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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces a new expression for Phantom Series II

ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM: A NEW EXPRESSION

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces a new expression for Phantom Series II. Adaptations to the eighth-generation Phantom include ‘light-touch’ visual and aesthetic enhancements in line with client requests and feedback.

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces a new expression for Phantom Series II
  • Adaptations to the eighth-generation Phantom include ‘light-touch’ visual and aesthetic enhancements in line with client requests and feedback
  • New ‘Rolls-Royce Connected’ feature seamlessly links Phantom with the marque’s private members’ Application, Whispers
  • Launch is commemorated with a new Bespoke masterpiece, Phantom Platino

“Phantom occupies an unrivalled position at the very apex of the luxury world. As our pinnacle product, it represents the very best of Rolls-Royce design, engineering and craftsmanship – a perfect blend of vision, creativity, the finest materials, skill, patience and precision.

With Phantom Series II, we have retained and carefully protected everything our clients love about this superlative and luxurious item; subtle, yet meaningful enhancements reflect their evolving tastes and requirements.

“Phantom has always been viewed as the ‘best car in the world’: our Bespoke capabilities mean that, for our clients, it can be the best car for their world, too.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce products enjoy an expansive lifetime, ultimately becoming timeless expressions of good taste, beauty and luxurious perfection. Phantom occupies a unique, pinnacle position in this regard, being revered for its timeless elegance.

The eighth-generation of Phantom was presented in 2017. In creating the new expression, Rolls-Royce designers and engineers have been guided by the requests of clients, who have implored Rolls-Royce not to make any major changes to an already iconic motor car. In answer to these client demands, only the lightest of design touches, embellishments, and adaptations have been incorporated. Indeed, it is not about what should be changed, but in fact, what should be preserved and protected.

A NEW EXPRESSION

The most obvious and important feature to be retained is Phantom’s commanding presence. This has been further enhanced by a new polished horizontal line between the daytime running lights above the Pantheon Grille. This gives Phantom a new and assertive modernity, reflecting its driver-focused character.

A subtle geometric change to the Pantheon Grille makes the ‘RR’ Badge of Honour and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot more prominent when viewed from the front. The grille itself is now illuminated, a feature debuted and popularised in Ghost. The headlights are graced with intricate laser-cut bezel starlights, creating a visual connection with the Starlight Headliner inside, and adding further surprise and delight to Phantom’s night-time presence.

Phantom’s side profile retains Rolls-Royce’s signature short front and long rear overhang, long wheelbase and broad c-pillar, the latter giving greater privacy for occupants. The silhouette preserves the elegant key lines running from the Spirit of Ecstasy to the tapering rear tail. The ‘split-belt’ line begins at the front fender and curves gently towards the rear door, emphasising the car’s long dash-to-axle proportions, before falling gently towards the lantern-like rear lamps. The heavily undercut ‘waft line’ creates a strong shadow, visually signalling the marque’s unequalled ‘Magic Carpet Ride’.

The side profile is further enhanced with a suite of new wheels. A 3D, milled, stainless steel wheel with triangular facets is available to commission in a fully or part-polished finish. Alternatively, Phantom may be graced with a truly elegant disc wheel, recalling the romance of 1920’s Rolls-Royce motor cars. This disc wheel is produced in both polished stainless steel and black lacquer, perfectly encapsulating the sense of flight on land.

Responding to Phantom clients who have previously requested a darkened chrome grille surround, black bonnet reins, windscreen surround and side frame finishers, these may now be commissioned. This aesthetic now enables Rolls-Royce to transform Phantom into the lightest of light or the darkest of dark appearances.

Phantom’s sumptuous interior remains almost unaltered: the steering wheel has been made slightly thicker, providing a more connected and immediate point of contact for the owner-driver.

Phantom and Phantom Extended have distinct characters of their own, representing two different seats of power. Phantom is now predominantly favoured by the ever-increasing number of clients wishing to be in the driving seat themselves. For those preferring to command the road from the rear seat, Phantom Extended offers the definitive super-luxurious chauffeur-driven experience.

ROLLS-ROYCE CONNECTED

Now, Phantom includes the debut of ‘Rolls-Royce Connected’. This enables the owner to send an address directly to the motor car from Whispers, the Rolls-Royce private-members’ Application, providing seamless navigation to an event, restaurant, dealership or even the Home of Rolls-Royce itself.

‘Rolls-Royce Connected’ also displays the motor car’s location, security status and current ‘health’ condition on Whispers; at the touch of a button, the owner can contact a preferred dealership for any servicing requirements or information about the car.

THE ‘POLES OF LUXURY’

As the marque’s pinnacle product, Phantom attracts an elite stratum of Rolls-Royce clients. Established and successful, at the top of their field and often in the public eye, these are determined and demanding people. It is no coincidence that Phantom attracts the most ambitious and challenging Bespoke commissions ever undertaken by Rolls-Royce.

The resulting creations − each an artistic masterpiece in its own right − illustrate a broader truth: since its inception, Phantom has always been whatever the client wants it to be; not only the ‘best car in the world’, but the best car for them and their world.

Self-evidently, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Phantom client. Spanning the ‘poles of luxury’, they may be ever-younger or older, modern or traditional, self-made or from long-established wealth. Their commissions reflect a full spectrum of interests and influences. At one extreme, Phantom takes on a subversive, almost rebellious character – youthful, dynamic and daring. At the other, Phantom transforms into an ode to luxury grandeur and timelessness.

The challenge of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective is to accommodate this vast expanse of client characteristics and desires in one pinnacle product. The eighth-generation Phantom has thus been deliberately designed to offer a ‘blank canvas’ for Bespoke personalisation, capable of becoming whatever the client wishes it to be, and a true reflection of their individual style and character.

Phantom’s great strength and appeal is that it allows clients to position themselves anywhere between these ‘poles of luxury’, defining luxury on their own terms. And wherever that point happens to lie, they have the assurance that Phantom itself is − technically, materially, aesthetically and dynamically − still the ‘best car in the world’.

PHANTOM PLATINO: THE RETURN OF FINE TEXTILES

To mark the introduction of Phantom Series II and to illustrate Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke capability, the marque has created a new Bespoke masterpiece, Phantom Platino, named after the silver-white finish of the coveted and precious metal, platinum.

Phantom Platino continues Rolls-Royce’s exploration into fabric interiors, a story which began in 2015 with the launch of Serenity, a truly Bespoke Phantom with a hand-painted, hand-embroidered silk interior. Heralding the next step in this significant journey, Phantom Platino introduces materials other than leather, an area of exploration for Rolls-Royce and a move that demonstrates a greater acceptance of alternative interior upholsteries.

