2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre spy shots: ultra-luxury electric coupe spotted

Imagine this. Cruising down the road in a Rolls-Royce, dressed in enough handcrafted décor to keep a small village bustling for a month, and all that passes is the sound of the wind. That will become a reality in late 2023, when Rolls-Royce launches its first electric car.

First unveiled last fall, Rolls-Royce's first EV is a coupe called the Spectre. The name is spelled "Spectre" in the British way, the same way Rolls-Royce gives its cars ghostly names.

As the latest spy shots reveal, the Spectre has a more aerodynamically efficient shape than the typical blocky Rolls-Royce. Drag is a big killer of range. The Spectre is also likely to feature split headlights, probably to reduce the apparent weight of the tall front end.

The design is reminiscent of the Wraith, which was discounted to 2021, with the fastback roof and side glass nearly identical on the two coupes. With any luck, there will also be a convertible version of the Spectre to fill in for the Wraith-based "Dawn" drop-top.

The Spectre will use Rolls-Royce's proprietary aluminum spaceframe platform that debuted on the current Phantom, and given the 2023 launch date, the powertrain will likely feature fifth-generation EV technology from parent company BMW Group The BMW iX will probably be used as a hint. Perhaps the BMW iX will serve as a hint. This electric SUV is also based on an aluminum spaceframe platform and is currently equipped with a 111 kwh battery that is equivalent to 610 hp and 300 miles of range in its iX M60 guise.

Rolls-Royce tested the market's interest in EVs as early as 2011 with a one-off electric version of the previous Phantom, dubbed the 102EX, which went on a world tour but failed to generate significant interest from potential customers due to a lack of range. Rolls-Royce has been working to develop the 102EX. Rolls-Royce estimated that the 102EX could travel approximately 125 miles on a single charge.

However, with advances in batteries and the need to comply with new regulations, such as a ban on the sale of vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines in Rolls-Royce's home country of the UK beginning in 2030, Rolls-Royce is now ready to make the switch.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Etvos is quick to point out that the development of the Spectre is almost complete. Interestingly, the use of electric power is not a new concept in Rolls-Royce history; Henry Royce, who founded the Rolls-Royce brand with Charles Rolls in 1906, was also in the engineering business, developing dynamos and electric crane motors, patented a bayonet light bulb fitting.

The Spectre will be introduced as a 2024 model. Rolls-Royce is expected to follow with electric versions of the Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan, and a redesign of each vehicle. If all goes according to plan, the full lineup will be electrified by 2030.