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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Before Muscle Had a Name: These Classic V8s Wrote the First Chapter
It's generally agreed upon that the 1964 Pontiac GTO was the car that popularized the muscle car segment, but there were other muscle cars before it. Some say the 1949 Oldsmobile 88 was the first muscle car, and Hagerty says Jim Wangers, the man who turned the GTO into a superstar, wrote in his memoir that Chrysler built the first muscle cars. It doesn't really matter who was first: the point is that there were multiple American cars with powerful V8s long before the GTO came along. Let's look at some of the best. Obviously, we needed to focus on models produced before the 1964 Pontiac GTO. By using reputable automotive publications such as Hagerty, Hot Rod, MotorTrend, and Autoevolution, we identified classic cars that combine powerful V8 engines with performance-oriented features. These sources provided detailed specifications and historical context of pre-GTO performance cars, helping us understand how they contributed to the evolution of muscle cars. Not all the cars here are muscle cars in the traditional sense, i.e., two-door midsize models, but they were still a huge part of what was to come in the mid-1960s. The Oldsmobile Rocket 88 is often considered the first muscle car, and it's easy to understand why. Autoevolution reports that Oldsmobile built it to attract younger buyers, so they gave the lightweight midsized car a 303 V8 engine with a two-barrel carb, resulting in a respectable 135 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of power, the 2-door 88 would launch to 60 mph in 13 seconds and continued going until it hit its 97 mph top speed. It went on to dominate the NASCAR circuits, and people bought it in droves. Not everyone agrees that the Rocket 88 was the first muscle car! Some will say the honor should go to the 1955 Chrysler C-300, the first of the brand's letter series models. According to Curbside Classic, its name comes from the fact that its Fireflite 331 Hemi V8 produced a whopping 300 hp — even the Corvette with the small-block V8 only had 195 hp at the time. In 1955, the Chrysler C-300 was the most powerful American car money could buy, and it went on to completely dominate NASCAR that year. It would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 9.8 seconds, had a 130 mph top speed, and in the following years, it would only get more powerful. IndieAuto reports that the Hawk was the 1950s equivalent of a mid-sized car, and weighing in at 3,360 lbs, the V8-equipped, top-of-the-line Golden Hawk was lightweight for a car from this era. Under the hood, the Golden Hawk had a Packard 352 V8 producing 275 hp, giving it the best power-to-weight ratio of any mass-produced American car at the time. The big V8 was found to be overwhelming for the light cars, leading to mixed reviews, and MotorTrend said the tires struggled to find grip. Still, once the tires did dig in, the Studebaker Golden Hawk would reach a top speed of 120 mph. AMC didn't have the money or manpower of the Big Three, but they did have bucket loads of chutzpah and certainly deserve some credit for putting muscle cars on the map. One such car was the 1957 AMC Rebel. Packing a 255-hp 327 V8 into a midsize body, the 1957 Rebel was a formidable performer. According to Curbside Classic, it blew away the competition at the Daytona Speed Trials, proving itself as the quickest production sedan there. According to Automobile Catalog, Plymouth introduced the Fury V-800 in 1957. Unlike the other Chrysler divisions, they chose not to use a Hemi engine; instead, they opted for a 318 engine featuring a polyspherical cylinder head, as referred to by Chrysler. Still, in the Fury V-800, this mill pumped out 290 hp, making it plenty quick. The Plymouth Fury also received new styling for this year, and while it was available in different body styles, none looked as good as the big-finned, two-door version with a gold spear on its flanks. Autoevolution reports that 1957 marks the first year Chevrolet offered fuel injection on a car that wasn't the Corvette, and that honor went to the stylish Bel Air. Under the hood, it still has the Rochester Ramjet 283 mill, but it now featured a continuous flow fuel-injection system, showcasing advanced technology for the time. Whereas the standard 283 had a four-barrel carb and mustered around 220 hp, Audrain Auto Museum claims the Fuelie version produced a very respectable 283 hp. This luxury cruiser wasn't just about chrome and tailfins! The Adventurer was fast, flashy, and exclusive, giving DeSoto a halo car that could go toe-to-toe with the best from Chrysler and Dodge. One of the things that made it so good was found under the hood. As reported by Autoevolution, the DeSoto Adventurer packed a 345ci Hemi V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors, resulting in a whopping 345 hp. It was one of the first production cars to achieve one horsepower per cubic inch. All this power was sent to the rear via a three-speed automatic transmission. Today, the Adventurer is often overlooked, but it was a beast