spirit of Ecstasy is also darkened and unlike Wraith or Ghost now rides on a darkened mounting plate. All the rest of the traditional brightwork surrounding the windows, along the doors, on the boot, and exhaust tips have been blacked out. Cullinan Black Badge also gets model-specific black and brushed aluminum 22-inch alloy wheels.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Cullinan Black Badge is the darker side of the brand's first SUV.Photo by Harvey Briggs

Black Badge is more than an appearance package. In addition to upping the 6.75-liter V12 engine's output by 29 horsepower to 600, Rolls-Royce has recalibrated the satellite-aided 8-speed automatic transmission which propels the three-ton SUV from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds.

Press the "low" button on the traditional Rolls-Royce column mounted shift stalk and you'll notice something rarely heard in a Rolls, engine noise. Cullinan Black Badge has a new exhaust system which issues a satisfying low rumble at idle and actually snarls and burbles at speed.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge The 6.75-liter V12 engine now offers 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.Photo by Harvey Briggs

The ride is also more dynamic with firmer spring and damper settings. The brakes, which, for the first time ever, feature painted calipers (red, of course) are also more aggressive with a raised engagement point and shorter pedal travel. Four-wheel steering also insures nimble handling for a vehicle with an almost 130-inch wheelbase.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge

Photo by Harvey Briggs

The hand-made interiors can be finished in any color you can imagine.

Inside, Cullinan Black Badge offers the Rolls-Royce signature starlight headliner – now with shooting stars! You'll also find carbon technical fiber trim panels. The infinity symbol they've placed throughout the cabin is the mark of Black Badge, honoring the legacy of Sir Malcom Campbell's record-setting, Rolls-Royce powered unlimited hydroplane,

Cullinan Black Badge is available for order now and pricing starts at $382,000.

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Design

Rolls-Royce introduces a new Dawn with a historic name

The Rolls-Royce Silver Bullet takes its name from years of company history.

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The sleek silver large-body convertible is a bit of a relic of a bygone era. No, further back than the days of the Toyota Solara and Chrysler Sebring. The trend that started near the last bit of the Roaring 20s and continued in its prime until the late 60s.

The Jazz Age decadence and free spirit of the early part of the 20th Century is embodied in the latest model from Rolls-Royce, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection. The new vehicle is the first Rolls-Royce Collection Car of the new decade.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet The car features a unique silver paint job.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Its name comes from the company's storied past, which includes cars named the Silver Dawn, Silver King, Silver Silence and Silver Spectre.

This particular model features an ultra-metallic silver paint finish. Its aero cowling moves the car from brute to glamorous speedster. It features a rakish silver centre spine brings the bodywork into the cabin. A vapour-blasted titanium finisher completes the aero cowling windbreak and proudly displays the Silver Bullet name and silhouette.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Artisan design touches fill the car with bespoke elements.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection features dark exterior detailing; dark headlights and a new dark front bumper finisher, providing a dominant and determined expression in heighted contrast to the silver hue. The part-polished wheels offer a translucent shadow finish with a single silver pinstripe.

Inside, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection has a unique open-pore carbon fibre fascia and a quilted transmission tunnel with design cues taken from a leather jacket.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Designers sketched out the car's design well in advance of one reaching production. Here is one of the sketches showing the transmission tunnel design.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Just 50 of these models will be made. Pricing is likely in "if you need to ask, you can't afford it" territory.

The company will be be curating a special series of "Silver Bullet Drives" featuring epic road trip suggestions for Rolls-Royce owners in its Whispers app.

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Luxury Lifestyle

Rolls-Royce debuts lifestyle app 'Whispers' that curates exclusive experiences for owners

Rolls-Royce has rolled a new app that caters to the brand's exclusive clientele.

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce can customize nearly everything about a vehicle for the right price. Now, the company is moving forward with plans to help owners customize their own lives with bespoke experiences befitting their luxurious lifestyle.

The world is at the fingertips of Rolls-Royce owners who use the new Whisper app, billed as, "an entrepôt to a world that Rolls-Royce intimately and uniquely understands – a digital gateway to a curated world of luxury."

Whisper by Rolls-Royce The app offers customized experiences for users.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce describes Whispers as,

"An ever-changing collection of beguiling products has been curated to surprise, delight and intrigue. Members can create their very own bespoke experiences or products. They are invited to work with experts to design and build their own personal racetrack, or commission a personalized Monopoly set incorporating one's own properties and assets. Need entertaining? - book a private performance by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Commission a beautiful portrait of your favorite pet or design your very own minaudiere.

From truffles to caviar or crafting your own Cognac, patrons can peruse and purchase a diverse and eclectic selection of luxurious products and curiosities – all on the Whispers platform, in the comfort of their own home.

Whispers provides Rolls-Royce clients access to transformative, inspiring and entertaining experiences. From backstage-access at the Grammys, front-row seats at Fashion Week, walking the red carpet at the Academy Awards, VIP previews of Art Basel, to meeting artists at Coachella, players at Wimbledon or athletes at the Olympics, Whispers unlocks a world of exclusive access.

Worldwide luxury travel experiences are offered. An expedition to Antarctica or an African Safari can be facilitated at the touch of a button. And, of course, Whispers members are invited to join Rolls-Royce at exclusive, hosted experiences, for example, an Art Weekend visiting the private collection of one of the world's most prestigious collectors, or a weekend at the sumptuous Villa D'Este Concours D'Elegance. Members may receive an invitation to an intimate dinner on the production line at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, or even a private, curated tour of luxury goods manufacturers in the capitals of global luxury. Additionally, members of the Whispers community receive exclusive world-previews of new Rolls-Royce products and offerings before they become public knowledge.

The app isn't truly new. It launched in trial phases two years ago to a select group of global Rolls-Royce clients. After rounds of feedback, the app has been successfully deployed in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Membership is strictly limited to owners of new Rolls-Royce motor cars.

Whisper by Rolls-Royce From concierge services to curated experiences, Whispers offers it all.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce has plans to constantly adapt Whisper's offerings to align with client interests.

Users can download the app for the Apple device via the App Store.

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