Rolls-Royce Neon Nights models feature vibrant color as part of a very limited collection

Special Edition

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Star light, star bright, what on Earth are the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Neon Nights? The bespoke automaker has announced a new limited edition collection of brightly colored models, dubbed the Neon Nights models. Dawn, Wraith, and Cullinan Black Badge vehicles have gotten the treatment.

"Neon Nights is a vibrant trilogy of Rolls-Royce Black Badges, whose inspiration come from nature. The newly developed Bespoke paint is applied to the Black Badge variants of Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan - the darker and edgier 'enfants terribles' of the Rolls-Royce family," said Sami Coultas, Bespoke Designer Color & Trim, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "Taking cues from the natural world, including an Australian green tree frog, a Hawaiian tree flower and an exotic butterfly, these limited hues show Black Badge bolder in color, appealing to patrons around the world who really do dare to be different."

Though originally conceived for clients in the U.S., the automaker has announced that three further iterations of each color are available for commission worldwide.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Neon Nights

  

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Wraith Black Badge is finished in Lime Rock Green, a near-luminous hue naturally traditionally worn by the Australian green tree frog, an animal Coultas first encountered on a trip to Tamworth, north of Sydney, Australia. The interior features Scivaro Grey leather, with Lime Rock Green accents in the form of stitching and piping.

The Eagle Rock Red paint color created for the Dawn Black Badge that is part of the collection mimics the flowers of 'Ōhi'a lehua, an evergreen tree native to Hawaii. The Dawn's interior is finished in Selby Grey leather and has Koi Red stitching and piping details.

Rolls-Royce took inspiration from a butterfly for its Cullinan Black Badge Neon Nights iteration. Rhetus periander is known as the Periander metalmark, a species found across Central and South America, that is known for the vibrancy of its wings. That color was faithfully captured in Cullinan's Mirabeau Blue paint job, which is contrasted by an Arctic White leather interior with Lime Rock Green details.

In all three cars, the Technical Fibre fascia is embellished with a unique graphic that provides a neon glow and depicts the distortion of artificial light with speed.

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Photo by Mark Riccioni

New Rolls-Royce Black Badge photo series celebrates darkened Cullinan, LA car culture

Art & Design

Rolls-Royce Black Badge cars drive the streets under the guise of darkness. Their usual exterior bright chrome, steel, and aluminum parts replaced by darkened versions. To celebrate the arrival of Cullinan Black Badge, Rolls-Royce enlisted automotive culture photographer Mark Riccioni to create a pictorial series of Black Badge Cullinan greeting fellow automotive subcultures in Greater Los Angeles, California.

Cullian is the bespoke automaker's first SUV and completes their current model lineup.

"The things that connect us are always more powerful than the things that separate us, and this series is a wonderful demonstration of that," said Riccioni. "I selected each subculture because it shares the philosophies that inform the creation of a Black Badge Rolls-Royce. From the obsessive attention to detail lavished on a lowrider and visceral power of a hot rod to the bold execution of tuned imports and deeply personal customisations applied to 'brat'-style motorcycles."

"King of the Night" by Mark Riccioni

"King of the Night" by Mark Riccioni
  

Photo by Mark Riccioni


The designers, engineers, and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, created a unique Recreation Module for Riccioni's shoot. The unit, codenamed "Urban Photography", was conceived to incorporate equipment specific to his photography requirements. These include a DJI Mavic Mini drone, 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro for image capture and editing on location.

Riccioni also requested additional items in the vehicle to aid in the shoot including Sennheiser PXC550 MkII noise cancelling headphones, Persol PO3225-S sunglasses, outerwear from streetwear brand Supreme and a water bottle. The automated Recreation Module was trimmed in Forge Yellow leather to match the Black Badge Cullinan's interior colourway.

This isn't the first intricate vehicle that Rolls-Royce has created. The automaker specializes in bespoke customization.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullian LA Photo KitRolls-Royce developed this unique model just for the shoot.Photo by Mark Riccioni

The photos also aren't the first artistic celebration of Black Badge. Last year, a biopic performance artist starred in a short film featuring Rolls-Royce Black Badge.

A gallery of these images, titled 'King of the Night', will be on display at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Beverly Hills, 8833 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 from March 2020 prior to an exclusive Rolls-Royce Black Badge private event.

Photo by Harvey Briggs

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

New Model News

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 BadgeCullinan 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 BadgeThe 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.

