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Watch the first electric Rolls-Royce illuminate its doors and ceiling
00:57 - Source: CNN Business
CNN Business —
Rolls-Royce will start production of its first electric car next year. It has only two doors but is longer than a full-size SUV. And among its innumerable options, the Spectre will be offered with stars in the doors.
The British ultra-luxury car brand has for years offered a feature called the “Starlight Headliner,” filling the ceiling with an array of thousands of tiny lights. The lights, which are actually the tips of fiber-optic cables, look random but are, in fact, arranged to look like the night sky over Goodwood, UK, the location of the Rolls-Royce factory. With the Spectre, Rolls-Royce is adding this feature to the insides of the doors which will have an additional 5,876 “stars” so occupants are fully surrounded by glittering points of light.
Rolls-Royce calls the Spectre a "Super Coupé" because of its large size.
Also, despite not needing nearly as much air as Rolls-Royce’s V12-powered cars, the Spectre will have the widest grille ever seen on a Rolls-Royce model. Still, the Spectre is the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce yet, according to the company, which claims the car has a drag coefficient of 0.25. That’s fairly sleek, but just in the ballpark among modern electric cars.
Even an electric Rolls-Royce could hardly go without the grille, though, since the upright, tombstone-shaped slab of metal slats is among the most genuinely iconic in the industry.
The “Spectre is for us, as important as Silver Ghost might have been many, many years ago and it is the entry into a new era for the brand going full electric by 2030,” Rolls-Royce chief executive Torsten Müller-Ötvös said in an interview with CNN Business. “So, we want to make sure that this car is really right and spot on and is a proper, perfect Rolls Royce.”
The starlit ceiling effect that is an option on other Rolls-Royces is extended to the door liners in the Spectre.
The Silver Ghost, which first went into production in 1906, is regarded as the car that established Rolls-Royce’s reputation as a pinnacle of automotive quality.
The Spectre shares its basic underlying structure with Rolls-Royce’s gas-powered models: the Phantom and Ghost sedans and the Cullinan SUV. This follows the strategy of Rolls-Royce’s parent company, BMW, which also relies on flexible engineering that can be used to build both gasoline and electric cars.
In traditional Rolls-Royce fashion, the Spectre’s two doors are hinged in the back and open rearward. (In four-door Rolls-Royce models, only the back doors open this way.) Because of its size and roominess, Roll-Royce calls the Spectre a “super coupé.” It’s about six inches longer and five inches wider than the last Rolls-Royce coupé, the Wraith, which went out of production earlier this year. It’s also about 2.5 inches longer than a Cadillac Escalade SUV, and slightly wider. Four-wheel steering should help the big car feel more nimble in tight corners.
The car’s overall tapered shape was influenced by yachts, according to Rolls-Royce, a theme similar to that of another recent Rolls-Royce that may be the most expensive car ever made. Last year, the brand unveiled a convertible called the Boat Tail, of which only three were built at an estimated price of $25 million each.
While many electric cars have extremely large touch screens and rely on them for many internal controls, the Spectre will rely more on physical controls, Müller-Ötvös said. There will be screens, but their use will be more understated, he said.
The Spectre’s total weight of 6,659 pounds — about 600 pounds more than a Cullinan SUV — includes more than 1,500 pound of sound-deadening insulation to ensure the ideal Rolls-Royce level of quiet. Usually automakers try to conserve weight when making electric cars to make up for all the mass the batteries themselves add. But, for Rolls-Royce, weight has never been a major issue. Its cars are expected to be, quite literally, massive.
The 557 horsepower car will be able to go from zero to 60 miles an hour in about 4.4 seconds and will be able drive about 260 miles before needing to recharge. That, Müller-Ötvös insists, will be enough.
“We would never compromise the experience of the car or the looks of the car just purely for range,” he said.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an automotive enthusiast and industry expert, I have extensive knowledge of Rolls-Royce and their latest groundbreaking developments. Today, I want to discuss the concepts used in the article titled "Watch the first electric Rolls-Royce illuminate its doors and ceiling."
Rolls-Royce, the British ultra-luxury car brand, is set to launch its first electric car next year. This electric vehicle, known as the Spectre, is a "Super Coupé" that boasts a longer body than a full-size SUV. One of the standout features of the Spectre is the inclusion of stars in the doors, which adds a touch of glamour to the interior.
Rolls-Royce is no stranger to incorporating celestial elements into their vehicles. For years, they have offered a feature called the "Starlight Headliner," which fills the ceiling with thousands of tiny lights. These lights, which are actually fiber-optic cables, are arranged to mimic the night sky over the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, UK. With the Spectre, Rolls-Royce takes this concept further by adding an additional 5,876 stars inside the doors. This creates a truly immersive experience where occupants are surrounded by glittering points of light.
Despite being an electric vehicle, the Spectre retains the iconic Rolls-Royce grille, which is the widest ever seen on a Rolls-Royce model. This design choice pays homage to the brand's heritage, as the grille is an industry icon. However, despite its size, the Spectre maintains impressive aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.25, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce to date.
Rolls-Royce chief executive, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, stated in an interview that the Spectre is a significant milestone for the brand, as it represents their entry into a new era of full electric vehicles by 2030. With this in mind, Rolls-Royce is committed to ensuring that the Spectre embodies the essence of a perfect Rolls-Royce. This dedication is evident in the extension of the starlit ceiling effect to the door liners, creating a cohesive and luxurious interior.
The Spectre shares its underlying structure with Rolls-Royce's gas-powered models, such as the Phantom and Ghost sedans, as well as the Cullinan SUV. This strategic approach aligns with the parent company, BMW, which emphasizes flexible engineering capable of accommodating both gasoline and electric powertrains.
In terms of design, the Spectre showcases traditional Rolls-Royce craftsmanship. The two doors are hinged in the back and open rearward, a signature feature of Rolls-Royce coupés. The Spectre's dimensions surpass its predecessor, the Wraith coupé, making it longer and wider. Its overall tapered shape draws inspiration from yachts, reflecting elegance and luxury.
While many electric cars rely heavily on touch screens for internal controls, the Spectre takes a different approach. Rolls-Royce aims to provide a more understated user experience by emphasizing physical controls alongside screens. This approach ensures a seamless blend of modern technology and timeless craftsmanship.
Weight has never been a major concern for Rolls-Royce, as their cars are renowned for their substantial presence. The Spectre's weight of 6,659 pounds includes over 1,500 pounds of sound-deadening insulation, ensuring a quiet and serene driving experience. Although weight reduction is often a priority for electric vehicles, Rolls-Royce prioritizes maintaining their signature comfort and luxury.
Performance-wise, the Spectre packs a punch with 557 horsepower and can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in approximately 4.4 seconds. With a range of approximately 260 miles, Rolls-Royce assures that the Spectre's capabilities will meet the expectations of its discerning clientele. Müller-Ötvös emphasizes that Rolls-Royce would never compromise the car's experience or aesthetics solely for the sake of range.
In summary, the Spectre represents Rolls-Royce's foray into the electric vehicle market while staying true to their heritage of uncompromising luxury and craftsmanship. The inclusion of stars in the doors and the extension of the starlit ceiling to the door liners create a truly enchanting interior. With its imposing presence, aerodynamic design, and commitment to a seamless user experience, the Spectre is poised to make a resounding impact in the automotive world.
