In the last decade, luxury auto firms have pivoted sharply into real estate, opening up everything from skyscrapers to private homes. Now, you may never get to own a slice of real estate from your fave luxury auto brand, but, who says you have to? If auto-tuning businesses are a thing, custom-built homes based on luxury auto concepts can surely exist.

Wondering how to pull it off? Here are some things to consider

Consider the brand’s DNA

It goes without saying that every luxury auto brand has its unique DNA, philosophy and identity that defines it, and, if you’re absolutely in love with a marque, you most likely resonate with its beliefs and core values.

Let’s say you love Ferraris. You most likely love bold colours and designs that reflect power. Or, if Porsches are more your thing, you might be an adherent of quiet luxury with the occasional bold accents.

Should you choose to design your home or space after your favourite luxury auto, the first rule is to consider what the brand stands for and see how you can incorporate that into your home design.

Choose a specific model. Or not

Just considering the brand’s DNA might not be enough to give you the complete look you desire, so your next step is to list the specific model (s) you love from your chosen brand.

So say you adore Rolls Royce, but not all its models truly fascinate you. The design idea for your living room can come from elements in the Black Badge Wraith, and you can narrow things further in your bedroom by incorporating details from one of its unique models, like the Arcadia.

Tying design elements and choice of materials to specific models of your favourite luxury auto brand can help to give you a more interesting, creative and cohesive outcome.

Materials, materials

Here’s one truth about true luxury brands: quality materials are everything. From the richest leathers to the softest fabrics, luxury auto brands always ensure that every material put together to make their vehicles is not just premium but offers the best comfort and evokes the best positive emotions that money can buy.

Which is exactly what you have to do when designing your luxury auto-themed home. From soft leather sofas to chrome door handles, luxurious wood accents and flooring, every material used and piece added has to have the same level of premium quality as your dream auto.

Craftsmanship

Experienced and meticulous craftsmanship is another factor that sets true luxury autos apart, so get ready to invest in the services of the best in the field if you want your home to look anything like your luxury car.

Custom-built furniture is a must, as are handcrafted items like rugs and accents. Experienced artisans who are extremely detailed are also necessary to help bring your dream to life.

Include the fireworks

What’s a luxury car without the wow factor?

To get the perfect finish on your luxury auto-themed home, make sure to include standout features that tie the entire vision together, like dramatic lighting for example, or a feature wall, or even contrasting accessories and accents that would elevate the entire design and start conversations every time someone steps into your space.

Spending time with what you truly love is important, but, so also is spending time with who you love. Your beloved luxury auto should take you home and not away from it. If you find yourself spending more time in your car than in your home, then maybe it is time to bring it in with these outlined steps which is a good starter guide to designing your home interior after your favourite luxury auto.

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That is a multimillion-dollar question, and one the jury is still out, but Porsche Design thinks it may have provided the answer in its latest collaboration with Honor on the Magic V2 RSR.

Without further ado, let’s break down what its ‘answer’ looks like.

Hardware:

For smartphone companies, the intersection between creating durable yet sleek and not too heavy or bulky ‘outerwear’ for their devices is a slippery slope to navigate. Not to mention, the phones still have to have a modern aesthetic, and for pricey models like the  Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR, they have to also look like they are worth the price.

Using a mix of materials, Porsche Design appears to have navigated this slope excellently. For the screen of its version of the Magic V2 RSR, the team chose to go with a rhinopower nanocrystal glass that it says improves its resistance — up to 10 times more wear-resistant and 10 times more drop-resistant— keeping the screen like brand new even without the aid of a screen protector.

The caseback is made from a mix of plastic, aluminium alloy and stainless steel, amongst other materials, while the back-facing camera is protected by 3D glass framed by titanium. Yet, in all this, the foldable phone manages to weigh a mere 234g. For context, the Samsung Galaxy S204 Ultra weighs 233g while its Galaxy Z fold 5 weighs 253g. It may not be as light as the iPhone 15 Pro which weighs 187gms, but for a fold, the weight of the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR is impressive.

And of course, it has an IPX4 water resistance rating.

