The Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge heralds a bright new day for the luxury carmaker

In what may prove to be one of the (few) highlights of 2020, Rolls Royce has introduced its most distinctive convertible yet: the 2020 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge.

The gorgeously sculpted machine’s performance edition marks the next evolutionary step in the carmaker’s unstoppable quest to lure a younger buyer with a fearless, more focused vehicle brimming with legacy, luxury, enhanced performance and an unrivaled driving experience in a drophead coupé.

Despite the formality of its arresting profile and captivating presence, the Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge does not dwell on ceremony. Step inside its rear-hinged doors and you will find yourself immersed in a spacious and opulent cabin designed to give the impression that you have entered, not an automobile, but a grand vessel. Silhouettes are intensified and controls are straightforward, without the unnecessary techie clutter. The Dawn immediately delivers energetic propulsion from a massive V12 engine that will take you from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds if you let it.

The Dawn’s primal attraction comes from the exquisite refinement of its strengths; its ease of execution and the seduction exuded by power that knows when to show decorum. While the Dawn Black Badge may certainly be driven aggressively, its silken acceleration is barely a murmur when it caresses curves and harnesses corners with discipline and responsive serenity. Movement feels graceful yet deliberate as the car intuitively shifts gears to focus all its 563-horse-power and 620 pound-feet of torque on slope and terrain. That is because there is real power here, not boyish aggression. This is a massive, imposing and confident machine asserting its dominance. In a landscape often littered with posturing muscle cars that seem too eager to overcompensate, the Dawn Black Badge is a consummate and darkly appealing gentleman.

ELEGANCE UNLEASHED

Should you choose to test him however, you will behold a fearsome entity, a true pinnacle of luxury and the crowning achievement of automotive refinement. The Dawn’s Black Badge treatment offers enhanced performance via a reconfiguration of its ZF 8-speed transmission, an upgraded breaking system, fine-tuned suspension and noticeably more responsive handling. Outside, you will spot striking Black Badge details such as the distinctive black grill in lieu of traditional chrome and even the iconic “Spirit of Ecstasy” looks stunning in black. The 21-inch carbon fiber composite wheels are truly mesmerizing and the optional sports exhaust gives the coupé that extra dose of poetic athleticism.

Under the hood, the twin turbo-charged 6.6-liter engine silently purrs to life so the driver can toe the line between navigating and coasting without distractions and relish in that characteristic Rolls Royce glide. Meanwhile, passengers can expect a distinctively smooth and quiet journey when the top is up, as well as a comfortable and protected ride when the top is down, thanks to the vehicle’s advanced aerodynamics and seamless design. Inside the cabin, sumptuous leather, crafted finishes, iconic Rolls-Royce touchscreen infotainment system and endless personalization options all converge in an elevated, multi-sensory experience. It has been a signature Rolls-Royce obsession that every single tactile detail of the console and the cabin be precisely engineered and meticulously designed to feel satisfying and the Dawn Black Badge is no exception. Every command feels significant, refined and deliberate. The convertible nature of the vehicle claims some considerable trunk real estate so even though all passengers enjoy more than ample head space, your luggage may not be so lucky. But, who cares, really?

Although the Black Badge package will add another $50,000 to the base $360,000 asking price, it will also send you down a marvelous rabbit hole of customization. As you happily succumb to the joys of bespoke color-matching, rare organic grains, hand-stitched leather, racing stripes and the Dawn’s “Aero Cowling” feature, which transforms your four-passenger coupe into an intimate two-seater, you find yourself wandering into the valley of the shadows of $450,000 for a truly timeless machine…designed to be unquestionably yours. rolls-roycemotorcars.com.