in its time. Granted, the Ford Thunderbird wasn't a muscle car; it was a "personal luxury car," but in 1958, it did receive a rear seat, and up front, it was certainly packing a punch. MotorTrend was so pleased with its stylish looks, cavernous interior (for its size), and excellent performance, they made it their Car of the Year. Speaking of performance, a 352 V8 pumped out 300 hp, and the following year, Ford even offered it with a 430 unit housing 350 wild stallions. In 1958, Dodge offered the D-500 high-performance engine option for all its models and body styles. This was Dodge's answer to the horsepower wars. As per Mecum, with the Super D-500 option box ticked, the 1958 Dodge was fitted with a 345ci V8 with dual four-barrel carbs, pushing 320+ hp. With upgraded suspension and brakes, the D-500 was more than just a straight-line machine, it could go around corners, too. A rare factory hot rod that hinted at the muscle cars to come. With all its straight lines and big fins, the 1959 Pontiac Bonneville certainly looks like a product of its era. Autoevolution reports that this full-sized behemoth was available in both coupe and convertible form for those wanting sportier looks, and a 4-door and wagon if practicality was prioritized. Under the hood, the Bonneville had a 389 V8 available with varying degrees of power depending on carburation, ranging from 215 to 345 hp. It also had a wide-track design to improve handling, and a limited-slip diff was available as an option. As reported by Autoevolution, the 1961 model year marked the debut of the third-generation Chevy Impala. Chevrolet also offered a performance package for its full-size model, which was a first for an affordable 1960s car. This Super Sport, or SS, package included chassis reinforcements, heavy-duty springs, and upgraded drum brakes. It had a four-barrel 348 V8 with 305 hp as standard, as well as an optional four-barrel version with 340 hp or a tri-power with 350 hp. Those looking for maximum performance would opt for the brand-new 409 unit with 360 ponies. The 1961 Starliner was a sleek two-door hardtop model with a fastback roofline, built to slice through the air as one of Ford's NASCAR racers. Hot Rod reports that, at the time, the Starliner 390 was the only Ford that could be ordered with an optional performance package. That package included the 390 big-block with 10.5:1 compression, a solid lifter camshaft, a special heavy-duty block, and magnafluxed crank, pistons, and connecting rods, for a total of 357 hp. Ford didn't end things there, though. Buyers could also opt for a tri-power setup, pushing the power to 401 hp. The icing on the cake? It could only be had with a four-speed manual transmission. According to Autoevolution, Pontiac's management decided to build a race car that qualified as a "stock" model for both NASCAR and NHRA racing — the Catalina Super Duty. On the outside, there wasn't much that separated it from the standard model, but looks can be deceiving. The Pontiac Catalina Super Duty was a proper race car with an aluminum front clip and drilled frame rails to reduce weight. Pop the hood, and you'll be greeted by a 421 V8 engine pushing out 405 thoroughbred American ponies. It may have been a luxury icon, but according to AutoEvolution, the Continental packed a punch with its 430-cubic-inch V8 pumping out 300 horsepower. Sure, it certainly wasn't a drag racer, but it brought torque in spades and effortless cruising power. As an added bonus, those rear-hinged doors gave it serious street presence. The Lincoln Continental packed American muscle in a tuxedo, as it was as powerful as it was classy. As stated by Curbside Classic, the Dodge Max Wedge ruled the drag strip for a couple of years, until the 426 Hemi arrived in 1964. According to Volocars, Dodge only built 55 Dart 2-door Max Wedges in 1962, making it excruciatingly rare. Seeing as Dodge built it specifically for those who wanted to go racing, it's no surprise that it packs a serious punch. While it was never a big seller, it's fair to say that the Dart Max Wedge 413 is one of the models that ushered in the 400+ hp muscle car era. Dodge wasn't the only company under the Chrysler umbrella to use the Max Wedge mill. Plymouth installed it in its mid-sized Fury model, and like the Dodge, it was a factory racer built for straight-line speed. HotRod says that, unlike the Pontiac GTO, the Max Wedge cars, while technically road-legal, were sold with the understanding that they were strictly for competition use, although many were still used on public roads. The 1962 Chevrolet Impala is one of the most popular American classics. Autoevolution reports that this was the year it received a convertible-style roof, making it an instant hit. However, we're more interested in what's hiding under the hood. A new 327 small-block was brought in to replace the 4-barrel 283, but more importantly, buyers could now spec their Impala with a massive 409 V8, producing either 380 or 409 hp, depending on the carb. Chevy also built a Lightweight model that shed 125 pounds, and thanks to dual four-barrel carburetors, new cylinder heads and pistons, its 409 V8 engine was officially rated