Echoing the marque’s formative days, the front seats of Phantom Platino are finished in fine Rolls-Royce leather, while those in the rear are upholstered in fabric.

The beautiful tone-on-tone of Platino’s interior is achieved by combining two differing fabrics; one created in an Italian mill for its durable yet luxurious appearance, the other derived from bamboo fibres, selected for its lustrous finish.

Both materials share an original repeating pattern based on an abstract interpretation of the Spirit of Ecstasy. In the silken textile, the design is smaller and woven into the fabric to create a more visually stimulating finish. It also appears in Phantom’s Gallery, right in the occupant’s line of sight, and on key touchpoints such as the armrest and centre console. The bamboo fabric is embroidered with larger icons, presenting a tufted appearance commonly found in interior design. This more resilient material is placed on the lower elements of the interior where they will need to withstand most contact.

The same design also appears on Phantom’s dashboard timepiece. The surround is made from a 3D printed ceramic, a truly contemporary execution of a traditional material. Set into an iced finish woodset, the tonal properties of the interior take Phantom to a beautiful and unsurpassed level of opulence.

The largest canvas in Phantom is the Starlight Headliner. In a unique design created especially for Rolls-Royce Platino, the ‘stars’ are placed to draw the eye rearwards, with whimsical shooting stars following the sweeping arc of the pattern.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, says, “We are acutely conscious of our clients’ esteem for and love of their Phantoms. They felt it could not be improved; but while naturally respecting that view, we believe it is always possible, indeed necessary, to gently go further in our pursuit of absolute perfection.

“The subtle changes we have made for the new Phantom Series II have all been minutely considered and meticulously executed. As Sir Henry Royce himself said: ‘Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing’.”

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

  • Phantom Series II: NEDC combined: CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km. WLTP combined: CO2 emissions: 351-362 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.7-18.2 mpg / 15.5-16.0 l/100km.
  • Phantom Extended Series II: NEDC combined: CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km. WLTP combined: CO2 emissions: 353-365 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.4-18.1 mpg / 15.6-16.2 l/100km.
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ROLLS-ROYCE y Electric power una profecía una promesa y un compromiso

ROLLS-ROYCE y Electric power una profecía una promesa y un compromiso

Rolls-Royce reflexiona sobre la herencia de la energía eléctrica antes del anuncio histórico. La electrificación se ha promovido durante mucho tiempo como el futuro de la propulsión automotriz. Antes de más declaraciones oficiales, invitamos a los medios a reflexionar sobre la herencia única de la marca en energía eléctrica, que es anterior a la fundación de Rolls-Royce, la compañía misma, e involucra a muchos de los principales protagonistas cuyos nombres estarán asociados para siempre con ella.

  • Rolls-Royce reflexiona sobre la herencia de la energía eléctrica antes del anuncio histórico
  • Extraordinaria profecía del padre fundador, Charles Rolls, revelada
  • Rolls defendió los autos eléctricos en 1900 y consideró que el modelo Columbia era el mejor de su tipo.
  • Royce, uno de los primeros ingenieros eléctricos, suministró motores a los primeros autos eléctricos.
  • El CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, se comprometió a traer Rolls-Royce eléctrico esta década
  • Visite  www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com el 29 de septiembre a las 13:00 BST para ver el próximo capítulo de esta historia.

“En abril de 1900, nuestro antepasado fundador, Charles Rolls, hizo una profecía profética sobre la electrificación automotriz. Avance más de 120 años hasta que prometí públicamente, en actas, que traeríamos al mercado el primer Rolls‑Royce totalmente eléctrico en la década actual. Y, en este momento, nuestra empresa se está embarcando en una empresa histórica para crear el primer auto súper lujoso de su tipo. Esto sucederá antes de lo que muchos creían posible, gracias a las increíbles habilidades, la experiencia, la visión y la dedicación de nuestros ingenieros, diseñadores y especialistas en la sede de Rolls-Royce.

“En este esfuerzo innovador, nos basamos en una herencia notable, única en nuestra industria. Nuestros fundadores y quienes trabajaron junto a ellos en los años de formación de la marca fueron importantes pioneros de la energía eléctrica, así como los principales expertos de su era en ingeniería automotriz. Mientras anunciamos un nuevo futuro eléctrico en Rolls-Royce, me enorgullece y me honra compartir sus historias inspiradoras, que nunca antes se habían contado en un solo lugar, y arrojar una luz fresca y fascinante sobre los primeros días de nuestra compañía”.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director Ejecutivo, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

INTRODUCCIÓN

La electrificación se ha promovido durante mucho tiempo como el futuro de la propulsión automotriz. Los principales fabricantes están adoptando cada vez más la tecnología de vehículos eléctricos híbridos y de batería (BEV), respaldados por la expansión de las infraestructuras de carga nacionales.

Hasta la fecha, Rolls-Royce ha comunicado su estrategia de electrificación en tres simples declaraciones:

  • La marca presentará un automóvil totalmente eléctrico esta década (2020-2030).
  • Este automóvil será un BEV puro, no un híbrido de ningún tipo.
  • Se lanzará solo cuando sea el momento adecuado y cada elemento cumpla con los estándares técnicos, estéticos y de rendimiento de Rolls-Royce.

Existe un considerable interés y especulación de los medios en torno a los planes de Rolls-Royce. Antes de más declaraciones oficiales, invitamos a los medios a reflexionar sobre la herencia única de la marca en energía eléctrica, que es anterior a la fundación de Rolls-Royce, la compañía misma, e involucra a muchos de los principales protagonistas cuyos nombres estarán asociados para siempre con ella.

¿POR QUÉ ENERGÍA ELÉCTRICA?
El motor de combustión interna (ICE) no era el único medio de propulsión de los primeros automóviles de principios del siglo XX, ni tampoco el predeterminado. De hecho, a principios de la década de 1900, los ingenieros y fabricantes inicialmente dividieron sus lealtades precisamente entre tres tecnologías competidoras: el ICE, la energía de vapor y la electricidad.

La energía de vapor, aunque bien entendida, relativamente sofisticada y, en ese momento, omnipresente en la industria y otras formas de transporte, rápidamente resultó menos práctica para su uso en automóviles. Por lo tanto, recayó en la combustión interna y la electricidad para competir por la supremacía.

La energía eléctrica perdió la batalla por dos razones principales: alcance extremadamente limitado y la ausencia de una infraestructura de carga. Un siglo después, a pesar de los avances significativos, estos siguen siendo barreras para su adopción generalizada (aunque cada vez menos), tanto en términos de tecnología como de percepción del consumidor.

