The $580k Rolls Royce Spectre Is Finally an EV Roller - But You Wouldn't Notice - TheSmokingTire

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The Rolls Royce Spectre solves an obvious problem: Why haven't Rolls Royce's been electric for like ten years already? They were already huge, heavy, smooth and torquey, and they are rarely driven over 300 miles in a day, so why not? Well now we've got the incredibly opulent Spectre, Rolls' first-ever EV, and while we aren't surprised, we do have many thoughts about this two-door coupe that's both longer and heavier than Rolls' own SUV, the Cullinan.
Rolls Royce provided the vehicle and insurance for this review.
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The $580k Rolls Royce Spectre Is Finally an EV Roller - But You Wouldn't Notice - TheSmokingTire
#rollsroycespectre
#rollsroyceEV

[@dan.r9220]

This is the quietest video I have ever seen on the smoking tire.

[@cromulentparty]

by a mile!! 😅

[@darkblueturbo]

Yeah, like he’s in a studio

[@andrewthomason3857]

15:59 My dear boy, one does not “sit at public chargers with everyone side-eying you.” One has one’s security detail (as always, traveling in gleaming black Mercedes vans at a respectful distance from the Master) conduct an advance visit at one’s chosen charging station, during which any riff-raff found to be loitering in vulgar domestic or Korean vehicles are ejected (forcefully, if required).

[@jessem_i31]

😂 this is the perfect comment

[@JoeEngineer]

I read this comment in a Transatlantic accent. 🎩

[@caryg4638]

Or, you could be like Tesla with their new Model S and X vehicles, and offer inductive charging.

[@daddymuggle]

Surely taking it to the charging station is for the staff to do. I admire your easy grace and common touch. Truly, a man of the people. A much simpler solution is to swap it out with the spare car which is charging as it rides in the back of the transporter.

[@SwapBlogRU]

Let's not forget that Matt meant in the context of a road trip.

[@hofahome]

Fun fact: that color is called baby diarrhea. Very exclusive.

[@JoeSmith-nu8oo]

Pass me the Grey Poo-pon😝

[@RRSmurf]

'Baby diarrhea Metallic' Get it right.

[@evalonious]

You sure it's not 'Baby Diarrhea Pearl'?

[@hofahome]

@@RRSmurf haha! My bad

[@ouch9326]

nice color, like dark gold , actual gold would be too loud and crazy

[@joshuavadaketh4905]

Matt genuinely lost so much weight compared to points in the ast. Great achievement

[@geek92253]

Although I tend to agree with your commentary regarding the size of the car, you did buy a 33 year old Turbo R that weighs 5400 lbs and is within 4 inches of length and 3 inches of height of the Spectre to use as a daily driver.

[@dmbassett]

I thought the same.

[@cbotten106]

You, dear sir, are a killjoy!

[@Ninety7Media]

The Daniel Mac reference was gold.

[@hollowpoint27]

"They glare at you like you own slaves" probably the single greatest line I've ever heard to describe the Rolls Royce experience 😂

[@LilleyAdam]

Need a "I only have white slaves" bumper sticker.

[@carlosl5766]

I’m all in! In 20 years when it’s worth 2 grand and has 20 miles of range 😂😂!

[@allensaunders449]

Nobody buys used evs you are right about price if it even exists in 20 years

[@sully7582]

wrong! only 12 miles of range by then. haha

[@jackhammer078jack4]

Forget the car, Matt what shoes are you wearing?

[@HMoyn215]

I'll be waiting for the LS swap series 😁

[@BudleyBailey]

Only 500k to replace the batteries!

[@aljowen]

17:30 Just a small nit pick (please let me indulge in my "well actually" moment xD) The size of the vehicle doesn't have a major impact on Drag coefficient. Drag Coefficient is a value you have to multiply by the frontal cross section of the vehicle (imagine the hole left by the car if you were to drive it through a wall Wile E Coyote style). So for the sake of argument, if this car has a drag coefficient of 0.25, and an MR2 had a drag coefficient of 0.25, the MR2 may end up having half the aerodynamic drag of this car since is frontal cross section would be so much smaller. To be clear, 0.25 is still an achievement and worth celebrating. But because of its size it may suffer from more drag than many smaller vehicles that have higher drag coefficients.

