The V-12 is dying. Other than just a few holdouts endeavoring to maintain the monstrous motor alive, most firms have downsized or electrified as The Man cracks down on emissions-spewing, fuel-thirsty engines.

Rolls-Royce is likely one of the few remaining dreamers. Its 6.75-liter V-12 is ubiquitous—a monument to luxurious and efficiency that has one way or the other stood the check of time in an period of downsizing.

However, not even Rolls-Royce is resistant to electrification.

In 2023, the corporate launched the Spectre—a slinky alternative to the discontinued Wraith. However on this case, the Spectre eschewed its iconic V-12 for a large battery pack and two electrical motors. A danger for a model so synonymous with huge engines.

However that danger paid off; the Spectre has been a smash hit. It was the only best-selling Rolls-Royce in Europe final 12 months, and it is even pulling in a wholly new, youthful viewers.

Greater than 40 p.c of Spectre patrons are model new to Rolls-Royce, the corporate not too long ago advised The Drive, and people patrons common round 35 years of age. The median age of Rolls-Royce patrons as a complete, in the meantime, has plummeted to 42 years—a far cry from the median of about 60 years outdated from a decade in the past.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Now there is a Black Badge variant, which ought to solely enhance these figures. In Rolls-Royce converse, “Black Badge” means “efficiency.” That very same nameplate dons the Cullinan and Ghost, giving every mannequin a bit of additional increase and a few aggro black accents.

On this case, the Spectre’s output jumps from an already spectacular 584 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque in the usual variant to 659 horsepower and 792 pound-feet of torque on the Black Badge mannequin. Despite the fact that it is powered by the identical 102.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and two electrical motors, that marks a rise of 82 hp and 128 lb-ft.

Due to that bit of additional oomph, the Spectre Black Badge races to 60 miles per hour in 4.1 seconds (as an alternative of 4.4 seconds) and onto a high velocity of… quick sufficient (or, electronically restricted to 155 miles per hour).

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Rolls-Royce additionally tweaked the dampers to scale back squat below onerous acceleration and fewer physique roll in corners. The steering additionally will get heavier and extra feelsome for additional responsiveness.

But it surely’s not simply efficiency that makes the Spectre Black Badge stand out. Hearty 23-inch wheels give it a particular stance, whereas a high-gloss black chrome end coats practically all the exterior trim items—together with the Spirit of Ecstasy badge on the hood. No, it is not paint.

The inside is wealthy with carbon-fiber accents alongside, on this case, a fully beautiful Peony Pink leather-based—a wonderfully shouty hue to match the subtlety of the Tempest Gray exterior. And naturally, the signature Starlight Headliner comes customary (because it ought to on all Rolls-Royce fashions).

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

However because the so-called “efficiency” mannequin of the group, does the Spectre do its Black Badge siblings justice with an electrical powertrain? Or does it lengthy for the V-12?

Initially, you would possibly crave the delicate rumble and charming character of a 12-cylinder engine, particularly in an attractive efficiency coupe resembling this. However as I pedal the Spectre Black Badge more durable, I’m much less eager about what’s below the hood—blasphemous as that will sound—and extra impressed with how the electrical powertrain performs.

Dipping into the accelerator yields an infinite wave of electrical torque; a whopping 792 lb-ft shoves me sq. into the seatback. For one thing that weighs greater than 6,300 kilos, this automotive is brutally, addictively fast. Extra so than the Ghost or Cullinan earlier than it.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

I work the steering wheel extra aggressively because the street will get twistier, and consider it or not, the Spectre Black Badge really turns—a novel idea. It’s no McLaren, thoughts you, however this automotive is way extra confidence-inspiring than it has any proper to be.

Rolls-Royce tweaked the suspension simply sufficient in order that it’s as succesful as it’s refined. The steering, in the meantime, is gentle however extra responsive. Physique roll—effectively, there’s nonetheless loads of it. However no less than it feels extra wanting to go ‘spherical corners.

Activate the aptly named “Rolls-Royce Sound,” and a delicate futuristic whoosh fills the cabin as you speed up more durable. It’s no V-12 rumble, but it surely does the job. Even with out it, the Spectre Black Badge nonetheless bombs down the street, simply… extra silently.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

And for all of the carbon fiber inside eyeshot, the inside doesn’t go too far on the boy racer accents, both. It’s each bit as comfortable and posh as a correct Rolls-Royce. Only a bit faster.

That, largely, is why the Spectre Black Badge makes probably the most sense as an EV. It’s quiet, refined, and comfy, but nonetheless fast as hell. As historical past tells us, a Rolls-Royce shouldn’t be shouty. It shouldn’t be loud. Even the V-12 fashions is usually a bit too rumbly at low speeds. How uncouth.

For all of the doom and gloom surrounding downsizing and electrification, Rolls-Royce is likely one of the few luxurious manufacturers really doing it proper—V-12 be damned.