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It is an all-electric coupe of the highest order, combining silence, agility and grace. And yes, the Rolls-Royce Spectre is also one of the most expensive cars we have ever driven.

Classic Rolls-Royce proportions in modern designer jacket

The Spectre is the first all-electric Rolls-Royce, marking the start of a new era. Yet the classic silhouette remains. An elongated hood, a majestic sloping roofline and a stately coupe shape. This is design as you only see in a Rolls-Royce.

Yet we can also clearly see that the Spectre is a car of modern times. Indeed, the front end is quite sharpened compared to older Rolls-Royces. The lighting is almost minimalist in design and the lines merge elegantly with the imposing grille. By the way, whoever moves his fingers along the bars in the grille is treated to tinkling metal. They don’t do it for less at Rolls-Royce. This exudes pure class. For exactly the same reason, the Spirit of Ecstasy still adorns the nose of the Spectre. This oh-so-magnificent ornament has been on every Rolls-Royce since 1911.

But, where is the V12 in this Rolls-Royce?

On the outside, the Spectre appears to fit perfectly into the British brand’s family line. However, there is one major difference from all previous models. The Spectre is electric. On paper, an electric powertrain seems like a radical departure from Rolls-Royce’s past. A brand that relied on majestic V12 engines for decades. But in practice, the opposite appears to be true.

For years, the V12 has guaranteed plenty of suppleness and power. Or rather, an abundance of both. After all, it’s not like you can hear the twelve cylinders roar as soon as you press the gas pedal. No, it’s a whisper-quiet engine that moves you forward with effortless power. We noticed this in our previous experiences with the Rolls-Royce Ghost and the striking Cullinan “Inspired by Fashion.

Based on this philosophy, an electric powertrain is obviously a perfect fit for a Rolls-Royce. It lends itself precisely to the calmness, suppleness and serenity the brand is known for. In a sense, then, the electric drive is not the end of an era, but a logical evolution for the brand.

The craft is underlined, literally

The Rolls-Royce Spectre thus shows itself as a bridge between past and present. A classic element that is still present is the hand-painted coachline on the side. This underlines that craft still plays a major role at Goodwood. Unlike the cars of other manufacturers, where stripes are applied by machine, the coachline at Rolls-Royce is painted by hand.

So you have to think of it as a unique addition that is more than a stripe. There is a craftsman, Mark Court, who performs this task at Rolls-Royce. He uses specially made brushes of squirrel and ox hair to apply the line precisely, evenly and with the right width. Incidentally, family members of his are also trained to set this coachline.  

Boarding is an experience in itself

It may be an open door, but even getting into the Rolls-Royce Spectre is done in an unusual way. Forget your five-door hatchback for its practicality, here it’s all about class. The doors here hinge backwards (suicide doors) and are so large, read a meter and a half, that they are electrically assisted when opening. Once this gate is opened, an oasis of peace and luxury meets you.

Even the door itself is already a work of art. Beautiful materials, speakers reminiscent of ornamental objects and thousands of tiny points of light in the upholstery confirm one thing. This is something special. Anyone who turns their gaze downward sees a beautifully engraved plaque containing details about the car and its origins.

Of course, as befits a Rolls-Royce, we find the familiar umbrella. After all, why put yourself through the rain? If you decide to drive home again at the end of the evening after a fancy gathering, you don’t have to worry about that wet umbrella. In the umbrella tunnel, sensors detect the moisture and then turn on the heater so that the umbrella dries. Well, not every car has that. For some of us, seat heating is already a luxury….

Welcome to an oasis of tranquility

As soon as you take your seat and the door closes automatically when you press the brake pedal, a tranquility descends that you rarely experience in a car. Fair is fair, the interior is also so special that it almost makes you quiet. It’s more of an experience, rather than a collection of buttons, screens and trim.

For the driver, the digital counters stand out. These are elegantly designed. Forget about indicating speeds like 30, 50 and 80 km/h. Here you are looking at a dial with a needle from which a magical sparkle emanates when accelerating. By the way, the color scheme, like the silver gray in this one, can be chosen only once. After that, it is permanent. That detail alone emphasizes how exclusive everything is here.

The interior is further dressed up with beautiful upholstered seats, a refined finish and unique details on the dashboard. As the grille on the nose sounds, so do the vents in the dashboard: this is metal. Even the temperature control is a matter of feel. With metal dials with blue and red accents, you determine how hot or cold it may feel. The exact temperature is not displayed. At Rolls-Royce, it’s not about precise control, but about instinctive comfort.

In front of the passenger, an illuminated “Spectre” panel full of tiny stars shines. These are also found in the headliner. The thousands of points of light in the roof combine to form a twinkling starry sky, complete with the occasional shooting star. It’s actually a shame that we drive this car during the day.

For the ultimate experience of all the lights, you should drive this car at night. Imagine yourself in all the silence of the world in a kind of dynamic cosmos with the most luxurious materials imaginable in a car. An experience in itself, enhanced by the lack of sound.

A floating carpet

Even during the day, driving the Rolls-Royce Spectre is an experience. We may say “driving,” but it feels more like sitting on a floating carpet gliding through civilization. Nothing sounds. No engine noise, hardly any wind noise. Bumps seem to dissolve as soon as the Spectre goes over them. Despite the size and weight of this electric sloop, you can move this car through corners with your little finger. Everything here is all about agility and comfort.

In the few hours we drive this car, we go for complete silence. The radio remains off. Only the turn signal produces a subtle and soothing tick. The sound is reminiscent of a the vents, as if a small metal bell is sounded. In front of the driver, the pointer climbs quietly with sparkles around the needle. This car invites you to cruise quietly from A to B, yet it is not lacking in power. The Spectre offers 429 kW (584 hp) and 900 Nm of torque. Those are impressive numbers, but Rolls-Royce doesn’t shout it from the rooftops. After all, you can assume that everything is just fine. Period.

In case you are wondering about the range of this Rolls-Royce, it is about 400 kilometers in practice. Fast charging up to 195 kW is also among the options, as is regenerative braking. At first, releasing the gas pedal means sliding. With minimal resistance, the Spectre keeps on rolling, until you switch to some more braking on the electric motors.

However, the question arises as to whether somewhere in the world there is a Spectre owner who cares about efficiency and range. After all, if the distance to be covered is more than 300 or 400 kilometers, surely you can take your private jet?

Conclusion Rolls-Royce Spectre

Driving the Spectre is almost a meditative experience, where tradition and modern finesse come together. No brutal numbers, no sounds, but a soothing cocoon full of class. The electric powertrain blends seamlessly with the brand’s character. Without any effort, the Spectre moves forward, silently and elegantly. Everything this car does, it does with a whisper-soft naturalness that makes you quiet. That’s what makes this Spectre a class act.