At the Geneva Motor Show back in 2016, Rolls-Royce presented a truly transformative moment on the luxury landscape – the introduction of a permanent Bespoke family of motor cars called Black Badge, designed in response to the differing lifestyle requirements of a younger, more dynamic patron of luxury.
Since its introduction, Black Badge has done much to attract a new generation of Rolls-Royce customers to the marque. As a result of overwhelmingly positive customer demand for Ghost Black Badge and Wraith Black Badge, the time is now right to add a new chapter to the Black Badge story.
Black Badge is Rolls-Royce’s response to a small and select group of clients who have asked the marque for motor cars with specific, focused characteristics that reflect their different take on life, success and the luxury they consume. Luminaries including Sir Malcolm Campbell, Howard Hughes and Muhammed Ali have all shared the marque’s founding philosophy; an uncompromising refusal to accept the status quo and a constant yearn to innovate, create and advance.
Their restless spirit was also shared by the marque’s co-founder; himself one of the great disrupters of his day. The Honourable C.S. Rolls was a man in a hurry. Not satisfied with fundamentally altering the road-car landscape, he sought more and pursued his appetite for advancement and adventure in the air; a passion that would ultimately lead to his untimely demise aged just 33.
“Black Badge is for those driven by the same restless spirit that propelled company forefather C.S Rolls’ exploration of the limitations of powered land and air travel. It is an alter-ego for our marque that captivates the disrupters, the innovators and those that accept no limitations.”
~ Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge stands as the most luxurious, social and sensual space from which to take in the night air. This most glamorous, uncompromising expression of open-top luxury is given a new and darker sensual dimension through its suite of Black Badge engineering and design treatments. The roof opens in a ‘Silent Ballet’ to allow in the sounds of the night, and comes only in an black canvas, whilst the rear deck is finished in black leather.
Aside from the aesthetics, fundamental changes to the transmission and throttle strategy give Dawn an enhanced feeling of urgency without diminishing its position as the world’s most luxurious open-top tourer. Indeed, the drive-train, ZF 8-speed gear box and “quickened” steering-rack work together to create a more spirited drive depending on throttle and steering input.
A finishing touch to the interior, and a nod to one of Rolls-Royce’s great pioneer patrons, Sir Malcolm Campbell, the famous ‘Infinity’ rating logo is beautifully embroidered into the car’s rear waterfall; a tribute to a man very much possessed by the restless spirit that so defines the Black Badge attitude.
ROLLS-ROYCEMOTORCARS.com