Software:

The last time anyone had the patience to deal with a slow-processing phone was at the height of the Blackberry era, and even then, we were so over it.

The Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR is fitted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that increases its maximum main frequency to 3.36GHz. Which, in layman’s terms means that the smartphone responds to actions relatively fast and without using too much battery power and overheating like a 20-year-old ‘metal mobile’ with a cranky radiator.

Camera:

No one is buying a phone with a bad camera these days. Not Gen Z, X, or any other generation alive today.

It is no surprise then that this Porsche-designed smartphone has three lenses: the ultra-wide, the wide angle and the telephoto lens with 50MP, 50MP and 20MP respectively. And its 16 MP wide-angle dual front camera means that whether you’re taking selfies or are on a video call, the camera’s quality is good enough to avoid making you resemble a pixelated cartoon character from 80s in your photos.

Memory, storage operating system and battery:

Most modern smartphones have ditched expandable external memory which means that anything less than 512gb is unacceptable unless you have a robust cloud storage space. And not even then is anything less than 512gb acceptable.

Thankfully, the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR got the memo and comes with 16gb memory and 1TB storage space. Battery is a 5,000 mAh silicon-carbon that Porsche says can keep you running for the whole day, while its OS is Honor’s MagicOS 7.2, based off on Android 13.

Aesthetics:

Of course, it would not be Porsche-designed if it did not include elements from the Porsche auto.

Borrowed elements include the Porsche-style flyine that runs the length of the phone’s back and immediately brings to mind the 911. It also helps to improve grip and handling so it isn’t just some fancy addition to remind you of a supercar.

Then there is the user interface that is once again reminiscent of the 911. The charging screen looks just like the dashboard of a Porsche auto, while the dark theme is very Porsche. Other Porsche elements appear all around, including in parts that are not immediately visible.

And even if all these were somehow missing, the fact that its accessories include a Porsche Design case, 2 chargers, 2 USB cables, a pen and case is enough proof that this Magic V2 RSR is every bit as Porsche as a Porsche. Because what mobile phone company is including all these very extra accessories?

All of which brings us to the original question: is the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR a good phone? Or is it a great phone that is a model of what a modern mobile phone should be?

The post The Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR: A Good Phone? Or a Really Great Phone? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Skiing on the snowiest mountains in the Alps; summer holidays in St Barth’s; surmounting the mighty Mount Everest; sweating it out with the Big 5 on different luxury African safaris; binging on the headiest wines in France; getting fat on culinary delights in Italy; snorkelling in the Mediterranean; luxury road trips across North America: at this point, you’ve literally run out of ideas and while you’re in dire need of a vacation, no destination or activity appeals to you.

Unless you’re trying Kalmar Beyond Adventure Trans-Africa Porsche expedition.

When Jan Kalmar started Beyond Adventure back in 2007, his goal was simple: get passionate petrolheads together and embark on daring adventures fueled by camaraderie and an intense love for racing, powered by Porsche autos specially re-engineered by Kalmar for the most extreme off-road situations.

15+ years and dozens of trips after, Kalmar is ready to take on southern Africa. The Kalmar Beyond Adventure Trans-Africa is a 19-day, 5,500km ride that would see drivers race through five African countries in the south, from Namibia to Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe before finally stopping in Botswana. The itinerary also includes shorter trips to places like Lapland and Morocco.

Like all Kalmar Beyond Adventure ‘Trans’ drives, participants can expect this to be an experience like no other. Driving through southern Africa would mean some safari, especially as the ‘rally’ is scheduled to take place in June, which is the month when the wildebeest migration takes place. (However, this only happens in Tanzania and Kenya, countries not included in the 2025 Trans-Africa adventure. The wildebeest migration also takes place in Zambia but in mid-July.)

It would also mean running into tricky situations, like encountering difficult terrains, unexpected stops and unplanned detours. Still, all these are exactly what an adventure is about, and, as stated on their website, “rest assured, the entire Beyond Adventure team will always be there from start to finish.”

