Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection, a limited-edition masterpiece that marks the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque's history. The Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow is also the last V12 coupe Rolls-Royce will ever make as it embarks on its bold new electric era.
The Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow pays homage to Thunderbolt, an eight-wheeled land speed record car powered by two Rolls-Royce V12 airplane engines that achieved 357.497 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in 1938. The car's striking gradient paint finish, yellow accents, and bespoke details reflect Thunderbolt's daring spirit and distinctive appearance.
We will explore how the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow celebrates both Thunderbolt's legacy and Wraith's significance as a cultural icon and a performance-focused coupe that fundamentally altered perceptions of Rolls-Royce.
Thunderbolt: The Fastest V12-Powered Car Ever
Thunderbolt was a seven-tonne behemoth designed by Captain George Eyston, an engineer and racing driver who embodied the adventurous and rebellious spirit of Rolls-Royce's Black Badge ethos. Eyston was passionate about speed and innovation and set out to create a car that could break the world land speed record held by his rival John Cobb.
To power his colossal creation, Eyston chose two Rolls-Royce V12' R' Series engines that were originally developed for racing seaplanes. Each engine produced 2,350 horsepower and was supercharged by two centrifugal compressors driven by exhaust gases. The engines were mounted side by side behind the cockpit and drove four wheels each through separate transmissions.
Thunderbolt had an aerodynamic aluminum body with a pointed nose and tail fins. It also had four-wheel steering for stability at high speeds. The car measured 30 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 5 feet high. It had eight tires specially made by Dunlop that could withstand temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Eyston first tested Thunderbolt at Daytona Beach in Florida in February 1937, where he reached a speed of 312 mph but failed to break the record due to mechanical problems. He then shipped the car to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where he faced harsh weather conditions and fierce competition from Cobb, who had improved his own car, Railton Special, to challenge Eyston.
On September 16, 1938, Eyston finally achieved his goal and set a new world land speed record of 345.49 mph, beating Cobb by less than one mph. A few days later, he improved his own record to 357.497 mph, making Thunderbolt the fastest V12-powered car ever.
However, Thunderbolt's glory was short-lived. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 ended Eyston's attempts to recapture the top spot from Cobb,
who reclaimed it in August 1939 with a speed of 369.74 mph. Thunderbolt was stored in a warehouse in New York until after the war when it was sold to an American collector. It later suffered extensive damage in a fire and was eventually scrapped. Despite its tragic fate, Thunderbolt remains a legend in automotive history and a testament to Eyston's courage and ingenuity. It also showcases Rolls-Royce's engineering excellence and pioneering spirit in creating powerful V12 engines for various applications.
Wraith: A Performance-Focused Coupe That Changed Perceptions of Rolls-Royce
Wraith is one of the most important and influential models ever designed and built at Goodwood, the home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 2003.
Launched in 2013, Wraith is more performance-focused than its predecessors, Phantom and Ghost, offering some of the highest levels of power, performance, and presence ever achieved by a Rolls-Royce. Wraith's dramatic 'fastback' silhouette signals its dynamic intent, which is further amplified by its sweeping lines, wide rear track, and low roofline.
Wraith is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that delivers 623 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever produced. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. The car also has an eight-speed automatic transmission that adapts to the driver's style and road conditions.
It's luxury, and craftsmanship matches Wraith's performance. The car has a spacious and elegant interior with leather seats, wood veneers, metal accents, and a starlight headliner, creating a glittering night sky effect with hundreds of fiber-optic lights. The car also has a bespoke audio system with 18 speakers and two subwoofers delivering crystal-clear sound.
Wraith also offers many advanced features that enhance its convenience and safety. The car has a head-up display that projects key information on the windshield, such as speed, navigation directions, and warnings. The car also has a night vision system that detects pedestrians and animals in low-light conditions and warns the driver accordingly. The car also has adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, collision warning, blind spot detection, parking assist, and a surround-view camera.
Wraith is more than just a motor car; it is a cultural icon that has inspired countless music, cinema, art, and fashion references. Wraith has been featured in songs by artists such as Drake, Future, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. Wraith has also appeared in movies such as Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Bad Boys for Life. Wraith has also been customized by celebrities such as David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Cristiano Ronaldo.
