Rolls Royce Updates its Super-Coupé with the Spectre Series II
Rolls Royce claims to pursue perfection as it updates its all electric Spectre coupé assigning it the Series II moniker.
The Spectre was originally launched in the summer of 2023, having been unveiled a year earlier. It’s the spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupé, and after 3 years on sale it’s refresh brings plenty of updates as Rolls Royce targets perfection.
Rolls-Royce cars are widely praised for its quintessential Britishness, serenity and performance combined with utterly effortless driving. It not only optimizes wafting, it sets the benchmark in waftability, but yet Rolls Royce claims the Spectre Series II builds on its predecessor. It’s hard to imagine how, but yet here it is.
For a start, there’s up to 18% more range for a total of 390 miles on the WLTP combined test cycle. It isn’t class leading, but it is exceptionally usable.
There’s also torque with up 1,100 Nm available from the waft peddle, and not only that, power is now rated at 680 HP. But the Rolls Royce engineers didn’t stop with their fettling there, and have reduced rapid charging times by up to a 14%, too.
What this means is the 5.5 metre coupe will hit 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.1 seconds for the Black Badge trim. And that’s really rather good when you consider that it weighs just under 3 tonnes, and all of this is delivered thanks to a 112.4 kWh [net] battery with two motors powering all four wheels.
Of course there are faster EVs on the roads, but that’s not the point. The Rolls Royce Spectre isn’t a missile, nor is it intended to weave through the Alpines like a Lotus Esprit driven by a double-o.
No, the Spectre is a car for the driver and occupant to embrace the beauty and serenity of the Alpines whilst cosseted in utter splendor. The power and torque make for effortless driving and anything different in a Rolls Royce should be considered crass.
For the Black Badge Spectre Series II, Rolls Royce have crafted a suite of new design enhancements.
There’s a new Iced Black Exterior Detailing with a very un-Rolls Royce matte finish. The same treatment can be found on what was once a glorious chrome grille surround, as well as sideframe finishers, bumper inserts, the ‘Double R’ Badge of Honour on the side, plus the door handles and the Spirit of Ecstasy are all in matte black.
However, only the vanes of the Pantheon Grille remain polished – a decision taken by Rolls-Royce designers to preserve the motor car’s identity.
Whether you’re in the market for a Spectre, or are fortunate enough to get close enough to admire one, Rolls Royce says the “Spectre is increasingly used for personal driving enjoyment, charged almost exclusively at home, and most often driven solo”, so chances of seeing one might become ever so slightly better.
About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb