Photo Gallery: 10 Years of Rolls-Royce Black Badge

Traditionally associated with chauffeur-driven limousines, Rolls-Royce set out to change this perception ten years ago by creating the Black Badge series, designed to appeal to a younger audience of owner-drivers.

The series is characterized by a darker engineering philosophy. Visually, this includes the inversion of the “Badge of Honour” (silver-on-black) and the application of black chrome to the Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon grille. Technically, Black Badge models feature uprated power outputs, enhanced torque, and recalibrated suspension and throttle response. Each vehicle carries the lemniscate (infinity symbol), a motif originally found on Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3, symbolizing the sub-brand’s pursuit of “limitless” power.

Here is an overview of all of the Black Badge models, starting from the Ghost and Wraith that launched the series in 2016.

Black Badge Ghost (2016)

The first-generation Black Badge Ghost debuted at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, signaling a departure from the serenity of the standard Ghost. It featured a 6.6-liter V12 engine tuned to produce 603 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, representing an increase of 40 hp and 44 lb-ft over the base model. Beyond the power hike, the 8-speed automatic transmission was recalibrated for more aggressive gear changes. The exterior was defined by the first use of the marque’s signature high-gloss black paint—created through a multi-stage atomization and hand-polishing process—while the interior introduced “Technical Fibre,” a weave of aerospace-grade carbon fiber and aluminum thread.

Black Badge Wraith (2016)

Launched alongside the Ghost, the Black Badge Wraith was positioned as the most potent, driver-centric Rolls-Royce in the portfolio. While its 6.6-liter V12 maintained the standard Wraith’s 624 hp output, the engineering focus was shifted to mid-range performance, resulting in a torque increase to 642 lb-ft. The suspension was significantly stiffened to reduce body roll and improve feedback at high speeds, while the steering was recalibrated for increased weight and precision. In a 2016 demonstration of its technical capability, a Black Badge Wraith recorded one of the fastest timed runs for a road car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, validating the model’s performance credentials.

Black Badge Dawn (2017)

Unveiled at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Black Badge Dawn was engineered to be the most “social” and “glamorous” expression of the sub-brand. To accommodate the different structural requirements of a drophead coupé, Rolls-Royce engineers developed a specific suspension profile that maintained the marque’s “Magic Carpet Ride” while offering more steering feedback. The 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 was uprated to 593 hp, a 30 hp increase over the standard Dawn, with torque rising to 620 lb-ft. A key technical highlight was the introduction of a completely new exhaust system; when the ‘Low’ button is engaged, it emits a more aggressive soundtrack, providing an acoustic differentiator for the open-top model.

Black Badge Cullinan (2019)

Introduced in 2019, the Black Badge Cullinan marked the first time the marque’s SUV received the Black Badge treatment. Designed to capture a younger, more adventurous demographic, the model’s 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 was recalibrated to produce 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Beyond the power increase, the drivetrain and chassis were re-engineered for enhanced urgency, featuring a tuned exhaust note, a raised braking bite point, and recalibrated four-wheel steering. Visually, the model debuted “Technical Carbon” interior veneers and the option for Forge Yellow leather, while the exterior was distinguished by 22-inch forged alloy wheels and the first-ever colored brake calipers in Rolls-Royce history. The Cullinan is part of the current Black Badge lineup

Black Badge Ghost Series II (2024)

Representing the most “agile and technical” expression of the marque to date, the Black Badge Ghost Series II utilizes an all-aluminum platform and the Black Badge Planar Suspension System. Its 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 is presented in a high-output configuration, producing 592 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. This generation is visually distinguished by a unique lower grille geometry and 22-inch part-polished seven-spoke wheels designed to showcase the uprated braking system. Inside, the model integrates the SPIRIT digital interface and introduces innovative materials like Duality Twill (a bamboo-based textile) and Placed Perforation leather, reflecting a more contemporary and complex “post-opulent” design philosophy.

Black Badge Spectre (2025)

As the first all-electric model in the series, the Black Badge Spectre is the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, engineered using anonymized driving data from hundreds of thousands of miles of Black Badge client usage. Its dual-motor powertrain produces a record 650 horsepower and a landmark 793 lb-ft of torque, enabled by a new “Infinity Mode” that optimizes throttle response and “Spirited Mode” for maximum acceleration. To manage this unprecedented output, chassis specialists increased steering weight and reinforced roll stabilization to provide a more visceral, engaged driving experience while maintaining the marque’s signature ride quality. The aesthetic is defined by a “noir” treatment of the Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy, the debut of Vapour Violet paint, and a technical interior featuring an illuminated fascia with over 5,500 “stars” framing the Black Badge infinity motif.