Like all major car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce has chosen the electric path. Thus, its future models will no longer feature that great V12 but electron-sipping motors. And while that may not seem like a good idea, it certainly fits the Goodwood brand like a glove. Allow us to explain.
You see, every vehicle that has left the brand's Goodwood plant has been extremely refined, luxurious, and, most importantly, quiet as a church. This applies to the company's entire modern-day lineup, regardless of whether it is the Ghost, the Phantom flagship, the Cullinan SUV, or the discontinued Dawn and Wraith duo. And do you know any quieter cars than EVs? Yeah, neither do we.
Thus, we think the electric future is the right move for Rolls-Royce. However, to make its deep-pocketed clients forget about range anxiety, it probably needs a few partially-electrified proposals. Preferably plug-in hybrids with generous-sized battery packs or a range-extender of some sort. That would bring the best of both worlds to what is arguably the automaker with the most luxurious rides currently on sale.
If you've been living under a rock recently, you may not be aware that Rolls-Royce has already taken a major step in the EV world with a dedicated model. It is called the Spectre and entered production last year. Mind you, instead of developing an entirely new platform for it, the British auto marque utilized the Architecture of Luxury, which is the foundation stone of the Ghost, Phantom, and Cullinan.
Photo: Hollmann
The Spectre is a two-door coupe with dual motors and all-wheel drive, and those who have driven it have made some bold claims about it, stating that it is probably the most luxurious car ever made. This should raise a few eyebrows over in Bentley's and Mercedes-Maybach's boats, making them consider a similar recipe. After all, every great automobile deserves at least a rival, and as of now, the Spectre has none.
This true land yacht measures 214.7 inches (5,453 mm) from bumper to bumper. It is 81.9 inches (2,080 mm) wide, 61.4 inches (1,559 mm) tall, and 126.4 inches (3,210 mm) between the axles. As for the curb weight, it stands at almost three tons or nearly 6,600 pounds. The Spectre is, therefore, heavier than the Cadillac Escalade and also longer and wider. Its wheelbase is also longer than that of Caddy's high-rider.
As we already told you, a pair of electric motors supplies the firepower. What we haven't mentioned, however, is the output and torque. Rolls-Royce's all-quiet luxury coupe enjoys 567 horsepower (575 ps/430 kW) and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque. According to the spec sheet, it can reach 60 mph (97 kph) in four and a half seconds, which isn't bad at all for something that weighs more than a small shed and is not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there.
Photo: Hollmann
A brand-new Rolls-Royce Spectre will set you back around $400,000 in the United States. Choose a few options, and it will easily exceed the half-a-million-dollar mark. The one pictured above features a Black Diamon Metallic paint finish, 23-inch seven-spoke polished wheels, and a Grace White and Arden Red interior. The latter hue makes it look a bit too lively for our taste, but that's the only thing we will complain about in this story. Well, that and the asking price that we'll get to soon.
First, we have to tell you that it boasts numerous options, from the lambswool floor mats and backlit grille to the Shooting Star headliner. These add up to the already generous list of standard gear, which includes all the stuff required from a full-blown modern-day luxury car and some features that not many customers would ask for. If you must know, this Spectre only has the delivery miles under its belt, so you are looking at a brand new car with the new car smell included.
Now, we promised we'd tell you how much it costs, but first, how much do you think you will have to cough out to park this marvelous machine in your driveway? Half a million dollars? $600K? $700K? Well, unless you said €725,900, including tax, which comes out to almost $790,000 at the current exchange rates, you were wrong, as that is how much the vendor was asking for it at the time of writing, which is almost double the initial MSRP. Still, you will avoid the waiting list if you go for this one, as it is in stock and ready to be driven home.
Clicking this link will take you to the Hollmann International website, which reveals a few more details about the standard and optional gear. That is also how you will contact the vendor should you want to make this Rolls-Royce Spectre yours. So, if money were not an issue, would you buy it? I would!
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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