Motoring

Rolls-Royce completes the Black Badge family in Malaysia with the arrival of Cullinan

01.07.2020

By Ronn Tan

Rolls-Royce completes the Black Badge family in Malaysia with the arrival of Cullinan

For the first time in the automaker’s history, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur has presented a complete complement of Black Badge models in the South East Asia region and Malaysia—signaling a shift in the super-luxury market for the country. Launched digitally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the newly arrived SUV, Cullinan, marks the completion of the Black Badge family.

Presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016, the Black Badge is a permanent Bespoke family of motor cars that defined the taste patterns of an emerging generation of super-luxury consumers. In 2016, Rolls-Royce launched Wraith and Ghost to debut Black Badge before releasing Dawn in 2017. Described as the darkest and most urban expression of the Black Badge yet, Kuala Lumpur is finally introduced to the Cullinan.

When the Cullinan was first unveiled in 2018, it was in its silver badge guise. Now, the super-luxury SUV is officially going black. Meet the Black Badge Cullinan.

Exterior

Let’s begin with how the Black Badge Cullinan looks on the outside. In addition to the Black Badge’s signature Black, clients can opt to commission an entirely individual Bespoke hue or draw on the marque’s 44,000 “ready-to-wear” paint options. Representing the most comprehensive surface finish process ever applied to a solid paint colour, multiple layers of paint and lacquer are applied and hand-polished 10 times at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.

The defining expression of the Black Badge can be seen on the prow of the motor car. Presented in high gloss black chrome is the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. To create the darkest Black Badge yet, the finish extends onto its mounting plate.

You will also notice that chrome surfaces such as the front grille surround, side frame finishers, boot handle, boot trim, lower air inlet finisher, and exhaust pipes are darkened. In addition to that, the “Double R” badge on the front, flanks, and aft will invert to become silver-on-black.

The Black Badge Cullinan is equipped with all-new 22-inch forced alloy wheels that are reserved exclusively for the variant. You will also be able to spot the marque’s first ever coloured brake caliper in the form of high gloss Red paint. Note that the new enhancement is created to withstand elevated temperatures caused by the motor car’s braking system.

Interior

Beginning with the interior seating, the fold-down rear arm-rest now comes embroidered with the Infinity lemniscate motif. Moreover, the symbol can also be seen on the illuminated tread plates and engraved on the brushed and darkened steel clock case.

The interior colour palette of the Black Badge Cullinan is near-infinitely configurable—reflecting the marque’s Bespoke philosophy. As part of the brand’s curated collection, Forge Yellow is the new leather colour that’s created by Rolls-Royce’s Colour and Trim designers for Cullinan.

Throughout the automakers history, its iconography includes the Spirit of Ecstasy, Pantheon Grille, and Double R monogram. Now, joining the ranks is Starlight Headliner—casting a low light over the leather seats in the cabin. In addition to being handwoven with 1,344 fibre optic lights and presented in fine Black leather, there are also eight white shooting stars that dart at random.

Another new addition to the Black Badge Cullinan is a naked-weave carbon-fibre finish. The new material is developed by the marque’s designers, engineers, and craftspeople to create produce powerful three-dimensional effects through highly accurate repeating geometrical shapes.

Engineering

The Black Badge Cullinan is equipped with a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. To create a sense of urgency without undermining its Rolls-Royce peerage through the adjustment of the levels of engagement—depending on throttle and steering input, the Black Badge Cullinan benefits from a drive-train, ZF8-speed gear box and both front and rear steered axles that work collaboratively.

Identified as the Architecture of Luxury, Rolls-Royce’s all-aluminium architecture is key to the thrill of the Black Badge Cullinan—engineered to meet size and weight requirements of different propulsion systems. Here’s a fun fact: to unlock the Black Badge Cullinan’s full suite of technologies, all you have to do is press the “Low” button located on the gear selection stalk.

The Black Badge Cullinan has a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour and can complete the century sprint in 5.0 seconds.

Black Badge Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn

The Black Badge Wraith (from RM1.7 million) now comes with a redesigned air-suspension setup, new drive shafts, and uprated eight-speed transmission whereas the Black Badge Ghost (RM1.4 million) is now equipped with eight-speed automatic transmission. As for the Black Badge Dawn (RM1.8 million), you will notice new exhaust system, more power, as well as subtle changes to suspension, transmission, throttle, steering, and brakes.

Made to cater to a new group of young and adventurous disrupters and innovators, the Black Badge Cullinan—now available to commission—starts from RM1.7 million. With Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur being the only dealer in the region to have the full Black Badge family, it’s a massive sign of the enormous change in the Malaysian market for super-luxury indulgence. What are your thoughts on the Black Badge Cullinan and the completion of Rolls-Royce Black Badge family in the country?

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