at 425 hp. According to Hemmings, Henry Ford II was determined to build something that would dominate the competition, and the answer came in the form of the 427 V8. Of course, they just had to offer it in the full-size Galaxie flagship model. In R-Code spec, the 425 produced a whopping 425 hp, more than enough to send the big brute flying. In fact, the Galaxies secured a 1-2 finish at the 1963 Daytona 500 and even set Ford's first national record ever in NHRA Super Stock drag racing. Don't worry if you can't remember the Plymouth Savoy; most people have forgotten about it by now. But, there was one version that's worth remembering. We've mentioned the Max Wedge engine previously, but the one found under the '63 Savoy's hood turned everything up to 11. As reported by Autoevolution, when it was first introduced, the Max Wedge measured 413 cubic inches, but in 1963, it was increased to 426, the same as the famous Hemi unit that would make its debut the following year. In the Savoy, the Max Wedge produced 415 hp, and only 18 units are known to have been made. In 1963, the Impala was in its third generation, and Chevrolet introduced a high-performance version under what's known as Regular Production Option (RPO) Z11. The Impala Z11 was only available as a two-door hardtop, as it was based on the Sport Coupe version, and Car and Driver says it added nearly a third to the car's price. Under the hood, the Z11 had a 427 V8 that received multiple upgrades. The engine was based on the W-series 409 unit but had a longer stroke, a different compression ratio, a two-piece aluminum intake manifold, and dual Carter AFB carburetors. It produced 430 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, making the Z11 a proper sleeper. Exterior-wise, it had aluminum body panels but not much else to hint that it was something special. The Riviera was GM's first entry into the personal luxury car market, and automotive journalists loved its sharp styling, luxurious interior, agile driving dynamics, and powerful V8 engine. As noted by Autoevolution, the Riviera name had previously been used as a trim level on the Buick Roadmaster and Super models. For 1963, the Riviera was a standalone model, and while it may have been more of a luxury car than all-out muscle, it was the perfect option for driving enthusiasts. Inside, it had bucket seats in the front and bucket-style seats in the back. Under the hood, it had a Nailhead V8 with 325 hp when it was launched, but a 425 V8 with 340 hp was made available a couple of months later. The Golden Hawk wasn't Studebaker's only performance model with a superhero-like name. In 1963, as the company neared its final days, it introduced the Super Lark. Studebaker basically took the Avanti's supercharged 289ci engine and shoehorned it into the rather boring Lark. With 290 hp, a lightweight body, a limited-slip diff, and front disc brakes, Street Muscle Mag says the Super Lark was nothing like the base model. As per How Stuff Works, Buick dusted off the Wildcat name from a series of one-off concepts from the '50s and introduced it in 1962 as a subseries of the Invicta, before the Wildcat became its own line in 1963. Under its hood was a Wildcat 455 V8, a 401-cubic-inch mill producing 325 hp, delivering impressive performance for its time. As noted by Motortrend, the Wildcat combined full-size comfort with spirited driving dynamics, making it a noteworthy precursor to the muscle car era. The 1963 Mercury Marauder, a full-size Mercury model, introduced a fastback roofline and the Marauder nameplate, which was initially a sub-model of the Monterey, Monterey Custom, and S-55 lines. It featured a variety of powerful FE V8 engines, including the 406, offered in 385 and 405 horsepower versions. While it looked conservative, the Marauder was a legitimate street and strip contender. It was also popular in NASCAR, proving its high-speed credibility as Parnelli Jones drove it to victory, as reported by How Stuff Works. Mercury later revived the Marauder name for a different, high-performance model in 2003. While the 1964 Pontiac GTO deserves endless credit for kickstarting the muscle car craze of the mid-'60s and early '70s, several models before it actually created the segment, even if they weren't called muscle cars. We've barely scraped the surface in this article, so if you feel some models were left out, let us know in the comments.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Best Looking Commuter Cars From The 1990s
