Like many other automakers before it, Rolls-Royce experimented early with the all-electric propulsion. At the dawn of the 20th century, the brand's co-founder, Charles Rolls, toyed with the idea of manufacturing a silent, engine-less waft. Sadly, it didn't pan out. But that experiment allowed the German-owned British automaker to safeguard that heritage until a battery-electric vehicle became feasible. The time has finally come, and now we know how efficient Rolls-Royce's first EV is. Here's what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing procedure revealed.
Firstly, let's take a quick look at the most important facts and figures. The Spectre's cost starts from $422,750. But there are plenty of options and custom modifications customers can order. So, that price is just a suggestion. Few will actually pay that sum.
The swanky two-door, four-passenger, all-wheel-drive EV debuted with a 577-hp (430 kW) powertrain. The dual-motor fifth-generation eDrive solution borrowed from BMW develops 664 lb-ft of torque, which should be enough to propel the 6,559-lb super coupe from zero to 60 mph (97 kph) in 4.4 seconds.
Thanks to having no engine and exhaust system but a high-voltage 102-kWh usable battery pack, the 214.6-inch-long Spectre is also 30% stiffer than its predecessor. Initial measurements revealed an average range of 320 miles. The testing procedure was done according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). But since we're talking about a member of the BMW Group and not Tesla, this figure should be conservative. The Bavarians love to underpromise and overdeliver.
Secondly, the EPA is a bit more stringent than WLTP. It revealed that the 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre riding on 22-inch wheels is the most efficient and has the longest range: it consumes 41 kWh per 100 miles and can go 291 miles on a single charge. Considering that it's only 390 lb lighter than a Rivian R1T, that's not bad at all.
Change the wheels for the 23-inch ones, and the maximum range drops to 266 miles. The efficiency also takes a plunge – this Spectre needs 45 kWh per 100 miles to get moving.
Photo: Rolls-Royce
Thirdly, Rolls-Royce said that the Black Badge version of this coupe wasn't a priority. However, the EPA confirmed that it's coming very soon. It tested the 650-hp (485-kW) EV, too! The results are as follows:
280 miles and 43 kWh per 100 miles for the unit equipped with 22-inch wheels;
264 miles and 46 kWh per 100 miles for the unit equipped with 23-inch wheels.
The good news is that the EPA anticipates savings of up to $4,500 in fuel costs when comparing the Spectre with the average new vehicle. Now that's a bonus! You help the environment and save some money while doing so.
Chances are slim that any Rolls-Royce owner will care about this, but it's worth noting that the EPA charges EVs to 100% and runs them until the batteries tap out. That's unrealistic because nobody will drive their expensive coupe until it leaves them stranded.
Finally, keep in mind that the Spectre's battery boasts a 400V+ battery architecture. As such, it can't take full advantage of 350-kW DC stalls. The Lucid Air or Porsche Taycan can do that. But we don't anticipate that to be a problem for Spectre owners. They usually don't spend too much time driving. This Rolls-Royce is going to spend its life as a posh commuting appliance in most cases.
The next-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom might be the one that will become the epitome of EVs. The potential is there.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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