Jay Leno Says the 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre Is the F1 of Comfortable Automobiles

Few people in this world can say that they have the same level of passion for cars as Jay Leno. The man isn't just enamored with driving; he is a story hunter, a fan of cutting-edge engineering, an admirer of disruptors in the automotive sectors, and a collector of impressive rides.

For all intents and purposes, the 74-year-old stand-up comedian who has survived a couple of accidents (and is now looking almost better than ever) is a person anyone would love to exchange ideas with. Personally, I would let the man speak for hours without interruption because time has already robbed us of many legends, but each to their own.

If you somehow missed the news that Rolls-Royce ditched the iconic and silky smooth 6.7-liter V12 gas-hungry engine for a BMW-inspired dual-motor environmentally friendly powertrain, then allow me to remind you of a few key figures.

The Spectre is a humongous coupe. It's probably the dictionary picture of the term "luxobarge." It's not a shrunken-down Ghost. The EV, which has a starting MSRP of almost $423,000, is in a category of its own. It slots between the Phantom and the Ghost, just like the Wraith used to. However, it's a bit more special.

Pictures and videos don't do the Spectre justice. Even though it's the BMW-owned British brand's first EV, this type of vehicle has been in development since 2010. Rolls-Royce has been experimenting with battery-powered cars for well over a decade. So, it isn't some lackadaisical attempt at convincing well-off buyers to try the EV lifestyle.

A major step forward

Besides having that Rolls-Royce-specific build quality, architecture, and story, the four-seater Spectre is more of a reborn Phantom Coupe (which was a land yacht). It's 215.5 in (5,475 mm) long and 84.4 in (2,144 mm) wide. That means it's around five inches shorter but approximately six inches wider than the luxurious ride that was launched right before the 2008 global financial crisis.

So, Spectre is not trying to be shy or reduce its carbon footprint by a whole lot. It exists solely to satisfy the needs of those buyers who want the pinnacle of the zero-tailpipe emission driving experience. Ok, ok! Fine! It also helps the British marque keep its fleet emissions under the updated EU limits, which means it won't have to pay fines like others do. But that's not why it was created, ok? This isn't an Aston Martin Cygnet. It is a Rolls-Royce motor car. So, like the many models before it, the 577-hp Spectre must rise to meet all the expectations, not just some.

The EV is equipped with a 102-kWh high-voltage battery and two motors. It can drive for around 290 miles tops on a single charge while weighing over 6,500 lb. Fret not; it'll reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds. It's not slow. It's also not noisy. The driver and their passengers are cocooned in a sea of silence while enjoying the feel of the best materials available. The aerodynamic coefficient of .25 is also pretty impressive.

But why would a gearhead like Jay Leno spend well over half a million dollars on a first-generation all-electric car manufactured by an ultra-luxury car brand? He surely knows better, right? After all, we know what Tesla did to many of its enthusiastic customers. Hyundai also taught us why it's important to avoid all those first model-year units when shopping around. They just won't be as reliable as a vehicle that has been through a couple of updates but no major overhaul.

The customers knows what he wants

Well, as it turns out, Jay Leno – a former Rolls-Royce employee – does know better than us mortals. He didn't buy a Spectre because he wanted a massive, silent two-door four-seater. He got one because it represents the start of a new era. It's a proper statement, one that isn't being associated with all sorts of tricks to make you forget about the absence of a great engine.

The man admits and also underlines that buying the Rolls-Royce wasn't about performance or exclusivity; it was about comfort. The decision was based on acquiring a future collector's item, a "single-focus automobile" that aims to do one thing extremely well. Leno isn't a big fan of SUVs. He wants the cars he owns to have a certain purpose and not behave like juiced-up MPVs.

And, let's be honest, Rolls-Royce knows how to take care of its customers. You won't ever hear a customer complain online or to journalists.

Most car lovers have heard that luxury in the automotive world is all about minimum input and maximum output. Everything must be effortless. An EV helps advance that concept. The marque informed Leno that he wouldn't have to worry too much about service. The technicians want the car back sometime in 2026 to service the brakes. That's it.

Ultimately, Rolls-Royce expects the Spectre to become its most popular vehicle in 2024, which means it should outsell the mighty Cullinan. In 2024, that's saying something. That level of confidence is intriguing, to say the least. But that's what luxury brands must do well – they must anticipate and exceed their customers' expectations. Rolls-Royce – to my surprise – seems to have done it already.