The world's first ultra-luxury electric super coupé, Spectre, is the Rolls-Royce that ushers in the brand's daring new all-electric future. It is important to note that it is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second; no sacrifices or compromises have been made in terms of interior room, comfort, performance, or ride quality; rather, all have been improved and enhanced by the architecture and engineering of the car. An overview of Spectre, its design ethos, and its place in the Rolls-Royce product lineup are given in this press kit. The Press Club, where you can also get pre-launch details regarding Rolls-Royce's electric experimental vehicles and history, has the original launch press release available.
Background
In a magazine article published in 1900, automotive pioneer The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls made a daring claim: "The electric car is wonderfully quiet and clean. Neither a fragrance nor a vibration exist. When fixed charging stations can be set up, they should be of great use, he said. Those comments, which he wrote four years before his famous first encounter with Henry Royce, turned out to be prescient, but it took the firm they co-founded more than a century to realize his vision.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced in September 2021 that the first model in company history to be designed and engineered exclusively as an electric vehicle had begun testing. The testing procedure covered more than 2.5 million kilometers in every climatic and topographical extreme, approximating more than 400 years of typical use. The world saw the unveiling of Spectre a year later, in October 2022, marking the fulfillment of a daring promise and the culmination of an enormous technical challenge.
Spectre, the first entirely electric Rolls-Royce ever produced, is proof that battery-electric technology has matured and is now capable of being effectively used at the pinnacle of automotive quality, luxury, and performance. Additionally, it signifies a paradigmatic technological and intellectual transition for the company: by the year 2030, all of Rolls-Royce's product lines will be entirely electric, and the company will never again develop a new model with an internal combustion engine.
The ultra-luxury electric super coupé is a new kind of automobile that Spectre invented. The quick torque, silent operation, and sense of one imperceptible gear that distinguish the Rolls-Royce experience are all enhanced for a new generation of customers by the all-electric powertrain. By allowing free and direct information interchange across thousands of different vehicle systems, its "Decentralized Intelligence" system enhances the famed "magic carpet ride" of the brand. Additionally, it ushers the brand's design language and bespoke capabilities into a new, electrifying era with its modern yet timeless appearance.
Spectre's positioning and philosophy
The world's first ultra-luxury electric super coupé, Spectre, is the Rolls-Royce that ushers in the brand's daring new all-electric future. It is important to note that it is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second; no sacrifices or compromises have been made in terms of interior room, comfort, performance, or ride quality; rather, all have been improved and enhanced by the architecture and engineering of the car.
The legendary Phantom Coupé's spiritual successor is the two-door fastback Spectre, which has spacious proportions and a distinctive appearance. Its cozy interior makes a wonderful canvas for bespoke customization, and the first Starlight Doors ever specified in a production Rolls-Royce provide a special touch.
Although each Spectre client is unique, they all tend to have a similar respect for high-quality materials and craftsmanship, as well as a strong preference for simple, minimalist designs that are devoid of ostentation and extraneous elements. Many Spectre clients, who are frequently younger, self-made, and self-assured people, support modern concepts of sustainability, authenticity, conscientiousness, and longevity. Spectre, one of the most coveted luxury items in the world, serves as a representation of the individuals who commission it by expressing their unique personalities, ideals, and accomplishments.
ENGINEERING
The "Rolls-Royce 3.0"
The Phantom, the first Rolls-Royce produced during the Goodwood era, debuted in 2003. Rolls-Royce 1.0 was supported by its own bespoke architecture. In order to depict Rolls-Royce 2.0, the marque developed the 'Architecture of Luxury' (see below), an all-aluminum spaceframe that also serves as the foundation for the Cullinan and Ghost. With its totally electric drivetrain and decentralized intelligence, the Spectre ushers in a new era for super-luxury transportation and the launch of Rolls-Royce 3.0.
Luxury Architecture in All-Aluminum
The Architecture of Luxury platform, which is exclusive to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was used to build the fourth-series Rolls-Royce, Spectre. It was purposefully designed from the start to accommodate an electric engine as and when the technology became available, in a foresightful move reminiscent of Charles Rolls' famous prophecy.
