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Rolls-Royce Spectre: marque tests its first electric car at -40C

By Stephen Turvil | April 4, 2022

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Rolls-Royce tests its first electric vehicle at -40C as it strides towards a cleaner, greener, zero emission future.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is the manufacturer's first electric vehicle and one of the most important in its long, illustrious history. This ‘super coupe’ launches in 2023 and its significance cannot be overstated. It symbolises the brand's future. It is a clear departure from the vehicles of its past - and even the cars it sells new today. Let us consider why the company has to move on. 

Rolls-Royce has to evolve now to be relevant in the future. the issue is that cars powered by a combustion engine are a dying breed. If the manufacturer does not switch to fully electric propulsion it will be sidelined. the same applies to other car manufacturers. However, Rolls-Royce has to achieve more than everyday brands. Drivers expect it to produce the most refined, luxurious, and desirable electric cars in the world. It must excel. 

Spectre tested in extream conditions

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is being tested in extreme conditions to ensure it meets these expectations. The process started at a facility close to the Arctic Circle, in Sweden. Here, the temperatures fell as low as -40 Celsius. The manufacturer ran tests to confirm that every system in the vehicle worked in such conditions. The powerful electric motor was put through its paces, for starters. The battery that powers the motor was evaluated, too. 

The manufacturers also began a ‘refinement process’ to minimise noise, vibration, and harshness within the car. Among many other components it considered the door rubbers, bushing compounds, fastening materials, and bonding agents. Performance can ‘change considerably’ at low temperature, it revealed. Rolls-Royce also evaluated the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. And of course, the car was driven to confirm it responded properly. 

Further tests

Rolls-Royce plans to complete numerous other tests before it launches this new, fully electric, super coupe. It has so far only done 25% of its mileage. That is 500,000 kilometres. The manufacturer is clearly keen to ensure the car is worthy of its badge and well received by drivers, the press, and the wider world. 

Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, revealed: ‘Spectre is unquestionably the most anticipated product in the marque’s modern history. It is for this reason that we have created a testing programme that is as significant and historical as Spectre itself. The extraordinary undertaking of educating Spectre to think and behave like a Rolls-Royce will cover 2.5 million kilometres. That is a simulation of more than 400 years of use ’, he emphasised.

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