A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Historical comparison
Every selected record is historical. Verified South African specifications and last-listed prices remain available for owners and used-car shoppers.
Rolls-Royce Spectre
Discontinued model
2026
Rolls-Royce Wraith
Discontinued model
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Spectre holds a noticeable edge over Wraith, especially in key ownership areas.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Spectre
+3 pts
Efficiency
Spectre
+59 pts
Safety
Spectre
+23 pts
Practicality
Wraith
+3 pts
Ownership
Equal
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Spectre
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFuel Efficiency
Wraith
Strengths
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to:Family Usage
Which One's Right for You?
Spectre
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Wraith
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Model Introduced Year
2024
2013
Generation
Original Spectre (RR25), the first series-production fully electric Rolls-Royce
First-generation Wraith fastback coupé; this profile uses the May 2016 World technical specification aligned with the April 2016 South African 6.6T V12 listing.
Facelift History
Original South African-market Spectre; succeeded in the Johannesburg range by Spectre Series II in 2026
No facelift attribution is made; this archive profile is tied to the May 2016 World technical specification rather than the different 2013 launch figures.
Facelift Launched Since
Original South African version
2016
Facelift Version Ending
2026
2023
Body Style
Coupe
Coupe
Model Year
2024-2026
2016
Production Status
discontinued
discontinued
Segment
Ultra-luxury electric super coupe
Ultra-luxury grand tourer
Vehicle Type
Battery-electric passenger car
Passenger car
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Drivetrain Layout
Front and rear electric motors
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
8-speed automatic / 8HP90
Final Drive Ratio
8.77:1 front / 8.77:1 rear
2.813
Number of Gears
1
8
Transmission Type
Automatic single-speed
8-speed automatic / 8HP90
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Drivetrain
Full-time all-wheel drive
RWD
4WD Engagement
Full-time
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
8-speed automatic / 8HP90
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front- and rear-axle electric motor arrangement
Two axles
Transmission Speeds
1
8
Gear Shift Type
Column-mounted selector
Automatic with Low selector mode; no manual override
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
6.99 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
4.59 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
10.10 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
83 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
EU5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
No automatic engine stop/start
Average Fuel Consumption
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
6.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC (South Africa)
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Combined Consumption
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
Not Applicable
14.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
83
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
580.42 km (calculated theoretical)
Electric Consumption
22.2-23.6 kWh/100 km WLTP
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
338 km
Not confirmed
Range Real World Mixed
459 km
446.61 km
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Airbags
8
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Dynamic Stability Control (ESP)
Traction Control
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not confirmed
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard; electric parking brake with automatic hold
Child Safety Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
ISOFIX Mounts
Rear ISOFIX child-seat anchorages
ISOFIX child-seat preparation
Brake Assist
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front passenger
Front seat-belt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Front Park Distance Control
AEB
Standard
Not confirmed
BA
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Head and curtain airbags
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard; electric parking brake with automatic hold
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Optional
Not confirmed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear pretensioners; force limiters on the front positions
Front and rear
Side Airbags
Standard
Front-seat side airbags
TCS
Standard
Dynamic Traction Control
Knee Airbag
Standard
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Driver and front passenger
Front seat-belt warning sensor
Stability Control
Standard
Dynamic Stability Control (ESP)
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Active Cruise Control
Lane Keep Assist
Active Lane Centring
Available – steering-wheel vibration warning
Lane Departure Warning
Active Lane Centring
Available – steering-wheel vibration warning
Blind Spot Monitoring
Optional
Not confirmed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Optional
Not confirmed
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Front and rear Park Distance Control
Rear View Camera
Standard
Rear-view camera
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Front, side, rear and top-view camera system
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not confirmed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not confirmed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Not confirmed
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear Park Distance Control
Reverse Camera
Standard
Rear-view camera
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Active Cruise Control
Park Assist
Standard
Front/rear parking assistance with surround-view camera
Around View Monitor
Standard
Front, side, rear and top-view camera system
Blind Spot Warning
Optional
Not confirmed
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Visual and audible iBrake warning
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Seat Material
Leather
Natural-grain leather
Heated Seats
Front heating standard; rear heating optional
Heated front seats
Ventilated Seats
Available
Optional front ventilated seats
Ambient Lighting
Bespoke Starlight Doors and Illuminated Fascia available
Optional 1,340-fibre Starlight Headliner
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power adjustable with memory
