Four years after the first-ever electric Rolls-Royce was launched, the Spectre coupe is coming in for an update - unveiled today as the Spectre Series II. Improvements mean more performance, a longer range, faster charging, even more ways to customise it and a new clock.
Gotta ask, what's the big deal about a new clock?
It sits in the Clock Gallery in the middle of the dashboard, and its design takes inspiration from "precision aviation instruments” according to Rolls-Royce. The face itself is quite simple and elegant, while the hands are cast metal.
Below it is a solid stainless-steel Spirit of Ecstasy figurine and to the passenger side of the dashboard is the new Illuminated Fascia artwork. This is made up of an incredible 8,108 individual pixel-like lights and we love the official quote, suggesting the design "draws inspiration from the shifting mist that settles over the woodlands of the South Downs, which rise beyond the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.”
Is the rest of the cabin as special?
The Spectre's interior already was, but Rolls-Royce's buyers demanded more choice and that's what they're getting. A highlight is an upholstery called Duality Twill, made from bamboo, surprisingly enough. The twill textile is offered in Lilac, Chocolate, Black and Sage, with up to 50 different thread colours to choose from.
Also new to the Spectre is Placed Perforation leather, meaning unique patterns picked out in the material. This allows for a wealth of personalisation options for clients.
Brindled Walnut veneer is new, too, mixing walnut from non-fruiting trees with eucalyptus fibres, sealed with a lacquer infused with glass-flake powder for a unique - and relatively sustainable - finish.
This is an EV after all...
Indeed, and Rolls-Royce's engineers have made some significant updates to the electric powertrain for the Series II.
As before, the big coupe is powered by two electric motors and a whopping large battery pack. But reengineering of the battery cell technology means an increase in the WLTP range by 18 per cent - to 627 kilometres - and a claimed 14-per-cent reduction in the charge time.
Peak power in the standard Spectre is now 601hp, with torque maxing out at 1,015Nm (up from 584hp and 900Nm, respectively), while the Black Badge model can summon up 680hp in its Infinity driving mode and 1,100Nm of torque if the driver selects the Spirited setting (up from 659hp and 1,075Nm before).
No performance stats have been released, but the original car was hardly a slouch, managing 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds as a Black Badge.
Is it easy to tell the new Spectre Black Badge apart?
Rolls-Royce hasn't changed the exterior of the Spectre dramatically, though there is a new colour option - Ethereal Blue - and a new design of 23-inch, forged-alloy wheel.
For the Black Badge variant, Iced Black Exterior Detailing is new, giving most of the exterior brightwork a matte finish - including the front grille surround, side finishers, bumper inserts, 'Double R' Badge of Honour side surround, door handles and even the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.
The Black Badge Spectre Series II's wheels are new as well, and available in Iced Matte Black if so desired by its buyers.
Anything you can tell us about them?
Rolls-Royce tells us that the Spectre is typically one of two Rolls-Royces in a seven-car garage, driven on average 6,500km a year (though one owner has done 25,000km a year in theirs) and charged up almost exclusively at home. It's also driven by its owners, often solo.