Rolls-Royce to go all-EV by 2040, keep V12s as long as possible


The company vows to keep V12s “as long as it is legally allowed to offer them.”

Rolls-Royce has outlined a vision for an electric future, expecting regulatory pressure to force a complete shift to battery power by 2040.

Speaking to Financial Times, Rolls-Royce chief Torsten M?ller-?tv?s said the British luxury marque expects Europe’s proposed bans on diesel and gasoline vehicles to eventually expand to its other key markets — the US and even the oil-rich Middle East.

The executive clarifies that Rolls-Royce does not plan to willingly drop its V12 engines, which have become a core element of the automaker’s high-end brand identity. In fact, the company believes its cars are so exclusive they represent negligible environmental impact.

“We will definitely offer 12-cylinder engines as long as we can, as long as it is legally allowed to offer them,” he said. “But electrification is the future, full stop. You need to prepare yourself for that.”

The company isn’t exactly opposed to electric powertrains, however, as battery propulsion meshes with the brand’s focus on powerful cars with ultra-quiet cabins.

“Electrification actually fits extremely well with Rolls-Royce because it’s silent, it’s powerful, it’s torquey, so in that sense it’s a very good fit,” he added.

Rolls-Royce is not rushing into the EV push, leaving a vague decade-long window to introduce its first all-electric luxury car. A far-flung Vision Next concept was unveiled two years ago alongside equivalent futuristic concepts for all BMW Group brands.

The company vows to keep V12s "as long as it is legally allowed to offer them."

Rolls-Royce has outlined a vision for an electric future, expecting regulatory pressure to force a complete shift to battery power by 2040.

Speaking to Financial Times, Rolls-Royce chief Torsten M?ller-?tv?s said the British luxury marque expects Europe's proposed bans on diesel and gasoline vehicles to eventually expand to its other key markets -- the US and even the oil-rich Middle East.

The executive clarifies that Rolls-Royce does not plan to willingly drop its V12 engines, which have become a core element of the automaker's high-end brand identity. In fact, the company believes its cars are so exclusive they represent negligible environmental impact.

"We will definitely offer 12-cylinder engines as long as we can, as long as it is legally allowed to offer them," he said. "But electrification is the future, full stop. You need to prepare yourself for that."

The company isn't exactly opposed to electric powertrains, however, as battery propulsion meshes with the brand's focus on powerful cars with ultra-quiet cabins.

"Electrification actually fits extremely well with Rolls-Royce because it's silent, it's powerful, it's torquey, so in that sense it's a very good fit," he added.

Rolls-Royce is not rushing into the EV push, leaving a vague decade-long window to introduce its first all-electric luxury car. A far-flung Vision Next concept was unveiled two years ago alongside equivalent futuristic concepts for all BMW Group brands.

etetewtgae

Top Rated

error: Content is protected !!