Visions in shades of black

Billed as the alter-ego of the world’s leading super luxury brand, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge makes its Southeast Asian debut this week, with the Wraith model showing its star quality to visitors at the 38th Bangkok International Motor Show.
According to Rolls Royce, Black Badge speaks to a younger, more assertive customer, the people they call the “rule breakers” and the “disrupters”, those that work hard in the day and commit the same intensity to play once darkness falls.
“Southeast Asia is now a global hub for highly successful young entrepreneurs, who have broken away from tradition to make their own mark in the world. Rolls-Royce Black Badge is presenting a darker and bolder proposition to suit this new attitude,” says Paul Harris, regional director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the Asia Pacific region.
“These clients are assertive, demanding and unafraid to take charge. Black Badge is the perfect bespoke answer to this distinctive, decisive and dynamic breed of owner-drivers without compromising the sublime Rolls-Royce driving experience.”
Starting from Bt35 million depending on the bespoke specification, the metamorphosis of the Rolls-Royce Wraith into its Black Badge alter-ego starts with the intensity of the black. Multiple layers of paint and lacquer are repeatedly hand-polished in the most exacting process ever developed for a solid colour. The result is a black that’s darker than night, sinister but sensuous and above all smart.

The Wraith Black Badge also includes a sophisticated centrepiece - aerospace-grade aluminium-threaded carbon fibre composite surfacing. Threads of aluminium just 0.014mm thick are woven together and bonded with carbon fibre through a painstaking process, resulting in one of the world’s most innovative and super-luxury materials.
Black Badge holds the ground with exclusive composite carbon fibre and lightweight alloy wheels, developed over four years, featuring 22 layers of carbon fibre laid in three axes and folded back on themselves to create 44 layers of strength. Further strength is added via a 3D forged, aircraft-grade aluminium hub, which is bonded to the rim using titanium fasteners.
And while the intense black will appeal to many, customers can specify whatever colour they want for the exterior and interior of their Rolls-Royce Black Badge.

The iconic ‘Flying Lady’
But why stop there? Rolls-Royce Bespoke, a collective of highly skilled designers, engineers and craftspeople, offers the ultimate luxury and pinnacle in automotive tailoring. From their base in Goodwood, England, they turn their designs and inspirations of customers into one-of-a-kind motoring masterpieces.
“Our customers for bespoke cars like to be inspired by successful people and they are successful themselves. They want to express their lifestyle and passion. They work hard, and they want to reward themselves with something special that suits their personality and their lifestyle,” French designer Victor Braun, Rolls-Royce bespoke designer, tells XP. After completing his Master’s in transport design, Braun started working with Rolls-Royce in 2015 as one the team that creates one-off commissions. His past employers include Hermes and Louis Vuitton, where he designed the progressive BMWi8 luggage carbon fibre collection.
“We have seen customers as young as 20 to 35 and are seeing many more women too. The great thing about a bespoke car is that you can make it very personal. While we have cars inspired by sailing and outer space, we also have motors commissioned to reflect the owners’ passion for art, music and fashion,” Braun explains.
One recent project is the Opus, referring to a “set of musical compositions”, a Bespoke series conceptualised by Abu Dhabi Motors in coordination with the Bespoke craftsmen at Goodwood. It blends automotive and musical compositions through an intricate display of craftsmanship. Like a musical score, each detail in these Rollers has been expertly crafted to create the final masterpiece. The Opus collection includes three Phantom, four Ghost and three Wraith models, each of which is inspired by classical music composers.
The Opus collection took more than two years to complete. The musical notes from the actual compositions were meticulously included in the veneer marquetry and inlays, as well as embroidered into the headrests, the rear centre armrest and across the headliner. Bespoke illuminated tread plates show the composer’s name.
Last September, the Rolls-Royce Summer Studio in Porto Cervo, Northern Sardinia, unveiled two remarkable bespoke motor cars, commissioned to reflect the atmosphere and vibrancy of one of the world’s most exclusive and glamorous playgrounds of the rich and famous. The essence of the marina is embodied in a Wraith and Dawn, the recently launched and most social of the Drophead Coup้s.
The ambient hues of dusk are imbued on the Bespoke Wraith. A two-tone silver exterior reflects the dimming of the day’s light, whilst a purple feature line hints at the interior mood. In stark contrast, Dawn is specified to capture the vibrancy and vivid colour of the Porto Cervo seascape. A unique emerald green exterior is offset against a distinct seashell and green leather interior. Open-pore teak encapsulates the occupants, alluding to the elegant sensation of a marine sojourn. A Bespoke teak boot floor mat for the luggage compartment continues the nautical theme.
“On the side, customers can also order a custom made “Weekender” luggage set that perfectly fits the trunk of the car.” Braun explains. “The luggage will have similar theme, materials and motifs to the car to match the overall aesthetics.”
Constantly looking for new materials to incorporate with their designs, the team has an extensive artillery of materials at hand. Exotic leather, exotic woods, new metals and aluminium, carbon fibre and precious stones are just some of the options.
“We use tanzanite, titanium, ostrich leather, the rare and exotic macassar ebony and many other materials to execute the designs. We also employ special techniques such as the starlight ceiling where hundreds of tiny LED lights are inserted in the leather on the roof to create the feeling that you’re sitting under the stars, and we invented the signature technical fibre fascia which you cannot get anywhere else,” Braun enthuses.

The signature starlight ceiling
“To create it, our craftspeople wove together threads of 0.014mm aircraft-grade aluminum with carbon fibre. The material is then finished with six coats of lacquer, left for 72 hours, and hand-polished to a mirror finish. There are only two limits: the customer’s imagination and the regulations.”
Last year for the 37th Bangkok International Motor Show, Rolls-Royce created the bespoke, KoCha Mongkol, which incorporates motifs of the revered elephant on the exterior and interior of the car.
“What makes the Thai market unique is the balance between tradition and modernity.” Braun says. “While we’re looking for new colours, new materials and techniques, we also explore the history and culture of the country. We look for motifs the like elephant, which is the national symbol, and the lotus, which symbolises serenity. We visited the ancient cities of Thailand to learn about the architecture and elements that we could use for our cars.”

Revving up
>> Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has a booth at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2017, which continues at Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani until April 9.
>> The expo is open Monday to Friday from noon to 10pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm.
>> Admission is Bt100.