Destination Dawn: An All-Night Patrol in the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge
How do you evaluate the 2025 Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built with 659 hp and 792 lb-ft of torque? Standard track tests feel too crude for this $566,100 electric coupe, so we chose a different approach: an all-night drive through Los Angeles’ deserted streets, from midnight to dawn, to experience its refined power and luxury in a city that sleeps. Joined by MotorTrend’s Billy Rehbock, we set out to let the Spectre roam free, exploring its capabilities in a surreal, traffic-free urban landscape.
The Journey Begins: Silent Power Unleashed
Starting at midnight, I drove the 10 miles from the San Fernando Valley to Mar Vista to pick up Billy in just 15 minutes—a Los Angeles miracle. The Spectre Black Badge, finished in Peony Pink, glided silently, its cabin so quiet we could hear our own breathing. Its dual-motor powertrain (255 hp front, 483 hp rear) delivered seamless, refined thrust, outshining even our long-term Chevy Blazer EV. Engaging one-pedal driving mode brought the 6,383-pound coupe to a stop with limousine-like grace, barely perceptible to passengers.
Key Moment:
- Route: San Fernando Valley to Mar Vista
- Highlight: Silent, effortless acceleration through empty streets
- Winner: Spectre’s refined powertrain
Downtown L.A.: A Ghostly City
We headed to the 110 freeway toward Pasadena, cruising through desolate downtown streets. The 2nd Street tunnel, iconic from countless films, lacked its usual exhaust-fueled drama but offered a cinematic backdrop. The Arroyo Seco Parkway, L.A.’s first freeway, was a twisty delight. Billy, at the wheel, pushed the Spectre to 65 mph in a 55-mph zone, overtaking a lone car with a burst of torque. In Pasadena, we parked in front of the ornate city hall, posing the Rolls in the empty street, reveling in the silence of a city ours alone.
Key Moment:
- Route: Downtown L.A. to Pasadena via Arroyo Seco Parkway
- Highlight: Playful, torque-rich overtaking and serene city hall stop
- Winner: Spectre’s effortless cruising
Errands and Encounters: Nighttime Freedom
At 1 a.m., we detoured to El Sereno to retrieve a book from a model train club, a task made effortless by the lack of traffic. After a quick bathroom break (night driving rule: never skip an open restroom), we admired the club’s 5,000-square-foot HO scale layout. In Lincoln Heights, a pit bull darted across the street, briefly raising concerns about returning a dog in a $566,000 Rolls-Royce. Thankfully, its owner was nearby, unfazed by our silent luxury coupe.
Key Moment:
- Route: El Sereno to Lincoln Heights
- Highlight: Quick errand and a near canine encounter
- Winner: Spectre’s practicality for impromptu tasks
Hollywood to Griffith Park: Subtle Power
We cruised through Griffith Park and past Forest Lawn cemetery, where the Spectre’s Black Badge-specific 82 hp and 128 lb-ft boost (activated via an infinity-logo button) shone. Its 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than the Silver Badge) felt effortless, though we opted for silent gliding over aggressive speed. The firmer suspension, a fixed Black Badge feature, grounded the Spectre without sacrificing comfort, unlike the harsher Ghost Black Badge. At Universal Studios City Walk, a gardener ignored our 2:15 a.m. arrival, unfazed by the Rolls-Royce’s presence.
Key Moment:
- Route: Griffith Park to Universal Studios
- Highlight: Silent, powerful cruising with a grounded ride
- Winner: Spectre’s balance of performance and refinement
Hollywood and Norm’s: The Sleepless Haven
After a stop at the Hollywood Bowl, we executed a tight U-turn on Hollywood Boulevard, aided by rear-wheel steering, to pose the Spectre by the El Capitan theater. The Sunset Strip was eerily empty, leading us to Norm’s in Hollywood, a 24-hour Googie-style diner. Over breakfast, we debated whether fellow patrons looked like band members, joking about our own “band” status thanks to the Rolls. The $1,800 lambswool floormats added a plush touch as we relaxed in the spacious cabin.
Key Moment:
- Route: Hollywood Bowl to Norm’s via Sunset Strip
- Highlight: U-turn theatrics and diner banter
- Winner: Spectre’s luxurious, roomy interior
San Pedro to Mulholland: Chasing Dawn
By 4 a.m., we hit the 405 freeway, surprised by early-morning traffic. Skipping a charging stop (the Spectre’s 287-mile road-trip range far exceeded its 251-mile EPA estimate), we explored the Port of Los Angeles and crossed the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Fatigue set in as Billy stopped at a green light, signaling it was time to head back. On Mulholland Drive, the Spectre’s light steering and immense grip felt untouchable, though its limits remained out of reach, as if understeer were beneath it. As dawn broke in Bel Air, the Rolls-Royce heartland, our adventure ended.
Key Moment:
- Route: San Pedro to Mulholland Drive
- Highlight: Mulholland’s curves and dawn’s arrival
- Winner: Spectre’s untapped dynamic capability
Verdict: A Nocturnal Masterpiece
The Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge is a paradox: a 659-hp performance machine that thrives in serene silence. Its all-night L.A. patrol revealed a car that commands empty streets with effortless power, refined handling, and unmatched luxury. While track tests confirm its speed (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, quarter-mile in 11.8 seconds), its true essence shines in quiet, dignified cruising. For those who can afford its $467,750–$566,100 price, the Spectre Black Badge is the ultimate nighttime companion.
Specifications:
- Price: $467,750 (base), $566,100 (as tested)
- Powertrain: Dual-motor AWD, 659 hp, 792 lb-ft
- Battery: 102.0-kWh lithium-ion
- Curb Weight: 6,383 lb
- EPA Range: 251 miles (287 miles road-trip)
- 0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- On Sale: Now
Test Results:
- Quarter-Mile: 11.8 seconds @ 121.3 mph
- Braking (60-0 mph): 110 ft
- Lateral Acceleration: 0.86 g
- Figure-Eight: 25.2 seconds @ 0.79 g