[@ABoringTool]

Exactly. Stop using coefficient of drag! I don't care how well they used the frontal area of the car. I want a car with less drag period.

[@TheImperfectGuy]

let's be fair to anyone except the manufacturers here It's been deliberately misrepresented by car makers in press and public material to make people think frontal area doesn't matter too much ​@@ABoringTool

[@_IMNNO]

In other words: CdA

[@jose7777777777777777]

A longer vehicle usually has a better drag coefficient as it can taper towards the back and have more rake at the front. Of course, CdA would increase if the frontal area increased along with length

[@punksweeper4678]

its really trippy seeing the car moving but hearing only Matt talking more quietly than normal with no road noise

[@PhantasmPhoton]

I looked away from the screen to answer a message and looked back up to find you had started moving. Thats quiet

[@garyestcourt2377]

I'd have you're Turbo R any day of the week tbh ❤ and I'm pretty sure the Bentley interior will be better, no plastic there zero 0⃣ uv'e not mentioned it but there is plastics dotted about 🙄

[@DigitalDissident]

"Being ridiculously expensive is it's defining characteristic" I totally agree with that. Also agree with the color combination being disgusting. Is that poo brown with pink trim interior?

[@DuvJones]

It's gold but yeah, not the best colour combo. Rather gauche, if I am to be blunt... that said, their is worse when it comes to colours.

[@ouch9326]

its intentionally rebellion against tradition of advanced culture around the world, in this case its rebellion against traditional formula for beauty and morality (raw resource sustnablity, crash saftey, chemical toxicity , etc... but its very few cars so its not a super big deal at least as long as it doesnt crash). the front end and tire looks also reflect this post modern style, this anti social new world order stuff. but its still rolls royce... so they didnt want to totally go far into this new direction, or else noone would buy it and itd be super disgusting even at surface level. in the case of these decorative stuff, ive personally gotten used to it, i kinda like it now, especially the dark gold with warm white and the colder "grace white" (but not the very cold white, "ice white "or whatever they call it) to me rolls royce is most interesting at the configurator , like the onlien one, or the discussions that happen at bespoke car design process. its fun in theory online, but in person its a boring but quiet thing, and if you really think about it its pretty disgusting ,lol

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

I know the heater control sliders are a throw back to vintage rolls, but they look a bit small and fiddly. Still better than menu diving a touch screen though!

[@WesleyKagan]

Honestly, physical buttons are such a selling point. Those heater controls are eerily similar to the 70's Silver Shadow.

[@slow_328i]

I’m sorry but for 600 grand they could at least give you non plastic stalks

[@mitchellsteindler]

Someday we will know why rolls continues to use plastic stalks 🤣

[@scottieray]

Crash standards?

[@bobkrinsky2117]

They are not plastic.

[@charlieshankles]

Just the tip

[@cbotten106]

@@bobkrinsky2117 If they are, in fact, plastic they're covered in Connolly hides with contrast stitching. The materials are beyond reproach throughout.

[@kylelammie4621]

What a great video. It's refreshing to see a review where the reviewer seems so authentic with their opinion and delivery. That is Matt, 100%, giving a review.

[@rodriguezsemenovich5974]

Never has the interior of a car looked more like a golf bag

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Governments blaming the state of the roads on heavier cars when they’ve done little to invest in improving rail freight infrastructure to get semi’s/artics off the road 🤦‍♂️.

[@martyfromdvag]

And they’ve promoted the heaviness of cars Be mad about the problem you started

[@williamgechtman9287]

@@martyfromdvag Look into the "chicken tax." It's one of the reasons there are so many larger pick up trucks and SUVs on the road. It's existed for decades, subsidising larger, less efficient vehicles. Who is this "you" of whom you speak?