Kalmar says guests will rest in “superb accommodation,” including some of southern Africa’s finest lodges and villas. Drivers will also get to choose from the Kalmar range of Porsches, or bring their own which would have to be inspected first. Halfway into the journey, participants who want to can swap their vehicles for another, making for an even more interesting and unpredictable experience.

The Trans-Africa adventure starts from €66,900 (roughly $71,600) plus taxes, but here’s the kicker: participation is by invitation only. Want to know if you’d qualify for a vacation experience like no other? Visit Kalmar Beyond Adventure for more information.

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In recent years, they have become a sort of side project for major luxury brands, including auto brands like Aston Martin, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and more recently, Mercedes Benz, all of whom have completed or are constructing luxury skyscrapers and complexes in different parts of the world.

Porsche too has taken this path, but its recent project with Austrian timber construction specialist, GRIFFNER, has seen it veer off into exciting territory that may signal the start of a new era for luxury auto-branded residential projects.

The Floating House: A Studio F. A. Porsche x GRIFFNER Exclusive Project

Over the years, prefabricated homes have been praised for their ability to be energy efficient, cheaper (due to reduced labour costs) and faster to construct, among other benefits. However, for different reasons, most tend to be rather compact, making them unattractive to homeowners seeking a much larger space.

Porsche and GRIFFNER seem to have managed to overcome this challenge.

The Floating House — the name of the Porsche-designed Prefab for GRIFFNER – is a two-storey modular residential home that gets its name from the hand-applied black glass tiles that encompass the entire exterior of the ground floor, making it almost invisible and giving the impression that the first floor is floating on air. Because it is modular, endless possibilities for customisation and extension exist, thus allowing the house to break free from the space constraints that typically keep prefabs small.

Outside, glass and wood are the major materials used in the construction of the Floating House, and these continue their domination inside, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the glass and wooden floating stairs, wooden floors and glass and wooden fixtures everywhere. The rooms measure up to 5.58 metres in height and are open-plan, making them appear even larger than they originally are.

On the ground floor are the living room, a formal dining room, an open kitchen with a breakfast bar, and a games room that comes equipped with the 247 billiard table. Upstairs are the bedrooms with large terraces for even more space.

Per Porsche, “Only authentic and sustainable materials of the highest quality, such as wood and glass, are used. The Floating House features other design highlights created by Studio F. A. Porsche from brands such as Duravit (Qatego bathroom series), LIGHT-POINT (INLAY and BLADE lighting collection), [and] HAFI (Premium Design door handles).”

How much does the Floating House cost?

Because of its modular design, you can get the Floating House in whatever size you want, including two such modules attached. The smallest version is 180 square meters (1,937 square feet) and costs €1.17 million. Any expansion to this size or further customisation would drive prices upwards, although it is not immediately clear how much this would be. Porsche says that the shell is completed in about two weeks, but the home is ready to be occupied within five to seven months, depending on the level of customisation involved.

An apartment in a branded skyscraper might not be everyone’s cup of tea, even if the brands insist that they offer the utmost luxury and privacy anyone can ever wish for. But a prefabricated home? Now, that’s entirely different, and considering that Porsche and GRIFFNER are promising endless customisation options for the Floating House that do not sacrifice luxury, branded prefabricated luxury homes might be the next hot real estate project for other luxury auto brands soon.

The post The Floating House by Porsche and GRIFFNER Might Just be the Home for You first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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[No, you’re not wrong: it is the same Binghatti working with Jacob&Co, as well as Bugatti on their own branded skyscrapers, all in Dubai.]

The world of architecture is a-buzz. Experts are debating its accessibility, aesthetics, and sustainability. First are the sceptics pointing at the real estate crisis in certain countries and wondering how easily the opulent apartments will sell out. These are followed by the purists questioning how seamlessly this gargantuan tower will blend with the existing urban landscape. Then there are the environmentalists whose questions about the environmental impact of yet another resource-consuming structure appear to be the most valid.

Finally, there’s the rest of us, the non-technical ‘inquisitors’ whose only question is why? Why are luxury auto behemoths like Mercedes-Benz suddenly raising skyscrapers and funding other real estate projects?

