While on Ibiza amongst the yachts, we spent some time with the Black Badge Cullinan Series II, a vehicle that epitomizes an uncompromising attitude and appeals to those young or young-at-heart who seek the boldest forms of self-expression. Yes, we are fans of the new Cullinan Series II, and the Black Badge Cullinan Series II with its impactful front-end treatment and hallmark Black grille, accented by a silver ‘horizon line,’ is simply eye-catching.
Approaching the Black Badge Cullinan Series II, you’ll notice that the exterior details and brightwork, including the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine, are finished in Black. For the first time in Black Badge history, this finish extends to the window surrounds, door spears, and door handles. Each piece is hand-prepared by the marque’s artisans: a light abrasive is used to prepare the handle for a hardwearing primer, onto which four coats of Black paint are applied. After curing, these pieces are individually polished to match the high-gloss coachwork of the Black Badge Cullinan Series II.
Check out the 23-inch wheels, from a distance, the design appears to consist of five spokes finished in gloss black and silver. In reality, there are 10 interwoven spokes, creating a visual effect through a carefully orchestrated interplay of polished, painted, and recessed surfaces. This design also showcases the Black Badge disc brake calipers, finished in signature Red, with options for Black, Turchese, Mandarin, or Forge Yellow. Other darkened elements, such as the rear tailgate, bumper accents, and exhausts, are treated with a specific chrome electrolyte to achieve a mirror-black effect. This finish is applied through traditional chrome plating, resulting in a final thickness of just one micrometer, about one-hundredth the width of a human hair.
The interior of the Black Badge Cullinan Series II is a marvel of advanced, technical materials. The Technical Carbon finish from the original Black Badge Cullinan has been retained and further developed to create a precise repeating pattern of geometric shapes, producing a three-dimensional effect. Each leaf of Technical Carbon is finished with six coats of lacquer, left to cure for 72 hours, and then hand-polished to a mirror finish. Clients can personalize the Individual Rear Seats with the Black Badge family motif, the infinity symbol, on the rear Technical Carbon ‘Waterfall’ section that separates the rear reclining seats and conceals the Cullinan Series II Champagne cooler.
The dark ambiance of Black Badge continues with the interior metals. Air vent surrounds on the dashboard and in the rear cabin are darkened using physical vapor deposition, a method that ensures the color does not discolor or tarnish over time. The subversive design principles of Black Badge motor cars extend to the Cullinan Series II’s unique Clock Cabinet, which features an analog timepiece and an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine, both rendered in Black. The Clock Cabinet is flanked by Cullinan’s new Illuminated Fascia, displaying an ethereal glowing infinity symbol within the new vertical Cityscape pattern.
The Black Badge Cullinan Series II also offers an exclusive digital Bespoke treatment, with instrument dials available in five neo-futuristic colorways: Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet, and the kaleidoscopic Synth Wave.
Those who patronize this expression of the brand do so on their terms. With the Black Badge Cullinan Series II, Rolls-Royce signals its ongoing commitment to these individuals’ requirements and their bold appreciation of luxury.