Rolls-Royce has recently concluded an extensive testing program for its all-electric super coupe, Spectre, which entailed covering a distance equivalent to over 400 years of use. This rigorous testing subjected Spectre to extreme temperatures ranging from -40°F to +122°F and various challenging conditions, including snowy landscapes, deserts, high mountain passes, and bustling city environments. The dedicated Rolls-Royce engineers meticulously observed, analyzed, and fine-tuned Spectre’s 141,200 digital sender-receiver relations and 25,000 performance-related functions, amounting to over 50,000 collective hours of work.
The comprehensive testing process resulted in numerous incremental improvements in Spectre’s performance, encompassing acoustic performance, cornering stability, steering precision, charge time, electric range, and torque delivery. While each of these improvements may be individually minor, their cumulative effect significantly enhances the overall client experience.
Additionally, Spectre underwent Rolls-Royce’s distinctive Lifestyle Analysis process, which takes into account how clients utilize their vehicles daily to ensure an authentic super-luxury experience. This additional testing program leverages Rolls-Royce’s profound understanding of the super-luxury consumer and ongoing monitoring of the luxury sector.
Engineers explored various variables relevant to Rolls-Royce clients, investigating how Spectre’s drivetrain performs in specific locations worldwide, including exclusive enclaves such as Sanya Island in China, Dubai in the UAE, Napa Valley in California, and London in the UK. The testing also emphasized maneuverability in city centers, including areas with limited space and specific access requirements. Tests even took place in London’s Mayfair and Kensington and Chelsea to ascertain the suitability of the rear axle steering for navigating residential streets and luxury retail locations.
Static testing procedures addressed client concerns, such as ensuring a stable phone conversation inside the car or maintaining a reliable internet connection between skyscrapers. The convenience of accommodating long garment bags used to protect formal evening wear was another aspect under consideration.
The Lifestyle Analysis testing phase uncovered essential adjustments to Spectre’s specification and performance. For instance, following tests on power-assisted doors on steep hills resembling those found in Los Angeles, gyroscopically and G-force sensors were integrated to ensure consistent door opening and closing speeds, irrespective of parking angles. The precision of Spectre’s steering underwent extensive testing at a specific corner, fittingly named “Spectre Corner,” situated near Rolls-Royce’s headquarters in Goodwood, West Sussex.
The Lifestyle Analysis phase of testing concluded in London, marking the end of Spectre’s million-mile odyssey in preparation for client deliveries commencing in the fourth quarter of this year.
