Rolls-Royce Debuts at Oberoi Concours d’Elegance 2026 in India

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars debuts at the 2026 Oberoi Concours in Udaipur, highlighting its historic ties with India and presenting the Black Badge Spectre.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars made its debut at the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance, an event that, in just its second edition, has already positioned itself as a significant gathering for collectors and historians of automotive culture. Held at The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, overlooking Lake Pichola, the marque’s presence carried a symbolic weight, marking a renewed engagement with a country that has been intertwined with Rolls-Royce for more than a century.

In the first half of the twentieth century, India was among the brand’s most important destinations. Maharajas commissioned Silver Ghost, Phantom I and Phantom II models, often specifying bespoke coachwork and unique configurations. Historical accounts note that more than seven hundred Rolls-Royce motor cars were delivered to India before the mid-1950s. Many of these pre-war automobiles survive in private collections today, a legacy reflected in the dedicated “Pre-War Classics – Rolls-Royce” class at the Concours.

The 2026 Oberoi Concours d’Elegance took place from 20 to 22 February, with entries selected by a committee based on historical significance, rarity, provenance and overall condition. Among the judges was Sandra Button, long associated with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The programme also included a Tour d’Elegance, reinforcing the event’s ambition to align with established international standards.

Against this heritage backdrop, the display of the Black Badge Spectre created a deliberate bridge between past and future. The all-electric super coupé produces 485 kW (659 hp) and 1,075 Nm of torque, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and is equipped with a 102 kWh battery. Under WLTP testing, its electric range is rated at 493–530 km, with energy consumption of 22.2–23.8 kWh/100 km and CO₂ emissions of 0 g/km. Rolls-Royce describes it as the most powerful motor car in its history.

Spectre also represents a strategic milestone. In 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced its intention to become a fully electric marque by 2030. The company frequently recalls Charles Rolls’ 1900 observation that the electric car would be “perfectly noiseless and clean.” In this sense, Spectre is positioned not as a break from tradition, but as the fulfilment of an early vision.

The marque’s participation in Udaipur coincides with India’s growing importance within its global strategy. In 2025, the country emerged as the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region for Rolls-Royce, achieving double-digit growth for a fourth consecutive year. The combination of historical resonance, an active collector community and sustained demand for Bespoke commissions suggests that India occupies both a symbolic and commercially significant place in the brand’s trajectory.

Seen in this light, the debut at the Oberoi Concours d’Elegance was more than an exhibition appearance. It underscored Rolls-Royce’s effort to connect a century of patronage and craftsmanship with a fully electric future, presenting heritage and technological progress not as opposing forces, but as parts of a continuous narrative.