Rolls-Royce brings darker edge with new series

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge makes its Asian debut at the Auto China 2016. Photo Provided To China Daily

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has brought three highly bespoke models to Auto China 2016. The Ghost Black Badge series, which debuted in Asia this month, is technically and aesthetically the alter ego of Rolls-Royce: darker, more assertive, more confident and powerful, and more demanding.

The unveiling of the Black Badge series is a truly transformative moment for Rolls-Royce. The British luxury brand is delivering an unparalleled presence at the 14th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition by presenting the Wraith Inspired by Music, the third model completing a striking and distinctive bespoke trilogy, and the Dawn, a younger, more social model.

Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, "With Black Badge we have created the most commanding presence on the super-luxury landscape. Black Badge is an attitude to life, an aspect of the Rolls-Royce brand that appeals to those risk takers and disruptors who break the rules and laugh in the face of convention.

"They are driven by a restless spirit. They play hard and they change the world."

The British carmaker continues to lead China's superluxury automobile segment, despite the contraction in the entire luxury market.

Leon Li, director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, China, said, "Every Rolls-Royce is a unique work of art, and this collection of three very different, very beautiful Rolls-Royces will delight our Chinese patrons in different ways.

"Some will be naturally drawn to the dark edginess of our Black Badge cars, whilst others will embrace the burst of sunlight that is the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the sexier, more social super-luxury drophead motor cars. And those who appreciate the sound of perfection will of course enjoy Wraith Inspired by Music."

Ghost Black Badge

As a permanent bespoke series, Rolls-Royce Black Badge has achieved transformation both in appearance and engineering.

The darker aesthetic manifests itself in the transformation of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the front grille surround, boot lid finisher, lower air inlet finisher and exhaust pipes to the new composite aircraft-grade aluminum, carbon fiber and titanium wheels.

The famous Double R badge on the prow, flanks and aft of every Black Badge limousine invert to become silver on black.

Rolls-Royce engineers employed the flexibility of the 6.6-liter V12 engine to make the Ghost Black Badge a little more menacing. The modifications boost the power output to 450 kW and the torque to 840 Nm, 30 kW and 60 Nm more than the current Ghost. An upgrade to the eight-speed automatic transmission adds a sense of urgency in its power delivery.

The Ghost Black Badge ensures rear passengers' comfort by maintaining Rolls-Royce's renowned Magic Carpet Ride. The black leather with vibrant tailored purple adds a more edgy and personalized feel to the cabin.

Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Photo Provided To China Daily

Dawn

Unveiled in 2015, Rolls-Royce's Dawn opened a new age of super-luxury drophead coupes.

The Rolls-Royce Dawn is finished in two-tone Tuscan sun and Jubilee silver. The interior is in black and subtle tan leather and Canadel veneer, with exquisite craftsmanship and the pure luxurious styling.

The multi-layered roof, with French seam and shape, make the open-top a quiet convertible. Operating in silence in just 22 seconds, and at cruising speeds of up to 50km/h, this "silent ballet" engages one's senses for the sounds, light and aromas of the outside world.

The Rolls-Royce Dawn offers four individualized seats. The full four-seater has no compromise in comfort wherever one sits, and promises a striking, seductive encounter like no other Rolls-Royce to date.

Inspired By Music

The Wraith Inspired by Music, which is making its China premiere, completed a trilogy of striking and distinctive bespoke collections after the unveiling of the Wraith Inspired by Film and the Wraith Inspired by Fashion.

The brushed and polished exterior paint and book-matched copper finish features are used for the first time on Wraith's fascia. A copper exterior paint and contemporary copper theme in the cabin create an atmospheric setting. The clock's radial lines on the outer bezel playfully emulate the look and feel of vinyl records.

The Bespoke Audio system was created from scratch by a team of the world's leading automotive audio engineers. The two-year development process saw the team work closely with Rolls-Royce interior designers to ensure a system perfectly tuned to the cabin interior.

The extraordinary sound clarity and dynamic range are achieved via a 1,300-W, 18-channel system that creates an "exclusive music venue" for the owners to drive in an encompassing music system.