The Rolls-Royce Spectre is the first luxury coupe from the British automaker to be powered entirely by electric. Let’s see what foreign experts have to say about this world-class luxury electric coupe.
It is only when you sit in the driver’s seat, fasten your seat belt, step on the accelerator, and turn the steering wheel that you can recognize this: It is not Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Ferrari, or Tesla; it is Rolls-Royce that is taking electric cars the furthest in solving the problems that an electric car faces, while maximizing its advantages.
And Rolls-Royce engineers have done this so well that Spectre orders are increasing rapidly, despite the extended estimated delivery time. It seems that everyone is eager to own this future car, without a hint of regret for the legendary V12 engine that has been a thing of the past.
On the road, Spectre will still be the most luxurious means of transportation in the world, demonstrating the high level of expendability and class of the owner like all other Rolls-Royce models.
It will still be the mysterious flying icon Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood, the vertical Pantheon grille has been reduced in size but still preserves the integrity of the aesthetic level of the noble icon.
Despite the absence of the legendary heart – the 6.75L V12 engine under the hood; however, the “mighty Britain” spirit is still strongly evident in the Rolls-Royce Spectre. The car can accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. This figure seems modest, as the market has seen many high-end electric models today take only about 3 seconds to do the same.
But keep in mind that the Rolls-Royce Spectre weighs over 2.8 tons and is over 5.4 meters long – meaning it is heavier and longer than a typical full-size SUV – like the Chevy Tahoe. And of course, the driving experience of the Rolls-Royce Spectre is also very different from other “grocery store” electric vehicles.
A highlight when driving regular EVs is the ability to provide instant torque (acceleration is very powerful, even shocking – right at the beginning). According to Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi – Technical Director of Rolls-Royce, the UK automaker believes that this is not suitable for a car like the Spectre.
What Rolls-Royce wants is for the Spectre to have a certain level of smoothness when stepping on the gas. Like a piece of music with all the nuances: there must be a gentle opening section, and then the intense climax. Or like the Cullinan using a V12 engine: when the driver steps on the gas, the car will slowly accelerate and the acceleration will be kept stable, creating a feeling of “force” in the car.
Indeed, the power of 584 horsepower and 900 Nm in the Rolls-Royce Spectre is truly impressive! All the power that the car produces is carefully and skillfully “trained” by Rolls-Royce so that the car can accelerate very smoothly. With each step on the gas, the occupants can feel the car gliding at an incredible speed, but at the same time, it is extremely stable.
The suspension system works great so that the occupants do not feel jerky or pushed back by inertia force – something that usually happens when accelerating in today’s electric vehicles.
And the ability to accelerate always goes hand in hand with the ability to decelerate. The Rolls-Royce Spectre accelerates like a car with the Spirit of Ecstasy icon on the front; and decelerates the same way: extremely smooth! The car does not focus too much on energy regeneration, even when the driver actively selects the “B” mode on the gearbox to increase the energy regeneration level. And the car also does not provide one-pedal driving mode.
Instead, British engineers focus on perfecting the experience of pressing the brake pedal. And the result is that every brake pedal operation is comfortable and gentle. If only to gently interrupt the acceleration flow, passengers can “holding a glass of Champagne, but the bubbles in the glass are not broken.” But if decelerating abruptly, all car movements can be easily anticipated by passengers and do not cause any inconvenience.
In addition, although quiet, the all-electric Spectre does not emit any acceleration sound like the broken V12 engine on other Rolls-Royce models. And British engineers have also studied to bring the simulated engine sound to the car; creating a familiar atmosphere in the Spectre as in all other Rolls-Royce models.
Dr. Ayoubi said that Rolls-Royce customers have responded that they really like the sound that the V12 engine brings. However, passengers can also choose to completely turn off this simulated sound system to enjoy complete silence in the Spectre.
In terms of macro, the Rolls-Royce Spectre can be considered as a statement: switching to electric cars does not affect the artistic nature, passion, and meticulousness to every detail – as many people often think. Spectre is the end of the glorious V12 era; at the same time, it is the door opening a new era.
Anh Phan (Tuoitrethudo)
Source: InsideEvs.com
