Rolls-Royce Black Badge arrives in OZ

The dark side is alluring a younger generation to the ways of an old force.

No, that's not the latest pitch from Star Wars' legendary villain, Darth Vader, but a statement from the world's most luxurious car maker, Rolls-Royce, on the position of its new Black Badge series which arrives in Australian showrooms this month.

Intended to attract more youthful clientele to the uber-luxury brand, Black Badge is to Rolls-Royce what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz or M is to BMW. Or, as Rolls-Royce so eloquantly puts it, "an attitude to life, an aspect of the brand that appeals to those who are elusive and defiant, the risk takers and disruptors who break the rules and laugh in the face of convention."

The treatment is currently only available on the Wraith coupe and Ghost sedan and costs an additional $100,000 over the standard price of each car, meaning a recommended retail price of $745,000 (plus on-road costs) for the Wraith and $695,000 (plus on-road costs) for the Ghost.

On both cars, it includes an upgraded version of the venerable 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that delivers an additional 30kW and 60Nm in the Ghost, taking peak outputs to 450kW and 840Nm, and adds an extra 70Nm to the Wraith's 465kW engine. There's also a recalibrated eight-speed automatic that helps deliver "an added sense of urgency" with faster shift patterns and intuitive logic that holds gears for longer during enthusiastic driving.

The suspension has also been re-tuned for a slightly sportier ride, the brakes are larger at the front and the steering has been revised for more response.

But it is the aesthetics that really set it apart from the regular models. Both cars are fitted with unique, lightweight 21-inch wheels made from carbon fibre, titanium and alloy and feature black chrome exterior highlights in the front grille, tailpipes and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet emblem.

Inside, the cockpit is fitted with intricate carbon fibre trim that features aerospace-grade aluminium threaded throughout the weave, darkened air vents (by a process called physical vapour deposition) and a unique clock that features hands tipped in orange and an exclusive infinity logo that expresses the cars' unlimited rating by Rolls-Royce. Each car is also equipped with a black starlight headliner that casts a "moody light" throughout the cabin to create a "darkly atmospheric ambience". 

Black Badge customers can personalise the vehicle in myriad of ways, both on the outside and in the cabin, including exterior colours, coachwork, leathers and trim options.

While Rolls-Royce is making the Black Badge treatment exclusive to the Wraith and Ghost at this point in time, a spokesman said the company would evaluate whether it is fitting to offer a similar package on the Dawn convertible or upcoming new-generation Phantom due early next year and the company's first SUV, which is being developed uner the codename Project Cullinan and is expected to be revealed in late 2018.

• Read more on our Rolls-Royce showroom page