This is the ultimate coupe from Rolls-Royce with a V12

For a long time it was obvious that Rolls-Royce had a V12 in the nose, but those times will change. It won’t be long before the brand’s two-door coupe has a full electric powertrain. Not before the very last version of the Wraith is presented, which goes by the name of the Black Arrow.

And that makes this Rolls-Royce Wraith the last coupe with a V12 in the nose. The British will only build 12 of them, so this is a very special series. The model depends Black Badge Editionbut of course it has a unique and unique story.

The fastest car with a V12

The addition of Black Arrow didn’t come out of thin air. Rolls-Royce goes back to 1938, when engineer George Eyston conducted a speed test with the eight-wheeled Thunderbolt, equipped with two V12 jet engines from Rolls-Royce. Together they were able to hit a top speed of 575.335 km/h, making the Thunderbolt the fastest V12 car ever built.

Are we still in that Black Arrow name, which Rolls-Royce is putting on this Wraith. For this we have to go to that speed measurement. Because it was so difficult to see when the car passed the testing equipment on the Utah salt flats and through the Thunderbolt aluminum car, George Eyston had to come up with a solution. It came in the form of a large, black arrow, which they drew on Lightning on a yellow background. The name Black Arrow refers to that unique speed record of the 1930s.

Power Wraith

That doesn’t mean the Wraith Black Badge Black Arrow can reach comparable speeds. Nothing changes about the powerful V12. The twelve cylinder is also good for 632 hp and 870 Nm in this variant.

Unique of course is the decoration of this Wraith. That starts with the color scheme, which is a mix of Silver Celebration and Black Diamond. There is also a layer of lacquer and glass under the high-gloss paint, which, according to Rolls-Royce, is reminiscent of the salt flats on which the Thunderbolt ran a speed test. The brand says that this is the most sophisticated professional version ever. For example, polishing alone takes 12 hours, and the development of the shade took 18 months of testing.

Black arrow

But the Wraith Black Badge Black Arrow must of course also have yellow elements: after all, the black arrow from 1938 was painted on a yellow background. We see that tint subtly on the bumper and wheels, but also in the Spirit of Ecstasy. Rolls-Royce doesn’t go so far as to give these Wraiths a big black arrow on the side.

In the interior, that yellow tint definitely returns time and time again. Unique to this Black Arrow is the V12 artwork on the dashboard, which refers to the end of that power source in a Rolls-Royce coupe. Also special is the black arrow in the clock, as well as the door panels that should remind the broken surface of the sandstone.

A unique starry sky

But the most unique details can be found in the roofline of the Rolls-Royce Wraith. We know that the English keep them with small LED lights, but the starry sky in this Black Arrow is very special. 2117 stars are in the same position as that special day in 1938.

So Rolls-Royce builds twelve copies of this Wraith, and all of them have already been forgiven. Anyone who still wants to order a Rolls-Royce coupé has to go for the all-electric Spectre.