Rolls-Royce, renowned for its meticulously crafted luxury motor cars, is experiencing longer delivery times for its first electric vehicle, the Spectre. The exceptional demand for the Spectre, previously reported in January, has surpassed the company’s anticipated timelines, according to CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.
During a media scrum at the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este in Lake Como, Italy, Müller-Ötvös revealed that ordering the Spectre today would result in a delivery timeframe extending into 2025. While Rolls-Royce typically aims for a 12 to 15-month turnaround, the CEO expressed his intention to minimize waiting periods for their esteemed clientele.
“In the luxury segment, clients don’t appreciate waiting times exceeding two, three, four, or even five years,” stated Müller-Ötvös. “Having a situation where the car is sold out even before it hits the ground is, in my opinion, a clear indication of poor production planning.”
Müller-Ötvös also shared insights into how the Spectre incorporates valuable feedback from previous electric concepts developed by Rolls-Royce, such as the 102EX and 103EX. The company’s focus on client input has been instrumental in refining the production model of the Spectre.
“Our experience with the concepts taught us valuable lessons about range and charging times,” Müller-Ötvös explained. “We recognized that we didn’t need an extravagant range but rather a practical one. A range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) is perfectly suitable for our clients.”
Furthermore, the CEO highlighted the delicate balance between battery size, range, and overall design. The Spectre’s battery capacity was carefully determined to ensure optimal performance while avoiding compromises to the car’s aesthetic appeal.
Müller-Ötvös emphasized the significance of the Spectre’s design evolution, particularly with regard to traditional Rolls-Royce elements. While retaining the iconic Pantheon grille, the Spectre features a distinctively redesigned version that enhances aerodynamic efficiency.
“We made a clear decision to keep the Pantheon grille as it is a crucial element of Rolls-Royce’s identity,” Müller-Ötvös elucidated. “However, the grille’s vanes have been modified to allow air to circulate seamlessly around the car rather than primarily serving cooling purposes.”
With these innovative design changes, the Spectre emerges as the most aerodynamically efficient Rolls-Royce vehicle to date. Müller-Ötvös confirmed that customers who have already placed orders for the Spectre are eagerly anticipating its arrival. Fortunately, the waiting period for the Spectre is expected to be shorter than the typical 15-month timeframe.
Rolls-Royce enthusiasts and industry observers alike share the CEO’s enthusiasm for the Spectre’s remarkable features. Luckily, prospective owners will not have to endure the extensive waiting period associated with its production.