[@ElyciusM]

@@williamgechtman9287 the "you" they're talking about is the government

[@troygalbraith625]

People with cars like that, are either really really good at something, or do something very very bad for the money

[@aleksisoukkala]

12:15 and that is why you get the 4 door lwb Rolls because then you can say you are just the driver

[@houssamalucad753]

Smart

[@Bomag1600s]

Years ago a customer used to arrive and take our boss out in the latest and greatest Rolls and my boss always hated it. Mostly because he said you could just feel everyone was looking at you, or trying to glance into the back. I know some people like that but I'm with my old boss I don't it's for me.

[@PaulTC777]

577hp dont seem much when the car is 6300lbs

[@justinfrazier9566]

Doesn't need much, its a Rolls.

[@TheImperfectGuy]

well they used to have 170hp at 2 tons back in the era when the only answer to the question of power was "sufficient"

[@PLxFTW]

I drive an 2006 LX470 with a 300hp V8 and it weighs 7000+. It actually more than enough

[@bob808]

RR is likely 'saving' some power for an upcoming Black Badge model.

[@danielbrown4579]

Adequate.

[@DarrellColeMCO]

The people who buy the Spectre aren't worried about side eyes while charging, assuming they're charging at a public station. They'll likely get the same attention that that any other ICE ultra luxury vehicle would normally get, just in a slightly different seeing for a slightly longer time. Other than that, this is a perfect review for existing Rolls owners who just wants an electric version. The conversion is a natural fit for the brand.

[@thebvargaYT]

5:54 They made 6032 cars altogether in 2023, and it was the most cars made in one year in their 120 years history.

[@Piketom1]

Reviewers have been saying for years that the V12s in Rolls Royce's are almost "electric" so the fact that the EV feels like the ICE is not because RR is not taking full advantage of the new platform but rather because the EV follows the same overall ethos as all their other cars.

[@ouch9326]

i thought theyd go inline 6 hybrid

[@ruk2023--]

I absolutely love this thing especially in purple in the flesh. There's one my city in that spec. But I just can't stop seeing Mustang when I look at the tail lights.

[@cbotten106]

It looks amazing in purple. Clearly a person of impeccable taste. 🍷🧀

[@noahgoldowitz]

Great review thanks for the video

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

When I was a kid in the 80’s, I thought people with Jaguars were rich. Now that I’m 40+, I realize it’s all debt, smoke and mirrors.

[@jackiegshop]

being Matt farah and having an existential crisis about driving a new roller around LA is hilarious and also kind of touching. Insightful commentary man.

[@MegaRetr]

Hey Matt🎉 thanks for this incredible video😊

[@pastaalalamborghini]

It would be great if all the screens and touch bullshit were only available as an optional tech package and all cars came with analog buttons and switches as default. Or vise versa tbh, give me an analog option

[@NickFindsNick]

I couldn’t even tell you started driving if I didn’t see the trees go by 😮 so silent/well insulated (not surprised)

[@pope400]

Matt has kept on growing as a journalist and it is so great to watch. I've been following Matt from the sideburn days and even ran across him at a Greenwich Concours back in the early 2000's when he walked around like his dick deserved a handshake. But I really love how it's all turned out. Great work, everybody.

[@allensaunders449]

Does seem like a perfect format for rolls Royce. They were Smart to keep it very rolls looking not a crazy futuristic looking ev

[@mr2chet527]

Brilliant work as always Matt.

[@ZoneKei]

Damn Matt is bringing the fire on this one lmao. That GR P/W comparison is hilarious.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Funny: I don’t hear anyone lined up to claim: NO ONE WANTS AN ELECTRIC ROLLS ROYCE??? I would imagine that being an EV, the Spectre performs and handles better despite its curb weight and costs much much less to maintain. It’s basically an Electric Wraith. Silence, powerful Torque and high tech meet well here!

