Lifestyle

Rolls-Royce Spectre review: Hail the arrival of the all-electric enchantress

First non-fossil-fuel creation from luxury UK marque takes physical shape and it's less ethereal than the name might suggest

Simon Wilgress-Pipe
Simon Wilgress-Pipe

February 08, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

When a motoring manufacturer describes its new vehicle as “the car that changes everything” (a bold statement if ever there was one), many of us who regularly try to decipher marketing speak are inclined to remain unfazed.

However, when the brand in question is Rolls-Royce and the fulsome runaround in question its first ever petrol-free offering, you are likely to pull a mental handbrake turn on those initial nonchalant feelings. So, that is the situation here.

The name of the vehicle in the headlights is the Spectre, and, aside from the claims about the car altering all, the brand also asserts this is the world’s first ultra-luxury electric coupe.

Read to Roll-er. All photos: Rolls-Royce and SWP
Read to Roll-er. All photos: Rolls-Royce and SWP
The Rolls-Royce symbol on the Spectre's wheels
The Rolls-Royce symbol on the Spectre's wheels
The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has been unveiled on the world stage
The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has been unveiled on the world stage
The test fleet, assembled at Abu Dhabi's Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel
The test fleet, assembled at Abu Dhabi's Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel
The Spectre displays what Rolls-Royce calls its 'indulgent proportions'
The Spectre displays what Rolls-Royce calls its 'indulgent proportions'
Han Solo might be at home in there
Han Solo might be at home in there
Rolls-Royce says the Spectre's design takes in haute couture, modernist sculpture and contemporary art
Rolls-Royce says the Spectre's design takes in haute couture, modernist sculpture and contemporary art
Stationed outside Abu Dhabi's Jumeirah Saadiyat Hotel
Stationed outside Abu Dhabi's Jumeirah Saadiyat Hotel
That's about as near to water as the Spectre should probably go
That's about as near to water as the Spectre should probably go
It's all very modern, but the Spectre maintains some of the brand's old-school stylings
It's all very modern, but the Spectre maintains some of the brand's old-school stylings
The Spectre's speaker set up
The Spectre's speaker set up
Step inside...
Step inside...
An early design sketch of the Spectre
An early design sketch of the Spectre
A Rolls-Royce emblem on the tail light
A Rolls-Royce emblem on the tail light
The Spectre's starlight ceiling.
The Spectre's starlight ceiling.
Looking out from the centre console
Looking out from the centre console
The Spectre badge
The Spectre badge
The ever-present Spirit of Ecstasy figurine
The ever-present Spirit of Ecstasy figurine
The Spectre is being posited as the first 'ultra-luxury electric super coupe'
The Spectre is being posited as the first 'ultra-luxury electric super coupe'
You'd know the Spectre was a Rolls-Royce just by looking at the tail light
You'd know the Spectre was a Rolls-Royce just by looking at the tail light
A dusky spectacle
A dusky spectacle
Straight from the drawing board
Straight from the drawing board
Clean lines on the dashboard and steering wheel
Clean lines on the dashboard and steering wheel
The car has all the stylings of a classic grand tourer
The car has all the stylings of a classic grand tourer
An early shot of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, as teased by the company in September 2021
An early shot of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, as teased by the company in September 2021
They weren't giving much away
They weren't giving much away

It marks the UK manufacturer’s inaugural step into non-fossil-fuel powered motoring, and, Rolls-Royce says, its latest creation makes zero concessions regarding performance, comfort or ride quality.

This much is certainly true. And, even at first glance, obvious.

The Spectre looks and feels like any of Rolls-Royce’s greatest hits, metaphorically pushing all the pleasure buttons for anyone driving it, riding in the back, or, indeed, just going past one parked at the kerb while out walking the dog.

The car has a definite air of athleticism, which is not a trait you’d necessarily associate with this particular manufacturer of ultra-high-end vehicles.

The brand’s design team has done a neat job in giving the car the usual DNA so distinctive of the Crewe-based company’s vehicles, but rounding the chassis out in a way that, from certain angles, reminds you of something like a classic 1950s Jaguar XK120, say.

