There are few cars in the world that can exude luxury like a Rolls-Royce does. With the magic carpet ride, a cabin that cocoons you into isolation and the famed starlight headliner – a Rolls would make even a luxury limousine like the Mercedes S-Class feel pedestrian. Although the company has been known for leapfrogging its way into the higher echelons of the luxury car segment, the marque now has its sights set on electrification, with the first electric Rolls expected to be out before the end of this decade.
When you think of Rolls Royce, you immediately picture the Phantom and the Ghost. Both these cars make their occupants feel comforted in the lap of luxury, with their exquisite interiors and exceptional refinement. The brand is now moving its lineup further into the future, making the switch to electric powertrains in its cars. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “In April 1900, our founding forefather, Charles Rolls, made a prescient prophecy about automotive electrification. Move forward over 120 years to when I made a public promise, on the record, that we would bring the first fully electric Rolls-Royce to market within the current decade.” The company has also confirmed this new Rolls-Royce will be an all-electric, battery-powered vehicle and not a hybrid of any kind. It is confirmed that the electric Rolls will be launched and it is expected to meet the brand’s technical, aesthetic and performance standards.
It’s not just now that Rolls-Royce has been embracing the electrification of its motor cars, with one of the founders, Henry Royce himself being very interested in electric power. Being one of the world’s first electrical engineers, Royce strived to build internal combustion motors that would be smooth, refined and vibration free, something that we associate with the electric motors of today. While the history of Rolls-Royce is a diverse subject in itself and deserves its own space entirely, the fact that one of the world’s most iconic brands is embracing the future is a reflection on how the automotive industry has evolved over the years.
As for the all-electric Rolls-Royce – we cannot wait to see it in the flesh, with the prospect of a super-luxury car cosseting you even further being far too appealing!