A little travel back in time

2020 will be the year to remember for a long time for different reasons, chief among them being the changes it forced global and local businesses to make. Almost all faced two choices – adapt or perish, and even the most traditional brands saw themselves embracing unplanned transformations.

This meant, among other things, exploring new channels of communication and commerce, adopting innovative work methods, and venturing into untapped niches destined to withstand the test of time.

It is perhaps why brands like Ferrari have been relentless in their pursuit to become full-fledged lifestyle brands or others like Aston Martin are steadily diversifying into the ever-profitable world of real estate.

Newer models offer an important lesson

2022 was a fantastic year for luxury brands, including those in the automobile business.

For example, Rolls Royce announced that it had sold its highest amount of cars ever – 6021 to be exact over 12 months. But its figures were nothing compared to Bentley which sold over 15,000 vehicles in the same period. At Porsche, it was even more impressive: 95,604 customers received their Cayennes, while 86,724 Macans were safely delivered to their owners.

One salient factor underscoring this unprecedented success was the rise of the true luxury SUV: for Rolls Royce, it was the Cullinan that brought in the most sales, while at Lamborghini, the Urus was its sales booster. As stated above, Prosche’s Cayenne probably sold the most units and although Ferrari’s Purosangue debuted later in 2022, the reception it got is a pointer to how it would have fared if it had dropped earlier.

Against this backdrop, it quickly became clear that giving customers precisely what they need, in a way that fulfils their desires and cravings is what brands must do to secure the coveted unforgettable spot in their minds.

Pivoting for success?

So it comes as no surprise that Mercedes Benz and other luxury auto brands have chosen to slap their names and logos on skyscrapers and other real estate projects in select locations. If consumers want properties that reflect the elements they love in their cars, then it only makes sense for the brands to give them what they want, right?

However, it appears it is not as simple as that.

Skyscrapers might reflect a country’s wealth and its architectural prowess, but they are expensive to build and maintain. Add to this an increasing demand to be mindful of their carbon footprint, and it is getting harder for construction companies to justify building one today. For continents like Asia with the highest number of such buildings, the government could provide financing or support, making it cheaper to take on such a project. But even that has now become scarce, and the companies who want to add skyscrapers to their portfolio today may have to self-fund or source for funds privately.

And who else again would have the huge funds required for these high-rises but luxury auto firms with fat accounts from record sales in the last 3 years?

They may be in decline now, but that does not make skyscrapers any less cheap. It also does not mean they are no longer in demand from the very demographic that luxury auto brands are also trying to target. Which is why they are a fantastic investment option: working with established real estate companies allows car maisons to take a cautious dip into the market with as little risk to themselves as possible.

Today, Mercedes Benz has joined Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin in the skyscraper standoff. More may join tomorrow. Or not. Whatever the future brings, however, it looks like luxury auto brands are hedging their bets, and for now, in real estate.

The post Accelerating Success: Why Mercedes Benz and Other Luxury Auto Brands Are Building Skyscrapers first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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The pioneer of electric luxury auto-inspired yachts?

Electric nautical vehicles are not new. Every shipyard from Arc to Duffy, Candela and Iguana has been building electric vessels for some time now, whether it is the hybrid 2015 Savannah superyacht or Hinckley’s all-electric Dasher Yachts which debuted 2 years after.

However, in spite of the ubiquity of luxury ‘autoyachts’, mass-produced, electric-powered nautical vessels from automakers have been non-existent, until now. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is the first fully electric yacht made in collaboration with a luxury car brand that is not a one-off model.

Built by Frauscher Shipyard, powered by Porsche

This new electric boat from Porsche and Frauscher is based on the Frauscher 858 Fantom Air daycruiser, with the same 8.67-metre long and 2.49-metre wide hull. But that is where its similarities stop.

Porsche has fitted the 850 Fantom Air with its Premium Platform Electric (PPE) drive technology, the same tech its future all-electric Macan will use. What this means is that it will be powered by “the lithium-ion high voltage battery with a total capacity of around 100 kWh, a permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) of the latest generation, and the related power electronics.”

