In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder Charles Rolls prophesied an electric future for the car. Today, more than 120 years later, Rolls-Royce presents the Spectre, its first zero-emission model in history. To design it, the Rolls-Royce design team took inspiration from worlds beyond the automotive: from haute couture to modernist sculpture to nautical design to tailoring. In creating the sketches for the Spectre, the creatives were attracted to modern yachts, particularly the clarity and precision of the lines and the intelligent use of light reflection. The Spectre measures 5.45 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 3.21 metres.
At the front, the Spectre’s split headlamp treatment is intersected by the widest grille ever conferred on a Rolls-Royce. The fins that make up the grille, backlit by 22 LEDs, are now smoother in cross-section and have a flush fitting, designed to improve the model’s aerodynamics. This work has resulted in the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever made, given that the Spectre has an air drag coefficient of 0.25. The shape of the Spirit of Ecstasy, for example, is the result of 830 hours of work between modelling and wind tunnel testing.
The profile is defined by a horizontal line that follows the belt line, while the roof line descends quickly to the rear. Following the roofline, the headlamps are set into the largest monocoque panel ever produced for a Rolls-Royce, extending from the front pillar to the boot. In addition, the Spectre is the first two-door coupe to be fitted with 23-inch wheels in the brand’s 100-year history.
Inside, the electric coupe is fully customisable in a myriad of different colours and materials. The Spectre is available with Starlight Doors, which incorporate 4,796 LED ‘stars’ in the doors. The doors can also be commissioned with a Canadel wood panel backdrop, named after the bay in southern France where Sir Henry Royce and his design team used to spend winters. Speaking of powertrain, the Spectre delivers 585 horsepower and has a claimed range of 520 kilometres. The battery pack has been placed in the floorboard so as not to increase the height of the seats.