Pero las características que primero atrajeron a los ingenieros a la energía eléctrica (funcionamiento silencioso, par instantáneo, tremenda potencia y ausencia de gases de escape) siguen siendo muy atractivas, especialmente para los automóviles de lujo. De hecho, algunos han especulado que, si hubiera podido resolver los problemas de autonomía y carga, Sir Henry Royce podría haber elegido solo la energía eléctrica para sus automóviles.

La idoneidad innata y perfecta de la energía eléctrica sustenta el compromiso explícito de la marca de ofrecer un Rolls-Royce totalmente eléctrico esta década. Al hacerlo, puede aprovechar una historia y un patrimonio únicos; una conexión con la energía eléctrica que es anterior a la propia empresa, y que presenta a los principales protagonistas que, entre ellos, crearían la marca de automóviles más famosa del mundo, empezando por el propio Sir Henry Royce.

SIR HENRY ROYCE
Nacido en 1863, Henry Royce fue uno de los primeros ingenieros eléctricos del mundo. Después de que su aprendizaje en Great Northern Railway se vio interrumpido por razones financieras familiares, trabajó brevemente como fabricante de herramientas en Greenwood & Batley en Leeds, donde desarrolló su primer interés en la energía eléctrica.

En 1881, se unió a Electric Light & Power Generating Company (EL&PG) en Southwark. Durante este tiempo, asistió a clases nocturnas de electricidad en el City & Guilds of London Institute, habiendo recibido solo un año de educación formal cuando era niño. Un año más tarde, con solo 19 años, se trasladó a la nueva subsidiaria de EL&PG, Lancashire Maxim-Weston Electric Co. Ltd, como electricista jefe, proporcionando iluminación de calles y teatros en la ciudad de Liverpool. Pero al cabo de dos años, la empresa quebró y el famoso Royce, trabajador y motivado, se puso en marcha por su cuenta.

Su nueva empresa, FH Royce & Co, inicialmente fabricaba pequeños electrodomésticos como timbres, lámparas, fusibles e interruptores. El negocio prosperó y pronto comenzó a producir dispositivos más grandes y complejos, como dínamos, motores eléctricos y cabrestantes. En 1902, Royce suministró motores eléctricos para Pritchett & Gold, un fabricante de baterías con sede en Londres que se había diversificado para construir automóviles eléctricos.

Aunque el propio Royce nunca construyó ni fue propietario de un automóvil eléctrico, creó motores de combustión interna que brindaban la experiencia de conducción que hoy asociamos con la propulsión eléctrica: par sin esfuerzo, funcionamiento silencioso y la sensación de un engranaje continuo y potente. Su experiencia técnica y sus logros pioneros sustentan el reclamo histórico de la marca como líder mundial en electrificación tanto en entornos sociales como de lujo.

EL HONORABLE CHARLES ROLLS
El Excmo. Charles Rolls también fue un ingeniero muy talentoso; pero su entusiasmo por la electricidad comenzó incluso antes en la vida. Cuando solo tenía nueve años, instaló un timbre eléctrico entre su dormitorio y los establos en The Hendre, el hogar ancestral de la familia en Monmouthshire. También planeó y supervisó la instalación de electricidad en las dependencias de servicio; desplegando los poderes del arte de vender que luego lo harían mundialmente famoso, persuadió a su padre, Lord Llangattock, para que pagara por él.

La pasión de Rolls por los automóviles fue igualmente precoz. En 1896, con 18 años, viajó a París y compró su primer automóvil, un Peugeot Phaeton de 3¾ hp. Dos años más tarde, cuando aún era estudiante de ingeniería en Cambridge, adquirió su único automóvil eléctrico, un vehículo de fabricación estadounidense llamado The Columbia Electric Carriage, importado al Reino Unido por Paris Singer (heredera de la dinastía de las máquinas de coser) y vendido como el coche ‘City & Suburban’. Rolls consideró esto como el mejor disponible en ese momento.

En una entrevista publicada en The Motor-Car Journal en abril de 1900, Rolls describió la propulsión eléctrica en términos que, más de un siglo después, tienen el tono de una profecía profética:
“El automóvil eléctrico es perfectamente silencioso y limpio. No hay olor ni vibración, y deberían ser muy útiles cuando se pueden organizar estaciones de carga fijas. Pero por ahora, no anticipo que serán muy útiles, al menos durante muchos años por venir”.

Rolls hizo su propia pequeña contribución para resolver el problema, al proporcionar una estación de carga de baterías en su sala de exposición de automóviles en Lillie Road en Fulham para los Broughams eléctricos privados o de alquiler que estaban de moda en Londres en ese momento.

En 1904, Charles Rolls acordó convertirse en agente del automóvil eléctrico Contal Electromobile. Pero al conocer a Henry Royce y ver su nuevo automóvil canceló el acuerdo.

Como predijo correctamente, pasaría mucho tiempo antes de que los vehículos eléctricos fueran realmente viables a cualquier escala. Pero es tentador pensar que si este emprendedor visionario hubiera sobrevivido al accidente aéreo que se cobró su vida a la temprana edad de solo 32 años, el día podría haber llegado mucho antes.

UNA SERIE DE CONEXIONES
Si bien Rolls y Royce están inmortalizados como los fundadores, otros, quizás menos conocidos, estuvieron íntima y crucialmente involucrados en los eventos que llevaron a la creación de la marca Rolls-Royce. Ellos también fueron luminarias en los mundos de la automoción y la energía eléctrica a principios del siglo XX; la historia y la marca están en deuda con todo lo siguiente:


HENRY EDMUNDS
Al principio de su carrera, Henry Royce trabajó para Brush Electrical Engineering Company Ltd, donde conoció a Henry Edmunds, el ingeniero de la empresa. Edmunds se ganó su lugar en la historia cuando, el 4 de mayo de 1904, en el Midland Hotel de Manchester, anunció: “Sr. Royce, ¿puedo presentarte a Charles Rolls?

El hombre que sería recordado por la posteridad como ‘El padrino de Rolls-Royce’ era una figura destacada por derecho propio. Amigo de Joseph Swan (el inventor de la bombilla incandescente) y de Thomas Edison (el inventor de casi todo lo demás), fue un pionero de la iluminación eléctrica, la tracción y la telefonía, y estuvo presente tanto en la primera grabación de sonido exitosa como en la primera llamada telefónica. . También creó el primer ferrocarril subterráneo electrificado del mundo, cuando persuadió al ingeniero a cargo de City & Southwick Railway de Londres (ahora la rama de la ciudad de Northern Line) para operar trenes impulsados ​​por electricidad en lugar de vapor.

En 1888, Edmunds fundó WT Glover & Company, que se convirtió en el fabricante líder mundial de cableado eléctrico. En 1894, suministró cables de iluminación para un vasto complejo portuario y polígono industrial (el primero del mundo) que servía al Canal de Navegación de Manchester: la iluminación en sí fue diseñada e instalada por Henry Royce.