Porsche’s 800-volt technology also means that the boat can be charged at fast DC-charging stations, although this does not eliminate AC charging. Equipping the 850 Fantom Air with both charging options translates to increased flexibility for its owners, giving them peace of mind that they would not be stranded no matter where they are.

Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air: an e-Porsche for the seas

For now, neither brand has confirmed top speeds or range. But, considering its powertrain, we should expect top speeds of up to 20knots and a range of about 60nm.

Porsche is however promising that the same features that distinguish its fully-electric Taycan sports saloon were put at the forefront of the manufacturing of the boat which are “impressive acceleration, abundant pulling power, superior, continuously available performance, and inspiring design.”

“Our boat is perfect as a daycruiser for a relaxed swimming trip, for example, or as a tender for a super yacht to make an excursion to a coastal town,” further confirms Stefan Frauscher, CEO of Marketing & Sales at the Frauscher Shipyard.

If this sounds good to you and you are looking to snag one for yourself, you would have to hurry: Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will be limited to only 25 units and can be pre-ordered from Frauscher.

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Tierra Viva — a luxury auto-inspired real-estate concept like no other

In the last five years, luxury automakers from Bentley to Aston Martin, Porsche and even Bugatti have debuted several residential properties in America, the Middle East and Asia. All of these projects have either been high-rise buildings, as in the Bentley Residences in Miami, or, single private properties like the Aston Martin № 001 Minami Aoyama in Japan.

Lamborghini however chose to take a different path in its latest foray into this niche: the Tierra Viva is a collection of 53 two-storey villas on a hillside, making it more like a luxury community concept than simply a large building with different luxury apartments. Each of the houses will be “carefully constructed at different levels on the hills to ensure every villa enjoys endless panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea,” explains Dar Global.

Unlike other auto-branded real estate properties featuring shared amenities like plunge pools, each of the 53 villas will come with its own rooftop swimming pool and sprawling garden. It is not immediately clear if there would be shared facilities such as a communal gym and spa, but, it may be safe to say that based on the overall concept, it would not be unlikely.

One luxury village, different living options

According to both brands, the Tierra Viva villas are divided into three distinct types: Diamante, Zafiro, and Esmeralda. The smallest is the Esmeralda which offers four bedrooms in addition to other features and amenities. Zafiro would have five bedrooms while Diamante is the largest with six bedrooms in total.

Whatever your choice, expect the best of the best of the best luxury accents and touches – Lamborghini would be in charge of the design – from marble floors to fine leather detailing and floor-to-ceiling glazing. Each of the villas will be perched atop a basement and garage so that you can have ample space to park all your autos away from the beautiful, natural views.

A new location with endless possibilities

Although this is not Lamborghini’s first residential project – it unveiled a 40-unit housing project in Dubai in 2021 – this is its first real estate project in Europe. So far, Europe has not been the most popular location for luxury brands to try out their residential projects and it remains to be seen how well Lamborghini’s first attempt will be received.

The Tierra Viva is located in the tranquil town of Behanavís near Marbella, on the south coast of Spain, and overlooks the Mediterranean. Residents of the villas will have easy access to an array of nearby attractions, including the pristine beaches, the vibrant Puerto Banús, the illustrious Marbella Club Golden Mile, and the captivating Marbella Marina.

There is no fixed date for its completion, but, if Lamborghini’s Dubai real estate project is anything to go by, we will know soon enough, by which time all the units may have been snapped up.

The post Lamborghini Unveils Tierra Viva, Its First Luxury Real Estate Project in Europe first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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The Bentley Residences Miami is certainly making a hard case for this. Since the building project was revealed back in 2021, Bentley, together with partner, luxury property specialist Dezer Development, has announced exciting new features that make the apartments in the residential complex the ultimate luxury maison to retire to every day or relax in during vacations.

First, Bentley said that each of the 216 apartments would include a generous view of the Atlantic Ocean via floor-to-ceiling windows that have the added advantage of bringing in as much light as possible. But since constantly viewing the outdoors from inside is never enough, “expansive balconies, each with its own private, heated swimming pool” were added so that residents get a chance to actually enjoy the open air when they get tired of staying indoors without leaving their condos.