Most of the time, when car enthusiasts talk about beautiful cars, their minds immediately go to sports cars, luxury cars, and even supercars. If you're anything like me, you've probably told yourself that it sounds silly to label commuter cars and economy cars as beautiful, or even good-looking, for that matter. While I still can't bring myself to do that even today, I can say with certainty that we've seen some fantastic-looking economy cars and commuter cars over the past few decades. The '90s were just one of many highlights. You've either seen the original Renault Twingo as a meme on the internet, or maybe you grew up in Europe and saw them around town. Launched in the early 90s as Renault's entry-level small car, the Twingo became an instant hit due to its fantastic, characterful design. The bubbly headlights, the tiny dimensions, that instantly recognizable cabin air vent on the hood, the short overhangs, one wheel at each corner, it was all there. The Twingo was a pioneer in the world of cutesy automotive styling, and it's such an icon that Renault is getting ready to bring it back as an EV. Mercedes-Benz had quite the idea to shake up the small car market back in the '90s. As Autoevolution tells us, it struck a deal with Swiss watchmaker Swatch to create one of the most revolutionary cars the world has ever seen. The Smart Fortwo, originally the Smart City Coupe, launched in 1998 and became pretty popular in Europe. An absolute masterclass of design, the original Fortwo was super distinctive and just looked fun. The impossibly short length, the tall proportions, the wheels at each corner, the bubbly headlights in the facelift version — it was unlike anything the world had ever seen before. After a 40-year production run, Ford finally replaced the compact Escort with the original Focus in the late 1990s, at least in most of the world. It set the hatchback world on fire, quickly becoming a bestseller in the UK and all over Europe. A brand-new model meant totally new styling. The Mk1 Focus was one of the first Fords in Europe to debut the Blue Oval's New Edge design language, and it definitely worked with the shape of the Focus. The design was also highly functional, including very high-mounted taillights to ensure maximum visibility. To sweeten the deal, the Mk1 Focus was also great to drive. Even Jeremy Clarkson loved it! Also called the Bora in Europe, the Mk4 Jetta was a huge hit in North America. This was one of the last VWs to carry the 1.9 TDI turbodiesel in North America, which everyone knows now as a reliability powerhouse. The styling was mostly Mk4 Golf, with a trunk on the back instead of a hatch, and a mildly restyled front end. For as simple as it was, it totally worked. Even in stock form, the Mk4 Jetta was subtly good-looking, made only better by the addition of exterior mods. Finally, something that should be very familiar to Americans and Canadians: The EM was the chassis code for the sixth-generation Honda Civic coupe, which was sold alongside the four-door sedan and the three-door hatch throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Some readers likely have fond memories of driving the EM1 Civic Si in Need for Speed Underground 2. It's a popular car for crazy exterior mods, but if we set those aside for a moment, the Civic coupe is a bit of a style icon. Sure, it's still a Honda Civic, but it's clean, simple, and effective. One of the most infamous cars to come out of the 90s, the third-generation Ford Taurus is well-known in the car community for its unusual and, according to most people, badly executed rounded design. While the sedan mostly deserves the criticism, the wagon is a different story. For some reason, when you add a longroof body to the otherwise bizarro third-gen Taurus, it really works. Japan loves these things, which is why you often see them with some pretty heavy exterior mods over there. The third-generation Taurus wagon is rare, but it's worth a second look if you do see one. There's one in Japan with three-spoke wheels, and it looks absolutely glorious. Before we got the revived Dodge Charger, the Intrepid took care of sedan duties in the Dodge lineup. As Car and Driver tells us, it rode on the same LH platform as the more luxurious Chrysler LHS, but it was a cheaper and less luxurious alternative. The second-generation Intrepid was pretty ordinary and nothing to write home about, but the first generation was really rather cool. Nowadays, you might see a similarly styled car on a cyberpunk-themed poster, or maybe on Pinterest. That's not a bad thing at all, as anything cyberpunk is cool. One of the longest-lasting cars in American automotive history, the Ford Thunderbird went through eleven generations before being discontinued in the mid-2000s. The retro-styled final Thunderbird wasn't particularly well received, so it's time we gave the tenth generation some love. While the Turbo Coupe did not come back for this generation, as reported by The Truth About Cars, the Super Coupe used a supercharged V6, and you could even get it with the Modular V8 from the Mustang. The tenth-generation Thunderbird was a very simple design, but it had a lot of presence, and the proportions were just right. It may not be that much of a commuter car, but it certainly is in comparison to a supercar or sports car. The 1990s were the last hurrah of the old-school American full-size sedan, notably GM's B-body sedans. The B-body platform has quite the story, as told by Curbside Classic. Along with the Chevy Caprice, Americans said their last goodbye to the Buick Roadmaster. The nameplate briefly returned to the Buick lineup in the early '90s, and this would be the last car to wear the badge. You could get the Roadmaster as a classic sedan, sure, but that's no fun. You could also get it as a wagon, and isn't this just one of the coolest wagons