Rolls-Royce released its first production electric vehicle (EV) called the Spectre, with many recent reviews of the new electrified Rolls concluding on the positive side of what we think an electric Rolls-Royce should be.
The company’s founders, Henry Royce and Charles Rolls, had an interest in electric technology even before starting their car business in 1906. The Spectre is produced by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, a subsidiary of BMW AG since 1998, and many of those BMW bits are nicely hidden through the deep and plush cabin of one of the finest luxury automobiles to grace us.
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The design of the Spectre is rooted in the brand’s history and maintains the classic Rolls-Royce appearance. It is the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce model to date, with a low drag coefficient of 0.25. The car is large and heavy, weighing nearly 3 metric tons.
It is powered by a 102-kWh battery and two motors, delivering 430 kW (584 hp) and 900 Nm of torque. The Spectre can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a range of 329 miles on the WLTP standard.
The interior features luxurious craftsmanship and materials, with a starlight headlining and an advanced audio system. However, there are some minor criticisms, such as limited rear visibility and conventional interior architecture. Though, the clever and luxurious four bucket seats make anyone feel special driving or riding in one of the most luxurious EVs around. In the expected tradition, buyers have a perfect canvas for creating a one-of-one Bespoke personalized vehicle in the Rolls-Royce Spectre, making it the most customizable EV around.
As claimed by many journalists during the first drive of the new Rolls, the Spectre provides a serene and quiet driving experience, thanks to the electric powertrain and noise-dampening materials. It offers a comfortable ride and precise steering, but its handling struggles to hide its mass in fast corners.
The real-world range is estimated to be just under 300 miles. The Spectre has received positive feedback, with impressive performance and a luxurious experience. However, there are some compromises, including the lack of innovative EV interior design, the use of a 400V charging architecture instead of 800V, and the absence of autonomous driving technology beyond driver assistance systems.
Rolls-Royce aimed to prioritize the Rolls-Royce experience in the Spectre while incorporating electric power, and it succeeded in creating an EV that maintains the brand’s luxury values. Fundamentally, the Spectre is a Rolls-Royce first and an EV second. If you’ve ever been in or driven a Rolls-Royce and an EV, you may know what we mean by such a statement that’s been reiterated by Rolls-Royce themselves.