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Rolls-Royce is finally going electric. Recently, the brand released a set of teaser images for what they call the Rolls-Royce Spectre. While we can’t tell much about the new EV Rolls-Royce, it’s plain to see that going electric is the best way to keep that ghostly silence we expect from Rolls, uh, rolling. Make no mistake, this is the start of the electric age for the maker of some of the world’s finest luxury cars.

Surely, we can expect a far more refined and quiet interior from the new car, as it’ll have to be to fight the absence of V12 symphonies. And, of course, there’ll be some neat EV gimmicks in store for owners.

An electric Rolls is the most luxurious Rolls-Royce

A V12 engine out of one of Rolls Royce's luxury cars on a stand at an auto show
The death of the Rolls-Royce petrol engine isn’t necessarily something to be sad about | Isa Foltin via Getty Images

Luxury cars are supposed to do one thing above all else: isolate their occupants from the outside world. For generations, Rolls-Royce has steadily been perfecting that art. Their engines are almost imperceptible when they change gear, and the only time you’ll hear a V12 bellow coming out of a Rolls is if someone stole the catalytic converter. If only those retracted like the hood Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy.

Usually, a lot of people get upset when a brand like Rolls-Royce announces they’re going electric. However, the internet was strangely silent on the matter when the Rolls-Royce Spectre was announced. That’s because an electric Rolls is a very appealing proposition.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre represents the future of British luxury

A black and livery with gold text laid over the bodywork of the new Rolls Royce Spectre luxury car
The Rolls Royce Spectre represents a change in pace for the company | Rolls Royce

Apparently, Charles Rolls was something of a prophet, per Car and Driver. Way back in 1900 he rode in an electric car (I didn’t know we had those then either). He said it was “perfectly noiseless and clean,” and that “they should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” Obviously, that day has come for the company, in the form of the Rolls-Royce Spectre.

Obviously, we don’t have much to go on as far as specs or performance right now. The car was only just teased, after all. What we do know is that the Rolls-Royce Spectre will be a 2-door coupe with an EV heart. We also know that it’ll be much faster than current models, like the Ghost, which hit 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds. Given the electric powertrain, we can be sure it’ll be faster than that.

Rolls Royce aren’t the only ones making EV luxury cars

A white Lucid Air luxury EV shot from the front 3/4 angle in a driveway with palms in the background
Lucid has beat Rolls to the EV luxury car punch with the Air | Lucid

However, other brands, like Lucid, are vying for precious luxury EV market share. Production versions of the Lucid Air will be in customer’s hands before the Spectre. However, it’s incredibly unlikely that the Air can match the obscene luxury offered by Rolls-Royce. However, the Spectre had better be able to at least come close to the Air’s 520-mile range. For now, I’m just excited to see what kinds of ridiculous EV-oriented features the Spectre will have.

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