With a name right out of James Bond, the Spectre. One man's opinion

DESIGN CRITIQUE by Wallace Wyss
This is a conservative design, stretching the boundaries a lot less than, say, Cadillac's Celestiq, But it is an important car in RR history--their first all electric. All my opinions are based on photographs--I am sure seeing it in person will change my opinion. But many are going to order theirs based on pictures so I'll venture some opinions.

FRONT Disappointed in the 'false" grille (not going to a radiator, there is no radiator) stopping at the bumper, as if to say "Enough already with this useless fake radiator. " I think some Lincoln Continentals had a similar radiator that gets chopped off at the bumper. The headlights are also veiled somewhat and less prominent in the design than in RRs in the past.

SIDE A dramatic profile, with a proper mount of hood length considering it isn't needed in an electric (is it hiding a 'frunk?")The brushed metal side trim round the rear of the rear 3/4 windows gives the roofline more drama. Wheels are a horrible "busy" look fighting the minimalism of the body design.

REAR Unfortunate decision to make rear taillamps "mimic" the front Parthenon grille results in wimpy whitish lamps with no distinctive shape. Even where they are placed is arbitrary. There is solid color two tone, with the publicity photos showing a black roof, black trunk lid and black bonnet on gold cr.

INTERIOR Two tone steering wheel sporty, like a man's dark jacket with white piping. Red line cross dash could be illuminated as on some Mercedes. Radio still has goof old fashioned knobs. And where's the wood? (or is that black material wood? Hard to tell) the stars on the ceiling have now migrated to the doors--something you expect in a carnival ride. A gimmick carried to the extreme.

IN SUM A timid design, when they had the chance to make a bolder move to establish themselves at the pinnacle of electric luxury. Still time to save it, the taillights an easy fix, the wheels a one day change but might take a couple years to change the headlights, to "bring them in" to the design. But a drophead version would get the most attention--the first electric super luxury car drophead. And I love the name--right out of a James Bond movie title...

THE AUTHOR Wallace Wyss (rhymes with "reese" has guest lectured on design history at Art Center College. His radio show Autotalk (KUCR FM Riverside) discusses new cars and classics and his oil paintings of classics are now regularly seen at Mecum auctions.

A NOTE ON DROPPED ANONYMITY I used to hide behind my FC moniker until i recently noticed they discreetly put your real name on each message you post, so why bother going incognito?
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