Request for Rolls Roycethe first electric vehicle (EV) – which specter – is reportedly so high that the company is considering increasing the production run.
As reported by European Automotive NewsRolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said the company still had several months to change its production plans for the Spectre.
“Order intake for Specter is much better at the moment than we expected,” said Mr Müller-Ötvös.
“We have a few months left [before production starts]but if the trend continues then I’m sure we’ll have to adjust our plans.”
We reported in January last year that Rolls-Royce had taken deposits for the Specter in Australia, although it would not be drawn on how much had been taken at the time.
Rolls-Royce revealed the Specter two-door electric coupe last October, and at this stage customer deliveries of the Specter are expected to start from the fourth quarter of 2023.
Mr Müller-Ötvös tells European Automotive News The Specter will achieve “the same level” of profitability as the brand’s other vehicles.
The Specter will be sold between the Cullinan and the Phantom, meaning Australians should expect a sticker price of around $800,000.
The Specter has classic Rolls-Royce proportions. It is a magnificent two-door coupe measuring the same length as the Mercedes-Maybach S680 limo (5453mm) and featuring rear opening doors.
The company says the precise tapered lines refer to modern yacht design, while there is a large body panel that extends from the A-pillar to the luggage compartment. Large 23-inch wheels come as standard.
Final power, acceleration and range figures are still being refined, but early data suggests the Specter is expected to have a range drive 520 km according to the WLTP test and offer 430kW and 900Nm output.
Estimated 0-100km/h time is 4.5 seconds, despite weighing in at 2975kg.
Underneath that impressive body is the company’s Luxury Architecture variation with an all-aluminum space frame. The Spectre’s extruded parts and integrated floor battery make it 30 percent stiffer than any previous Rolls-Royce.
The company claims it paid for 830 hours of combined design modeling and wind tunnel testing of the Spectre’s bonnet ornament. A coefficient of 0.25 final drag rating makes this the brand’s most aerodynamic car, ever.
The Specter’s suspension has been honed from Sweden to South Africa, but “the most important” was testing on the Côte d’Azur, reflecting where the average buyer might spend time.
The suspension system provides a claimed “magic carpet ride” and has party tricks like decoupling anti-roll bars, individually stiffened dampers to reduce cornering forces felt from the seat, and four-wheel steering.
Mr Müller-Ötvös tells European Automotive News since Specter was revealed the company has built an order book that stretches “far” into 2023.
The Specter will also form the “third pillar” of Rolls-Royce sales after the Cullinan SUV and the Ghost sedan, according to Mr Müller-Ötvös.
As previously reported, Rolls-Royce will move away from V12 engines as it prepares to go all-electric by 2030.
MORE: Rolls-Royce Specter ultra-luxury EV revealed