Rolls-Royce has finally unveiled its first entirely electric vehicle, the elegant and silent Spectre, which goes on sale today to environmentally conscious ultra-wealthy buyers.
The new Spectre, which has undergone thousands of miles of testing under a camouflage skin disguise, has a mighty 577 horsepower (430kW) with two electric motors – one driving each axle – propelling the nearly 3-tonne vehicle from 0 to 60mph in just 4.4 seconds and up to a top speed that is anticipated to be limited to 155mph.
But it also has a substantial full-charge range of up to 320 miles – enough to travel from London to just north of Newcastle with zero emissions from the tailpipe – although it will need a significant amount of energy that could have been created using fossil fuels elsewhere to do this trip.
Although the pricing has not yet been disclosed, the company claims that the Spectre will be priced between the Cullinan 4×4 and Phantom flagship models.
Nevertheless, because clients rarely purchase a new Rolls-Royce without adding substantial personal touches and accessories, they will often pay more than £400,000.
The two-door, four-seater fastback is Rolls-most Royce’s aerodynamic vehicle ever and has the same size and presence as the gasoline-powered Wraith coupe, to which it is referred to as the “spiritual heir.”
It indicates that the luxury brand with its renowned Spirit of Ecstasy is now also embracing the Spirit of Electricity – with an eye-catching, contemporary atmosphere designed to captivate potential buyers.
The Spectre has been extensively tested – from the frozen landscapes around the Arctic Circle in Northern Sweden, where I had a ride, to warm weather testing in South Africa and the Côte d’Azur – on a 1.5million mile program around the globe, simulating the equivalent of 400 years of use to perfect its version of Rolls-signature magic Royce’s carpet ride’.
The Spectre described as the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé, ushers in a new all-electric era for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and “demonstrates how well Rolls-Royce is adapted to electrification,” according to company officials.
Rolls-Royce declared that its complete product portfolio will be electric by 2030.
With all the engineering work and electrical software in place, the new Spectre has been “taught” to be an authentic Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce asserts that its vehicles are ideally suited for battery power and that its co-founder, the Honorable Charles Rolls, who purchased an early electric car in 1900, foresaw a future for a quieter and more environmentally friendly automobile.
Rolls stated at the time, possibly anticipating range anxiety, that the electric vehicle is completely silent and spotless. There is no odor or vibration present. When fixed charging stations are established, they should become highly beneficial.
More than 120 years later, Rolls-leaders Royce believes the time has come to fulfill the vision of the company’s founder.
Rolls-Royce stated, “Spectre is not just a historic moment for Rolls-Royce, but also a historic moment for electrification — with Spectre, the marque affirms that the technology has achieved a level at which it can accommodate the Rolls-Royce experience.”
It continued, “Spectre is more than an automobile.” As Rolls-Royce enters an all-electric era, it is a declaration of intent and a symbol of a bright, courageous future.
This dedication to an all-electric powertrain will further enrich the Rolls-Royce experience — immediate torque, silent operation, and the sense of a single undetectable gear have characterized an unparalleled canon of products dating back to the very first Rolls-Royce, the 1904 10 H.P.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are headquartered in Goodwood, West Sussex, near Chichester, where its boutique plant employs more than 2,000 employees.
Torsten Müller-Otvos, the chief executive officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, stated, “Spectre possesses all the traits that have guaranteed the Rolls-Royce legend.”
This marks the beginning of a bold new era for our brand, our outstanding clients, and the luxury industry as a whole. For this reason, I consider Spectre to be Rolls-most Royce’s flawless product to date.
He continued, “This extraordinary automobile, planned from the very beginning as our first fully-electric vehicle, is both silent and powerful, demonstrating how well Rolls-Royce is adapted to electrification.”
“Spectre is a Rolls-Royce before it is an electric vehicle.”
Electric voyage of Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce notes that its ties to electrification date back more than a century to the company’s founding, but that the necessary technology for an electric production model was not available until now.
Henry Royce began his career as an electrical engineer and devoted a significant portion of his life to developing internal combustion engines that mimicked the features of an electric automobile – silent operation, quick torque, and the sensation of an infinite gear.
Charles Rolls, while driving a 1900 Columbia electric automobile, made the following proclamation: “The electric car is completely silent and clean.” There is no odor or vibration present. When fixed charging stations are established, they should become highly beneficial.
In 2011, Rolls-Royce tested the 102EX Experimental Phantom, an electric Phantom. This was followed by 103EX, a dramatic design study.
In September 2021, the business announced that Spectre, its first all-electric Rolls-Royce, has begun testing. Today, October 18, 2022, it has released its first all-electric vehicle.
