Forget the letter to Santa. In Perth, the ultimate automotive fantasy has already arrived, and it's electrified. The Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge, the most powerful model in the marque's 120-year history, is now gliding onto Australian roads, redefining what silent, electric luxury can mean.
A Powerhouse Inspired by Aviation History
Gone is the legendary V12. In its place sits a formidable all-electric, all-wheel-drive powertrain with all-wheel steering. Its inspiration, however, is deeply rooted in Rolls-Royce's past. The Spectre Black Badge's performance ethos draws from the 27-litre V12 Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that powered iconic World War II aircraft like the Spitfire and Lancaster.
This connection is more than symbolic. The Merlin allowed pilots a temporary burst of extra power via a throttle switch. Today, the Spectre Black Badge offers its own modern interpretations of that surge through two key innovations.
Unleashing Infinite Power and Spirited Launches
First is Infinity Mode. Activated by a button on the steering wheel, it unleashes the full 485kW of power for a sharper throttle response, with the instrument dials changing colour to match the intensified experience.
Second is Spirited Mode, the brand's term for launch control. When stationary, fully pressing the brake and accelerator prompts a haptic signal. Releasing the brake delivers an instantaneous burst of acceleration, temporarily amplifying torque to a staggering 1075Nm.
"A car with this much power commands respect," notes the experience, transforming the drive into an event of poised, immense capability.
Bespoke Luxury, Handcrafted in Goodwood
Demand for the Spectre has shattered expectations, becoming the second-most requested Rolls-Royce globally in 2024 and the best-seller in Europe. It also boasts the second-highest level of bespoke personalisation in the portfolio.
The Black Badge treatment means a mirror-polished dark exterior finish, an illuminated grille, and the re-sculpted, more aerodynamic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. Clients can choose from 44,000 colours or create their own, matched across various materials.
Inside, traditional Rolls-Royce opulence meets modern artistry. It features the iconic bespoke starlight headliner with thousands of fibre-optic lights, hand-polished "technical fibre" trim with a 3D effect, and an environment of total acoustic serenity. Every Rolls-Royce is still hand-built in Goodwood, UK.
The Drive: Unbearable Lightness in a 2.9-Tonne Coupe
On the road, the Spectre Black Badge delivers a sensation akin to gliding. Remarkably, this is achieved by a vehicle weighing 2900kg. Acceleration is flawless, road noise is absent, and the audio system offers crystal-clear, distortion-free sound. The only audible hint is the air-conditioning.
James Figueroa, Brand Manager at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Perth, describes it as "a statement of pure, modern electric luxury" that transports the driver into a new dimension of harmony between power and serenity.
The coupe features rear-hinged coach doors and is the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever, with a drag coefficient of 0.25. Its 102kWh battery offers a WLTP range of 493km to 530km, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds.
A Name Steeped in Experimental History
The Spectre name is no marketing afterthought. It harks back to Rolls-Royce's experimental "EX" vehicles, used for gruelling development. In 1934, the 30EX, a prototype for the Phantom III with a secret new V12, was codenamed "Spectre." Nine more experimental cars carried the name before production.
Even earlier, in 1910, commercial managing director Claude Johnson named chassis 1601 "The Silver Spectre." This historical depth underscores the significance of reviving the Spectre badge for Rolls-Royce's bold electric future.
With a starting price of from $1.2 million before personalisation, the Spectre Black Badge is positioned at the zenith of electric motoring. For those in Perth and across Australia where only the absolute best will do, it presents an undeniable, if dream-worthy, proposition.
