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Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection is a car with a secret

Rolls-Royce has unveiled yet another special-edition vehicle, this one being a version of the Wraith. It’s called the Wraith Kryptos Collection, and itÂ’s a bit more intriguing than most.  That intrigue comes from the secrets itÂ’s holding within. This car is a driving encrypted cipher. Rolls-Royce designers decided to incorporate a “labyrinth of complex ciphers” outside and inside the Wraith Kryptos. “As a designer, IÂ’ve always been fascinated by the notion that you can communicate messages that are understood by only an elite few, using symbols, pictograms, and ciphers,” Rolls-Royce Designer, Katrin Lehmann said. Finding the key becomes integral to appreciating the full meaning of an item that can otherwise be viewed simply as a work of art.” A number of messages are encrypted throughout the vehicles, but youÂ’ll need to be a decent cryptographer to get anywhere with it. To be frank, weÂ’re not sure how complex Rolls-Royce got with its cipher. Perhaps the scores of folks still looking into the ZodiacÂ’s cipher could take a break and see what Rolls has in store for everyone. Whatever it is, there are only two people who own the code to read the messages, the designer, and the CEO. A paper key has been tucked away into the CEOÂ’s safe at the home of Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce probably hasnÂ’t told us everything, but you can find code on the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, exterior paint, the headrests, metal trim and headliner. A combination of Kryptos Green (a newly-developed Rolls-Royce color), Delphic Grey, Dark Grey and Orbit Grey paint give this Wraith its signature appearance. For the 50 owners who end up with a Wraith Kryptos Collection, theyÂ’ll be able to submit guesses at cracking the code via the Rolls-Royce application, Whispers. Feel free to drop us a line when you figure it out, too.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge combines elevated power, style, luxury

For once, a black-themed special-edition vehicle actually has some depth. And it had better, because it's a Rolls-Royce. The new Cullinan Black Badge is not simply an SUV with black exhaust tips, a black grille, and black trim work, though it does have all three. In addition to a myriad of design treatments, some of which have never been applied to a Rolls-Royce, the Cullinan BB has increased power, a sportier drive setup, and unique features specific to this vehicle.  One of the most significant upgrades between the base Cullinan and the Black Badge is the performance. Rolls-Royce finessed the twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter to make 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, both up from 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 takes only 4.9 seconds, and it tops out at 155 mph. The Black Badge also has "intuitive throttle," which makes the ZF eight-speed transmission shift a little more aggressively, and a "low" button on the gear shift opens up a deep-voiced exhaust note. Furthering the package, Rolls-Royce made changes to the suspension components and settings to ready for lively driving. A higher brake point in the pedal travel and redesigned high-temperature-resistant brake discs help keep the SUV in check. This is also the first time ever a Rolls-Royce has used colored brake calipers.  Said to represent the style of a younger generation, "permanent bespoke" Black Badge vehicles undergo a dark transformation. We say dark, because black is not the only paint option. A white model was also shown at the unveiling and contrasted well with other darkened parts on the SUV. Apparently, each paint job is hand-polished for up to five hours to ensure peak shiny. Rolls-Royce emphasized how big of a deal it was to use a black Spirit of Ecstasy, which changed color thanks to a chemical process, not paint or wraps. The inverted badging, grille surround, side frame finishers, trunk handle, trunk trim, lower air inlet finisher, and exhaust pipes also received black makeovers, and new 22-inch black and silver wheels adorn each corner. Inside, "The King of the Night," as Rolls-Royce says (guess that title is available after the last season of "Game of Thrones"), has more all-new features. Crafted with a leather headliner and 1,344 fiber optic strands, the Starlight ceiling is introduced to the Cullinan with eight white shooting stars integrated into the pattern. The carbon fiber has been redesigned with aluminum weave and shows off a 3D geometric pattern.

Rolls-Royce Wraith officially revealed in profile

Well here's a nice twofer. On the same day Rolls-Royce releases its first official teaser image showing the 2014 Wraith, we also get a look at the car undergoing some cold-weather testing courtesy of some new spy shots. As the coupe version of the Ghost, the 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and it's expected to go on sale during the fourth quarter of this year.
Rolls-Royce already confirmed plenty of information in a teaser it released last week, but the latest image shows us a clear shot of what the car's midsection will look like. Comparing this image and the spy shots, we can see that the Wraith will have a pretty sleek - (almost Bentley Continental GT-like) roofline, and, like the Phantom Coupe, it will have rear-hinged doors. We can also tell from the spy shots that it seems to be keeping the same face as the Ghost and taillights, too.
Be sure to check out the latest spy photos for the Wraith as well as a brief press release from Rolls-Royce by scrolling below.