2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre Review: The Strong Silent Type

The word 'peerless' seems appropriate when you're speaking about cars from Rolls-Royce or Bentley, but such automakers keep up with one another by producing rivals for their range of coupe, convertible, sedan, and SUV ultra-luxury cruisers. Now, however, Rolls-Royce has produced something there isn't any rival for just yet: the first ultra-luxury electric coupe, named the Rolls-Royce Spectre. With a $420k starting price and a 577-horsepower electric powertrain, there is the Cadillac Celestiq that comes within range, thanks to an estimated $300k MSRP and around 600 hp on tap - but the Caddy doesn't come close to the RR badge and status as it doesn't quite have the pedigree. So, without anything to compare it to, is the new Rolls-Royce Spectre coupe as peerless as it seems?

New for 2024

Revealed in 2023, the Spectre is all-new for the 2024 model year. It sits between the Cullinan and the Phantom in terms of pricing, but is the only one of the trio to have a completely silent electric powertrain. Rolls-Royce calls this an ultra-luxury electric super coupe, creating a new class of car in the process.

2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre Price: Which One to Buy

No one expected the price of the 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre to be affordable, so the starting MSRP in the USA of $420,000 doesn't even result in a raised eyebrow. It's worth noting that this figure excludes the $2,750 destination charge, and doesn't take the inevitable extensive (and expensive) customization into account. With so much choice available, the final price of the new Rolls-Royce Spectre will likely be upwards of $500k.

Fortunately, there's no gas-guzzler tax to worry about here.

Interior and Features

With a good balance between old-school opulence and modern technology, the Spectre offers the best of both worlds.

Not everyone is a fan of the Rolls-Royce Spectre's exterior design, but no one could say a bad word about the interior. Designed to be plush, spacious, comfortable, and near-silent, Rolls-Royce has made the interior of the Spectre more modern than we're used to seeing from the famed marque; a digital gauge cluster and touchscreen display, as well as an illuminated passenger-side fascia (with 5,500 stars), usher the Spectre into the future. The iconic Starlight headliner can now also be accompanied by Starlight Doors, where 4,796 illuminated light points are embedded into the door cards. The rest of the cabin is uncluttered and free of ostentatious and unnecessary stuff, with near-endless bespoke possibilities to make it your own. And, with the battery integrated into the architecture of the Spectre, an additional 1,543 pounds of acoustic insulation guarantees an eerily silent interior.

Space

Comfort and class imply space, and so being seated inside the 2024 Spectre must come with loads of head- and legroom for all occupants. There's seating for four in the Rolls-Royce Spectre, with those upfront blessed with the most room. There's less space at the back, but it's still comfortable, with easy ingress and egress, thanks to long, wide-opening coach doors. This is, in part, thanks to the long 126.4-inch wheelbase and clever mounting of the battery.

Cargo

Cargo space in a Rolls-Royce is almost a negligible thing to mention, but it's worth knowing that there's 13.4 cubic feet available in the trunk. Don't expect any further room in a 'frunk' of sorts, because that's beneath a Roller. Popping the hood reveals an aluminum plate covering what would usually be additional storage space; the Rolls-Royce Spectre doesn't have to cater to the more mundane things in life, so the trunk (and a butler driving a town car with the luggage) will have to do.

Inside the Spectre, you'll find the usual glovebox, door pockets, and under-armrest cubby. The center console stretches all the way to the rear, and there's more storage there. We're not even saying the word 'cupholder' out loud, though. No one should have beverages in here.

Materials and Colors

Only the best will do for a Rolls-Royce, so expect the finest hide and real wood veneers coating every surface, but also expect endless combinations and ways to customize your Spectre. No two will be alike, but it's carefully stipulated by the automaker that an appreciation of fine materials and the best in craftsmanship is what guides each design.

A central ethereal theme is underscored by the Starlight headliner, now supplemented by the illuminated fascia which has an additional 5,500 stars ahead of the front passenger. And if the beauty of the firmament at night is your thing, you can also opt for the Starlight doors for even more pin pricks of light. If you're not that into it, you can choose Canadel paneling for the doors, hand-crafted from exclusive woods.

The newly-designed seats have lapel sections that are wrapped in premium leather, either in matching or contrasting color schemes. Some available interior colors include Scivaro Grey, Charles Blue, Mandarin, and Peony Pink.

Features and Infotainment

When you're shopping in a segment that's mid-way to a million dollars, you expect the features list to be as impressive as the specifications are, and the Spectre doesn't disappoint. It's not easy to pin down exactly what's standard and what you can add, but we know there's a digital gauge cluster and a central infotainment display - new for Rollers - that comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, running an updated user interface. There are enough physical buttons to offset the touchscreen, and there's also a controller in the center console. Eleanor, the Spectre's digital assistant, can be tasked with helping you verbally, and there's a bespoke 18-speaker 1,400-watt sound system if the eery silence of the electric powertrain gets too much.

Heated seats are standard, but ventilated and massaging seats are available, while 'Spirit' - the car's digital architecture that links owners to the vehicle to manage functions and remote interactions - comes standard. Classic 'High Roller' equipment like refrigerators and champagne coolers, rear-seat entertainment, and stowaway picnic tables aren't included on the Spectre.

