Rolls-Royce Spectre concludes winter testing in Sweden

Rolls-Royce announces that its upcoming EV, the Spectre, has just finished its winter testing in the frigid regions of Arjeplog. The Spectre was put through its paces at the British luxury carmaker’s bespoke facility in Sweden, just 55 kilometers away from the Arctic Circle where temperatures drop to -26 degrees Centigrade and are further cooled to -40 degrees Centigrade.

“The announcement of every new Rolls-Royce motor car carries a great weight of expectation, but Spectre is unquestionably the most anticipated product in the marque’s modern history. This is because it is much more than a product. It is a symbol for our bright, bold electric future, and it represents a seismic shift in our powertrain technology,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

“It is for this reason that we have created a testing program 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 kilometers, which is a simulation of more than 400 years of use for a Rolls-Royce. Today, I can confirm that 25 percent of this journey is now complete, and the results have met our most ambitious expectations,” added the Rolls-Royce boss.

There are several reasons why the Westhampnett-based automaker subjects its vehicles to such extreme tests. Harsh environment testing allows engineers to ensure each system in the prototype units will perform according to its design.

These assessments include basic evaluations such as noise, vibration, and harshness tests as well as complex examinations like checking the vehicles’ chassis control systems, powertrain management, and electronics control.

“Refining the all-electric drivetrain that underpins Spectre challenges the very definition of engineering. The departure from internal combustion engines allows us to significantly increase the processing power of our individual components and create a Decentralized Intelligence. We refer to this unprecedented era, where we benefit from a multi-control, multi-channel, and highly interconnected electronic and electric powertrain architecture, as ‘Rolls-Royce 3.0,’” said Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering Mihiar Ayoubi.

The Rolls-Royce 3.0 Ayoubi refers to is the term the marque uses when talking about its bold electric future. The introduction of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, its first fully-electric offering, marks the brand’s initial advance in the luxury electric vehicle segment.

That said, Rolls-Royce is putting all its efforts into making sure that the Spectre will live up to the brand’s reputation for creating what is regularly described as “the best cars in the world.”

“Our task is to teach each component and system how to think, behave and communicate like a Rolls-Royce, which sees much of the engineering pivot from workshops into the digital space. Here in Arjeplog, we have built a significant foundation on which we will create a true Rolls-Royce. This is a big step forward for our brand, but also for electrification — even though Spectre is in its infancy, I can confirm that the technology is able to contain the Rolls-Royce experience,” Ayoubi added.

With the winter testing phase completed, Spectre will continue its global testing program. The Electric Super Coupé still has to complete nearly two million kilometers before the marque’s engineers will consider this undertaking complete prior to the first customer deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Photos from Rolls-Royce

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