It consists of a spaceframe made entirely of aluminum that can be infinitely scaled and modified around four fixed points, one at each corner of the car. Because of their intrinsic flexibility, Rolls-Royce is able to customize each product by adjusting the bulkhead, floor, crossmembers, and sill panels accordingly.
Rolls-Royce engineers unlocked the concept's previously untapped potential with Spectre. The spaceframe of the Spectre is 30% stiffer than that of any previous Rolls-Royce thanks to advanced extruded aluminum sections and the integration of the battery into the construction. Engineers were also able to position the floor halfway between the sill structures rather than above or below them, thanks to the architecture.
With the battery installed underneath, a channel for wiring and climate control pipes runs between the battery and the floor, creating a flawless underfloor profile. This makes it possible to have low seating positions and deepens the dashboard to make the cabin feel completely enclosed. The windscreen of the Spectre is severely sloped, which adds to the car's outstanding aerodynamics (see below), amplifying this effect.
Due to its location, the battery performs a very useful secondary function: since it is completely incorporated into the motor car's architecture, it serves as an additional 700 kg of sound insulation.
purely electric powertrain
Rolls-Royce chose an all-electric propulsion system for the Spectre rather than a hybrid drivetrain as a commitment to an unadulterated electric future. Two separately excited synchronous motors (SSMs) are installed in it. The front electric motor generates 190 kW and 365 Nm of torque, and the rear motor delivers 360 kW and 710 Nm. This is equivalent to a 430 kW (584 horsepower) internal combustion engine with 900 Nm of torque in terms of performance. Spectre accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 100 kilometers per hour) in 4.4 seconds.
In order to create a suitable range for Spectre, the brand first talked to customers to learn about their needs. The confirmed range of 530km (329 miles) WLTP surpasses these specifications, proving that Spectre is the ideal vehicle for the lifestyle of Rolls-Royce customers, who typically keep more than seven vehicles in their garage and log an average of 5,100km in their current Rolls-Royce each year.
Using a 195 kW (DC) fast charger, the charge duration from 10 to 80% is 34 minutes; this will also create enough power for 100 kilometers in around nine minutes.
Active Lane Centering and Adaptive Cruise Control are also included in the Spectre.
Battery
The 102 kWh lithium-ion battery used in Spectre was created from cobalt and lithium obtained from carefully regulated sources in Australia, Morocco, and Argentina; all of the electricity used to create the battery cells was green. The on-board thermal management technology of the Spectre ensures an ideal working temperature at all times and has undergone thorough testing in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +50°C.
Recovering from braking
By depressing the 'B' button on the column shifter, the driver of the Spectre can customize the vehicle's braking recuperation feature. By turning on "Brake Mode," the amount of brake recuperation is enhanced, allowing for so-called single-pedal driving and, if desired, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. Low recuperation is the default setting upon starting, simulating the automated driving mannerisms of an internal combustion engine Rolls-Royce.
Electronic Engineering
The Rolls-Royce Spectre has three times as many sender-receiver signals as any prior model, making it the most connected Rolls-Royce ever. Engineers actually refer to it as "Rolls-Royce in ultra-high definition" due to how quickly and precisely it reacts to changing road and weather conditions. During its 2.5 million-kilometer testing program, each of the car's thousands of drivetrain and chassis attributes was thoroughly examined and improved.
Data is processed closer to its source through a software architecture known as decentralized intelligence rather than being handled entirely by a single central processing unit. Each of the 141,200 sender-receiver variables has a dedicated custom control to accomplish this; in nearly all cases, a number of extra sub-variables accommodate for differences in the weather, ground speed, road type, vehicle condition, and driving style. This enables the vehicle to react to driver input and alter road conditions more quickly.
System of planar suspension
The suspension used in Spectre is an advancement of the planar system that was first introduced in Ghost. Engineers refer to it as "an orchestra of systems" that blends custom hardware with the high-speed computing power of the Spectre to provide the brand's signature "magic carpet ride."