The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has been unveiled on the world stage. All photos: Rolls-Royce
The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre has been unveiled on the world stage. All photos: Rolls-Royce
The Spectre displays what Rolls-Royce calls its 'indulgent proportions'.
The Spectre displays what Rolls-Royce calls its 'indulgent proportions'.
Rolls-Royce says the Spectre's design takes in haute couture, modernist sculpture and contemporary art.
Rolls-Royce says the Spectre's design takes in haute couture, modernist sculpture and contemporary art.
Han Solo might be at home in there.
Han Solo might be at home in there.
That's about as near to water as the Spectre should probably go.
That's about as near to water as the Spectre should probably go.
It's all very modern, but the Spectre maintains some of the brand's old-school stylings.
It's all very modern, but the Spectre maintains some of the brand's old-school stylings.
The Spectre's speaker set up.
The Spectre's speaker set up.
Step inside ...
Step inside ...
An early design sketch.
An early design sketch.
A Rolls-Royce emblem on the tail light.
A Rolls-Royce emblem on the tail light.
The Spectre's starlight ceiling.
The Spectre's starlight ceiling.
The Rolls-Royce symbol on the Spectre's wheels.
The Rolls-Royce symbol on the Spectre's wheels.
Looking out from the centre console.
Looking out from the centre console.
The Spectre badge.
The Spectre badge.
The Spectre is being posited as the first 'ultra-luxury electric super coupe'.
The Spectre is being posited as the first 'ultra-luxury electric super coupe'.
You'd know the Spectre was a Rolls-Royce just by looking at the tail light.
You'd know the Spectre was a Rolls-Royce just by looking at the tail light.
The ever-present Spirit of Ecstasy figurine.
The ever-present Spirit of Ecstasy figurine.
A dusky spectacle.
A dusky spectacle.
Straight from the drawing board.
Straight from the drawing board.
Clean lines on the dashboard and steering wheel.
Clean lines on the dashboard and steering wheel.
The car has all the stylings of a classic grand tourer.
The car has all the stylings of a classic grand tourer.
An early shot of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, as teased by the company in September 2021.
An early shot of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, as teased by the company in September 2021.
They weren't giving much away.
They weren't giving much away.

As soon as you get inside, it becomes apparent that the no-compromise claims are 100 per cent on the money (although, admittedly, that’s not something anyone familiar with Rolls-Royce would have been in any doubt about in the first place).

The magic-carpet ride quality which the brand cites as one of the key qualities of all its cars is amplified by the silence of the engine – if, indeed, amplify is an acceptable word to use when describing a heightened sense of calm.

The Spectre is powered by a pair of electric motors that will get the car up to 100 kph in a smidgen north of four seconds.

SPECS
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Despite this evident sports-car acceleration, the sensation inside the cabin at even the highest speeds is one of serenity, feeling, as it does, no more dramatic than a gentle jaunt across the flattest sand on the most stable, chunky-tyred beach bike.

Even in places where supercars and the like are commonplace – Dubai, being an obvious example – the Spectre stands out.

Rolls-Royce thinks of itself as the world’s most luxurious brand (bar none) and that does seem to filter through when you’re driving along in one.

So, it would indeed be fair to say the Spectre marks a significant moment in the history of the brand.

READ MORE

Small touches make for big sales at Rolls-Royce as it switches on electric future

Particularly as Charles Rolls, the company’s founder alongside Henry Royce, was a champion of the concept of electric vehicles right back when the company first started.

It only took the manufacturer 120 years to get around to actually building one, of course, but, looking at the positives, you might consider the Spectre to be a sound example of good things coming to those who wait.

Even so, had he lived to a spectacular age due to some form of medical wizardry, Mr Royce himself might have been tapping his pocket watch and saying: “About time.”

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AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

How to come clean about financial infidelity
  • Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
  • Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. 
  • Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
  • Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
  • Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported. 

Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

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Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
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• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

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Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

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Director: Michael O’Shea

Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine

Three stars

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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: February 12, 2024, 7:28 AM`
SupercarsRolls-Royce