Rolls-Royce appears to be readying a ‘Black Badge’
version of the Cullinan SUV, something that came to light after Auto Guide
discovered a filing made by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that
listed a model by that name. No mention is made as to when the vehicle may premiere nor what
components will differentiate it from the regular version, but other Black
Badge models like the Dawn, Ghost and Wraith give us a good idea of what to
expect.
Black Badge models sport the Spirit of Ecstasy
finished in gloss black as well as chrome exterior elements, including the
front grille surround, trunk lid finished, lower air inlets, and tailpipes
finished in black. Rolls-Royce also developed bespoke carbon alloy wheels that
incorporate no less than 44 layers of carbon fiber. The Black Badge models also
include aluminum-threaded carbon fiber finishes throughout the interior.
The new variant of the Cullinan will likely feature
largely the same new components to give it a more aggressive and stealthy
appearance than lesser models. Rolls-Royce went to the trouble of boosting
power of the Ghost Black Badge by 40 HP and 60 Nm of torque over the
standard model, but similar power gains were not enjoyed by the Wraith Black
Badge, so it’s anyone’s guess what will happen with their SUV.
Powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12, the
Cullinan delivers 563 HP and 850 Nm of torque, making for a pretty
nifty ride. A power bump would be welcome, though, especially since the Black
Badge will come at a premium.