However, high-rise luxury beachfront apartments are probably a dime a dozen in Miami, so Bentley decided to sweeten the deal. While you may not find this added feature altogether necessary, the fact that it even exists is a very good indicator of the kind of innovation that would be present everywhere in the apartment complex. The feature? The ‘Dezervator’, a patented elevator that takes you and your car directly from the lobby to your floor.

If you’re still reeling from this last information, Bentley is here to keep you grounded with other more commonplace, shared amenities such as a wellness centre and a spa; a games room complete with VR headsets, simulators for golf and driving (of course!), and, a cigar lounge and restaurant for relaxing and entertainment.

But as you may have noticed, luxury and ordinary do not generally mix well, which is why the auto brand has now decided to throw in yet another bespoke offering: residents at the Bentley Residences Miami will be able to exclusively enjoy dishes from chef Todd English. The celebrity chef has joined the concept as a partner to deliver “seasonal menus that will make dining at Bentley Residences a joy for residents and their guests.” Although the restaurant will be for residents only, it will also be available for private catering and poolside dining.

If you’re not already sold on the idea of getting an apartment at the Bentley Residences Miami, don’t worry: with everything on offer so far, it is safe to say that the British automaker still has more exclusive features coming up to help you make up your mind. Thankfully, the building is set to open in 2026, so there is still plenty of time to explore its many amenities while you come to a decision.

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Rolls Royce

The British brand, according to an official press release, had its highest-ever annual sales in 2022. It sent out a total of 6,021 cars, the first time in its 118-year history it has exceeded 6000 deliveries in a 12-month period.

This increase is not limited to just one model, although the Cullinan topped the list of the ‘most in-demand Rolls Royce.’ Its Bespoke commission has also received increased patronage, mostly from the Middle East.

Bentley

Bentley’s growth started in 2021 when it delivered 14,659 cars, up from 11,206 cars the previous year. And it did not stop in 2022. With a total of 15,174 deliveries, not only did it smash its 2021 records, but it also created a new a new one: it would be the first time the luxury automaker would surpass 15,000 deliveries in a single year.

Like Rolls Royce, Bentley’s success can be attributed to the Bentayga, its luxury SUV. The highly celebrated model accounted for a whopping 42% of sales, while the bespoke Mulliner programme also contributed to the high numbers.

Lamborghini

A 10% increase in deliveries meant that Lamborghini successfully got 9,233 of its cars to their owners, up from 8,405 the previous year.

In what is now a clear denominator across all luxury auto brands, increased demand for the Urus Super SUV is the major reason for this number.

Porsche

The German luxury brand managed to deliver a total of 309,884 vehicles in 2022 to its customers worldwide, representing a 3% increase from the previous year.

Again, the brand’s SUVs are primarily to thank for this success story: the Porsche Cayenne went out to 95,604 customers, while 86,724 buyers took delivery of their Macans in the same year.

How were luxury auto brands able to record such high sales in 2022?

According to industry experts, recessions or periods of economic volatility cause the rich to store their wealth in alternative assets like autos, jewellery and high-end timepieces to safeguard it against fluctuations. Since these assets tend to hold and even surpass their value over the years, it comes as no surprise that luxury cars enjoyed unprecedented sales in 2022.

Another reason proposed is that an increase in disposable income from the 2020 wealth surge means that the affluent have more than enough money to get themselves whatever they desire, hence the increase in the purchase of luxury items, including cars, which is considered a ‘wise’ way to dispose of extra funds.

In the end, however, it appears that the answer is the principle behind every successful business: give people what they want while communicating your product’s unique and life-changing value, and they would pay you whatever you ask for. In other words, when people can connect real, tangible value to a product, they go all out to get it.

Nearly all the luxury car brands that experienced an uptick in sales/deliveries in 2022 have an SUV in their lineup. Clearly, luxury auto enthusiasts want utility vehicles that marry performance with high-end features, and these brands have successfully delivered.

2022 was clearly the year for luxury car brands and you might be wondering if their winning streak will continue into 2023. It is still too early to tell, but with the demand for luxury EVs rising, and with these auto brands rushing to deliver what is for some their first electric marques, the answer might very well be ‘yes.’

