Behind the wheel of Rolls-Royce's Spectre: RAY MASSEY 長,率いるs to California to get a taste of its first all-electric car

  • The £330k electric limo is now on the road - and we're の中で the first to try it
  • It is already attracting a 産む/飼育する of 最高の-rich young - and green - 顧客s?

Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric car, Spectre, has finally 攻撃する,衝突する the road and is already attracting a new 産む/飼育する of 最高の-rich young owners who want greener 高級な.

Prices start at about £330,000, but most 買い手s will get handy with the 選択s 名簿(に載せる)/表(にあげる) and spend far more than that.

So, what will they get for all that money - and can the electric Roller 手段 up to its 石油-力/強力にするd 最高の-高級な cars of the past? Ray Massey 長,率いるd to California to become one of the first to 運動 it.

Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric car, Spectre, has finally hit the road and is already attracting a new breed of super-rich young owners who want greener luxury

Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric car, Spectre, has finally 攻撃する,衝突する the road and is already attracting a new 産む/飼育する of 最高の-rich young owners who want greener 高級な

Spectre: Millions of miles in the making?

The 生産/産物 見解/翻訳/版 of Spectre follows millions of miles of 激しい 実験(する)ing around the globe.

And bosses 強調する/ストレスd: ‘Crucially, it is a Rolls-Royce first and an electric car second’.

It also 示すs the end of an 時代 for the British 最高の-高級な carmaker which 発表するd: ’Rolls-Royce will never again produce a new model with an 内部の 燃焼 engine.’

The 存在するing 石油-engined Rolls-Royce line-up will be the last and 来たるべき designs will be all-electric.

Ray Massey flew half way round the world to California to become one of the first to drive the £330,000 green limo

Ray Massey flew half way 一連の会議、交渉/完成する the world to California to become one of the first to 運動 the £330,000 green limo

The test route took place more than 5,000 miles from where Spectre is built by engineers and craftsmen and women at the firm?s hi-tech boutique factory in Goodwood, West Sussex

The 実験(する) 大勝する took place more than 5,000 miles from where Spectre is built by engineers and craftsmen and women at the 会社/堅い’s hi-tech boutique factory in Goodwood, West Sussex

Preliminary orders for Spectre show it has helped bring down the average age of Rolls-Royce customers from 56 to 43. Many of them are young entrepreneurs in tech and finance

予選 orders for Spectre show it has helped bring 負かす/撃墜する the 普通の/平均(する) age of Rolls-Royce 顧客s from 56 to 43. Many of them are young entrepreneurs in tech and 財政/金融

Spectre is 力/強力にするd by a mighty 584 horsepower (430kW) electric モーター and 殴打/砲列 configuration which 推進するs the 近づく 3 tonne (2,890kg) 乗り物 from 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds an up to a 最高の,を越す 速度(を上げる) 限られた/立憲的な to 155mph.

But it also has a 重要な 十分な-告発(する),告訴(する)/料金 範囲 of up to 329 miles - enough to 運動 from London to just North of Newcastle.

So, how does the first Rolls-Royce of the 未来 手段 up?

Before even the first 顧客 has driven or taken 配達/演説/出産 of the sleek, 無 放出/発行 急速な/放蕩な-支援する クーデター, I took a trip to the west coast of the US - Rolls-Royce’s biggest market - to 実験(する) 運動 the finished article.

Our 実験(する) miles took place more than 5,000 miles from where Spectre is built by engineers and craftsmen and women at the 会社/堅い’s hi-tech boutique factory in Goodwood, West Sussex, which 雇うs 2,500 people.

? Slide me ?

Spectre is 力/強力にするd by a mighty 584 horsepower (430kW) electric モーター and 殴打/砲列 configuration which 推進するs the 近づく 3 tonne (2,890kg) 乗り物 from 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds an up to a 最高の,を越す 速度(を上げる) 限られた/立憲的な to 155mph

They call the 全体にわたる pre-生産/産物 過程 the Rolls-Royce ‘finishing school’. This meant that the new Spectre was taught how to become a true Rolls-Royce, with 精製するd manners and ‘waftable’ acceleration.

同様に as gruelling all-天候 実験(する)ing in extremes of 氷点の 北極の 冷淡な and 燃やすing African heat, 工学 bosses 確実にするd it met one other important challenge: the ‘シャンペン酒 実験(する)’.