Due to Spectre's 30% better torsional rigidity, Ghost's upper wishbone damper is unnecessary. The device can automatically separate the Spectre's anti-roll bars on straight highways so that each wheel can move independently. As a result, there is no longer any motion of a vehicle rocking when one side strikes an undulation in the road, and the high-frequency disturbances brought on by smaller, recurrent surface flaws are greatly diminished.
In order to provide effortless entry and exit around corners, the system recouples the parts, stiffens the damper, and gets ready to engage the four-wheel steering system. Almost 20 separate steering, braking, power delivery, and suspension characteristics are monitored by unique sensors during cornering, and they are automatically adjusted to preserve perfect tracking and stability.
The Digital Architecture of Luxury: Spirit
Spirit is a totally revamped digital architecture that creates a stronger bond between the Spectre owner and their automobile than ever before. In addition to controlling the functions of the vehicle, SPIRIT is smoothly linked into the brand's Whispers app, enabling owners to communicate with their vehicle from a distance.
Customers can now extend their bespoke commission into the digital sphere for the first time, choosing the color of the instrument dials to match the interior color scheme or external finish of the car, for instance.
Uncomplicated Doors
The pillarless coach doors on Spectre are the largest ever installed on a Rolls-Royce and measure over 1.5 meters in length. They are outfitted with a specifically designed version of the Effortless Doors power-assisted technology featured on every Rolls-Royce from the Phantom onward in order to save weight without sacrificing rigidity and robustness. Effortless Doors on the Spectre work both when opening and closing since they were designed for the current Ghost model.
The door can be brought to the "comfort position" with just one pull of the internal handle, allowing the occupant to look around for potential dangers or obstacles. When they want full power assistance, they pull and hold the handle. They just release the handle once the door has fully opened, which activates the door brake. By pressing a button on the outside handle, the door can be closed automatically or manually with help from power. Due to on-board longitudinal, transverse, and G-force sensors, as well as sensors installed on each door, the vehicle may operate at the same speed regardless of the slope of the driveway or hill.
When the driver applies the brakes, the driver's door automatically closes, which is a feature exclusive to the Spectre.
EXTERIOR
Beyond the automotive industry, other influences on the design of Spectre include haute couture, modernist sculpture, maritime design, tailoring, and contemporary art. In particular, the design is inspired by the clarity, accuracy, and clever reflection used in contemporary racing yacht designs.
The Pantheon grille on Spectre is the largest Rolls-Royce has ever had. The sandblasted rear surface of the polished stainless-steel vanes is softly lit by 22 LEDs, giving them a delicate, three-dimensional character at night. The polished stainless-steel vanes are smooth and flush-fitting.
For Spectre, a unique figurine known as the Spirit of Ecstasy was made. The Spectre is the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, thanks to its lower stance and more aerodynamic profile, which were honed during 830 hours of design modeling and wind tunnel testing.
The split headlights, which have long been a hallmark of Rolls-Royce vehicles, are a clear visual nod to the Spectre's renowned forebear, the Phantom Coupé.
The eye is drawn backward to Spectre's fastback, which is influenced by both vintage automobiles and racing yachts by the strong, vertical bow line. The outstanding aerodynamics of the Spectre are considerably enhanced by the smooth roofline.
The lower 'waft line' is a representation of the fabled Rolls-Royce magic carpet ride'; Spectre's coachwork gently tucks into the sill, lightening the surfacing and producing a sense of motion by reflecting the road passing beneath it, similar to how the hull of a racing yacht reflects the water as it cuts through it.
The biggest single body panel ever created for a Rolls-Royce, which stretches from the A-pillar to the baggage compartment, is where the tail lamps are located, following the roofline back. The rear lamps are neutrally colored in anticipation of a choice of bespoke exterior color orders.
It is the first production Rolls-Royce two-door coupé to be outfitted with 23-inch wheels in almost 100 years to match Spectre's spacious proportions.
