Luxury redefined: the design and technology behind the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre

In the world of automotive opulence, Rolls-Royce has always been synonymous with the pinnacle of luxury. Now, breaking new ground, the iconic British automaker has launched its first fully electric production car – the Rolls-Royce Spectre, setting the stage for a bold, all-electric future.

The Luxe Review was invited to take a closer look at this groundbreaking addition to the Rolls Royce family, at the marque’s flagship residence in Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, and can confirm up close, Spectre is truly breathtaking.

Spectre is not merely an electric car; it’s a statement of intent, a symbol of a bright, bold future…

In 1900, Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce, reportedly envisioned an electric future for the motor car; he foresaw its suitability as a clean, noiseless alternative to the internal combustion engine. Now, in 2023, that vision has become a reality. The Spectre is not merely an electric car; it’s a statement of intent, a symbol of a bright, bold future.

To ensure that this transformative motor car was sufficiently prepared for the most demanding of Rolls-Royce buyers, the marque devised the most exhaustive testing programme it had ever conceived. Spectre has been subjected to a pre-launch journey of more than 2.5 million kilometres, simulating more than 400 years of Rolls-Royce use. 

Rolls-Royce Spectre: Design

The design of the Spectre artfully balances elegance and innovation. The redesigned Spirit of Ecstasy, slimline LED headlights, and sweeping aerodynamic silhouette create an ultra-luxurious super coupé. The split headlight treatment, the widest grille ever bestowed on a Rolls-Royce, and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine contribute to making the Spectre the most aerodynamic motor car in the Rolls-Royce lineup. It has a drag coefficient of just 0.25cd.

The profile of the Spectre is a blend of contemporary and heritage. The fastback design is reminiscent of classic motor cars and watercraft. I’m told Spectre is the first production two-door coupé to be equipped with 23-inch wheels in almost a century.

Design inspiration has been drawn from haute couture, modern sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. In conceiving the principal sketches for Spectre, the marque’s creatives were drawn to modern yacht concepts, specifically the clarity and precision of line, intelligent use of reflection and application of taper to emotionalise silhouettes.

The new aero-tuned Spirit of Ecstasy figurine alone is the product of 830 combined hours of design modelling and wind tunnel testing.

The grille is gorgeous: softly illuminated, it features 22 LEDs lighting up the sandblasted rear side of each of the vanes, their glow reflected in the polished front surfaces.

In profile, the sharp, vertical bow line at the front of Spectre draws the eye rearward. The lower line, often referred to as the waft line, borrows directly from yacht design. 

Inside, an illuminated fascia represents a culmination of two years and over 10,000 hours of craftsmanship, featuring more than 5,500 stars clustered around the Spectre nameplate. This attention to detail extends to the Starlight Doors, where 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars,’ create an immersive night-time theme.

The coach doors can also be commissioned with a backdrop of wood Canadel panelling, which takes its name from the cove in the South of France where Sir Henry Royce and his design team spent their winters.

Rolls-Royce Spectre: Technology and Performance

Underneath the luxurious façade lies a revolutionary ‘Decentralized Intelligence’ system. This facilitates the seamless exchange of information between more than 1,000 vehicle functions, thereby enhancing the celebrated Rolls-Royce quality of ride. The SPIRIT digital architecture manages the car’s functions and integrates with the Whispers application, allowing owners to interact with their car remotely.

The Spectre is built on the ‘Architecture of Luxury,’ an all-aluminium spaceframe that was conceived with the foresight to accommodate electric drive. The aluminium structure, along with the integration of the battery, results in a 30 per cent stiffer car than any previous Rolls-Royce, delivering not just performance but also a quiet, enveloping cabin.

The Planar suspension system, evolved and digitally integrated for the Spectre, delivers a ‘magic carpet ride.’ This system decouples the car’s anti-roll bars, allowing each wheel to act independently, preventing rocking motion and reducing ride imperfections. The system can respond precisely to driver inputs and road conditions.

Customisation comes as standard. As with all Rolls-Royce motor cars, Spectre’s interior suite offers countless bespoke possibilities. The all-new front seat design has been inspired by British tailoring, with lapel sections that can be rendered in contrasting or matching colours to the main base.  

While the final power, acceleration, and range figures are still being refined at the time of writing, preliminary data suggests an all-electric range of 320 miles/520 kilometres WLTP, with 900Nm of torque from its 430kW powertrain. Expect Spectre to achieve 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Rolls-Royce Spectre: Verdict

Spectre is not just a car; it’s a jaw-dropping head-turner that heralds a new era for Rolls-Royce. The brand has committed to an all-electric powertrain for its entire product portfolio by 2030. This is a stunning debutant.

Spectre is available for commission immediately. Pricing is positioned between Cullinan and Phantom.