Back in the autumn of 1940, Rolls-Royce played its part in saving Britain from Nazi clutches. There is hardly anyone who has not heard of the Battle of Britain and the tremendous role played by the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire in the cause of freedom. Both were powered by Rolls-Royce’s incredible 27-litre V12 Merlin engine. The latest from the world’s most iconic motorcar brand, the Black Badge Spectre, is a homage to the brilliant Merlin that worked its magic to save the world over 80 years ago.
With more than 659 horsepower and a tarmac-shredding 1,075Nm of peak torque, the Black Badge Spectre is the most powerful motorcar to sport the Spirit of Ecstasy. The car uses an innovative dual powertrain, both of which are all-electric, another first for a Roller. In Infinity mode, which can be accessed via the infinity symbol on the steering wheel, the driver gets full access to the 659 silkily galloping horses and a more direct throttle response to go with it. Switch to Spirited mode, however, by pressing the brake and the throttle together until one receives a haptic response, and the driver gets an instant shove as the entire 1,075Nm of torque is unleashed. As a result, 0-100 km/h comes and goes in just over four seconds. This is a throwback feature inspired by the additional burst of power from the Merlin that pilots could access via the throttle quadrant.
Beyond the magic of such power, the Black Badge Spectre is quite a dramatic beauty, its fastback design having been inspired by racing yacht design. While its global debut saw it garbed in a deep, dark violet that harks back to the neon era of the 1980s and ‘90s, it is of course infinitely customisable from the marque’s palette of 44,000 colours. Also debuting on the Black Badge Spectre are 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminium wheels. The signature noir theme has been extended to the iconic Pantheon grille as well, and the entire aura of the car betrays a brooding but powerful presence.
Inside, this four-seater coupe offers features like doors with as many as 4,796 illuminated stars, while the passenger side suicide door gets a special Spectre nameplate illuminated by 5,500 stars. The piano black fascia, too, is lit by as many stars. The frame of the fascia has been crafted to create a technical fibre surface finish with a diamond-shaped weave of carbon fibre and metal on Bolivar wood. An incredible piece of automotive art, available in India starting at INR 7.5 crores, ex-showroom.
