2023 Rolls-Royce Spectre (EV)

Rolls-Royce reveals updated Spectre Series II electric coupe

The luxury car market cannot make up its mind about battery power. Some brands move away entirely, some try to find a middle ground, but British automaker Rolls-Royce is pushing on and updating its flagship electric coupe. The company introduced the Spectre Series II, bringing a mix of mechanical upgrades and new design choices to its landmark electric car. First launched in 2022, the large two-door model has quickly become the brand's second best-selling vehicle worldwide, trailing only the Phantom sedan.

The most important updates for the new version happen underneath the metal. Rolls-Royce engineers redesigned the battery cell technology to extract more energy from every charge. The driving range increases by up to 18 percent, meaning the car can now travel up to 628 km under the European WLTP testing cycle. Owners will spend less time plugged into a wall as well, since the company managed to reduce battery charging times by up to 14 percent.

Drivers looking for extra performance will notice changes to how the car delivers power. The standard drivetrain delivers 442 kW of power and 1,015 Nm of torque. The "Spirited Mode" temporarily pushes that torque figure up to 1,100 Nm for quicker acceleration. The carmaker altered the electric motors to respond faster when the driver presses the accelerator pedal, creating a more engaging experience for the person behind the wheel.

For those who want even more performance, the Black Badge Spectre Series II is the answer. It is the most powerful model the brand has ever built. It comes with an exclusive Infinity Mode that unleashes 500 kW of electric power. On the outside, a new paint package replaces the traditional shiny chrome trim on the grille surround, window frames, door handles, and badges with a smooth, matte black finish. Even the famous Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament gets the dark treatment, though the vertical grille bars stay polished so people can still easily recognize the vehicle.


 
Rolls-Royce Spectre Series II unveiled

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Series II Spectre and performance-focused Spectre Series II Black Badge.

Released in 2022, the Spectre signified Rolls-Royce’s first foray into all-electric mobility. Now, the British marque has whipped the wraps off the Series II variant, alongside its performance-focused Black Badge sibling.

The “standard” Spectre and Black Badge, the latter pictured here in Tungsten paintwork, are powered by dual separately excited synchronous electric motors, fed by a 112.4 kWh battery. The twin electric-motor setup produces 442 kW in the “standard” model and 500 kW in the Black Badge derivative when activating ‘Infinity’ mode. Both variants are endowed with 1 015 N.m of torque; an increase of 115 N.m over the Series I. However, engaging ‘Spirited’ mode unlocks an additional 85 N.m in the Black Badge; allowing for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds. The “standard” Spectre completes the 0-100 km/h dash in a claimed 4.7 seconds – impressive for a vehicle weighing 2 925 kg.

Rolls-Royce has re-engineered the Series II’s battery pack to now provide a claimed 628 km operating range (up 18% from the Series I). Maximum DC fast charging at 195 kW allows for a 10-80% charge in 28 minutes, Rolls-Royce says, while a 22 kW AC charge to full capacity takes up to five hours and 45 minutes.

 
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