Meet the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre – the brand’s first all-electric coupe, now enhanced with the Black Badge treatment. Not only is it the most powerful Rolls-Royce to date, but with the right configuration, it might also be the most vibrant, thanks to a palette that welcomes bold hues like Vapour Violet.
For those unfamiliar, the Black Badge sub-brand was introduced in 2021 to inject a more youthful, performance-focused spirit into Rolls-Royce models. It adds more power, sharper handling, and an extensive range of customization options. Now, the Spectre receives the same treatment, promising an even more engaging driving experience.
Power and Performance Enhancements
Like the standard Spectre, the Black Badge version is powered by dual electric motors delivering all-wheel drive and an impressive 577bhp. However, engaging the Infiniti mode (marked by the infinity symbol, a signature of the Black Badge line) unlocks an additional 73bhp, bringing the total to 650bhp.
Further pushing performance, Spirited Mode—activated by simultaneously pressing the brake and throttle before releasing the brake—boosts torque from 660 to 793 lb-ft, essentially serving as launch control. Yes, you read that right—launch control in a Rolls-Royce. The inspiration comes from the Merlin engine that powered WWII Spitfires, which provided pilots with bursts of extra thrust in combat. While unlikely to be used in dogfights today, Rolls-Royce gave us a racetrack to put these newfound abilities to the test.
Pushing Limits on the Track
We first tested the Spectre in standard 577bhp mode, achieving a smooth yet forceful 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds—exactly as Rolls-Royce claims. Next, engaging Infiniti mode and launching the car with Spirited Mode produced an even more remarkable 3.5-second sprint, all without tire slip despite damp conditions. It’s a surreal experience, especially given the near-total silence of the electric powertrain.
Beyond straight-line speed, the Black Badge Spectre also benefits from subtle handling refinements. Steering weight has been increased, roll stabilisation improved, and the dampers stiffened to minimize body movement under acceleration and braking. Though it remains a nearly three-tonne luxury coupe, it now manages its mass with greater precision, staying remarkably composed through corners.
While its track prowess is intriguing, no Rolls-Royce owner is likely to take their Spectre racing. The real question is how it performs on the road, and the answer is—magnificently.
Unlike many performance-focused luxury cars, Rolls-Royce keeps things refreshingly simple. There are no confusing drive mode selectors or complicated settings. The car is engineered to deliver effortless performance without requiring the driver to fiddle with settings. It’s an experience rooted in serenity—no vibrations, no road noise, just pure refinement. After hours behind the wheel, you emerge feeling more relaxed than when you started.
Crucially, Rolls-Royce has avoided compromising the Spectre’s hallmark comfort in pursuit of sportiness. The plush ride remains, ensuring that even with its added agility, it retains the effortless grandeur expected of the brand.
A Bold Statement in Design
Customization is key with the Black Badge Spectre, offering limitless personalization options. Our test car showcased Vapour Violet paint, a nod to 80s and 90s club culture. Inside, illuminated sill plates, starlight headliners, and fiber optic stars create an atmosphere of opulence. The cabin, finished in Radiant Blue and Peony Pink leather, is a sensory delight, combining carbon, metal, and wood elements to an extravagant effect.
New features for the Black Badge include an illuminated grille backplate in five colors and striking 23-inch forged wheels. Every inch of the Spectre’s design reinforces its identity as a vehicle that blends ultimate luxury with bold self-expression.
Final Verdict
When our colleague Ollie Kew first drove the standard Spectre, he called it “the best car in the world.” He later worried that might have been an overstatement—but after driving the Black Badge version, we can confidently say he was spot on.
With prices starting around £350,000 and climbing past £500,000 with full customization, the Black Badge Spectre is a rarefied indulgence. Yet for those who demand both unparalleled luxury and electrified performance, it delivers in ways no other car can. It’s not just a vehicle—it’s an experience, and one that Rolls-Royce has executed to near perfection.
