Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge – Is This 650bhp Electric Super Coupe Built for the Track?

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 06:46:36 +1300

When you think of Rolls-Royce, the words "track-ready" don’t usually come to mind. But the new Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge is here to flip that narrative. With 650bhp under its bonnet, this all-electric super coupe pushes the boundaries of what a luxury grand tourer can be — and on our first drive, we quickly learned this isn’t just about opulence anymore.

The Spectre marks Rolls-Royce’s bold entry into the electric era, and the Black Badge variant dials everything up to 11. It's faster, sharper, and more dynamic than any Rolls-Royce before it — without sacrificing the signature comfort and refinement the marque is known for.

Design That Demands Attention

Visually, the Spectre Black Badge is a stunner. It carries the same imposing silhouette as the base model but with subtle tweaks: blacked-out chrome, high-gloss carbon wheels, and a deeper, moodier color palette. The illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy and fastback coupe profile give it an unmistakable presence, whether you're parked at the Monaco Marina or storming down the Nürburgring.

Performance: Silent, Smooth, and Shockingly Fast

Underneath the elegance is a serious electric powertrain delivering 650bhp and 900Nm of torque. It glides from 0–100km/h in under 4.5 seconds — impressive for a car weighing over 2.9 tonnes. But what's more surprising is the handling.

On a private test track, the Spectre Black Badge showed off its adaptive suspension and active roll control. It’s still a cruiser at heart, but in Black Badge mode, the throttle sharpens, steering firms up, and the car becomes noticeably more responsive. It won’t beat a Ferrari on a circuit, but it holds its own in a way no previous Rolls could even dream of.

Cabin: Tech Meets Tradition

Step inside, and it’s business as usual — meaning absolute luxury. The Starlight headliner has been extended to the doors, and there’s even a digital dashboard that feels more spaceship than saloon. Black Badge-exclusive materials like Technical Fibre and custom contrast stitching elevate the feel. It’s silent, indulgent, and unmistakably Rolls.

Even more impressive is how seamlessly the EV tech is integrated. There’s no futuristic gimmickry — just an intuitive interface and range of about 530km, making it genuinely usable for long-distance drives.

Verdict: A New Kind of Rolls-Royce

So, is the Spectre Black Badge a super coupe for the track? Technically, no — it won’t replace your GT3 RS. But for what it is — an electric Rolls-Royce that feels daring, dynamic, and even a little rebellious — it’s a monumental step forward.

This is more than just the first electric Rolls-Royce. It’s a symbol that luxury and performance no longer live in separate worlds. With the Spectre Black Badge, Rolls-Royce has rewritten the rules, and the result is nothing short of electric.