Ultra-luxury automaker Rolls-Royce has confirmed it will pursue the development of electric vehicles. A trademark filed last year hinted at this future development. With a similar BMW model in development, enthusiasts can make some predictions about the mysterious Silent Shadow.
The first EV from the bespoke brand is on its way
The first hint that an electric Rolls-Royce was on the way came in 2020. BMW, the parent company of Rolls-Royce, filed a trademark for the name Silent Shadow. The soundless moniker implies the new model will make no sound, something only possible with electric motors.
In May, the brand officially confirmed its intentions to enter the digital arena. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes told Bloomberg: “Electrification fits perfect with Rolls-Royce, it’s torquey, it’s super-silent. We are not known for roaring loud engines and exhaust noises whatsoever, and that is a big benefit.”
The recent announcement of the Dawn and Wraith’s discontinuation left a conspicuous hole in the Rolls-Royce lineup. Could the Silent Shadow move in to replace the brand’s two-door offerings? Electric cars can undoubtedly offer the acceleration and performance expected from a luxury coupe.
The BMW i7 gives clues about the Silent Shadow
Rolls-Royce has released few details about the Silent Shadow, but another model provides some insight. The brand’s first dedicated all-electric model will be developed alongside the BMW i7.
Stats for the BMW i7 provide some baselines for what the Silver Shadow should be able to do. The new model will be built on a Phantom platform, modified to handle the weight of an EV battery system. That battery system will likely have a capacity similar to the BMW i7’s 120 kWh to bear the weight of a Phantom-sized vehicle.
The Silent Shadow is expected to have a range in the 400-mile range. The new model will likely be as powerful as the i7, if not more so. The i7 puts out 640 hp. The Silver Shadow will probably pack a similar punch if it doesn’t out-perform its BMW cousin.
The Silver Shadow’s price tag will likely cause some sticker shock
No one sets out to get a bargain on a Rolls-Royce. These handmade cars are chosen for their excellence and opulence, not value. An electric model will likely be even more costly than combustion engine models.
On average, the typical EV costs between 10% and 40% more than a comparable ICE option. It’s hard to say how closely a bespoke vehicle will follow the pricing trends of mass-production cars. The two production processes are wildly different.
Buyers can use the Phantom’s starting price and EV pricing trends to make an educated guess about how much the brand may charge for the Silent Shadow. Rolls-Royce offers the Phantom starting at $455,000. A 10%-40% increase would mean the EV could cost between $500,000 and $637,000.
These figures are based on informed speculation, but Rolls-Royce will be releasing hard details later in the year. Until then, lovers of the brand are left to wonder about what will likely be the most expensive production EV ever made.
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