[@cbotten106]

They are sold out for while yet. So a lot of people do want them.

[@mg5904]

Sharing the experience with others, laudable. 👍

[@MattJelonek]

Another great review Matt. I don't believe you're hating on the car as you might not have one yet (!) and the same with others views on the car. It's a piece of craftsmanship, as you mentioned handmade, opulent and charming. RR's are like nothing else, even if you compare to a Bentley. And true, Who are you is questioned than What is it when you drive something like this.

[@Nyx_88888]

anyone who asks strangers how they get their money is terrible, when they see that person with something expensive

[@TheDwightMamba]

Some people want to be inspired. If you aren't pushy about it, most people that appreciate cars don't mind talking with people that appreciate their car. I have an e36 M3 coupe with no rust or dents. I talk about it with anyone that wants to.

[@goncalo33]

People want to know how to financially improve their lives and get to that level of wealth, for the most part.

[@TheDwightMamba]

@@goncalo33 the problem is that most people don't have the generational wealth head start that gets people to that kind of wealth. It's inherently a loaded question to ask, "How did you get the money to get this Rolls?". I had a client with a compound on the shore of Lake Michigan. He pulled out of photo of him working at his dad's supermarket as a teenager to show me how he is "self made". In my head I was like, "Bro, you don't even see the irony of calling yourself self-made.". Another friend from school won businessperson of the year in our town. His post also said self-made, like he didn't get handed the keys to a hotel and 2 UPS stores fresh out of college with no student loans.

[@cbotten106]

@@TheDwightMamba People want to feel they wrote their own story. Few want to say, "Daddy handed me half the McDonalds in the state." Your point is well taken though.

[@enginelover5095]

Thanks for another vid to watch, I enjoyed it! P.S. I wish the merch could be shipped to your friendly Canadians!

[@pedromeggiolaro]

10:39 one of the best bits of the video 🤣, great review as always.

[@ththejackjumper]

"Behind every great fortune is a great crime"

[@zachdakin391]

too true

[@josephholmes7481]

Except his dad's

[@zachdakin391]

@@josephholmes7481 doesn't really make much sense in this case

[@ouch9326]

thats been true nowdays only because of the money printers being able to pay without earning it by providing value to society . possibly most of our problems are because of these money printers and their clients.

[@silentcoconut]

Took some time to get this one on the channel!

[@SturbokSensei]

10:20 these sort of comments are what really highlight the challenges this modern tech-age. I quarantee every third buyer of these vehicles will have a small gripe related to the tech stuff that is different to another customer (and some ofc that are unifrom to all of them). With physical stuff, you could always just approach the coachbuilder and Rolls has always been proud to say anything the customer wishes we will strive to make into reality (at the customers expense of course). You see this now in a lot of modern classic that mention that "oh yeah the first customer was this and this and he special ordered this thing to have that thing that way, since he just liked it that way". But how are these car companies going to try and do the same with software, when a lot of stuff is just that, software and not a physical thing you can change. I doubt they will even try since supporting differently configured software would be a nightmare down the road (and the software would have to be designed to include a bunch of customization options "just in case"). Just food for thought. Bugatti has indeed done the smart thing and sticked to physical controls.

[@dbeckMSP]

i think this is one of my favorite cars on sale right now. could never afford it but all the reviews make it seem so desirable

[@thethingonlymalehave]

1:26 somehow that leather wrapping looks atrocious. Like a cheap steering wheel cover

[@JoeSmith-nu8oo]

Take it through In-N-Out and tell them I own this schitt give me 4 burgers and a shake or you're fired😂

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

As far as audio systems, give me four 6x9 door speakers and two 12” Kicker L7 with 1500 Watts and I’ll call it a day.

