Page 59 - The Book For Men Fall/Winter 2023

haps the most noteworthy new feature inside the cabin is the extension of the brand’s iconic, high-intensity LED “Starlight” headliner all the way to the doors. It’s a magical experience, cruising down a winding road in the dead of night, surrounded by a sparkling simulacrum of the Milky Way. That said, it would be hard to resist any of the beautiful wood veneer options, adornments also offered across the doors and throughout the rear cabin (which is itself more luxury lounge than car interior).
After a day driving the Spectre, it’s not difficult to imagine how one might benefit from owning one. The cosseting silence would come in handy during your commute, especially after a long day at work, and its resplendent style would work wonders to elevate a night on the town or when hosting a weekend getaway — for up to four adults. Your author is 6’5”, and was comfortable in the backseat, which is nothing short of remarkable.
During the course of the last decade, it’s become increasingly important for carmakers to flex their technological chops — and not just regarding drivetrains. Rolls-Royce has long been revered for its “magic carpet” ride quality, and the Spectre continues to refine this feature. It is, simply put, the smoothest-riding vehicle we have ever driven. And, while this may be a case of diminishing returns (a Range Rover is 95% as smooth as the Spectre, but it’s that last 5% that a Rolls-Royce customer both expects and is happy to pay for), the effect it offers is often uncanny, even otherworldly. A suite of cameras, wheel sensors, and GPS
operate in unison to ensure everything is working smoothly; anticipating what the suspension must do to smother any and all road imperfections. You’ll spot faults and flaws on the road ahead, but never feel them. And that disconnect is astonishing.
The range of an EV has also become an inescapable metric for these cars, and the Spectre’s (at around 500 kilometres) was set to ensure it equalled Rolls- Royce’s gas-powered models. In Europe, where grand touring is a legitimate way to travel, 500 klicks will get you from one truly excellent hotel to another — and in a different country, no less. According to Rolls-Royce’s prospective EV customers, this is a reasonable distance to travel without charging and could get you from Cannes to Como in one journey. Worst case scenario: you’re forced to throw in a ten-minute splash of fast-charging at a French highway service while sipping an excellent coffee.
Of course, with a price tag of half a million dollars, the Spectre costs a fair few cappuccinos. But it’s the ultimate expression of fine craftsmanship and bespoke possibility — the epitome of getting what you pay for — and represents irrefutable value for those who can afford it. In a few years, all Rolls-Royces will be electric and, while the V12 will always be held in high esteem by brand enthusiasts, the Spectre heralds a future in which exceptional motoring will not only be more refined than ever, but also simultaneously made sustainable for the sake of generations to come.
59