Beautifully built with near-endless possibilities of personalised interpretation, the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre takes RR into its next chapter
Singapore – It is not so much about the arriving, but how well you have arrived that truly matters. That is the mantra befitting of a Rolls-Royce. Or I should more accurately say that, this said mantra dwells in my head, whenever the storied British automaker comes to mind.
The year was 1984, where I remembered as a child, a chauffeur driven Roller pulled up at my school. Then, I already knew how special these cars were. Being that curious kid, I approached to have a closer look at the “Flying Lady” perched upon the grille. Probably much to the amusement of the chauffeur, seeing a kid at the far edge of his bonnet, staring intently, I remarked: “This thing is near God-level.” Ok, perhaps I am squeezing the juice a little too much. With my limited childhood vocabulary back then, I went: “WOW!”.
The brand has always been special to me. And today, we live in a time of significant change. The Rolls-Royce Spectre, which replaces Wraith, is the brand’s first fully-electric car. By the end of this decade, Rolls-Royce’s range will have transitioned to one that is fully electric, therefore it is safe to say that the Spectre is a preview of what is to come.
However, that 2030 target might be more malleable, now that CEO of their BMW parent, Oliver Zipse, hinted of a more flexible approach way into the next decade.
The new coupe is a design evolution of its predecessor. While it has a somewhat similar side silhouette, it boasts more relaxed lines, and in place of that “muscular thickness” found on its Wraith, over here visual tension and lightness speak volumes. The Pantheon Grille, upon which the Spirit of Ecstasy rests, sits wider, and less upright. At the rear, the Spectre’s chrome work has been tamed, while thinned-and-upright tail lights again help convey that sense of lightness and effortless delivery.
This example “sits” on one of four available 23-inch polished Wing Spoke wheels, which are the largest the carmaker has created so far. There is also a single 22-inch wheel design you can opt for.
Where Veganism and Luxury are Immiscible
But checking the electric propulsion box does not mean that Rolls-Royce has gone on to adopt that vegan-faux-everyting interior playbook, which seems to be the preferred route taken by many luxury car makers. Over here, Rolls-Royce’s time honoured tradition of fitting the interior’s upholstery with leather, sourced from bulls, brought up in the cooler climates of the European highlands still stands… cooler, therefore less insect bites; and bulls over cows, because they are not so susceptible to stretch marks.
The voice-assisted infotainment, with the activation phrase ‘Hey Spirit’, supports wireless connectivity for both Apple and Android devices. I appreciate that even though the infotainment’s firmware is based on BMW’s, Rolls-Royce went ahead with a more elegant icon pack for their screen.
The pampering begins the moment I slip myself into that driver’s seat. The Coach Door closes upon the depressing of the brake pedal. Within the hushed interior, the lush lambswool carpeting is perhaps a good reminder that now, I can take my mind off everything else and simply enjoy the drive.
A pair of motors, which in-all deliver 577hp (430kW) and 900Nm makes easy work of moving the near 2.9 tonnes of palatial grandeur. Rolls-Royce have ensured a drive with rear bias, with the rear motor designed to deliver the bulk of the power and torque. Like in their cars endowed with the iconic V12, acceleration feels rapid, and delivered with a silky-smoothness. Even despite the Spectre’s heft, it does the century sprint in all of 4.5 seconds.
What I do find interesting is that the Spectre tucks more willingly into turns, than the Dawn I drove a few years prior. This is in-part due to not having an engine up-front to induce plough, and also, the front motors of the Spectre help coax to where you choose to point it.
The power steering, which comes heavily assisted, paired with a well executed adaptive air suspension, ensures that the Spectre goes about its day with deceiving effortlessness. Ruts on the road are ironed out, and there is little to remind you of its weight. On the inside, there is an almost uncanny atmosphere of serenity at speed; and where the world around you feels meters more distant, would be a good reason why Rolls-Royce’s electric coupe starts at around a hundred thousand more than two-million dollars. It is really this beautifully engineered.
Perhaps if I were to dig deep and pick on a few issues with the Spectre, the main one would be that you are not able to independently adjust the regenerative braking; since differing driving styles would lead to different energy scavenging preferences. For me, I tend to drive EVs with the regenerative braking turned completely off wherever I can, as I prefer lifting-off and gliding freely. The other issue is a double-edged sword. The wing mirrors are extremely large, which means that while they provide good rearward vision, they also inevitably create forward blind spots. Lastly, with how beautifully insulated the interior is, the air-conditioning suddenly seems too loud for my liking.
Why Worry About Range?
With the Spectre, how far it can go on a single charge loses its relevance. It really is about how well you are getting there. But if you ask, 530km (combined) is enough to take you on a bit of a tour around the island. And if you are a buyer, you would already be able to have space for your very own wall box.
My Final Thoughts
Rolls-Royce has gotten the most important thing right with the introduction of the Spectre. While the means of propulsion has changed, they have not compromised on what a Rolls-Royce should be.
And while the Spectre may form the blueprint for future RRs, and is near-excellently engineered, there is no doubt that a perfectly balanced V12 is too good an engine to waste. And if and when that day comes, there is no better way to say this, but the automotive world will indeed lose a star.
Photos & Text: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s a Rolls-Royce | Unable to independently adjust regenerative braking |
| Excellent interior | Large wing mirrors create blind spots |
| Did I say it’s a Rolls-Royce? | With a quiet interior, the air-conditioning suddenly seems too loud |
Rolls-Royce Spectre Electric
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Dual Motor, All-Wheel Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 577hp / 900Nm |
| Battery capacity | 102kWh |
| Efficiency | 21.3kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 530km |
| 0-100km/h | 4.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 249km/h |
| VES Band | A2 |
| Dealer | Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore |
| Price | S$2,138,888 before extras and COE |
| Verdict | Flying Lady rides electric. Luxury, uncompromised. |
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