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Bugatti SHOULD HAVE a HUD so that all important info is on the windshield

[@alemspreco]

wonderfull review =)

[@charlie1832]

Did an Alumni or a BC Eagles football player spec that interior

[@docfink]

Without a doubt, this is the quietest car I've "heard" on your site. Also, I appreciate your excellent, honest take. I can't agree more. It's beautiful and, like all Rolls sedans, has insane road presence, but I'm not sure I'd want one even if I could afford one.

[@kylehunter8625]

"It does feel shady." lol

[@feenyx6394]

This seems like a natural way for Rolls Royce to evolve their lineup, and they've accomplished it in the most typically British understated way by virtue of it hewing so close to the fossil fueled cars that came before it. I can't really condone it for all the reasons you mentioned , but it seems like a well enough executed business move on their part.

[@hardyk2010]

@2:05 its such a shame analog controls are going only to the ultra wealthy cars. Sigh!

[@goncalo33]

Or to super cheap cars.

[@adamlewis6288]

I like it but wish it was less fastback and had more trunk

[@TheJamesLykins]

Christ, I had to report like 8 bots on here already

[@josephkelly4893]

Happens when a channel gets over the million subscribers

[@bentucker2301]

Wasting your time. KZbin doesn't care.

[@louKushh]

do you feel better about yourself now?

[@kevinmagee5400]

The silence would be great but also take so much getting used to.

[@gavinsullivan9015]

That interior is brave. Also it doesn’t seem to have any glass house! Otherwise nice looking thing

[@robertbidochon7949]

It was a very good video !

[@abolfazlg8666]

actually being a big car doesn't have to do anything with coefficient of drag, being big means its got more frontal area and thus more force it's going to need to go through the air. Cd and (frontal) Area are two different things. Fd=0/5.Cd.A.V^2.u(density)

[@brian4407]

Sweet Bimmer!

[@jamesjohnson9107]

It looks like a concept car.😎

[@polattanoglu756]

Matt is a master of this job.

[@dule0911]

Finally some Merch, great! But at checkout - disappointment. No delivery outside of the US :( No pink Safari shirt for me.

[@joetacchino4470]

All of those ridiculously tacky bespoke colors on the interior and it still has black seat belts. Whoops!

[@MountainSalsa]

Ty

[@Miniac1076]

While I would never pick that color combo on a car I would own, I don't hate it for some reason. Also, the leather wrap on the steering column stalks looks......phallic to say the least.

[@e.heckscher1576]

I kinda like the 49ers interior.

[@6th.replicant577]

Hmm, maybe people’s perception would depend on the colour combo? All-over dark blue metallic, all-black cabin with smaller all-silver (satin, not chrome) wheels might work? Yep, I’d definitely risk it.

[@ouch9326]

lexus lfa looks prettty normal and simple, yet a good looking car . but i think this things so big that it wont work with your plan lol. but yeah sure, its a good idea if you care about that... i think most buy these cars to cause those feelings... to fee like the big boss killer lol , or to be respected for being rich...

[@prolotomasi1150]

A nice sports jacket would stop you looking like you've stolen someone's Roller

[@DaBaltimoron]

Those rims are gorgeous.

[@cbotten106]

Classic too.

[@suitcafe]

Turbo R is a favorite

[@fit_pharmd4830]

I think the reason Zack isn’t in this episode is the added weight would require a DOT license to drive that thing! Lol

[@imnowhacko]

The spec on that car, as uncle Roger says, hiyaa.

[@QuietStormX]

I'd drive in it. I thing it looks goog outside of the interior of white.. And would not care what others. Like I buy and own what I want, not for others..

[@dontarguewithidiots7459]

EXACTLY

[@avocatdelamusique9778]

Oh boy how world has turned around. So now analog is luxury, while digital is... Budget? It makes me feel good how my car has as much analog controls as this car. Well maybe not as intricate as this Rolls, but close and the best thing - it was made in 2009.

[@AMomcilo1]

This is such a cool car.

[@markrio7188]

Who’s dog puked all over the interior?

