“No in-between steps for us,” says CEO.
“Compromise” is not something that Rolls-Royce is familiar with. The revered British uber-luxury marque, known throughout the world for its fastidious deliverance of luxury travel, has clarified that hybrid technology is not something that they would look into, as it believes that its customers would not be too accepting of the “compromise” that comes with it.
The statement comes from Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Otvös, who also made it clear that while hybridisation is not something that the Goodwood brand would consider, electric vehicles are very much on the firms’ horizon. “Electrification is the way forward,” he said, “and there will be no in between steps for us like hybridisation. It [electric] is the propulsion system for the future, make no error. There is a time - nobody can predict when - when there will be no combustion engines. That will take a long, long time. But it will happen.”
Speaking to the media at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Rolls-Royce boss was surprisingly candid about how the brand sees itself and how it will pursue the future. “The Rolls-Royce brand is not, in a way, a game-changer when it comes to revolutionary technology. Our customers are doing so for reasons of utmost luxury, so there can be no imperfections. Compromises when it comes to technology, or operating our products, are unacceptable. People are more interested in highly reliable substance than to be a test field for new technology.”
There’s little doubt that when Rolls-Royce turns the corner into electrification, it will be calling upon parent company BMW for guidance and technical support, with the German manufacturer making significant headway as it makes its way into the electrified future. Rolls-Royce has, at least, shown us its intent on electric propulsion, exhibited in its Vision 100 concept that was released to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the BMW Group. Interestingly, the Vision 100 concept also featured autonomous driving capabilities, which Müller-Otvös said is not a significant priority for the marque.
“For our customers, it’s not really a requirement because many have chauffeurs.” Figures. “I haven't had a single customer say to me, ‘Torsten, when is the autonomous Rolls-Royce coming?’”
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