you've ever seen? Clean lines, insane length, and, of course, the fake wood panels. You could carry an absurd amount of stuff, and while it was nothing special back in the day, it has aged exceptionally well. Before Suzuki withdrew from the US and Canada altogether, it was really trying to make it big. The Vitara was an obvious choice to bring over, but it was initially sold under GM's Geo brand as the Geo Tracker. As CarExpert tells us, this is one of the many GM brands that were sent to the chopping block. Eventually, the US and Canada came to know it as the Suzuki Sidekick. It may not be a Jimny, but the Suzuki Sidekick is a brilliant piece of design, regardless. It screams, "Look, I'm an off-roader, too!" The chunky tires, the big fender flares, the boxy design, the spare tire on the back — it's all there. Suzuki did an excellent job with the design, which is why the Sidekick remains a pretty popular small off-roader even today.
The National
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge review: The 'best car in the world' gets better
Ever driven a Rolls-Royce on a racetrack? Let me guess – your answer is probably 'no' followed by 'why would I'? And asking why is reasonable, considering the 120-year history of the luxury motoring brand. For most of that time, these were cars to be driven by a professional chauffeur. But over the past 20 years, things have changed. Now, most owners prefer to be behind the wheel for, perhaps, the smoothest drive to be found anywhere. The brand itself calls it the 'magic carpet ride'. While the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge , the newest vehicle in its line-up, still offers the signature magic carpet ride, it is also the most powerful car that the brand has produced. A high-performance version of the all-electric Spectre released in 2023, this is a car begging to be pushed to its limits – complete with two new power-train features that allow drivers to utilise the car's full capabilities. The car produces 659hp and 1075Nm of torque, an upgrade from the Spectre's 576hp and 900Nm. The new Infinity mode allows access to the full power and throttle response, and Spirited mode enables acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. To accommodate those demands, Rolls-Royce has resigned the chassis, given the car a heavier steering feel and enhanced roll stabilisation – with dampers added to enhance body control. As I drive the car on a racetrack outside of Barcelona, it's immediately clear that the accomplished engineering can keep up with the brand's boasts. While this will never be confused with a car built for the track – it's far too heavy to ever feel natural to that environment – it holds its own, while never losing the road feel that the brand is known for. The main question is my mind, however, was not whether the car could live up to its performance claims. I was concerned, rather, that it would have the same neck-snapping acceleration feel of many performance EVs that boast instant torque delivery. Cars such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire can go from 0 to 100km/h in 2.07 seconds. And that kind of acceleration isn't just uncomfortable – it's apparently dangerous, with Autoevolution reporting that it could even result in mild concussions. But even in Infinity and Spirited modes – I pushed the acceleration from 0 to 165km/h on the straight – the car preserved the thrilling, joyous feel of a V12 engine. Even as I dodged traffic cones in an obstacle course at 50km/h, the car adapted, slowing to a comfortable speed the more I pushed it back and forth. Rolls-Royce has always been a brand built on feel. The primary concern has been to make the ride as serene as possible. While it is built to last – an estimated 75 per cent of the Rolls-Royce vehicles ever produced are still on the road today – this brand has also been continuously refined to keep up with the times. The brand's first two electric vehicles feel like a natural evolution rather than a significant departure, which is an impressive engineering accomplishment. Even the performance modes in the Spectre Black Badge are in line with the brand's heritage. They are inspired by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine found in the Spitfire fighter planes of Second World War, which offered modes that allowed pilots to engage extra thrust in life-and-death situations. While the loud roar of a combustion engine is so thoroughly missed in other leading luxury brands that have produced electric vehicles, the whisper-quiet Rolls-Royce is built for the EV era. That's why the brand plans to make all its fleet electric by 2030. The Rolls-Royce Spectre has passed the first test with flying colours – with some car reviewers even labelling it the best car in the world. The performance-minded Spectre Black Badge is arguably the bigger test and, even at its limits, it measures up. I suppose that makes this the new champion – and a sign that the electric future is probably brighter than some sceptics, myself included, believe it to be. Pre-orders for Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge are open now, with deliveries expected this year.
