the rolls-royce cullinan uses 1344 lights to create 'starry sky' effect inside

rolls-royce has launched the third iteration of its bespoke family of motor cars, otherwise known as black badge. described by the british luxury automobile maker, the ‘cullinan‘ edition is the ‘darkest, most urban expression’ added to the series yet.

images courtesy of rolls-royce

it features a 6.75-litre v12 engine that delivers an increased power output of (600ps) and torque (900nm). the drivetrain and chassis are re-engineered for enhanced dynamic performance and bespoke 22-inch alloy wheels are introduced in black badge house style.

rolls-royce has made changes to suspension components to add to a ‘suite of dynamic technologies’ that ensure a smooth ride. the drive-train, Zf 8-speed gearbox and both front and rear steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of engagement depending on throttle and steering inputs.

to create the depth of color that characterizes the black badge exterior, multiple layers of paint and lacquer are meticulously applied and hand-polished 10 times. it serves as the perfect canvas for the contrasting hand-painted coachline. a pop of red offers relief with the marque’s first ever coloured brake caliper. a high gloss red paint was specifically developed to withstand the elevated temperatures generated by the motor car’s uprated braking system.

another painstaking process, each leaf of technical carbon is finished with six coats of lacquer before being left to cure for 72 hours then hand-polished. 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.

inside the cullinan, the black badge cullinan’s technical carbon veneer features a naked-weave carbon-fibre finish, developed to create highly accurate repeating geometrical shapes that produce a powerful three-dimensional effect. bringing light to all this darkness is rolls-royce’s starlight headliner, handwoven with 1344 fibre optic lights to create the unique effect of a constellation of stars. it even incorporates eight brilliant white shooting stars that dart at random.

rolls-royce created a new yellow leather colour to offer as part of the brand’s bespoke offering. it can be commissioned for the motor car’s viewing suite or incorporated into the design of a bespoke recreation module tailored to the client’s specification. its been used for the infinity lemniscate motif, which is embroidered into the fold-down rear arm-rest of the seats, echoing the illuminated treadplates and engraved on the brushed and darkened steel clock case.

rolls-royce motor cars launched black badge in 2016 as a permanent bespoke family of motor cars aimed at the younger super-luxury consumer. the company introduced modern versions of the ghost and wraith in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

‘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,’ torsten müller-ötvös, chief executive officer, rolls-royce motor cars. ‘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.’

‘however, once the marque’s designers, engineers and craftspeople began pursuing this dramatic alter ego, it became clear that these motor cars could not only exist comfortably beneath this revered and historic brand but they would define a new space within the super-luxury market. 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.’