INTERIOR
The interior of Spectre is filled with cutting-edge bespoke features. These include Starlight Doors, which, for the first time on a Rolls-Royce in serial production, include 4,796 gently lighted "stars. Customers also have the option of selecting a hand-crafted Canadel paneling backdrop made from a variety of magnificent woods.
Spectre's Illuminated Fascia continues the ethereal, cosmic theme. It has the Spectre nameplate encircled by a cluster of more than 5,500 stars and was created over a period of two years and more than 10,000 collective hours. The illuminations, which are on the passenger side of the dashboard, are entirely hidden while the car is not moving.
The brand-new front seat design was influenced by British tailoring and features lapel pieces that can be finished in colors that contrast or coordinate with the main foundation.
Like all Rolls-Royce automobiles, the interior suite of the Spectre provides customers with practically endless bespoke options.
EVERYTHING-CHANGING ROLLS-ROYCE:
Spectre not only sets the tone for the future of the marque but is also ideally attuned to modern sensibilities. It is the automobile Rolls-Royce has been working towards since its founding, an exalted embodiment of effortlessness, power, and historical endurance, as Charles Rolls himself anticipated. Spectre, a Rolls-Royce first and an electric vehicle second, has been bravely imagined, painstakingly developed, rigorously tested, and brilliantly realized. It is an unmistakable declaration of intent that tells the world what Rolls-Royce means for today and in the years to come.
SUMMARY QUOTES
"Spectre embodies every characteristic that has contributed to the Rolls-Royce legacy. This extraordinary automobile shows how well Rolls-Royce is suited to electrification and was designed from the start as our first fully electric vehicle. It is silent, powerful, and impressive. The all-electric drivetrain in Spectre will guarantee the brand's ongoing prosperity and relevance while significantly enhancing the definition of each trait that distinguishes a Rolls-Royce.
"Perfection at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars goes beyond creating the greatest goods possible. It is part of our ethos, culture, and way of life. In fact, Sir Henry Royce, one of our founding fathers, is credited with the advice to "strive for perfection in everything you do. The idea for Spectre originated in this society. It is completely in line with modern tastes. Because Spectre is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second, it precisely satisfies the demand from the world's most affluent people to improve the electric motor car experience. It also outlines the path for the future of our marque.
"Our marque, our exceptional clients, and the luxury sector are beginning a bold new chapter with this. Because of this, I think Spectre is the most ideal thing Rolls-Royce has ever made.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer Torsten Müller-Tvös
"Developing the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the vehicle that leads Rolls-Royce towards its visionary electric future, is a career high point for me. I'm incredibly proud that Spectre has now finished what has been the most rigorous schedule ever designed for a Rolls-Royce motor car. Such a wonderful car demands a remarkable testing program. In fact, a large portion of our job in satisfying the needs of the super-luxury consumer begins where vehicle manufacturers conclude testing. This has been an exceptional achievement from a group of committed and talented engineers who work in both fascinating established technical fields and cutting-edge emerging ones. The Rolls-Royce Spectre ushers in this storied brand's future.
Director of Engineering at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi
We created Spectre as a true Rolls-Royce, with a stunningly contemporary yet classic look that ushers in a new, electric era for our marque's design language and bespoke possibilities. We were successful in developing a dramatic, intensely emotional super coupé by working closely with our engineering partners and pulling inspiration from a variety of genres, including nautical design, modernist sculpture, and haute couture. In particular, the design is inspired by modern sailboat design, which makes clever use of reflection as well as clarity and precision of line. The cozy interior of the Spectre wraps around its passengers inside the opulent and welcoming cabin, while the magical Bespoke features surprise and delight, exhibiting the extraordinarily exceptional skill and craftsmanship of our well-known designers and craftspeople from throughout the world.
Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Anders Warming
"The electric vehicle is very quiet and clean. Neither a fragrance nor a vibration exist. When fixed charging stations can be set up, they should become quite helpful.
A. The Hon. Rolls-Royce co-founder Charles Stewart Rolls, 1900