Tag Archives: Badge

Motorsport

New Volkswagen GTI Trademark Hints At Inevitable Electric Performance Future

Americans are familiar with the GTI badge as it is commonly associated with hot Golfs. However, Volkswagen has also applied the Grand Touring Injection treatment to other models. While the Polo GTI is still available in some parts of the world, including Europe, the pint-sized up! GTI was phased out earlier this year. Looking back, Volkswagen has also released lesser-known models like the Lupo GTI and Scirocco GTI, as well as a one-off Passat GTI.

As Volkswagen moves towards an electric future, the company has made a commitment to retain iconic badges such as GTI and R in the era of zero-emission vehicles. They have hinted at using the GTX suffix for high-performance versions of the ID.4, ID.5, and the upcoming ID. Buzz minivan. However, the fate of the ID.3 hot hatch remains uncertain. Company CEO Thomas Schäfer mentioned the possibility of discontinuing it, but assured that GTI and R models will continue. In the meantime, it appears that Volkswagen is taking early steps in transitioning the GTI to electric power.


News, Technology

Reddit Testing Verified Badges to Enhance Online Legitimacy

Reddit is currently in the testing phase of introducing official badges for verified accounts. This move comes in response to similar features offered by other platforms such as Twitter Blue and Meta Verified for Facebook and Instagram. Unlike the paid perks associated with these badges on other platforms, Reddit’s official badges are not a paid feature.

The primary aim of implementing these badges is to protect brands from impersonators and fraudulent activities, while also ensuring that community members are safeguarded against potential scams and material losses. This step reflects Reddit’s commitment to maintaining online legitimacy and authenticity.

However, it is worth noting that Reddit’s recent track record has been met with mixed responses. In a controversial API policy change a few months ago, Reddit limited the functionality of third-party mobile apps and volunteer-driven work. This decision led to protests, with thousands of subreddits going dark. Despite the discontent, Reddit’s CEO responded aggressively and emphasized the platform’s focus on monetizing user data, rather than engaging in productive discussions with the community. Moderators who supported the protest by reducing engagement were even warned by Reddit that their positions may be removed.

RollsRoyce

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN ‘BLUE SHADOW’: A BESPOKE JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF SPACE

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils stunning Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection
  • Inspired by the Kármán Line – the mysterious invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where outer space begins
  • Limited to 62 examples worldwide, available exclusively through Rolls-Royce Private Office
  • ‘Edge of Space’ fascia artwork finished in lacquer incorporating blue and clear glass
  • ‘Lunar’ Starlight Headliner features 250,000 stitches and 1,183 fibre-optic ‘stars’
  • Leather seating with 75,000 individual perforations creates unique impression of ‘Earth from space’
  • A matching Bespoke car cover, luggage set and 1:8 scale model replica of Blue Shadow available to commission

“With Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow, we venture to the fabled Kármán Line, where the constraints of Earth give way to the infinite freedom of outer space: a zone of incomparable beauty, mystery and boundless possibility. In creating Blue Shadow, the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople captured this spirit by embarking on their own voyage of discovery, once again pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship. Blue Shadow is a testament to our relentless pursuit of perfection and a celebration of the spirit of exploration, designed for the unique individuals who expand horizons and represent the very best of human endeavour.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce is delighted to present the stunning Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection, exploring the beauty and mystery of space. For this unique creation, leading Rolls-Royce designers drew inspiration from the Kármán Line, the invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where our planet’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins.

In this mystical, ethereal region, the blue of the sky we see on Earth fades into the blackness of space, creating an intense dark-blue zone where darkness becomes visible. It is a beautiful, silent, mysterious world reserved for a select and adventurous few, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Blue Shadow.

This new Bespoke interpretation of Black Badge Cullinan is available exclusively through the marque’s Private Offices and is strictly limited to just 62 examples globally, one for every mile from Earth to the Kármán Line.

EXTERIOR: THE SHADES OF BLUE
The extraordinary, shimmering new Bespoke ‘Stardust Blue’ exterior paint captures the deep blue colour of the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. The finish of the thermal tiles used to shield homebound Space Shuttles from the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry are recalled in the satin-tinted grille surround and aero bumper insert sets.

Drawing further from the materials used in spacecrafts, the Spirit of Ecstasy is created using 3D printing techniques in titanium and finished with a thin layer of blue-tinted lacquer which adds pearlescence while revealing the titanium’s grained texture. The Black Badge infinity logo and ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection name are engraved on the Spirit of Ecstasy base and infilled with Charles Blue. Completing the exterior aesthetic, Blue Shadow’s wheels are subtly darkened using a translucent lacquer.

INTERIOR: ELEVATED PERSPECTIVE
At the Kármán line, the visible edge of Earth’s atmosphere appears as an ethereal blue halo. This transition from blue sky to the inky darkness of space is captured on Blue Shadow’s unique painted fascia and door panels. These were created using six layers of paint, combining five different shades of blue with a deep black hue to produce a mesmerizing three-dimensional effect. The final touch is a clear-coat layer incorporating blue and clear glass particles to add further depth and lustre – the ratio was precisely identified down to a fraction of a percent: it is exactly 0.05%.  The fascia is completed with a Bespoke clock, unique to the Private Collection, which features light blue anodized details and ‘Blue Shadow’ engraving.

‘EDGE OF SPACE’ HEADLINER
With ‘Blue Shadow’, Rolls-Royce have taken the marque’s fabled Starlight Headliner to an even more stellar level: an intricate Moon embroidery, surrounded by an array of ‘stars’, teleports the passengers to the edge of space.  Representing the Moon’s surface with its multitude of craters in three dimensions, the embroidery incorporates five different colours of thread, each applied with a different technique to produce a distinctive texture. In total, the embroidery is created from 250,000 separate stitches – a process that takes two entire days to complete.

Filling the cabin with a gentle glow and a sense of wonder, the Starlight Headliner contains a total of 1,183 ‘stars’ – 799 white and 384 blue – each individually placed in the leather canvas through perforated holes, precisely chalked and punched by hand. To add to the Headliner’s mystique and ambiance, the twinkling effect of the fibre-optic ‘stars’ is further enhanced for an even more enchanting glow.

NEW ART CANVAS: PERFORATED LEATHER
In a first for Rolls-Royce, the front and rear seats feature a unique perforated artwork, inspired by the view of Earth from space. Formed from a multitude of tiny perforations in the leather, the pattern conjures up the impression of organic, ever-shifting clouds swirling over the continents and oceans.

These perforations are made in two different sizes: the smaller (just 0.8 mm in diameter) form the land, while the slightly larger (1.2 mm) define the sea; the blank spaces of leather in between represent the clouds. Each seat has over 75,000 perforations, all individually placed. The pattern took two weeks to design and underwent five trials before it attained the exceptional level of quality required by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. The result is perfect alignment of the design, ensuring a cohesive, uniform appearance across all four seats.

The seats’ perforation pattern is extended to the picnic table backs. Once lowered, the picnic tables themselves are finished in Piano Black veneer and incorporate a glass sparkle finish, evoking the view into the darkness of space. Each table also includes the Collection theme text, inlaid in polished aluminium beneath the top lacquer layer – ‘The Blue Shadow occurs at the outer extremes of our world, affording an extraordinary perspective, and the ability to touch the stars’.

BESPOKE ACCESSORIES
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective created a series of unique accessories to complement Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow. The exclusive indoor car cover echoes the pattern seen on the seats. To accompany the driver and passengers on their adventures, there is a unique luggage set that continues the Private Collection’s colourway. Clients can also commission an exact 1:8 scale replica of their full-size Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow, featuring fully functioning exterior and interior lights, opening and closing coach doors and an interior recreating all the Collection details, including the Bespoke Illuminated Collection Treadplates.

Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ is available exclusively via the Private Office. All 62 examples have been allocated to clients worldwide.

Black Badge Cullinan: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 343 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km  WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 377-370 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.0-17.3 mpg / 16.6-16.3 l/100km.

RollsRoyce

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE WRAITH BLACK ARROW: A MAGNIFICENT END TO A TRANSFORMATIVE ERA

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection
  • The final examples of Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history
  • Collection of 12 cars celebrates Wraith, which transformed perceptions of Rolls-Royce
  • The last V12 coupé the marque will ever build ahead of its all-electric future
  • Introduces Gradient Paint, one of the most complex surface finishes Rolls-Royce has ever produced
  • Design concept inspired by Thunderbolt,which set world land speed records in the 1930s
  • Incorporates illuminated Thunderbolt Speedform between front seats
  • Record-breaking Bespoke Starlight Headliner, featuring 2,117 fibre-optic ‘stars’
  • Each interior door panel made of 320 marquetry pieces to create dramatic, tactile surface
  • Debuts new ‘Club Leather’ interior surface treatment


“Wraith is one of the most significant and influential cars we have ever made at Goodwood. Its extraordinary power, performance and presence opened the Rolls-Royce brand to an entirely new group of clients. It created its own following within contemporary culture and then expanded that further in its alternative Black Badge guise. As the last examples of this landmark motor car get ready to leave Goodwood, we commemorate Wraith’s status as the last series V12 coupé we will ever make. Both Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow and its inspiration, the V12-powered land speed record-holding Thunderbolt of the thirties, represent the culmination of many long years of achievement, and the end of their respective eras. This magnificent final V12 coupé Collection captures both the significance and spirit of Wraith through the marque’s hallmark and peerless Bespoke capabilities. A fitting finale for this transformative motor car.”
 Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow to mark the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque’s history. This Bespoke masterpiece, limited to just 12 examples worldwide, is also the last V12 coupé Rolls-Royce will ever make, as it embarks on its bold new electric era.

WRAITH: A CULTURAL ICON

Launched in 2013, Wraith is one of the most important and influential models ever designed and built at Goodwood. More performance-focused than its predecessors Phantom and Ghost, Wraith fundamentally altered perceptions of Rolls-Royce and brought new, younger customer groups to the brand for the first time. Its wider cultural significance is underlined by countless references to the Wraith in music, cinema, art and fashion.

THE V12 CONNECTION

Wraith’s dramatic ‘fastback’ silhouette signalled the motor car’s dynamic intent, which was further amplified in 2016, with the introduction of Black Badge Wraith: a potent, subversive and even more powerful expression of this transformative motor car, offering some of the highest levels of performance ever achieved by a V12-powered Rolls-Royce.

Yet when considering how best to mark the end of the Wraith era, Goodwood’s designers and engineers took inspiration for the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection from an equally significant V12 in Rolls-Royce’s long and storied legacy. In 1938, Captain George Eyston – whose bold, brave endeavours encapsulate the Black Badge spirit – set a world land speed record of 357.497 mph (575.335 km/h) with Thunderbolt, a seven-tonne, eight-wheeled leviathan equipped with two Rolls-Royce V12 ‘R’ Series aero engines. The outbreak of the Second World War in the following year ended Eyston’s endeavours; all subsequent records have been set with different engine types and configurations, enshrining Thunderbolt in perpetuity as the fastest V12-powered motor car ever built.

Thunderbolt’s record attempts took place on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Against the glare of the brilliant white surface, and under a blazing desert sun, the reflections from the car’s polished aluminium body made it almost impossible to tell precisely when it passed the timing equipment. Eyston’s simple but ingenious solution was to paint a large black arrow on the car’s sides, incorporating a yellow central circle motif that could be seen clearly even at high speed. This is what gives today’s Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection both its name and unique historical context.

GRADIENT PAINT

Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow’s exclusive Bespoke finish features a full colour graduation between two tones – Celebration Silver and Black Diamond. A glass-infused ‘Crystal’ paint over layer has been applied to the Black Diamond paint to enhance the transition between the two colours, achieving a striking motion blur effect from front to rear. This exclusive Bespoke technique also gives the coachwork a subtle texture inspired by the crusted surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats, set beneath a high gloss lacquer, which is polished for more than 12 hours to achieve a glass-like finish.

The realisation of this extraordinary finish required the marque to undertake 18 months of surface testing and development before the marque’s Bespoke Collective of engineers, craftspeople and designers achieved a result befitting to Rolls-Royce standards. The total investment in time developing the material chemistry, application technique and surface finishing makes Gradient Paint one of the most technically complex paints that Rolls-Royce has ever created.

CONTRAST PALETTE

Contrast to the Gradient Paint is provided by Bright Yellow bumper inserts and Bespoke wheel pinstripes, subtly recalling the yellow circle within Thunderbolt’s black arrow. In another Rolls-Royce first, Black Arrow’s V-struts, located behind the radiator grille and in front of the engine, are also finished in Bright Yellow, subtly drawing the eye to the V12 engine behind the Black Badge dark chrome grille surround. This use of Bright Yellow extends to the base of the motor car’s layered carbon fibre Spirit of Ecstasy, which incorporates a Bright Yellow ring detail and an engraving of the Collection name.

V12 LEGACY FASCIA

To commemorate Rolls-Royce’s last-ever V12 coupé, the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, craftspeople and engineers collaborated to create a unique artwork for Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow’s fascia. The intricate, tactile design skilfully depicts the contemporary V12 engine in Wraith. In keeping with the Black Badge family’s noir ambience, the highly complex design – itself the product of two months of development – is engraved in a single sheet of black-coated aluminium to reveal the gleaming metal beneath, providing a bold visual link to Thunderbolt’s polished aluminium body.

BESPOKE VENEER

Black Arrow’s coach doors are lined with open-pore Black Wood, in a complex design comprising over 320 multi-directional and lasered marquetry pieces that mimics the cracked, irregular surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats. This extraordinary feature also extends onto the rear ‘Waterfall’ panel, which separates the two rear seats.

CONSOLE SPEEDFORM

Thunderbolt underwent a series of design iterations during its lifetime. Its final shape, in which it captured the records commemorated in Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow, is preserved forever in the illuminated, polished aluminium Speedform encapsulated behind glass on the front console.

NEW ‘CLUB’ LEATHER

Inside, Black Arrow’s interior is provisioned with a new material type developed specifically for the Collection. The armrests, seat gussets, transmission tunnel, door detail, door panniers and lower dashboard panel are all finished in ‘Club Leather’ – its intentional greater sheen and even deeper black colouration provide a subtle contrast to the matte Rolls-Royce natural-grain black leather. The leather’s natural markings are intentionally emphasised to give the interior more visible ‘life lines’, and a closer resemblance to what was described at the time as “the club-armchair type of driving seat which George [Eyston] prefers above all others”. In keeping with the Black Badge series’ use of daring pulses of colour, Bright Yellow is employed for the front seat leather. Atop the seat, the outer headrest features an arrow embroidery motif, providing rich, tactile detail and referencing the arrow symbol painted on Thunderbolt’s aluminium body to enable the electric timing equipment to ‘see’ and capture the car at full speed.

TRACK GUIDE

When the steering wheel is set in a straight-ahead position, a dark marking at the twelve o’clock position aligns with a similar pattern in the seats. This references the black lines Eyston’s team painted on the white Salt Flats to help him maintain direction – his sole point of reference at speeds of over 350 mph. In recognition of the significance of this marking, this track guide flows in a deliberately asymmetric line from the steering wheel to the driver’s and rear passengers’ seats.

RECORD CONSTELLATION

Given Thunderbolt’s record-breaking status, it is only fitting that Black Arrow incorporates a record of its own. Casting a dramatic night’s-sky ambience over the interior suite, Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow’s Bespoke Starlight Headliner incorporates 2,117 fibre-optic ‘stars’ – the greatest number ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car. All individually arranged by hand, the ‘stars’ depict the Milky Way as seen from vast open spaces, and the constellations precisely as they would have appeared over the Salt Flats in Utah on 16 September 1938, the date of Eyston’s final, immutable record.

BLACK ARROW CLOCK

Inspired by the analogue instruments of the 1930s, the fascia clock bezel references the raw, technical aesthetic of Thunderbolt’s interior, enhanced by black hand-tips that mimic the originalcar’s side-arrows; the surround is inscribed with the legend ‘Bonneville’ and Thunderbolt’s everlasting record speed for a V12-engined car of 357.497 mph. A further ‘arrow’ detail appears on the motor car’s Bespoke treadplates.

ENGINE BADGE

An exclusive Bespoke plaque is mounted on the engine cover to signify this as the last V12 ever to be fitted to a Rolls-Royce coupé. Machined from a single piece of polished metal, the plaque is inscribed with the V12 monogram in Bright Yellow, and the legend ‘Final Coupé Collection’ in Black.

All 12 motor cars in the Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection have been allocated to clients around the world.