THE DARK KNIGHT

The boldest Rolls-Royce yet hits our shores.

Once the vehicle of choice for the well-heeled, Rolls-Royce began toying with ideas of rebellion and subversiveness with the introduction of the Black Badge series in March

2016 at the Geneva Motor Show.

The first models to undergo the transformation were the Wraith and Ghost, and these proved to be so popular among the marque’s younger clientele that Rolls-Royce began crafting alter egos for the rest of its line-up. At the tail end of 2019, it finally completed the Black Badge family when it unveiled the Black Badge Cullinan SUV.

The automotive dark knight arrived on Singapore shores last month in a shade of black hip-hop mogul Jay-Z would heartily approve of and boasts a massive 6.75-litre V12 engine that can be heard long before the car is seen.

But the piece de resistance of the Cullinan are the high-gloss red brakes, boldly visible through the 22-inch forged alloy wheels. This is the first time in its history that

Rolls-Royce has made a coloured brake caliper. More stunning details abound in the Cullinan such as the technical carbon veneer, which comprises 23 uniformed lacquered pieces and takes 21 days to finish. Then there are the 1,344 fibre optic lights handwoven into the cabin in an effort to depict a beautiful starry-filled night.

As with any beautifully detailed luxury item, you’ll need to experience it in the flesh. And the Black Badge Cullinan certainly belongs in that hallowed category.