When it comes to loud stupid supercars and lithe sportscars, the prospect of tapping in electric power in place of internal combustion understandably makes many a little uneasy. But for a Rolls-Royce? A car that trades on refinement, quietness and effortlessness? Surely it’s a match made in heaven. Rolls-Royce reckons so, and at the 2023 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard the Spectre has been presented as the first all-electric Rolls-Royce.
Video: Rolls‑Royce Spectre makes dynamic debut at 2023 Festival of Speed
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See, for Rolls-Royce, it’s not about going electric because they’re supposed to. Electric has to be better than what they already do. And as beautifully well-developed as the V12s are, an electric powertrain will be quieter, more refined and more powerful. It’ll also help to improve the centre of gravity, not that the Spectre is in any way gunning for cornering G-force records.
In terms of styling, Rolls-Royce did not acquiesce to the demands of aerodynamic friction, at least not enough to soften the imperious edges of a proper Rolls-Royce. It is of course by far the slipperiest Rolls-Royce yet, but it still looks and carries itself as it should.
It’s imperious and entirely dominant, yet refined and tasteful – the grille for instance, is the widest and sleekest we've seen on a Rolls-Royce. On the inside too, it remains an utterly beautiful place in which to find yourself; a menagerie of high-quality materials and exquisite appointment.
It’s also relatively inexpensive, even at £330,000. No, we’re not joking. The Pagani Utopia you see sat behind it can easily cost £2million to buy. Contrast to 20 years ago, you could buy its grandfather the Zonda, for the price of… a Rolls-Royce.
As hypercar prices have skyrocketed, Rolls has kept things in six figures, at least in terms of the base price which, of course, no Rolls-Royce buyer ever pays once customisation is complete.
The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway! You can watch every moment of the action by watching our livestream.
Photography by Jochen Van Cauwenberge.
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