The post Why did Luxury Car Brands enjoy such High Sales in 2022? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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Rolls Royce is not the first luxury auto brand to have an EV model. BMW has the i-series, and Porsche has the Taycan. But, over the years, the British brand has managed to create truly luxurious and spectacular marques that its entrance onto the EV scene is a big deal, as big as the size of the tyres on the Spectre.

Rolls Royce will have you know that, although it is not the first luxury brand to have a fully-electric model, the idea itself is not s stranger to the brand. In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, bought an electric vehicle named The Columbia Electric Carriage. His experience with it caused him to say, “The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration. They should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” Charging stations have been around now for more than a century – after all, the early electric vehicles had to be charged – so, what stopped Rolls Royce from entering the fully-electric space since?

“The customers always said: it has to be a Rolls-Royce first, electric second,” explains Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Apparently, Rolls-Royce has now found the sweet spot between luxury and sustainable solutions.

From the outside, the Rolls Royce Spectre resembles the image of the yet-to-be-confirmed Droptail, but, until the latter is brought to life, it is safe to say that the Spectre retains the physical structure of a typical Rolls Royce while still being different enough to be a truly unique marque.

For starters, the Rolls Royce Spectre is a sleek coupe, perhaps so designed to make it fast enough in spite of its weight. It retains the Greek Temple grille, but this is wider than any other grille on a Rolls Royce. The reason for its massive width is not to cool the engines but to reduce drag which it achieves with its smoother and flusher vanes.

Like the Phantom, the Spectre has been fitted with split headlights with daylight running lights on top and the main lights below which protrude from darkened chromium housings that give them a smokey, enigmatic look. When it is dark, the grille softly lights up with 22 LEDs illuminating the sandblasted rear side of each of the vanes, further conferring upon the coupe an air of luxury. Its 23-ich wheels take it from a mere luxury EV to a luxury coupe that is not to be messed with.

Inside, the luxury theme continues. For the first time on a series production Rolls-Royce, Spectre is available with Starlight Doors, which incorporate 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars’. If you would rather not have so many lights in your vehicle, you can go with the option of wood Candel Panelling. Don’t worry, you would not miss out on much: the passenger side of the dashboard is fitted with the Spectre nameplate surrounded by a cluster of over 5,500 stars.

Spectre comes with a digitalised dashboard named Spirit that manages its functions and is seamlessly integrated into the marque’s Whispers application, allowing clients to interact with their auto remotely, and receive live information curated by the marque’s luxury intelligence specialists. Clients can choose to customise the colour of the dials to complement the interior hue of their EV, which includes seats that have a ‘lapel,’ a dart of upholstery that gives another option for contrast detailing.

According to Rolls Royce, the entire design of the Spectre was inspired by different arts including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. In conceiving the principal sketches for Spectre, the marque’s creatives were drawn to modern yacht concepts, specifically the clarity and precision of line, intelligent use of reflection and application of taper to emotionalise silhouettes.

The Rolls Royce Spectre will run on BMW’s latest cell type, uniquely shaped to fit the marque’s floor. The motors too come from BMW, the EESM type that uses no rare earth metals and is efficient at high speeds. It is expected to have a range of 320 miles/520 kilometres and should achieve 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds). With a four-wheel steering system, adaptive dampers, air springs and a Planar system that enables the wheels of the vehicle to act independently on imperfect roads, owners are assured of a smooth, truly enjoyable ride.

The Rolls Royce Spectre is set to hit the market in Q4 2023, and in spite of its starting price tag of $413,000, Müller-Ötvös has confirmed that more than 300 US buyers have paid the initial deposit even before they saw the EV. Like Müller-Ötvös, it is possibly clear to avid enthusiasts of the brand that “Spectre is the most perfect product that Rolls Royce has ever produced.”

The post The Rolls Royce Spectre, the Luxury Auto Brand’s First-Ever EV, is here! first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Rolls Royce Spectre, the Luxury Auto Brand’s First-Ever EV, is here! appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.