No existe ninguna prueba de que Edmunds jugara algún papel en el desarrollo de los automóviles de Royce. Sin embargo, era el automovilista más experimentado entre los amigos y colegas de Royce, por lo que presumiblemente ofreció consejos y aliento de expertos mientras Royce convertía minuciosamente sus ideas en realidad.


EA CLAREMONT
La sabiduría convencional afirma que Royce cofundó FH Royce & Co con un socio, EA Claremont. Sin embargo, la investigación ha demostrado que Claremont se unió a la empresa unos seis meses después de su formación; El propio Royce escribió: “Me indujeron a fundar… una pequeña empresa en mi propio nombre” y nunca se utilizó ninguna excepto la suya.

Si bien el mito original puede tener fallas, es cierto que las carreras de los dos hombres estuvieron estrechamente entrelazadas durante muchos años. Claremont fue socio de FH Royce & Company, director general adjunto de FH Royce & Company Limited, presidente de Royce Limited y primer presidente de Rolls-Royce Limited; ambos eran también miembros del Instituto de Ingenieros Eléctricos.


CLAUDE JOHNSON
De hombros anchos, extrovertido y un vendedor talentoso, Johnson era el autodenominado ‘Guión en Rolls-Royce’. En 1903, renunció a su cargo de secretario del Automóvil Club de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda, cuyos miembros incluían al ya mencionado Henry Edmunds, para trabajar en la compañía Paris Singer’s City & Suburban Electric Carriage.

Sin embargo, después de menos de un año, Johnson se fue para unirse a CS Rolls and Co, y luego se convirtió en Director General de Rolls-Royce Ltd. Fue responsable de gran parte de la publicidad inicial de la empresa: en los anuncios producidos para los mercados del Reino Unido y Estados Unidos, describió Rolls-Royce como “un coche de gasolina tan suave y silencioso como uno eléctrico”. Y para completar la simetría, Paris Singer se convirtió en la primera propietaria del mundo de un automóvil Rolls-Royce.

ELECTRIFICACIÓN EN LA ERA DE GOODWOOD
En el espíritu de estas figuras fundadoras, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sigue siendo un pionero de la electrificación en la actualidad. Cuando el primer Rolls-Royce totalmente eléctrico de producción llegue al mercado, será la culminación del trabajo de investigación y desarrollo que ha estado en progreso en la Casa de Rolls-Royce en Goodwood, durante más de una década.


2011 – PHANTOM EE (102EX)
En 2011, la marca lanzó Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), con nombre en código 102EX; una versión eléctrica a batería completamente operativa y legal en la carretera de su producto estrella.

Phantom EE nunca fue pensado para la producción, sino que sirvió como un banco de pruebas de trabajo para clientes, VIP, medios y entusiastas para experimentar la propulsión eléctrica y compartir sus experiencias, pensamientos y consideraciones directamente con los diseñadores e ingenieros de Rolls-Royce.

El motor de gasolina V12 de 6,75 litros y la caja de cambios del automóvil se reemplazaron por una batería de iones de litio y dos motores eléctricos montados en el bastidor auxiliar trasero, conectados a una transmisión de una sola velocidad con diferencial integrado. Este sistema daba una potencia máxima de 290kW y un par de 800Nm, frente a los 338kW y un par máximo de 720Nm, entregado a 3.500rpm, del V12 Phantom de la época.

Si bien el Phantom EE recibió elogios generalizados por su logro técnico, particularmente su silencio casi total y su impresionante entrega de par, su alcance limitado, ciclos de carga prolongados y la duración de la batería de tres años siguieron siendo obstáculos importantes que Rolls-Royce tendría que abordar para satisfacer las expectativas de sus clientes.


2016: ROLLS-ROYCE VISION NEXT 100 (103EX)
Lanzado en 2016, este concepto de automóvil radicalmente innovador se propuso definir la visión a largo plazo de la marca sobre la movilidad de lujo. Presentó el automóvil como una oferta de movilidad personal verdaderamente individualizada y una experiencia sensorial y emocional inmersiva.

El 103EX se construyó en torno a cuatro principios de diseño clave:
La carrocería de carrocería permitirá a los clientes encargar un automóvil que refleje su visión personal. Un asistente virtual y un chofer impulsado por inteligencia artificial ofrecen un viaje sin esfuerzo. El interior crea un Gran Santuario, elaborado con materiales raros y exclusivos. Y con su tamaño y escala, 5,9 metros de largo y 1,6 metros de alto, el automóvil garantiza una gran llegada al llegar a su destino.

Construido sobre una plataforma liviana avanzada y propulsado por un tren de transmisión totalmente eléctrico patentado, el automóvil es completamente autónomo.

El sufijo EX confirma que el 103EX era un automóvil puramente experimental, nunca destinado a entrar en producción. Después de un debut espectacular en Londres, el automóvil se embarcó en una gira mundial de tres años y regresó a la Casa de Rolls-Royce en Goodwood en 2019.

Visite www . Rolls – Roycemotorcars . com el 29 de septiembre a las 13:00 BST para el próximo capítulo de esta extraordinaria historia.

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ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS INFORMA RESULTADOS ANUALES RÉCORD PARA 2021

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS INFORMA RESULTADOS ANUALES RÉCORD PARA 2021

En 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars obtuvo los resultados de ventas anuales más altos en los 117 años de historia de la marca. La empresa entregó 5586 automóviles a clientes de todo el mundo, un 49 % más que en el mismo período de 2020. Esta cifra general incluye ventas récord de todos los tiempos en la mayoría de las regiones, incluida la Gran China, América y Asia-Pacífico, y en varios países. a traves del globo.

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars informa ventas récord en 2021, un 49 % más que en el mismo período de 2020
  • Las ventas más altas en los 117 años de historia de la marca
  • Récords históricos establecidos en la mayoría de las regiones de ventas, incluida la Gran China, las Américas y Asia-Pacífico, y en varios países del mundo
  • Alta demanda de todos los modelos, particularmente Ghost y Cullinan
  • Rolls-Royce es líder indiscutible en el segmento de +250k€
  • Los pedidos se extienden hasta el tercer trimestre de 2022; Comisiones a medida también a niveles récord
  • Ingreso récord para el Programa de aprendizaje: 37 aprendices se unen en septiembre de 2022


“2021 fue un año fenomenal para Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Entregamos más automóviles que nunca en los 117 años de historia de la marca con una demanda sin precedentes de todos los productos en todos los mercados globales. Nuestra cartera de productos extremadamente sólida, una oferta excepcional a medida, Junto con el primer año completo de disponibilidad de Ghost, el lanzamiento de Black Badge Ghost en octubre y la continua demanda récord de personalización Bespoke, ha contribuido significativamente a nuestro desempeño extremadamente sólido. Esto es muy alentador mientras nos preparamos para el lanzamiento histórico de Spectre. , nuestro primer automóvil totalmente eléctrico. Sobre la base del éxito de este año, continuaremos evolucionando como una verdadera marca de lujo, más allá de los ámbitos de la fabricación de automóviles”.Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

En 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars obtuvo los resultados de ventas anuales más altos en los 117 años de historia de la marca.

