Black Badge speaks to a younger, more assertive customer – the rule breakers and the disruptors, those that work hard in the day but commit the same intensity to play once darkness falls. This spirit closely follows the audacity of pioneers like Muhammad Ali and our very own Charles Rolls, untrammelled by social convention and pushing every boundary to realise their personal vision.
"As South East Asia quickly becomes a global hub for highly-successful entrepreneurs, younger than average, that have broken away from tradition to make their own mark in the world, Rolls-Royce Black Badge presents a darker and bolder proposition from Rolls-Royce to suit this new attitude," says Paul Harris, Regional Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the Asia Pacific region.
"These clients are assertive, demanding and unafraid to get behind the wheel to take charge. Black Badge is the perfect Bespoke answer to this distinctive, decisive and dynamic breed of owner-drivers – without ever compromising the sublime Rolls-Royce driving experience."
According to Sunthornpan Dhechatech, General Manager at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok, Black Badge presents a new paradigm for his audience. "The Rolls-Royce customer base is now wider and younger than ever before, with more Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) emerging through highly successful businesses."
"Wraith Black Badge, with its darker and bolder appeal, is the perfect symbol of success for these young entrepreneurs, a bold statement and reward for their chosen way of life."
Bolder in Black
The maleficent metamorphosis of Rolls-Royce Wraith into its Black Badge alter-ego starts with the iconic 'Flying Lady', the Spirit of Ecstasy who changes neither in design, posture nor material, but in colour to represent the dark obsession of Black Badge. She mutates into a high-gloss black vamp, proudly scything through the night-time cityscape.
The Double R badge on the prow, flanks and aft of Wraith invert to become silver-on-black, whilst chrome surfaces such as the front grille surround, boot lid finisher, lower air inlet finisher and exhaust pipes turn dark to camouflage the car's fastback silhouette amid the shadows.
Black reaches a new intensity on the car, with multiple layers of paint and lacquer repeatedly hand-polished in the most exacting process ever developed for a solid colour. The result is a black darker than night, the most intense shade of black seen on a production car surface. However, as Bespoke is Rolls-Royce, clients will of course be able to specify whatever colour they wish for the exterior and interior of their Rolls-Royce Black Badge.
Darker Sophistication
Dark sophistication permeates the cabin of Wraith Black Badge, starting with the centrepiece; aerospace-grade aluminium-threaded carbon fibre composite surfacing. Threads of aluminium just 0.014mm thick are woven together and bonded with carbon fibre through a painstakingly meticulous process, resulting in the world's most innovative new super-luxury material.
'Unlimited' rating infinity motifs are repeated throughout the car's fascia, in the headrests and embroidered onto the upholstery to symbolise the Black Badge attitude of challenging – or ignoring altogether – the limits set by societal convention. The final touch? Moody light, cast from the black starlight headliner, a foreboding twilight reflected around the cabin to create a darkly atmospheric ambiance.
Discernible Dynamism
Already the most powerful Rolls-Royce in the world at 624 bhp, Wraith has always been the most driver-focused car in the model range. To create Wraith Black Badge, engineers combined an extra wave of torque (+70Nm) with a completely redesigned air-suspension setup, new driveshafts and an uprated 8-speed transmission to create an even more driver-focused and agile car, while at the same time never compromising on the effortless Rolls-Royce Magic Carpet Ride.
Black Badge communicates itself into the ground through exclusive new composite carbon fibre and lightweight alloy wheels, developed over four years, featuring 22 layers of carbon fibre laid in three axes and folded back on itself to create an unshakable 44-layers of strength. Further strength is added via 3D forged, aircraft-grade aluminium hub, which is bonded to the rim using titanium fasteners.
Wraith Black Badge in Bangkok
The Wraith Black Badge; revealed for the first time to South East Asian audiences is a Bespoke example finished in a bold combination of Black and Consort Red. Customers can currently place orders for Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge models for a 2017 delivery.
Recommended retail pricing starts from 34.9 million THB.
Price is highly dependent on Bespoke specification.