The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Is The Most Powerful, Dramatic Version Yet

Targeting a new generation of buyers: That’s what Rolls-Royce is aiming to do with this new Cullinan Black Badge model. As the “darkest, most urban expression” of the brand’s first SUV, the marketing behind this car targets those who want something spicier — and dare I say it with a Rolls-Royce, sportier — than what their $325,000 nets them with the normal Cullinan.

It’s worth noting that pricing is not yet available for the Cullinan Black Badge. However, the company says you can “commission” one now. Since Rolls-Royce takes more of a bespoke approach to each one of its cars, the sky’s the limit with customization, so the price is pretty much whatever you want it to be. Whatever your bank account can manage, you’ll need substantially more than the normal asking price.

More power and torque

For the extra cash, you do get a few unique touches beyond the standard Cullinan. You still get a twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12, but this time it puts out 600 horsepower to the standard 563. You also get a bump in torque to 664 lb-ft from 627. While to my mind driving a Rolls-Royce isn’t really about sheer power, I worship at the altar of horsepower as much as the next person, so any little bit extra helps there. Rolls-Royce also says the drivetrain and chassis has been revised for “enhanced dynamic performance”.

The blacked out Cullinan Black Badge shown in the photo above is perhaps the best visual expression of the family, as Rolls-Royce calls it. However, the one Tommy saw in the video above is white, and you can also order the car in one of 44,000 paint schemes. If none of those options suit your fancy, you can also commission a car an a “Bespoke” hue. Painstaking effort goes into the exterior and interior on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge, down to the technical carbon trim. Those 23 pieces take three weeks to finish, and needs a craftsperson’s stamp of approval before it goes into the car.

Red painted brake calipers?

You see the gloss black Spirit of Ecstasy and the other blacked out trim and think the Black Badge is certainly living up to its name. However, look behind those bespoke 22-inch wheels and you see red-painted brake calipers. Going back to performance for a moment, Rolls-Royce says it’s also redesigned the disc brakes to cope with higher temperatures. Certainly not what you’re probably expecting, and that goes double for interior.

Open the door, and you’re treated to a new interior color: Forge Yellow. From the leather to the floor mats and beyond, that color offers some serious contrast from the rest of the blacked out look. As ever, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge still has all the other accoutrements you’d expect in a $325,000-plus SUV. That includes the Starlight Headliner, with 1,344 individual fiber optic lights.

What do you think of the “sporty” Cullinan? Let us know your thoughts on the Cullinan Black Badge in the comments below.