La empresa entregó 5586 automóviles a clientes de todo el mundo, un 49 % más que en el mismo período de 2020. Esta cifra general incluye ventas récord de todos los tiempos en la mayoría de las regiones, incluida la Gran China, América y Asia-Pacífico, y en varios países. a traves del globo.

Todos los modelos de Rolls-Royce se desempeñaron extremadamente bien. El crecimiento ha sido impulsado principalmente por Ghost, y la demanda aumentó aún más, luego del lanzamiento de Black Badge Ghost en octubre de 2021. Esto, junto con la preeminencia continua de Cullinan y el producto estrella de la marca, Phantom, ha asegurado que los libros de pedidos estén llenos. hasta el tercer trimestre de 2022. El programa Provenance (usado) de la compañía también disfrutó de resultados de ventas excepcionales en 2021, logrando un récord histórico.

Los encargos a medida se mantienen en niveles récord, con magníficos ejemplos individuales que incluyen el espectacular Phantom Oribe co-creado con Hermès, junto con el Phantom Tempus, y los autos Black Badge Wraith y Black Badge Dawn Landspeed Collection. La compañía señaló su compromiso de liderar un nuevo movimiento contemporáneo de construcción de carrocerías con Rolls-Royce Coachbuild convirtiéndose en un elemento permanente en su cartera futura, y con ello la presentación de su última obra maestra en carrocerías, Boat Tail.

Rolls-Royce también anunció su primer automóvil totalmente eléctrico, Spectre, durante 2021. La extraordinaria empresa de llevar Spectre al mercado para el cuarto trimestre de 2023 ya ha comenzado, y el protocolo de prueba más exigente jamás concebido para un Rolls‑Royce está en marcha. . Este viaje de 2,5 millones de kilómetros, que se extiende por los cuatro rincones del mundo, simulará más de 400 años de uso de un Rolls‑Royce.

Mientras se realizan los preparativos para el futuro totalmente eléctrico de la marca, Rolls-Royce continúa satisfaciendo el aumento de la demanda de su cartera actual a través de un proceso de fabricación flexible y la dedicación de las más de 2000 personas que trabajan en la Casa de Rolls-Royce en Goodwood. , West Sussex y en todo el mundo. La fábrica de Rolls-Royce en Goodwood actualmente está funcionando casi al máximo de su capacidad, en un patrón de dos turnos para cumplir con los pedidos de clientes de todo el mundo.

Rolls-Royce continuará invirtiendo en su planta de fabricación en preparación para la electrificación y en futuros talentos, con un récord de 37 nuevos aprendices que se unirán a la compañía en septiembre de 2022.

Reflexionando sobre los resultados, el CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös dijo: “Este ha sido un año verdaderamente histórico para Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. En los últimos 12 meses, registramos nuestras ventas anuales más altas, lanzamos la última incorporación a nuestra familia Black Badge, sorprendimos al mundo con nuestras capacidades de construcción de carrocerías y avanzamos a pasos agigantados hacia nuestro futuro completamente eléctrico.

“Como siempre, ha sido posible gracias a la dedicación y el compromiso de las personas extraordinarias en la Casa de Rolls-Royce, nuestro equipo internacional y nuestra red global de distribuidores. Deseo extender mi agradecimiento y felicitaciones a todos y cada uno de ellos. : es un privilegio y un placer trabajar junto a ellos todos los días”.

EMISIONES Y CONSUMO DE CO2.

Phantom: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 329-328 g/km; Fuel consumption: 19.5-19.6 mpg / 14.5-14.4 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 356-341 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.0-18.8 mpg / 15.7-15.0 l/100km.

Phantom Extended: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 329-328 g/km; Fuel consumption: 19.5-19.6 mpg / 14.5-14.4 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 356-341 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.0-18.8 mpg / 15.7-15.0 l/100km.

Ghost: NEDC (combined): CO2 emission: 343 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.8 mpg / 15.0 l/100km. WLTP (combined): CO2 emission: 347-359 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.88 – 18.58 mpg / 15.2-15.8 l/100km.

Black Badge Ghost: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 359 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.8 mpg / 18.0 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 359 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.9 mpg / 15.8 l/100km.

Black Badge Wraith: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 367 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.5 mpg / 16.1 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 370-365 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.2-17.4 mpg / 16.4-16.2 l/100km.

Black Badge Dawn: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 371 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.3 mpg / 16.3 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 382-380 g/km; Fuel consumption: 16.7-16.9 mpg / 16.9-16.8 l/100km.

Cullinan: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 341 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.8 mpg / 15.0 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 377-355 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.0-18.1 mpg / 16.6-15.6 l/100km.

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ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE
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ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE

The desire for self-expression is fundamental to the human condition. It is one of the principal reasons clients are drawn to Rolls-Royce, which offers matchless opportunities to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible and challenge established convention. Our Black Badge series of motor cars captures this spirit in extremis.

  • Rolls-Royce reflects on commissions from highly prominent clients
  • Three rebellious motor cars spanning four decades of marque’s 117-year history
  • Disruptive clients have embraced Rolls-Royce’s near-limitless Bespoke possibilities
  • Finished entirely in black, each car presents distinct application of powerful colour
ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE

“From its very earliest days, Rolls-Royce has attracted free spirits, creative minds and those who seek to challenge established conventions. Though from entirely different backgrounds, our founders both refused to be bound by the norms and expectations of early 20th Century society.  It was their courage, vision and willingness to push boundaries that made them who they were – and our company what it is today.


These wonderful historic cars are perfect examples of how that rebellious spirit infuses our brand story, and continues in the modern era with our Black Badge products .”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE

ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE: BORN FROM HERITAGE


INTRODUCTION

The desire for self-expression is fundamental to the human condition.  It is one of the principal reasons clients are drawn to Rolls-Royce, which offers matchless opportunities to push boundaries, redefine what’s possible and challenge established convention.

Our Black Badge series of motor cars captures this spirit in extremis.  And today, we look at how individualism, iconoclasm and even outright rebellion pervaded the marque’s history from its inception and continues to inform the unique offer Rolls‑Royce extends to its contemporary clients.

