Rest Easy, Prince. Electric Future Nears.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith is no longer an option in the North American sector and now, it is ready to retire finally from the European markets with a last special edition. This edition has been dubbed the ‘Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection’ and could possibly be the last gas-fueled coupe ever produced by Rolls-Royce. Ahead of its launch later this year, the Wraith’s successor, the all-electrical Rolls-Royce Spectre went through more than a million miles of testing.
Rolls-Royce will construct exclusively 12 versions of the Black Arrow Badge Black, which is equipped with a 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V12 motor producing 624 horsepower. Having experienced the extended Dawn having this same V12, we can state that it is an outstanding engine that will be fondly remembered when Rolls rolls out fully electric vehicles. Under the hood is a rare badge, to certify this iconic car as the last ever Rolls model featuring V12 engine.
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The Black Arrow is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring a bespoke gradient paint scheme that combines two colors: Celebration Silver and Black Diamond. To create a “motion blur” between the two hues, the paint contains a glass-infused “Crystal” layer, polished for 12 hours to achieve a glass-like finish. Rolls-Royce says this unique finish was inspired by the crusted surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats, where Captain George Eyston set a world speed record of 357.497 mph with Thunderbolt, an eight-wheeled car powered by two Rolls-Royce V12 R Series aero engines. It took 18 months of hard work to perfect the paint job before it reached the manufacturer’s quality standards.
This striking silver/black livery is contrasted with the striking yellow bumper inserts and bespoke yellow wheel stripe design. Never before seen on a Wraith, this look gives an even bolder aesthetic—visible V-struts highlight the grille. Moreover, finishing off this extraordinary finish is a bright yellow ring located beneath the Spirit of Ecstasy with the Collection’s name inscribed upon it.
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Inside the Wraith Black Arrow, you’ll be greeted with a brand-new “Club Leather” that has a greater sheen and a deeper black coloration than other Rolls-Royce leathers. As per usual with Black Badge models, the Black Arrow also has some daring accents, this time in the form of yellow. The front seats are a bright yellow, while the rears are black. Unlike other Black Badge editions, this car has open-pore Black Wood on the dashboard instead of carbon fiber.
Veneration for the historic Thunderbolt is expressed in many ways, such as through the Starlight Headliner that illustrates the night sky over the Utah Salt Flats on September 16th, 1938 – when the world record was broken. Paying homage to the spectacular 357.497 mph peak speed, an analog clock and a vehicle’s V12 engine are expressed via an image etched into the wooden trim.
Each and every of the 12 vehicles have been appointed to patrons around the globe.
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This was a really insightful post, thank you for sharing!