Perfectly Imperfect

We can, of course, find something to complain about if we look hard enough. For such a massive car, there’s very little storage space inside. There’s a tiny bin just ahead of the center armrest, only barely big enough for an outdated iPhone set diagonally on edge, and certainly no wireless charger. Note to Rolls-Royce: Cords snaking out from under the armrest are unseemly. Beyond that, it’s the cupholders or the door pockets for your stuff.

The storage situation for real luggage isn’t any better. There’s the trunk, which isn’t especially large, and that’s it. Oh, you were expecting a front trunk under that lengthy hood? Nope, just a plastic cover hiding electronics and batteries and such.

Speaking of electronics, while we’re delighted by the twinkling starlight that chases the tip of speedometer needle as it arcs across the digital instrument cluster, we can’t help but feel a screen full of digitally simulated analog dials is less impressive in a world where the Bugatti Tourbillon’s clockwork instrument cluster exists.

The grander show of starlight in the headliner continues to captivate passengers, at least, and we do mean passengers, plural. Yes, this pillarless coupe is a four-seater in more than name, with enough space for taller adults to ride in the rear on moderately long drives. While this is the Rolls-Royce to drive, being driven in it isn’t much of a penalty.

The Dream, Realized

Good things, it’s often said, are worth waiting for. In truth, had an electric Rolls-Royce come with deeper battery technology concessions any less than state-of-the-art, it wouldn’t have been able to fulfill the company’s entire mission brief, even if it was built in the recent past. The Spectre does, and in doing so, it finally achieves the aim set by its founders more than a century ago.

2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre Specifications
BASE PRICE	$422,750
LAYOUT	Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe
MOTORS	2 AC excited synchronous electric, 584 hp, 664 lb-ft combined
TRANSMISSIONS	1-speed auto
CURB WEIGHT	6,400 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE	126.4 in
L x W x H	215.6 x 79.4 x 61.9 in
0–60 MPH	4.4 sec (mfr est)
EPA FUEL ECON	71-77/79-86/74-81 mpg-e
EPA RANGE, COMB	264-201 miles
ON SALE	Now