Although their backgrounds could hardly have been more different, the company’s founders both successfully challenged norms and conventions that might otherwise have bound them to unthinkable mediocrity.

Henry Royce overcame poverty, deprivation and a lack of formal education to become a world-class engineer who created ‘the best cars in the world’, eventually being ennobled for his achievements.  Cambridge-educated The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls was born an aristocrat: he could have chosen a life of ease, indolence and privilege, but opted instead for the grease, grime and frequent peril of early motor-racing and aviation, becoming a leading pioneer in both fields.

Today, we would call them ‘disruptors’ – outliers, visionaries and subversives who shape the world by doing things in ways no one else ever dreams – or dares – to try.  No wonder then, that the marque has always proved so beguiling to others who share their rebellious nature.

The Black Badge family of Rolls-Royce motor cars, launched in 2016, is the ultimate expression of this spirit of individualism, self-expression, creativity and iconoclasm.  And while clients have a virtually unlimited choice of exterior finishes, one colour above all still consistently exerts a special fascination and powerful allure when applied to our motor cars – just as it has throughout the marque’s long history.  Black.

The colour black has long been associated with power, strength and authority.  It is intense and substantial. Black also speaks of elegance and confidence.

Over the decades, there have been many notable examples of bespoke Rolls-Royce motor cars finished in black.  Each of the following examples, spanning more than 30 years, has a unique place in the marque’s history, and demonstrates how its owner took the all-black theme in a unique and memorable direction.

1933 – Phantom II Continental (94MY)

In 1930, at the personal request of Henry Royce, designer Ivan Evernden penned an experimental Phantom II Continental, designated 26EX, designed specifically for long-distance Continental touring.  It had a short chassis and close-coupled four-seat saloon body, with the two spare wheels mounted vertically behind the luggage compartment for optimum weight distribution.  The coachwork, erected by Barker & Co, sat on a sub-frame designed to cope with sustained high speeds and powerful braking forces.

On its first outing, Evernden and Don Carlos de Salamanca drove the car to a concours d’elegance in Biarritz, where it won the Grand Prix d’Honneur.  Following this victory, Rolls‑Royce decided to launch a ‘series’ model with the same mechanical attributes and overall coachwork dimensions as 26EX, giving coachbuilders and owners scope to accommodate their own taste in design.

The first such car, 94MY, built in 1933 for a Mr Samuel Coxhill, has bodywork known as an ‘Owen Fixed Head Coupé’, a specialism of London coachbuilder Gurney Nutting. The adjustable front bucket seats, twin windscreen wipers and flush-fitting direction-indicators behind the side windows were all unusual for the period and intended to make long-distance Continental touring more relaxed.

Designer Ivan Evernden declared: “It is the criterion of a good car that one can drive it the whole day long and at the end feel fresh and relaxed enough to enjoy dinner”.

At that time, the vast majority of Rolls-Royce coachwork was finished in either black, or shades of maroon or blue, so dark as to almost seem black.  94MY was ordered in black with “special brown leather, piped in light brown, carpets and headlining to tone, and woodwork to be highly polished veneers”.  Combining high performance with superlative comfort and a unique personalised finish, if any 1930s Rolls-Royce could lay claim to embodying the spirit of today’s Black Badge, it is this one.

1960 – Phantom V (5AT30)

The Phantom V was launched in 1959 to replace the venerable Silver Wraith.  A much larger car, it was intended primarily for chauffeur-driven use, and all but a very few bodies were of limousine design.  Most were finished in black, and used either on formal occasions, or for private use by members of the wealthy establishment.

One exception was 5AT30.  Delivered in September 1960, its proud owner was HRH The Duke of Gloucester, third son of King George V and Queen Mary, and uncle to HM Queen Elizabeth II.  The body was based on coachbuilder James Young’s PV15 design, today regarded as among the most elegant on the Phantom V chassis.

Although about as ‘establishment’ as it’s possible to be, His Royal Highness clearly had strong ideas about what he wanted in his Phantom V.  His most obvious departure from the accepted norm is the paint combination of matte black to the horizontal surfaces and gloss black on the vertical planes.

Other Bespoke items include a much smaller-than-standard backlight, large foglamps, door-mounted driving mirrors, sliding shutters to the rear windows and two Stephane Grebel spotlights. The front of the car is dominated by Lucas R100 headlamps, in place of the usual faired-in headlights.

The Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, though supplied, was not fitted, her place taken by the Duke’s own mascot of an eagle in flight.  And perhaps for the first time in the marque’s history, the chassis card states that the car was supplied with ‘an umbrella in holder’ – a standard feature on today’s Rolls-Royce motor cars.

On 30 January 1965, the Duke and Duchess were travelling home from Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral when the car skidded off the road and down a shallow embankment, turning over three times and landing on its roof!  None of the occupants suffered serious injury; and such was the resilience of the James Young coachwork that 5AT30 was rebuilt and continued to render sterling service to its owner for years to come.

1965 – Phantom V (5VD73)

In 1964, The Beatles stormed the world with A Hard Day’s Night.  In December, as a gift to himself, John Lennon ordered a brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom V from R. S. Mead of Maidenhead.  The specification was, as one might expect, highly individual: he wanted the car not just to be black, but black everywhere, inside and out, including all the brightwork that would normally be finished in chromium plate or stainless steel.

The car, built by Mulliner Park Ward, was duly supplied with all-black gloss paintwork, including the wheel discs and bumpers.  Only the iconic Pantheon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot retained their conventional chrome finish, at the marque’s insistence.

It was also one of the first cars in Britain to have blacked-out windows, made from darkened, reflective Triplex Deeplight glass, 3/16” thick in the rear doors and 3/4” in the rear quarterlights, backlite and division glass – but not, as one might suppose, solely for reasons of privacy.  “People think they’ve got black windows to hide.  It’s partly that, but it’s also for when you’re coming home late,” Lennon told a Rolling Stone interviewer in 1965.  “If it’s daylight when you’re coming home, it’s still dark inside the car – you just shut all the windows and you’re still in the club.”

The interior featured black Bedford cord cloth and black nylon rugs in the rear compartment, and black leather in the front.  There were electrical aerials for a radio and a Perdio Portarma television set, and a seven-piece set of black fitted luggage. Legend has it that the car also had a record player, radio telephone, fridge, writing table and red mood-lighting: this remains unproven, but could easily have been later additions; likewise, a rear seat that, according to many accounts, could be converted into a pull-out bed.

