2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre

The Spectre emerges out of the mist on an uncharacteristically overcast day of this exclusive drive, not only as the first electric car from Rolls-Royce, but to prove a ghost from the past right.

Proving a ghost from the past right

It was fitting that the cloudy and wet weather conditions during the clandestine testing session of the all-electric, all-new Rolls-Royce Spectre mimicked that of the English climate. Affixed with the Deutschland symbol on the bottom left of the European numberplate, the only real reminder this was still summertime in South Africa was the warm, humid air paired with an occasional local accent.

After a stint in -40˚C at a specialist facility in Arjeplog, Sweden, the new model would have to survive the spectacular Augrabies Falls region in the hot, dry Northern Cape, where the mercury reached the complete opposite. Thereafter, it would find refuge in the comfy confines of the Cape Winelands.

Rolls-Royce invited us to join select motoring media representatives from round the world for the unveiling of the eagerly awaited model. Limited to fewer than a dozen drives over the week, it was time to witness history being made with the first-ever electric model from Goodwood along Franschhoek’s finest stretches of road.

Accompanied by breathtaking press photos during an electrical storm, the presentation revealed the official performance statistics ahead of the drive.

Would the Spectre live up to a prophecy Rolls-Royce cofounder Charles Rolls made in early 1900; that vehicles bearing his name would be perfectly suited to the clean and noiseless form of propulsion?

I thought it remarkable that the previous testing phase of the coupé was a 2,5 million kilometre journey in the French Riviera. Our own French corner would be where our group would garner first driving impressions of the momentous prototype.

Leading our convoy was the BMW X5, followed by the Spectre, moving with dignity and grace. We ventured out of the hillside wine estate, which required some masterful manoeuvres as we navigated through narrow private roads and into the heart of the quaint town. It felt almost like a presidential parade, minus the vexing blue lights, and necks craned to catch a glimpse of the opulent Spectre.

We made our way up the steep, misty incline towards the Theewaterskloof Dam. I glanced at the rear-view mirror just as the Spectre emerged from the dense fog in perfect silence, like a ghost. Over a century ago, Charles Rolls made a bold statement on electromobility in creations that would go on to bear his name: “The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration. They should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” It may have taken longer than envisaged for this to become a reality, but the prophecy has eventually been fulfilled. Rolls-Royce – along with almost all other automakers working out of Europe – will no longer be powered by internal combustion engines by the close of the decade and will join the list of elites denouncing sonorous, large-displacement engines.

Unlike supercars that only begrudgingly adopt the new, silent powertrain, in theory, the Spectre should perfectly assimilate into electrification. Summiting the pass along Theewaterskloof, it was time to determine if this would be the case.

In the cloud-diffused light of day, its Chartreuse paintwork shimmered against the contrasting dark bodywork.

The reverse-opening door was fully extended and invited me in. I sat in the driver’s seat and Jörg encouraged me to depress the brake pedal before anything else, which automatically closes the door for you.

Formalities over, Jörg engaged the stalk to the right of the steering wheel in D and off we went. There may be an expectation the Spectre compromises on extravagance, but this is certainly not the case. There are bells and whistles galore. The sleek coupé boasts all the niceties its predecessors have boasted about. For the first time, Rolls- Royce has fitted starlight doors; 4 796 softly illuminated “stars” are perforated into the material. The trademark concealed umbrella would even prove its worth in the inclement weather.

It may be a step into a postopulent era, but the Spectre is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second. It is as stately as you’d expect from a creation born of the Goodwood assembly line. It measures 2 080 mm wide and 5 453 mm long, and as a left-hand drive, Jörg was forced to drive near the centre of the road, narrowly missing the oncoming traffic.

We were initially sandwiched between the Bavarian SUVs, but once there was some distance between all the vehicles in the motorcade, it required effortless acceleration. No matter how seamless an internal combustion engine and its paired gearbox may be, this is far superior. Comfort? Like anything Rolls has done in recent memory, courtesy of the “magic-carpet ride” suspension, – even with the 23-inch rims.

These are not only the largest ever fitted to a two-door coupé from Rolls-Royce, but also the largest ever fitted to a production two-door coupé.

Within the first kilometre was a stint of straight road before the black tarmac began to ribbon out. It was sufficient to afford us a moment of reflection on the next possible argument from an EV naysayer.

Why sacrifice a large displacement V12 for a battery pack and electric motor? In many scenarios with supercar manufacturers, this is difficult to debate. The sound, the vibrations, the sensations … all add to the allure.

None of this is present in a Rolls-Royce, apart from the occasional subdued 12-cylinder whine when the taps are fully open. Silence is key. For once, the argument holds no weight. Linear acceleration, minimal noise and almost imperceptible vibrations from the drivetrain mean the Spectre has achieved true “waftability”.

As is typical with EVs, the lack of noise frequently uncovers vibrations and a few unbecoming trim creaks, even in the more premium segment. Despite spirited cornering speeds and spurts of acceleration, the prototype Spectre presented none. Until that point, the Spectre’s 2,9 tonne kerb weight had not made any notable impression on performance. Initially, we approached the hairpin bends and flowing corners with caution, but the all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering increased confidence as the speeds climbed.

As a passenger, it was possibly one of the less comfortable journeys in a Rolls-Royce, but it did grant me the opportunity to fawn over the plush interior once we hit slow-moving traffic. With 520 km of range, this spirited drive had only vaguely dented the battery capacity. For day-to-day mobility, electric vehicles are more efficient and pleasant to live with and Rolls- Royce strongly believes Spectre will predominantly serve its purpose in sprawling urban hubs, rather than as a long-distance tourer.

Capitalising on the BMW Group’s expanding battery-electric technology, Spectre should not be deemed a reconfigured BMW i7, but rather a truly unique Rolls-Royce, the first of its kind and a model to prove a ghost of the past right.

01 Hot-weather testing took place in Augrabies in the Northern Cape ahead of the Cape Town press event.

02 The very first Rolls-Royce to plug into the grid.

03 Those floating wheel hub fixtures keep the Rolls-Royce badge upright at all times.

04 Spectre’s frame is classic Rolls-Royce, but there’s an air of EV modernity about it, too.

01 Imposing Pantheon grille remains a styling staple, but no V12 behind it.

02 Starlight doors feature myriad LED lights that mimic the night sky.

03 Simple digital instrumentation with classic power-reserve reading.

04 Impressive handling on Franschhoek’s winding passes for such a heavy car

TECHNICAL DATA

• Price: TBC
• Engine: 2 x permanent synchronous electric motors
• Max Power: 430 kW
• Max Torque: 900 N.m
• Acceleration 0-62mph 0–100 km/h: 4,5 seconds
• Max Speed 160mph/250kph
• Power consumption: 21,5 kWh/100 km
• Rivals: Mercedes-Benz EQS, Porsche Taycan
• + perfect waft-ability, instant torque
• — awkward passenger rear-view mirror placement, hefty mass