This 主張するs that however rough the roads, the ride must be so smooth that a 乗客 sipping シャンペン酒 does not 流出/こぼす one 減少(する) from their glass.

I tried it and it seems to work.

Although it should be 公式文書,認めるd that 予定 to California 運動ing 法律s this was 厳密に done with a 非,不,無-アル中患者 シャンペン酒 代用品,人.

While it may pass the シャンペン酒 実験(する), the two-door Spectre fits into the bracket of a driver’s Rolls-Royce rather than one you would be chauffeured in.

予選 orders for Spectre show it has helped bring 負かす/撃墜する the 普通の/平均(する) age of Rolls-Royce 顧客s from 56 to 43.

Many of them are young entrepreneurs in tech and 財政/金融 with at least seven cars, who are にもかかわらず keen to 陳列する,発揮する eco-friendly 信任状 同様に as their wealth - with 40 per cent of them new to the brand and never having owned a Rolls-Royce before.

Prices for the new Spectre start at around £330,000 but few 顧客s will 支払う/賃金 that. Instead, the high level of bespoke 選択s so beloved of Rolls-Royce 顧客s means the 打率 支出 is likely to be closer to £500,000.

The ‘hero’ spec of Chartreuse and 黒人/ボイコット two トン will come in at around £450,000. Spectre has ‘近づく infinite bespoke 可能性s,’ says Rolls-Royce.

Stretching to nearly 5.5 meters and weighing nearly three tonnes, the low-riding Spectre is electrifying and has real road presence

Stretching to nearly 5.5 メーターs and 重さを計るing nearly three tonnes, the low-riding Spectre is electrifying and has real road presence

First impressions are of a sweeping aerodynamic two-door four-seater fastback, with a streamlined Spirit of Ecstasy Flying Lady at its prow

First impressions are of a 広範囲にわたる aerodynamic two-door four-seater fastback, with a 簡素化するd Spirit of Ecstasy 飛行機で行くing Lady at its prow

Thanks to clever design and the slightly lie-back positioning of the seats, being driven is more enjoyable than taking to the wheel

Thanks to clever design and the わずかに 嘘(をつく)-支援する positioning of the seats, 存在 driven is more enjoyable than taking to the wheel

What’s Spectre like?

Spectre is Rolls-Royce’s most aerodynamic モーター car ever and has a presence and size 類似の to that of the earlier 石油-力/強力にするd Phantom クーデター - and is 述べるd as its spiritual 後継者.

巡航するing around the vineyards of the 日光 明言する/公表する’s Napa Valley ワイン 地域, I was 特権d to be の中で the first of a select group of モーターing 新聞記者/雑誌記者s from around the world to be 許すd behind the wheel before even the first 支払う/賃金ing 顧客s.

The シャンペン酒 実験(する)?

To see if it really 作品, I tried out the out the シャンペン酒 実験(する) for myself ? with the help of Rolls-Royce (n)役員/(a)執行力のある Georgina Cox.

To 従う with California 法律 regarding alcohol in cars (it’s 違法な unless the 乗客 is 存在 driven by a 合法的に licensed chauffeur) we 取って代わるd シャンペン酒 with a sparkling n on-alcohol 代用品,人.

Sitting in the 後部 I was driven 負かす/撃墜する a rough vineyard 跡をつける ? and so smooth was the 中断 that not a 減少(する) from my glass was 流出/こぼすd and the surface of my drink remained 絶対 level throughout.

We then swapped places, and I did the 運動ing with pace while Georgina sat in the 支援する 持つ/拘留するing the シャンペン酒 flute.

Again, not a 減少(する) 流出/こぼすd as the 中断 補償するd for and levelled out the bumps in the road and the liquid within remained as 静める as a millpond.

シャンペン酒 実験(する) duly passed. 非,不,無-アル中患者 元気づけるs all 一連の会議、交渉/完成する.

This wasn’t California dreaming but it certainly felt like it.

Stretching to nearly 5.5 メーターs and 重さを計るing nearly three tonnes, the low-riding Spectre is electrifying and has real road presence.

First impressions are of a 広範囲にわたる aerodynamic two-door four-seater fastback, with a 簡素化するd Spirit of Ecstasy 飛行機で行くing Lady at its prow.