Such bold, imaginative and unconventional choices are, of course, entirely consistent with Lennon’s status as one of the 20th Century’s greatest cultural innovators.  Quite apart from changing the face of popular music forever, he’s also credited with being among the first non-athletes to wear trainers as footwear, away from sporting grounds, much like the streetwear phenomenon that pervades the catwalks and boardrooms of the 21st century.  In a photograph of the Fab Four taken in 1967, Lennon is wearing what appears to be a pair of Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoes – still one of the most desirable designs from ‘the brand with three stripes’ more than half a century later.

Later, the car was repainted in a game-changing, vivid psychedelic electric yellow, embellished with flowers, Romany scrolls and signs of the zodiac.  It is wholly unique, indelibly identified with its owner and, in certain quarters, generated its share of controversy – perhaps the perfect encapsulation of the Black Badge spirit.

That unquenchable spirit continues to be expressed in new and dynamic ways through the ever-evolving Rolls-Royce Black Badge family.

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A prophecy fulfilled a promise kept a remarkable undertaking underway rolls-royce motor cars announces first fully electric car
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A prophecy fulfilled a promise kept a remarkable undertaking underway rolls-royce motor cars announces first fully electric car

A prophecy fulfilled a promise kept a remarkable undertaking underway rolls-royce motor cars announces first fully electric car

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces today that on-road testing of its first fully electric motor car is imminent.

  • CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, announces Rolls-Royce’s first fully electric car
  • Finished product will come to market in Q4 2023
  • New product named ‘Spectre’
  • Electric Rolls-Royce fulfils the 1900 prophecy of the marque’s founder, Charles Rolls
  • A promise kept by CEO, who pledged to bring an electric car to market this decade
  • Global testing will cover 2.5 million kilometres – a simulation of 400 years of use
  • By 2030 all Rolls-Royce products will be fully electric
  • Spectre underpinned by Rolls-Royce’s own spaceframe architecture

In an historic announcement, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today, that on-road testing of its first fully electric motor car is imminent. In announcing this seminal moment for the marque, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said:

A prophecy fulfilled a promise kept a remarkable undertaking underway rolls-royce motor cars announces first fully electric car

A prophecy fulfilled a promise kept a remarkable undertaking underway rolls-royce motor cars announces first fully electric car

“Today is the most significant day in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 4th May, 1904. On that date, our founding fathers, Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, first met and agreed that they were going to create ‘the best motor car in the world’.

“Using the most advanced technology available to them at the time and by applying their remarkable engineering minds, these two pioneers elevated early internal combustion engine cars, from noisy, uncomfortable and rudimentary means of transportation, by setting a completely new benchmark of distinction. 

“The cars they created, introduced to the world a true luxury experience and secured for Rolls-Royce the ultimate pinnacle position that it continues to occupy, unchallenged, to this day.  The marque has continued to define the very best in internal combustion motoring for more than a century.

“Today, 117 years later, I am proud to announce that Rolls-Royce is to begin the on-road testing programme for an extraordinary new product that will elevate the global all-electric car revolution and create the first – and finest – super-luxury product of its type. This is not a prototype. It’s the real thing, it will be tested in plain sight and our clients will take first deliveries of the car in the fourth quarter of 2023.”

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ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES BLACK BADGE GHOST THE PURES

ROLLS-ROYCE ANUNCIA BLACK BADGE GHOST THE PURES

Rolls-Royce anuncia un producto que representa un nuevo tipo de automóvil Black Badge. Su automóvil más avanzado hasta ahora ha sido rediseñado para caracterizar el alter ego de Rolls-Royce: asertivo, dinámico y potente. Este es el automóvil Black Badge más puro en la historia de la marca. Este es Black Badge Ghost.

  • Black Badge Ghost estrena el lado oscuro del diseño Post Opulent
  • El motor V12 de 6.75 litros ahora ofrece mayor potencia (600PS) y torque (900NM)
  • Tren motriz y chasis rediseñados para un rendimiento más urgente
  • Colección curada estrena llamativo cuero Turchese y revestimiento de carbono técnico
  • Llanta de aleación a medida introducida en el estilo de la casa Black Badge con cuerpo de fibra de carbono
  • El símbolo de lemniscate infinito continúa codificando la expresión negra de Rolls-Royce

“Después de un considerable debate interno, Rolls-Royce anunció que crearía una respuesta oficialmente autorizada a un nuevo tipo de cliente: un tratamiento personalizado permanente para sus automóviles llamado Black Badge. Estos productos, que se lanzaron en 2016, serían más oscuros en estética, más urgentes en personalidad y dramáticos en el tratamiento de los materiales.

“En los cinco años desde que Black Badge se puso a disposición del público, esta atrevida familia de automóviles ha llegado a simbolizar el pináculo de un nuevo tipo de producto de superlujo, poniendo en marcha un cambio en la industria del lujo en general. Posteriormente, casi todos los fabricantes de productos de lujo crean productos que buscan capturar el espíritu de Black Badge.

“Hoy, anunciamos un producto que representa un nuevo tipo de automóvil Black Badge, uno que aprovecha el tratamiento de diseño minimalista Post Opulent que ha reformulado la leyenda de Ghost pero la amplifica y subvierte con la aplicación del negro.

Nuestro automóvil más avanzado hasta ahora ha sido rediseñado para caracterizar el alter ego de Rolls-Royce: asertivo, dinámico y potente. Este es el automóvil Black Badge más puro en la historia de la marca. Este es Black Badge Ghost “.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, director ejecutivo de Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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THE ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL TIMEPIECES: AN ARTISTIC COLLABORATION WITH BOVET 1822

THE ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL TIMEPIECES: AN ARTISTIC COLLABORATION WITH BOVET 1822

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a pure expression of its owners’ interests, influences and passions, with every detail minutely considered. We have enjoyed working with BOVET 1822 to create a pair of exquisite timepieces that also serve as Boat Tail’s dashboard clocks. In doing so we have together created historically significant items of detail, precision, and beauty.

  • Rolls-Royce collaborates with Swiss master horologists BOVET 1822 to create unique timepieces for first Boat Tail coachbuilt commission
  • Pair of reversible tourbillon timepieces, each designed to be worn on the wrist, used as a table clock, pendant or pocket timepiece, or placed within the fascia as Boat Tail’s Timepiece
  • Timepieces and dashboard holder took 3,000 hours to develop and manufacture
  • Five-day power reserve and tourbillon mechanism ensure the timepieces keep perfect time when used as dashboard clocks

“Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a pure expression of its owners’ interests, influences and passions, with every detail minutely considered. We have enjoyed working with BOVET 1822 to create a pair of exquisite timepieces that also serve as Boat Tail’s dashboard clocks. In doing so we have together created historically significant items of detail, precision, and beauty. These remarkable objets d’art, unique to the first iteration of Boat Tail, represent the finest examples of the skills and values shared by our two great luxury Houses.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“I am so proud of the BOVET 1822 team, who worked in tandem with their counterparts at Rolls-Royce to produce something truly spectacular. The owners of the coachbuilt car, and these bespoke timepieces, are personal friends, as well as valued collectors of BOVET 1822. It was important to do the very best for them – two completely unique pieces that are unlike anything we have ever done before.”
Pascal Raffy, Owner, BOVET 1822


A MOMENT IN TIME

The clock in a Rolls-Royce motor car frequently assumes a jewel-like status, often becoming a canvas for the client to tell the story of their commission in miniature. For Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, the recently unveiled, first of three, coachbuilt creations, in which every element has been created to the owners’ exact specifications, this iconic centrepiece has been elevated to new technical and aesthetic heights.

