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The Darkest Black Badge yet – New Black Badge Cullinan

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Rolls-Royce introduced Black Badge with the Wraith and Ghost in 2016, followed by Dawn in 2017 and in 2019 the family is completed with the Black Badge Cullinan.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan
Rolls Royce Introduces the first Black Badge Cullinan. Credit:Rolls-Royce
  • Introduced as the darkest, most urban expression of a Black Badge motor car yet
  • First coloured brake caliper from Rolls-Royce
  • 6.75-litre V12 engine now delivers increased power (600PS) and torque (900NM)
  • Drivetrain and chassis re-engineered for enhanced dynamic performance
  • Curated collection debuts striking Forge Yellow leather and Technical Carbon veneer
  • Bespoke alloy wheel introduced in Black Badge house style
  • Infinity lemniscate symbol continues to codify noir expression of Rolls-Royce

Launched in 2018, the original Silver Badge guise of the Cullinan was created to satisfy overwhelming demand from younger, more adventurous clients looking for a super-luxury SUV. If the Silver Badge Cullinan was built to conquer the world’s wildest reaches, then the alter ego Black Badge Cullinan has been built to conquer the urban frontiers.

Front View of the Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan
The darkest Black Badge to date. Credit:Rolls-Royce

The Idea Of Black Badge

Rolls-Royce noted that within its new group of clients a subset of individuals existed who sought to subvert the motor car’s domineering presence, as Rolls-Royce states, “by permanently cloaking it in the night”. Rolls-Royce goes on further to describe them as “men and women who take risks, break rules and build success on their own terms”. Rolls-Royce also gives a hint that the idea of Black Badge didn’t arrive without opposition. “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” declares Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan
Cloaked in the night – Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan. Credit: Rolls-Royce

The Darkest Black Badge Version

The Black Badge Cullinan’s multi-layered signature high gloss Black paint is hand polished 10 times, representing the most comprehensive surface finish process ever applied to a solid paint colour. While the black paint will be popular for many, the Black Badge Cullinan can also be coated in any of Rolls-Royce’s 44,000 ‘ready to wear’ colors or commissioned with a completely new bespoke hue.

The Spirit of Ecstasy mascot is presented in high gloss black chrome and for the first time this finish extends onto its mounting plate, creating the darkest Black Badge yet.

Other darkened features include the ‘Double R’ badge on the front, flanks and aft which invert to become silver-on-black, while chrome surfaces such as the front grille surround, side frame finishers, boot handle, boot trim, lower air inlet finisher and exhaust pipes are darkened. While they appear black, the vertical grille bars remain polished, reflecting the blackened surfaces that surround them.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan Wheels
All new 22 inch rims especially reserved for Black Badge Cullinan. Credit: Rolls-Royce

The Black Badge Cullinan is further enhanced by all-new 22-inch forged alloy wheels, reserved exclusively for Black Badge Cullinan. Lurking behind these are Rolls-Royce’s first ever coloured brake calipers. The high gloss Red paint has been specifically developed to withstand the rigors of elevated temperatures generated by the motor car’s uprated braking system while still offering a perfectly smooth finish befitting of Rolls-Royce. To help driver confidence when exploiting the Black Badge Cullinan’s increased power, the braking bite point has been raised and pedal travel decreased. Redesigned brake disc ventilation also allows consistency in these changes while braking at elevated temperatures.

As we delve inside the cabin of the Black Badge Cullinan, the now iconic Starlight Headliner intensifies the cabin’s ambience by casting a low light over the lavish leather seats. Presented in fine Black leather, handwoven with 1344 fibre optic lights, it is a true reflection of the sky at night and incorporates eight brilliant white shooting stars that dart at random predominantly over the front occupants, subtly acknowledging the Cullinan’s owner-driver appeal.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan Starlight Headliner
1344 fibre optic lights and 8 shooting stars intensify the ambience. Credit: Rolls-Royce

What Is Technical Carbon?

Inside their cars, Rolls-Royce usually go to lengths to remove any notion or sense of the raw mechanical function of the motor vehicle. However, for the Black badge Cullinan, Rolls-Royce’s Colour and Trim experts wanted to gently sensationalise the engineering substance of Black Badge, but asked themselves, how should this be done?

In the spirit of Sir Henry Royce’s founding philosophy, “When it does not exist, design it”, a collaboration between the marque’s designers, engineers and craftspeople saw the creation of a new luxury material called Technical Carbon.

Inspired by masterpieces of urban architecture, a naked-weave carbon-fibre finish was developed to create highly accurate repeating geometrical shapes that produced a powerful three-dimensional effect.

Each leaf of Technical Carbon is finished with six coats of lacquer before being left to cure for 72 hours then hand-polished to Rolls-Royce’s hallmark mirror finish. This process takes 21 days and is only deemed complete once every piece is inspected by a craftsperson to ensure complete reflective uniformity across each of the 23 pieces within the car’s interior.

Rolls Royce’s Technical Carbon takes 21 days to manufacture. Credit: Rolls-Royce
Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan Dashboard
Inside the Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan. Credit: Rolls-Royce

The Infinity Motif

The Black Badge contains symbolism of the mathematical symbol that represents a potential infinity, which is placed discreetly within the motor car’s interior. This marking, also known as the lemniscate, was applied to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s record-breaking Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3 hydroplane, denoting that it belonged to an insurance class reserved for boats with unlimited and therefore infinite engine power. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars states it “selected this hallmark for Black Badge to reflect its own unrelenting pursuit of power”. Within the car’s interior, the Infinity lemniscate motif is embroidered into the fold-down rear arm-rest, incorporated in the illuminated treadplates and engraved on the brushed and darkened steel clock case.

Sir Malcolm Campbell’s record-breaking Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3 hydroplane was also celebrated by Rolls-Royce with the planned limited edition production run of 35 Phantom Drophead Coupes revealed in 2014. The unique models were to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s last water speed record, which occurred in 1939.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan Rear Seats
the Infinity lemniscate motif on the fold-down rear arm rest. Credit: Rolls-Royce
Sir Malcolm Campbell's Bluebird K3 hydroplane
Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird K3 hydroplane.

Black Badge Cullinan Engineering & Power

Key to the visceral thrill of Black Badge Cullinan is the Architecture of Luxury, Rolls-Royce’s proprietary all-aluminium architecture that debuted with Phantom. The sub-structure not only delivers extraordinary body stiffness but its flexibility and scalability allowed Cullinan to be fitted with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering in its silver badged guise. These dynamic features have been comprehensively exploited and re-engineered for Black Badge while retaining the peerless quality of ride that has driven Rolls-Royce’s success.

The Architecture of Luxury has been engineered to meet size and weight requirements of different propulsion systems. When the driver presses the ‘Low’ button situated on the gear selection stalk, they unlock Black Badge Cullinan’s full suite of technologies. This is asserted by the proud amplification of the motor car’s 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 through an entirely new exhaust system, announcing its arrival with a deep, authoritative basso profundo.

Instrument Cluster In The Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan
The V12 in the Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan puts out 600PS. Credit: Rolls-Royce

It was deemed unnecessary to make changes to the engine’s ample internal capacity, however the flexibility of the twin-turbo V12 has been exploited to generate an extra 29PS creating a total output of 600PS. The sense of a single, infinite gear has also been sensationalised with the addition of a further 50NM of torque, bringing the total to a 900NM.

Black Badge Cullinan benefits from a Bespoke transmission and throttle treatment that creates a sense of urgency without ever undermining its Rolls-Royce peerage. The drive-train, ZF 8-speed gear box and both front and rear steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of engagement depending on throttle and steering inputs. The result is an extremely well-mannered tourer at low speeds and a vivid driver’s device when pressed.

Black Badge Cullinan is now available to commission.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Cullinan
Rolls-Royce’s latest tourer, Black Badge Cullinan. Credit: Rolls-Royce

Luxury Cars

Lamborghini Reveals Countach LPI 800-4 Revival

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Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Countach with a special edition LPI 800-4 model debuting at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Aerial
The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Credit: Lamborghini

In celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, Lamborghini has unveiled a special limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 as a futuristic tribute to the poster car of the 1980s.

While sharing the same name and drawing on the visual legacy of its predecessor, the new Countach LPI 800-4 is powered by Lamborghini’s aspirated V12 engine combined with new hybrid supercapacitor technology initially developed for the Sian.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side 1
Powered by Lamborghini’s V12 engine with hybrid supercapacitor. Credit: Lamborghini

Delivering 802hp maximum combined power (rounded to 800 for the sake of its model name), the LPI 800-4 can reach 0-62mph acceleration in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 220mph.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
The Lamborghini Countach has a top speed of 220mph. Credit: Lamborghini

“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams.