Performance

The combination of sublime comfort and superior confidence makes the Spectre a joy to drive - and don't underestimate it; it can hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Cars of this stature usually come with a 12-cylinder engine under the hood, but there's literally nothing under the Spectre's hood of the sort. Instead, there is a 255-hp electric motor on the front axle and a rear-mounted motor with 483 hp. Combined, the specs of the Rolls-Royce Spectre come to 577 hp and 664 lb-ft, and that's before an even more powerful Spectre Black Badge arrives. Regardless of the lack of internal combustion power, the Spectre lives up to the criteria the brand upholds for its cars, including instant torque, silent running, and imperceptible gear shifts.

Power goes to all four wheels, hustling the Rolls-Royce Spectre from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds - no small feat, considering it weighs over 6,300 pounds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, and the Spectre will easily get there. It's by far the quickest Roller we have driven, and even though some may need to get used to the regenerative braking, it's a pleasant car to drive.

The suspension system uses an evolution of the Planar system on the Ghost, and it's been specially developed here for high-speed processing of the road ahead to ensure the brand's 'Magic Carpet Ride' sensation of wafting with confidence from A to B. The Spectre AWD has 30% greater torsional rigidity and four-wheel steering is standard, allowing the car to automatically adjust to feedback from the individual sensors that monitor braking, power delivery, and steering.

Battery, Charging, and Range

Initially, Rolls-Royce targeted an EPA range of 260 miles, and when running on 23-inch wheels in Black Badge specification, the Spectre has an EPA-rated range of 264 miles, improving to 266 miles without the Black Badge trimmings. Gas mileage equivalent figures for these models are 71/77/73 MPGe city/highway/combined and 71/79/74 MPGe, respectively. It's worth noting that although the Black Badge variant is listed on the EPA site, it wasn't yet available at the time of writing.

With smaller 22-inch wheels, the Spectre Black Badge manages 74/84/78 MPGe and 280 miles, while the non-Black Badge model with 22s is the best of all, returning 77/86/81 MPGe and a range of 291 miles. Some independent reviews have suggested these numbers are difficult to achieve - we suggest it doesn't really matter. Research shows that buyers of the Spectre generally have as many as seven cars in their garage, and they only add around 3,200 miles on their Rollers per year.

The 102-kWh battery can be charged from 10-80 % in 34 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger at 195 kW. That drops to 95 minutes at 50 kW, while AC charging at 22 kW from 0-100% will take five hours and 30 minutes, so this option is fine for overnight charging.

Safety

Although there aren't any official ratings for safety for the Spectre, it's safe to assume you'll arrive at your destination in one piece.

As with other ultra-luxury cars, there's no official safety review of the Rolls-Royce Spectre from the IIHS or NHTSA; nobody in their right mind would crash these pricey products. Still, we'd assume the British marque has done what it should to ensure its product is up to scratch.

We're pleased to find more than the usual driver assists as standard on the Spectre, including active lane centering, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure with active steering assist, and an integrated camera system that can auto record speed, GPS, video, and other data when an accident occurs. A bundle of advanced driver assistance systems is available at extra cost, topping up the safety features with lane change assistance and hands-free driving. A host of airbags are standard, including front-seat knee airbags.

Reliability

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is brand new so reliability info isn't readily available just yet; there aren't any consumer reports about the car either. On the plus side, there have been no recalls for the slick coupe and the fact that each vehicle is hand-built should ensure good quality control.

The 2024 Spectre comes with the Rolls-Royce four-year/unlimited-mile warranty cover, along with complimentary maintenance for the same period/distance.

Design

A lot is said about how Rolls-Royce cars look, but truth be told, they're not necessarily the handsomest. The Spectre's looks are inspired by a rather broad spectrum, according to Rolls-Royce, with haute couture, contemporary art, and nautical design - particularly racing yacht styling - playing a part in the aesthetics.

The Spectre is a striking two-door fastback of intimidating proportions. The coach doors are the largest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce car at five feet in length. These are made from aluminum to reduce weight and are equipped with the Effortless Doors power-assist system that sees them open and close at the touch of a button. The driver's door also closes automatically when the brake pedal is depressed.

Upfront, the familiar Pantheon grille is illuminated as standard, and in this application, it is the widest it has ever been. The Spirit of Ecstasy is perched front and center, but even this has a lower stance than we're used to in seeking to improve aerodynamics. There are split headlights and sweeping lines that culminate in the coupe-styled rear. The taillights are colorless so as to better allow the Spectre's looks to speak for itself. 22-inch wheels fill the arches, but for the first time in a century on a two-door Rolls-Royce coupe, 23-inch wheels are available.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre A Good Car?

It seems like heresy to even debate about such a matter, but, whereas every aspect of the Spectre's Rolls-Royce nature is well executed and hard to fault, there are some questions about its EV designation. We can't look down on its power and potency - hustling a behemoth like this up to speed quicker than a V12-powered Ghost, which also weighs 1,000 lbs less, is nothing to sniff at. But range figures aren't necessarily impressive, even if they are understandable. Fortunately, the type of person who buys a car like the Spectre won't be too troubled by such trivialities and will likely not need to cover 300 miles in one go, anyway. We love the classy amalgamation of old-world charm and modern tech in the cabin, although some may call the Starlight-flavored decor a tad too gimmicky. Of course, the Spectre costs a ton - but if we could have any Roller in the stable, this is the one we'd go for. In Imperial Jade, naturally.