Rolls-Royce Spectre undergoes extreme hot weather testing

Rolls-Royce announced that the Spectre electric vehicle (EV) is currently undergoing extreme hot-weather tests in two locations in South Africa: Augrabies in the Northern Cape; and Franschhoek, the “French Corner” in the Western Cape Winelands.

Per the British luxury automotive brand, the abovementioned hot-weather test is the third phase of the most rigorous testing program Rolls-Royce has implemented in its automobiles in its 118-year history.

“Spectre has already secured its place as the most anticipated Rolls-Royce in history. This remarkable and transformative motor car represents the beginning of the marque’s bold electric era as well as our unquestionable technological leadership of the super-luxury space. Equally, this vast, ambitious, and demanding testing process symbolizes our promise to ensure Spectre is undoubtedly a Rolls-Royce first. A profound aspect of our approach to this precious brand is to inspire greatness in everything we do and with Spectre, we are elevating the automotive experience to unparalleled heights, creating a new benchmark of distinction. It is the fulfillment of this promise that underpins the marque’s ongoing success and drives our constant focus to meet, and exceed, the expectations of our discerning clients,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

Rolls-Royce explained that the two aforementioned locations provide some of the finest summer-weather driving conditions in the world. The Northern Cape offers extremely dry, hot, and humid temperatures while the South provides the testing team with Mediterranean-style weather.

In addition, the said locations host a great variety of surfaces and terrains, including twisting country roads replete with gravel, dust, and dirt.

Here, engineers are observing and refining every system, hardware item, and software protocol that has been developed over the course of almost two million kilometers of continuous testing. Only through such painstaking assessments, the London-based carmaker said, can Rolls-Royce’s technical experts achieve the exacting levels of ride refinement that are so central to the experience beloved by clients and successfully translate the marque’s defining “Magic Carpet Ride” to the new all-electric paradigm.

Current adjustments being made to the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV — which wears an updated version of the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot — include finessing the car’s regenerative braking, tuning its anti-roll stabilization, calibrating the coordination of its interior lighting, and tweaking its aero-acoustic performance.

In South Africa and throughout the remaining program, the audio system will also be adjusted.

“The reason for our extraordinary and restless global testing process is simple: there has never been a motor car like Spectre before. As the first all-electric Rolls-Royce, Spectre represents not just a new paradigm in our technology, but the entire future direction of our brand. Only Rolls-Royce engineers could conceive this astonishing journey, and only Rolls-Royce engineers could undertake it: the task is not to test a motor car but to elevate the benchmark of automotive excellence,” commented Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Director of Engineering Dr. Mihiar Ayoubi.

To date, the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV coupe has now covered almost two million kilometers in testing across the globe.

Photos from Rolls-Royce

Also read: 

Rolls-Royce reveals history behind name of upcoming Spectre

Rolls-Royce Phantom ‘The Six Elements’ raise over $1-M for charity

Rolls-Royce mascot is now 112 years old