“The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy, but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.”

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front
Inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition with low rectangular headlights. Credit: Lamborghini

Inspired by the Countach’s distinctive silhouette, sharp angles, and wedge shape, the Countach LPI 800-4’s exterior inspiration was taken specifically from the Quattrovalvole edition in the bold lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Rear Side
Futuristic hexagonal rear lights like those of the Sián. Credit: Lamborghini

Unfortunately for fans of the Wolf of Wall Street Countach, there’s no fixed rear wing on the latest model. However, there are still air scoops integrated fluidly into the car’s shoulders and the distinctive Countach slatted “gills” and famous scissor doors.

The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 still features a distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line and the hexagonal rear light design similar to that of the Sián.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Side
The famous scissor doors still remain. Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini has revealed only 112 models of the new Countach LPI 800-4 will be produced (a number chosen in honor of the internal project name “LP 112” used for the original Countach development) with allocations already fulfilled prior to the public launch.

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Front Side
Only 112 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4’s will be produced. Credit: Lamborghini

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Porsche & Manthey Racing Collab on Limited Edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25

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Porsche Motorsport celebrates 25 years partnership with Manthey-Racing and reveals the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche

Porsche Motorsport is celebrating 25 years of collaboration with Manthey-Racing GmbH and has unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 to commemorate.

Founded by racing driver Olaf Manthey in 1996, Manthey-Racing GmbH is responsible for running the Porsche 911 RSR of the factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has made a name for itself in both the motor racing world and as a GT road car specialist.

Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche
Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche

The basic concept and technical ideas for the new special edition was provided by Manthey and based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport with Porsche providing the final design. 

Developed specifically for track days and circuit racing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine and produces 515 HP directed to the rear wheels through Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (PDK). 

Green and yellow design accents inspired by "Grello". Credit: Porsche
Green and yellow design accents inspired by “Grello”. Credit: Porsche

Taking inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, known as the “Grello” because of its distinctive green and yellow livery, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 sports a similar green and yellow color scheme to highlight functional areas of the vehicle and adopts many vehicle components and elements from future Porsche racing cars. 

Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche
Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche

“The design of the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 expresses the long-standing collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Manthey,” emphasizes Grant Larson from Style Porsche. “It amalgamates the respective strengths of each partner into one racing car, and at the same time bridges the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911.”

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is limited to 30 vehicles in total (only six are allocated for North America) with deliveries expected to begin in early 2022.

To order, customers will need to email 911GT2RSClubsport25@porsche.de directly and have a spare $620,00 on hand. 

2021 Porsche 991 GT2 RS Aerial

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Pagani to Reveal Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta at Monterey Car Week 2021

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The new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta is set to make its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week and celebrates ten years of the Huayra supercar.
Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Front Side View
The new Pagani BC Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta. Credit: Pagani Automobili

This year at Monterey Car Week, Pagani celebrates ten years of the Huayra with the world premiere of the new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

Based on the Huayra BC, the new Pacchetto Tempesta package means the Huayra BC’s high-performance platform can be equipped with a range of “state-of-the-art technical and artisan solutions” to maximize the car’s racing abilities and achieve an 8% power increase to deliver 827 hp and 1,100 Nm torque.

Pagani has only teased several introductory images of the green carbon fiber bodied beauty ahead of the premiere, and although full details are yet to be shared, Pagani has noted that the Pacchetto Tempesta features a new front splitter, dedicated air intake, rear wing with an integrated central fin, and six-pipe exhaust system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear Aerial
New rear wing design with an integrated central fin. Credit: Pagani Automobili

A tweaked suspension system and the addition of an all-new “Soft Driving mode” also ensure drivers are afforded maximum comfort in the aggressive Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.

The Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will make its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event on Friday 13th August at Monterey Car Week 2021 and will be seen alongside the Huayra R project and an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Pagani V12-R engine, six-speed sequential gearbox.

While no prices have been revealed yet, the Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will no double start above the $2.25 million price tag of the Huayra BC.

Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta Rear
New six-exhaust design (four central and two below). Credit: Pagani Automobili

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