[@HMoyn215]

Can not unsee a 7 series Coupe

[@barryfastcars25]

Ive said for a while that a CVT behind the V12 would be an incredible transmission for a Rolls Royce. I would love to see what they came up with if that was the brief given to the engineers. An electric Rolls Royce makes a lot of sense. Just have the chauffeur / butler ensure its charged up at the villa.

[@shobin05]

CVTs don't work well with high HP and heavier vehicles. That's why most cars above a certain weight don't typically come equipped with CVTs. Also the rubber band effect gets worse the heavier the vehicle is.

[@maereanm]

McLarens (like Senna) and Ferraris (like SF90 and Purosangue etc) can cost as much or even more than this Rolls Royce Spectre. You haven't complained about the cost and haven't mentioned being self conscious when you have driven those cars. As a comparatively poor person, I look the same way at a McLaren or a Ferrari like I look at a Rolls Royce. I too want nice things like that and I'm curious about those nice things and I may look at them, but I don't hate the people having them. Also, the people buying those expensive things put food on the table for the many brilliant people that make those nice things and that's a very good thing. It's a way for the wealth to trickle down. So enjoy the nice things that you have, whatever they are.

[@stefan-stocksmadesimple5241]

That thumbnail is baller

[@kracusomniax3933]

"metal wrapped in leather" like everything worth paying for should be

[@alexanderlouie4134]

Analogue buttons are on more expensive cars because they want to show you how much money has been spent on their research and development. Tech can't quite provide that level of transparency.

[@andrewhurstcars]

Superb car. Shame they didn’t manage to fit super fast 330kw charging. These will also be a great buy in a few years’ time.

[@Nyx_88888]

this is the only car that makes sense as an EV, it feels the same and rollers weren't road trip cars ever anyway

[@2bunphettered788]

12:11 min - 😄😄😄👍🏾

[@mrdurdan67]

If I were to spend 500k on a car, it better have an amazing stereo

[@The_Stanman]

I hope they checked the EQ to make sure everything was right...

[@alunjones2550]

I've got a great idea. Why don't manufacturers design affordable cars with knobs and dials and levers to give all of us that luxury feel and in the process, they can ditch the f**king IMAX screens they bolt to the dashboard as an afterthought. Am I alone in absolutely hating these over-sized screens that we don't need, that make every function ten-times harder with added grease smears for extra effect............

[@goncalo33]

Because that costs them money, thus, increasing the price of the car. Also, tech is a way to lure the Average Joe to buy a certain car.

[@alunjones2550]

​@@goncalo33 It doesn't cost them more money for the simple fact that switchgear is so cheap to make. You now have air vents that are motorised so they can be controlled on the screen, when they used to be manually operated. Why? It's the same for other controls that used to be manual. That costs money, Big screens are nothing more than fashion and marketing. It's the same with the lights. They don't need to be as complicated as they are. There are multiple ways in which manufacturers could eliminate cost by reducing the unnecessary complexity and refining their process. This would make the cars cheaper, maintenance cheaper, repairs bills cheaper and insurance cheaper. Manual controls are also more intuitive and safer to use.

[@zzhughesd]

Just look at it , opulence for those that can , what a motor

[@Mexxx65]

Lifes.....guilty pleasures Matt

[@Don-pk2uy]

Still want a twin turbo v12

[@Superduperloopo]

Batteries in the front? What?

[@Cloxxki]

222 comments as I type this. I think 0.25 drag coefficient is cool, but the EV blobs go down to 0.20. For instance the Lucid Air which does manage to look distinct from a Model S. Keep in mind, for drag force you need to multiple by the frontal surface area which in this car is substantial, SUV like.

[@r0dnee]

There's one across the street I see everyday

[@henrykrinkle1576]

Speaking of shady, a Ukraine MP just got one of these.

[@global_nomad.]

thank you for your very honest (and guilty) impressions. It is the ostentatious expression of wealth that most other cars no matter how much they cost, will never replicate.

[@Spyalarm]

Its nice, but half a mil nice?