の近くに up you realise it is surprisingly big for such a sleek looking car. Thanks to clever design, it’s wearing cunningly designed 着せる/賦与するing making it look slimmer and はしけ than it 現実に is.

The 会社/堅い says that design takes inspiration from modernist sculpture, 航海の design, haute-couture fashion, tailoring and 同時代の art.

The fun begins the moment you step through one of the two 後部-hinged doors and into the low-slung cabin.

Spectre 顧客s will most likely be 運動ing themselves so there’s no attendant or chauffeur to open that door for you. At around 1.5m these レーザー-welded aluminium doors are the largest pillarless coach doors ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce.

普通は there is a button for the driver to 圧力(をかける), so the door の近くにs automatically. But with Spectre you 簡単に 圧力(をかける) your foot on the ブレーキ, and the door silently and elegantly swings shut and 調印(する)s you in. Pure genius.

The snug 操縦室 with its smart 数字表示式の dashboard is sophisticated, simple, relaxing, 抑制するd and sedate without the need for whizz-bang flashing lights or sci-fi styling to 布告する its electric car 信任状. First and 真っ先の, it’s a Rolls-Royce.

In the 運動ing seat Spectre feels cosseting, low and sporty. Yet there’s also a surprising 量 of room for two 乗客s in the 後部, thanks to clever design and the わずかに 嘘(をつく)-支援する positioning of the seats, as I 設立する to my own surprise and delight when 存在 driven.

Acceleration is phenomenal - but also seamlessly smooth and controlled. You will not feel your neck snap back, despite its awesome power

Acceleration is phenomenal - but also seamlessly smooth and controlled. You will not feel your neck snap 支援する, にもかかわらず its awesome 力/強力にする

What's Spectre like to 運動?

Switch on the ignition and there’s a 静める almost silent but faintly perceptible トン as the モーターs spring to life. Rolls-Royce even used the 緊張するs of a professional harpist to create just the 権利 ambience.

運動ing Spectre is the easiest thing in the world. There’s no clutter of dials and buttons. The car does most of the work for you leaving you to enjoy the experience.

Spectre is sure-footed, nimble, and amazingly responsive. Rolls-Royce always 目的(とする)s to produce in its cars a 魔法 carpet ride, and with Spectre it has electrified that.

Acceleration is phenomenal - but also seamlessly smooth and controlled. You will not feel your neck snap 支援する, にもかかわらず its awesome 力/強力にする.

One thing owners will need to take care about is watching their 速度(を上げる) if they want to keep their licence. Exceptionally 急速な/放蕩な can seem rather relaxed.

Spectre’s 扱うing feels remarkably intuitive and even the slightest touch on the tiller 料金d instantaneously into the wheels.

It goes 正確に/まさに where you are looking, as if you and the car are joined. And it is fun. You won’t get bored 運動ing this car. After a long 運動 in this electric grand tourer, you’ll probably arrive feeling fresher than when you started.

The snug cockpit with its smart digital dashboard is sophisticated, simple, relaxing, restrained and sedate without the need for whizz-bang flashing lights or sci-fi styling to proclaim its electric car credentials

The snug 操縦室 with its smart 数字表示式の dashboard is sophisticated, simple, relaxing, 抑制するd and sedate without the need for whizz-bang flashing lights or sci-fi styling to 布告する its electric car 信任状

If you want to 増加する the 運動ing 抵抗 ? and 生成する some more 告発(する),告訴(する)/料金 ? you 簡単に 圧力(をかける) th e ‘B’ button on the column-shifter to 活動させる/戦時編成する ‘ブレーキ 方式’.?

I liked this as you can 減ずる your 依存 on the ブレーキs and let Spectre take the 緊張する with いわゆる 選び出す/独身-pedal 運動ing which can even bring the car to a 完全にする stop. But everything is seamless. Not at all 軍隊d, or jerky. It all feels so natural and smooth.

Spectre looks, 運動s, and cossets you just like you would 推定する/予想する any Roll-Royce to do.

At no time did I think: ’This is an electric car.’ I needed to make no 妥協s or allowances. The company 主張するs it is making a Rolls-Royce first, and in that 尊敬(する)・点 it has fully 後継するd.

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