Rolls-Royce has been a leader in the luxury car market for over a century and has always pushed the boundaries with its latest creations. The latest addition to their lineup, the Rolls-Royce Spectre, is no exception. This new two-door coupe, which is powered by electricity, is the successor to the Phantom Coupé and is larger than the now-retired Wraith and Dawn models.
The CEO of Rolls-Royce, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, had a clear vision for the Spectre when he tasked the engineering team with creating it. He wanted it to be a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second. The Phantom Coupé is seen as one of the most striking Rolls-Royce cars and the Spectre takes inspiration from it, but with a modern twist. The Spectre is not just an electric car, it’s a luxurious coupe that just happens to be powered by electricity.
The Spectre was revealed late last year and is currently in the final stages of development. The car is based on the bespoke aluminium spaceframe, the Architecture of Luxury, which was first introduced on the eighth-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom. The drivetrain features electric motors front and rear for four-wheel drive, drawing power from the largest battery pack in the BMW Group at around 106 kWh. The motors produce a combined output of 577 bhp and 664 lb-ft, and the Spectre has an estimated range of 320 miles.
The Spectre is a massive car, coming in at 25 kg under three tonnes, but it can still accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The interior of the car is familiar to those who have been in other recent Rolls-Royce models, with the largest rear-hinged door yet fitted to a Rolls-Royce. The car is not just about luxury, but about attention to detail and a never-ending quest for perfection.
The cabin of this Rolls-Royce is just as luxurious and elegant as you would expect from the brand. The lovely centre touchscreen is integrated in a way that fits in with the overall design and the driver’s display has gone digital, but it doesn’t overpower the look and feel of the car. Rolls-Royce has even added a subtle artificial sound that can be turned on or off, which provides the perfect level of tranquillity in the cabin. No need for any flashy tech or unnecessary gimmicks, just pure Rolls-Royce sophistication and class.
The development of the Spectre has been documented every step of the way, with the company inviting select individuals to test drive the car at various stages. The latest of these test drives took place in South Africa’s Western Cape, where the car was 60% ready for production. By the end of the drive, it was clear that the car was closer to 95% ready. The goal is to use the knowledge to create the next version of the car, which will undergo further testing. Despite all the progress so far, Rolls-Royce believes there is still a long way to go before the car is ready for production
Jörg Wunder, head of projects at Rolls-Royce, was leading the Spectre’s testing program and was on hand to accompany the first test drive from outside the company. The disclaimers for the test drive were several pages long, but once inside the car, everything was familiar to those who have been in other recent Rolls-Royce models.
The Rolls-Royce Spectre is a luxurious electric coupe that delivers the epitome of class and style. The car is a testament to the company’s never-ending quest for perfection and its attention to detail. The Spectre is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second, and it’s sure to be a hit with customers when it becomes available.
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