Electric front seat with memory and massage
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power adjustable with memory
Electric front seat with memory and massage
Seat Trim
Leather
Hand-stitched natural-grain leather
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic four-zone climate control
Power Windows
Power front windows
Two one-touch power windows
Keyless Entry
Standard
Comfort Entry keyless access
Push Button Start
Standard
Keyless ignition
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not confirmed
Sunroof
No — fixed conventional roof only
Optional fixed glass roof
Electric Tailgate
Power-operated bootlid
Power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Automatic four-zone climate control
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Length
5490 mm
5285 mm
Width
2015 mm
1947 mm
Height
1575 mm
1507 mm
Wheelbase
3210 mm
3112 mm
Doors
2 doors
2 doors
Front Headroom
1006 mm
1002 mm
Payload Capacity
510 kg
450 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
83 l
Kerb Weight
2890 kg
2360 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
0 kg
Rear Headroom
940 mm
941 mm
Front Legroom
1059 mm
1054 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
146 mm
149 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
380 l
470 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3400 kg
2810 kg
Seating Capacity
4 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Minimum Turning Radius
6.35 m
6.35 m
Rear Legroom
Not confirmed
937 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not confirmed
149 mm
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Engine
Dual separately excited synchronous electric motors
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
Cylinders
Not Applicable
12
Valves
Not Applicable
48
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
10.0:1
Drive Type
AWD
RWD
Top Speed
250 km/h
250 km/h
Engine Code
Not Applicable
N74B66A
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
V
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Twin Turbocharged
Bore
Not Applicable
89 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
88.3 mm
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Low
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
6592 cc
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
8-Speed Automatic
0-100 km/h
4.5 sec
4.6 sec
Battery Capacity
105.7 kWh
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
195 kW
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Maximum Power
430 kW
465 kW @ 5600 rpm
Maximum Torque
900 Nm
800 Nm @ 1500-5500 rpm
Motor Type
Separately Excited Synchronous
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front + Rear
Not Applicable
Quarter Mile
12.0 sec
12.5 sec
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
148.8 kW/tonne
197 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
311.4 Nm/tonne
339 Nm/tonne
Usable Battery Capacity
102 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
NCA
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
376.4 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
530 km (WLTP combined)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
22 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
5 h 30 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
34 min (10-80%)
Not Applicable
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Apple CarPlay
Supported
Not confirmed
Android Auto
Supported
Not confirmed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Hands-free calling and audio streaming
Number of Speakers
16
18
Digital Instrument Cluster
SPIRIT digital architecture with configurable instrument-dial colour
Classic analogue instruments; no tachometer
Infotainment System
SPIRIT digital architecture with Whispers app integration
Navigation and media interface with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller and touchpad
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument display
10.25-inch high-definition display
Touchscreen
10.25-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument display
10.25-inch high-definition display
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
USB audio connections in the centre console and glovebox
Tyre mobility kit with sealant and inflator; no spare wheel
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Wheel Rim Size
22-inch base fitment; 23-inch wheels available
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with self-levelling air springs and continuous electronic damping
Rear Suspension
Multi-link air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with self-levelling air springs and continuous electronic damping
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Battery Warranty
15 years, unlimited mileage, standard for new and existing Spectres
Not confirmed
Service Plan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
4 years, unlimited kilometres
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
327 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Not Applicable
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Spec
Spectre
Wraith
Ownership Role
Historical South African new-vehicle derivative; no verified local historical list price was published
Historical South African new-car derivative documented locally from 2013 and still offered new in 2020; the March 2022 global order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
🏆Rolls-Royce Spectre
wins with 80 pts
vs 65 pts for Wraith
In structured scoring, Spectre emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Wraith may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Spectre edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Spectre 90 vs Wraith 31. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Spectre 99, Wraith 76. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Spectre 44, Wraith 44. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Spectre 55, Wraith 58. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Spectre 100, Wraith 97. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Spectre edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Spectre scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Spectre and Wraith in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Spectre scores 100 vs 97.
Efficiency: Spectre scores 90 vs 31.
Safety: Spectre scores 99 vs 76.
Practicality: Spectre scores 55 vs 58.
Ownership: Spectre scores 44 vs 44.
Final structured scoring gives Spectre
the advantage in this comparison.
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