The National
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Rolls Royce Spectre Black Badge review: The 'best car in the world' gets better
Ever driven a Rolls-Royce on a racetrack? Let me guess – your answer is probably 'no' followed by 'why would I'? And asking why is reasonable, considering the 120-year history of the luxury motoring brand. For most of that time, these were cars to be driven by a professional chauffeur. But over the past 20 years, things have changed. Now, most owners prefer to be behind the wheel for, perhaps, the smoothest drive to be found anywhere. The brand itself calls it the 'magic carpet ride'. While the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre, the newest vehicle in its line-up, still offers the signature magic carpet ride, it is also the most powerful car that the brand has produced. A high-performance version of the all-electric Spectre released in 2023, this is a car begging to be pushed to its limits – complete with two new power-train features that allow drivers to utilise the car's full capabilities. The car produces 659hp and 1075Nm of torque, an upgrade from the Spectre's 576hp and 900Nm. The new Infinity mode allows access to the full power and throttle response, and Spirited mode enables acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. To accommodate those demands, Rolls-Royce has resigned the chassis, given the car a heavier steering feel and enhanced roll stabilisation – with dampers added to enhance body control. As I drive the car on a racetrack outside of Barcelona, it's immediately clear that the accomplished engineering can keep up with the brand's boasts. While this will never be confused with a car built for the track – it's far too heavy to ever feel natural to that environment – it holds its own, while never losing the road feel that the brand is known for. The main question is my mind, however, was not whether the car could live up to its performance claims. I was concerned, rather, that it would have the same neck-snapping acceleration feel of many performance EVs that boast instant torque delivery. Cars such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire can go from 0 to 100km/h in 2.07 seconds. And that kind of acceleration isn't just uncomfortable – it's apparently dangerous, with Autoevolution reporting that it could even result in mild concussions. But even in Infinity and Spirited modes – I pushed the acceleration from 0 to 165km/h on the straight – the car preserved the thrilling, joyous feel of a V12 engine. Even as I dodged traffic cones in an obstacle course at 50km/h, the car adapted, slowing to a comfortable speed the more I pushed it back and forth. Rolls-Royce has always been a brand built on feel. The primary concern has been to make the ride as serene as possible. While it is built to last – an estimated 75 per cent of the Rolls-Royce vehicles ever produced are still on the road today – this brand has also been continuously refined to keep up with the times. The brand's first two electric vehicles feel like a natural evolution rather than a significant departure, which is an impressive engineering accomplishment. Even the performance modes in the Black Badge Spectre are in line with the brand's heritage. They are inspired by the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine found in the Spitfire fighter planes of Second World War, which offered modes that allowed pilots to engage extra thrust in life-and-death situations. While the loud roar of a combustion engine is so thoroughly missed in other leading luxury brands that have produced electric vehicles, the whisper-quiet Rolls-Royce is built for the EV era. That's why the brand plans to make all its fleet electric by 2030. The Rolls-Royce Spectre has passed the first test with flying colours – with some car reviewers even labelling it the best car in the world. The performance-minded Black Badge Spectre is arguably the bigger test and, even at its limits, it measures up. I suppose that makes this the new champion – and a sign that the electric future is probably brighter than some sceptics, myself included, believe it to be. Pre-orders for Rolls-Royce Black Badge Spectre are open now, with deliveries expected this year.