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Black Badge short film features bionic performance artist in starring roll

Luxury Lifestyle

Bionic performance artist and art director Viktoria Modesta is celebrated for her futuristic approach to modern art and her performances at the Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony, Art Basel, and Fashion Weeks worldwide.

Rolls-Royce has teamed up with Modesta to create a short film that combines modernity, cutting edge techniques, and the spirit of Rolls-Royce Black Badge.

Anouk Wipprecht, the "Fashion Tech" pioneer, collaborated with the Rolls-Royce team to build items that could be worn by Modesta including a Black Badge carbon fiber bodice. The bodice was constructed by digitizing Modesta's silhouette using a high-resolution body scan then using an SLS powder-based 3D printing technique to form the extra-lightweight form before it was veneered with carbon fiber. The same type of process was used to produce a limb for Modesta to stand on.

Rolls-Royce Viktoria ModestaRolls-Royce has teamed up with a number of artists to create a short film that embodies the Black Badge spirit.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Wipprecht says, "Like the Black Badge motor cars we are expressing, Viktoria is badass. She's not scared of anything. Creating my aesthetic overlay in collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective merged technology and fashion in a way that truly captured the spirit of Black Badge."

Director Jora Frantzis, who has worked with Cardi B and IV Jay, was brought on board to help form the performance's narrative.

Take a look at the finished product.

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Automotive Map is moving to Your Test Driver

New website

Big news! Automotive Map has moved to a new site and has changed its name to Your Test Driver. You'll notice the same format, writing style, and content on the new site. That's because Your Test Driver is run by Chris Teague, the former editor of Automotive Map. We hope to see you there for continued coverage of news, reviews, and features from around the automotive industry.

2023 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Updated EV

Nissan is nearing the release of the Ariya, its first new EV in several years. Even so, the brand hasn't forgotten about its first mass-market EV, the Leaf. It was an early entrant in the space, and has been an efficient, affordable, commuter car for over a decade. The car got a mild facelift for 2023, with updated wheels and exterior styling accents. Today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf, which starts at just under $29,000.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf feels lively, despite middling power numbers.Nissan

The base Leaf comes with a 40-kWh battery capable of delivering a 149-mile range. Its 110-kW electric motor produces 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf SV Plus features a 60-kWh battery for a range of 212 miles. It comes with a 160-kW motor that makes 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Nissan backs all Leaf models with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

ProPilot Assist comes standard for the Leaf SV Plus, and brings a full suite of advanced driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, driver alertness features, and a surround-view monitor. All Leaf models get Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf SV Plus offers up to 212 miles of range.Nissan

The new Leaf starts at $28,895, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. The Leaf SV Plus starts at $36,895. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is on sale now, and may be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to receive a state tax credit or other incentives.

2022 Nissan Altima: Three things to know

Comfortable midsize sedan

The Nissan Altima may not get the attention or the praise that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get, but it's a solid entry in an ultra-competitive segment. It's also one of few options in its class with available all-wheel drive. We spent a week with the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition with AWD and came away from the experience impressed. Here are three things to know about the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is a Good Value

With a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range and available all-wheel drive, it's hard to complain about value here. The Altima is still reasonably priced at the top end, where it maxes out at around $35,000 before options and fees. That's a great value for a spacious, comfortable car like the Altima, and with all-wheel drive it's a great all-weather commuter.

2022 Nissan AltimaNissan offers the Altima in several configurations.Nissan

2022 Altima Interior Space and Comfort are Generous

It's easy to ignore Nissan's Zero Gravity seats as another marketing buzzword, but they are legitimately comfortable and supportive in a way that not many others are. Available leather upholstery and contrast stitching give the interior an upscale feel, but even lower trims' cloth upholstery feels nice and works well from a visual standpoint. Up front, there's room for both passengers to stretch out, and the driver won't feel cramped on leg or headroom. Back-seat passengers get a similar treatment, as there's plenty of space for adults and kids. Parents will find an easy time loading and unloading car seats as well.

2023 Nissan AltimaThe Altima gets an update for 2023 with fresh styling and more tech.Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Altima Gets an Update

Nissan is refreshing the Altima for 2023 with a facelift, new tech, and better safety features. The new car will go on sale in the fall of 2022 and will come in several trims, including one with Nissan's truck VC-Turbo engine. The Altima's most noticeable update will be its front fascia, which is all-new for 2023. Nissan gives the car a fresh grille design that varies depending on the trim, and LED headlights will be standard. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and the Altima is available with all-wheel drive, ProPilot Assist, and more.

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