Rolls-Royce has updated its Spectre electric coupé, giving the ‘Series II’ a longer range, a raft of new personalisation options and more power than any previous Rolls.
This comes four years after the British luxury brand introduced its debut EV, which has since surpassed the V12-powered Ghost coupé and Phantom limo to become its second-best-seller, after the Cullinan SUV.
The Series II brings a host of technical advancements that should feature on Rolls’ second EV, a Cullinan-style large SUV expected in 2027.
Chief among these is a new battery cell technology, coming courtesy of parent company BMW.
It is said to increase the Spectre’s maximum range by 18%, from 329 to 390 miles, and cut charging times by 14%.
The new ‘Gen6’ cylindrical cells are the same as those fitted to the facelifted BMW 17, where they boost range and charging speeds by a similar amount by virtue of better cooling and greater energy density.
Like the 17, however, the Spectre continues to use a 400V electrical architecture.
Both versions of the Spectre are now more powerful. The standard dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain puts out 593bhp, up from 577bhp, while the more performance-oriented Black Badge edition gains a 21bhp uplift to pump out 671bhp – as much as a Le Mans hypercar.
Torque is up too: in Normal mode, the regular Series II has as much as 749lb ft at its disposal, while the Black Badge can call on a thumping 811lb ft in its Spirited mode.
Equal focus has been placed on expanding the range of personalisation measures that Spectre buyers can apply through Rolls-Royce’s increasingly lucrative Bespoke division.