BMW files to trademark 'Silent Shadow' name – UPDATE: Rolls-Royce electric vehicle confirmed

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Rolls-Royce has not released details for an electrified platform, but last week said it hoped to launch a zero-emission vehicle by the end of the decade.

 

UPDATE, 1 June 2021: Rolls-Royce will launch an "all-new" model wearing the 'Silent Shadow' nameplate, CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes reportedly told Bloomberg overnight.

 

Mr Mueller-Oetvoes simultaneously confirmed rumours the brand was working on an electric car, and strongly insinuated this was the vehicle that would wear the aforementioned badge.

 

However, he did not reveal when the model was slated for launch. He has previously been quoted as saying the BMW-owned luxury marque hoped to unveil a zero-emission offering before "the end of the decade."

 

CarAdvice has reached out to Rolls-Royce's Australia arm for further comment. This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

 

William Davis

UPDATE, 19 January 2021: Sources at Rolls-Royce have all but confirmed the company's intention to launch a fully-electric model.

 

British publication Autocar is reporting an electric Phantom prototype is being tested by Rolls-Royce in Munich, at the headquarters of its parent company, BMW.

The Silent Shadow will potentially be offered in both rear- and all-wheel drive, with a driving range tipped at more than 500km.

 

Insiders have also hinted at a battery-powered Cullinan SUV arriving in the coming years, potentially sharing its powertrain with the recently-unveiled BMW iX.

In November 2020, rival Bentley announced its entire model range would use all-electric powertrains by 2030.

 

Ben Zachariah

 

29 September 2020: BMW has filed to trademark the name 'Silent Shadow' in Germany, suggesting that a long-rumoured all-electric Rolls-Royce could be further into development than we previously thought.

 

The paperwork tells us the designation is for "automobiles and their parts," but does not specify the project for which it is destined.

 

Regardless, it's hard to imagine the name – which is reminiscent of the 20th century's Silver Shadow – ending up anywhere else.

 

The German-owned British manufacturer has not released a launch dates or specifications for an electrified platform, however last week vowed to release a zero-emissions car "by the end of the decade."

 

Rolls-Royce built two generations of the Silver Shadow, between 1965 and 1980.

A total of 30,057 examples were produced, making it the brand's most successful car up to that time.

 

Last month, CarAdvice reported that British conversion specialists Lunaz was in the process of electrifying 30 examples Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Phantom V.

 

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