Rolls-Royce launches its most powerful car ever, and no, it doesn't have a V12.
The Rolls-Royce Spectre, the first electric car to feature the Spirit of Ecstasy, is taken to a new level with the addition of a Black Badge version, making it the most powerful vehicle in the 121-year history of the prestigious English brand.
Instead of 577 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque as with the regular Spectre, wealthy customers here get 650 hp and up to 793 lb-ft of torque by activating Infinity mode using the “∞” button on the steering wheel. At the same time, the dials change appearance to reflect the car's more explosive character.
Another mode, called Spirited, acts as a gun-start function. Simply depress the brake and gas pedal pedals at the same time, then release the first when the signal is given. Thanks to its amplified torque, the Spectre Black Badge can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, a saving of... three tenths.
To balance all this muscle, Rolls-Royce engineers have improved the shock absorbers, adjusted the roll control system for cornering and stiffened the steering, resulting in more stable handling with less weight transfer. A select club of customers had the privilege of driving the Spectre Black Badge prior to its unveiling, and their reactions were incredibly positive, says the company. We'd have been surprised if they hadn't.
According to Natural Resources Canada, expect a range of 428 or 404 km depending on wheel size (22 or 23 inches), an unavoidable reduction on the 446 or 407 km of the “ordinary” Spectre.
Job physics
The example pictured here features the new Vapor Violet hue, inspired by the nightclubs of the 1980s and 1990s, but there are over 44,000 other “ready-to-wear” colors available, not to mention those that Rolls-Royce can custom-design at buyers' request. An icy black finish around the grille provides contrast, as do blackened elements elsewhere on the car - a signature of Black Badge models.
Splendid new 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminum wheels are on the menu, offering a choice of all-black or partially polished finish. On request, they can even be fitted with winter tires.
The grille's illumination color can be reproduced inside the car via the new illuminated Black Badge plates. The gloss black panel on the right-hand side of the dashboard displays a galaxy of over 5,500 stars of varying size and intensity, not forgetting the infinity symbol once again. The same symbol recurs on the leather between the two rear seats.
As for the price, if you have to ask...
