Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge gets more power, darker vibes

The largest and most ostentatious Rolls-Royce is to receive a darker treatment as the Goodwood brand announces the introduction of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge.

With the Black Badge treatment comes more than just a darker theme in terms of design, but also a more aggressive and dynamically focused driving setup for those who want a little more excitement out of their luxury cars – or SUVs.

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With 441kW and 900Nm from its twin-turbo 6.75-litre V12, the Black Badge is up 21kW and 50Nm from the standard Cullinan, while Rolls-Royce says the BB also has been given a more ‘urgent’ transmission and throttle tune which works with altered suspension components to create what RR calls a “vivid driver’s device” at high speeds.

It’s quick to add that the more aggressive acceleration and dynamic ability doesn’t detract from its Rolls-Royce manners when driven normally.

Its 22-inch alloy wheels are specific to the model, which also features a plethora of black chrome.

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Inside, though customers are able to specify their own interior treatment, the cabin is home to a “new luxury material” called ‘Technical Carbon’. 23 pieces of the material adorn the Cullinan’s interior to create a more sporting mood.

As a result of these changes, pricing for the Cullinan Black Badge jumps up from the ‘standard’ $685,000 drive-away price to $760,000 plus on-roads. The chances of any Rolls-Royce customer paying the base price for a vehicle, however, are incredibly slim.

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And who are those customers? Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös says the Cullinan Black Badge is aimed at the company’s ‘rebellious’ clients. It must be hard to “take risks” and “break rules” in a vehicle this conspicuous.

“Black Badge reflects the desires of a distinct group of Rolls-Royce clients: men and women who take risks, break rules and build success on their own terms,” says Müller-Ötvös.

“Indeed, before we launched Black Badge in 2016 the idea of creating a product that would satisfy this subversive cohort – that is highly dynamic and wilfully rebellious in aesthetic – caused a great deal of internal debate.”

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Müller-Ötvös even comes close to taking a page out of George R.R Martin’s book (literally), by giving the Cullinan a nickname not unlike that of Game of Thrones’ Night King.

“In this spirit, the time has come for Rolls-Royce’s boldest and darkest expression of Black Badge yet. The King of the Night, Black Badge Cullinan.”

Rolls-Royce says the Cullinan Black Badge is available to commission now.

Click on the photo at the top of this story for more photos and videos of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge.