- Rolls-Royce has revealed the Wraith Black Arrow, a limited-run send-off to the automaker’s V-12–powered coupe.
- The Black Arrow is a reference to a 1930s land speed record car that used Rolls-Royce engines, with an etching of that motor appearing on the Wraith’s dashboard.
- The special edition also features a gradient paint job, going from silver to black, accented by yellow trim.
After a ten-year run, the Rolls-Royce Wraith is finally bidding adieu for good. Although the coupe departed the U.S. market in 2021, it had lived on overseas, and the newly revealed Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection represents the end of the line for the company’s V-12–powered coupes. The electric Spectre takes over the mantle later this year, but before then Rolls-Royce will build 12 examples of this special Wraith as a final hurrah.
The car pays homage to Thunderbolt, an eight-wheeled land speed record car powered by two Rolls-Royce V-12 airplane engines. In 1938, Thunderbolt rocketed to 357.497 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, a record that it held for nearly a year. The onset of World War II curtailed efforts to recapture the top spot, but changes in propulsion technology following the conflict mean Thunderbolt has remained the fastest V-12–powered car ever.
According to Rolls-Royce, Thunderbolt‘s bright aluminum body reflected the glaring Utah sun’s rays so much that it couldn’t be picked up by timing equipment, leading the driver to paint a massive black arrow and with a yellow circle on the side of the car, inspiring the name and design of this limited-production Wraith.
Rolls-Royce says that the Black Arrow’s snazzy gradient paint finish—with the Celebration Silver front end blending into the Black Diamond rear—took 18 months to perfect. It is accented by bright yellow trim in the front bumper and adorning the wheels. Yellow also appears on struts visible through the grille and on the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament above.
The decadent interior continues the color scheme, with yellow leather gracing the seats, steering wheel, and dashboard. The headrests are embroidered with a stylized arrow, while the analog clock set into the dashboard proudly displays Thunderbolt‘s top speed. The coach doors feature a dark wood finish consisting of over 320 layered pieces designed to emulate the rough surface of the Salt Flats, while a depiction of the Thunderbolt‘s V-12 is etched into aluminum and set behind glass on the dashboard. A small aluminum model of the Thunderbolt also resides under a pane of glass in the center console.
Rolls-Royce also went the extra mile with the starlight headliner, stitching 2117 fiber-optic lights into the ceiling, the most Rolls-Royce has ever fitted to one headliner. The “stars” are arranged to mimic the constellations as they would have looked on the date in 1938 when the Thunderbolt set its record.
A plaque on the engine cover notes that this is the last V-12 coupe from the automaker. Unsurprisingly, all 12 Wraith Black Arrows are already spoken for. There’s no official price, but we are certain that those lucky owners paid a substantial sum more than the Wraith’s $343,350 starting price.
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Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.