In a spirit of warm collaboration, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Swiss master watchmakers, BOVET 1822, have created a pair of unique timepieces for Boat Tail and its owners. This ambitious undertaking brought together designers, engineers and craftspeople from both luxury Houses, in a magnificent demonstration of their shared values of excellence, precision, heritage, artistry, innovation and attention to detail.

The timepieces are unique to both the horological and automotive worlds. Made as a pair – in lady’s and gentleman’s versions – they are reversible, and housed in BOVET 1822’s patented Amadeo case, which allows them to be worn on the wrist, or used as a table clock, pendant or pocket-watch, as well as being placed front and centre in Boat Tail’s fascia as the motor car’s own timepiece. Both are fitted with tourbillon mechanisms to ensure perfect accuracy.

IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION

BOVET 1822 initially earned its reputation making luxury pocket-watches for wealthy patrons in China; today, it is renowned worldwide for its exquisite timepieces featuring hand-painted dials, detailed engraving and finely finished visible mechanisms.

The timepieces, created for this first iteration of Boat Tail, have specially designed 18K white gold cases and feature matching front dials with the same Caleidolegno veneer found on the aft deck of Boat Tail itself, and are finished with the owner-couples’ names. The gentleman’s timepiece is highly polished; the lady’s is ornately engraved then filled with blue lacquer.

On the reverse side, the dials are more individual. The gentleman’s features an aventurine dial with the celestial arrangement of the night sky over the place of his birth on his birth date; the lady’s is decorated with an ornate miniature painting of a flower bouquet on a mother-of-pearl dial. This design is a traditional BOVET 1822 motif, chosen by and personalised for the owner.

Both reverse dials have hand-engraved Bespoke sculptures of Boat Tail, complete with wheels, door handle, mirrors and other fine details. By working closely together, the teams at Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 were able to achieve a precise colour match between the lacquer on this tiny work of art and the full-size motor car.

Further close cooperation was required to ensure the timepieces conformed to the demands of their unique role as motor car clocks. In watchmaking, weight is rarely an issue for a complex timepiece, but in this instance, there was a limit on the combined permissible weight of the timepieces and their holders. BOVET 1822 met this requirement by creating an entirely new 44mm white gold case. In addition, the timepieces and holders also had to be tested to automotive-industry standards for vibration and crash safety – something never previously undertaken on mechanisms of this kind.

At a conservative estimate, the timepieces’ design, engineering, sculptures, miniature painting, marquetry, bespoke movements and cases took a total of 3,000 hours to complete.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE TOURBILLON

When a pocket-watch is left static in one position for any length of time, the effect of gravity on key moving parts can impair its accuracy. At the end of the 18th Century, watchmakers solved this problem by developing the tourbillon, where the escapement and balance wheel are mounted in a cage that slowly revolves, cancelling out the gravitational effect. In a wristwatch, the wearer’s natural physical movements diminish the need for the tourbillon. However, when that same timepiece is mounted vertically in a car dashboard for many hours at a time, the tourbillon truly comes into its own.

BOVET 1822 is a specialist in tourbillion timepieces, for which it holds a number of patents and has received many awards including the Aiguille d’Or, watchmaking’s highest honour. It is also one of the only companies in the watch industry to manufacture its own spirals and regulating organs. To reduce potential impact from the vibration from the car, the tourbillon has pivots rather than the traditional ball bearings; a heavier balance wheel and an increased oscillation rate to aid precision. Finally, the tourbillon bridge is finished with a miniaturised Spirit of Ecstasy handcrafted in gold.

The timepieces have an astonishing five-day power reserve, rather than the 42-48 hours of a ‘standard’ watch, to allow for their role as motor car clocks.

DASHBOARD HOLDER MECHANISM: PERFECT PRECISION 

The holder mechanism is unique to Rolls-Royce Boat Tail and was designed by BOVET 1822 engineers and the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild design team from a blank sheet of paper. Although in a Rolls-Royce vibration is naturally reduced to an absolute minimum – undetectable vibrations are inevitably still present. This highly complex mounting assembly serves to isolate the timepieces from these micro-vibrations. It also ensures they operate silently, are easy to mount and remove from the dashboard and, above all, remain safe and secure.

These challenges were unlike any normally encountered in watchmaking and car manufacture. From the start, BOVET 1822 was determined to follow a purely mechanical approach in keeping with its tradition of Swiss handcrafted production. The engineers’ innovative solution was to keep all the system’s moving parts external, with the dashboard providing a solid setting for the holder. Finally, Rolls-Royce ensured that when the holder is not housing one of the time pieces, it can be covered with a beautiful engraved and lacquered display plaque.  Below the clock, the dashboard is fitted with a special drawer, lined with the same leather as Boat Tail’s seats, which serves as a safekeeping receptacle to house the timepieces, straps, chain and pendant when not in use.

ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL TIMEPIECES FACTS & FIGURES

Case Size: Bespoke; diameter – 44mm; thickness – 14mm

Case Type: 18K white gold Fleurier case; BOVET 1822 bow at 12 o’clock; 49 components

Case Function: Amadeo Convertible System; reversible; pocket watch on chain; pendant watch on necklace; table clock; dashboard clock

Case Finishing: Men’s timepiece is high polish finish; Women’s timepiece is hand-engraved then filled with blue lacquer

Movement: Bespoke 60-second tourbillon; manual-wind; 284 components (without dial and hands); 21,600 v/h

Functions: Hours and minutes on both sides (reverse hand-fitting); power reserve indicator on front

Power Reserve: 5 days

Men’s Front Dial: Hand-made wood marquetry dial; hand-engraved Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture fixed to the tourbillon bridge; “A Special Timepiece Commission” on the dial

Women’s Front Dial: Hand-made wood marquetry dial; hand-engraved 18K white gold Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture; “A Special Timepiece Commission” on the dial

Men’s Reverse Dial: Blue aventurine glass with sky chart of owner’s birth day and birth place; hand-engraved bespoke Boat Tail sculpture, lacquered to match the colour of the car then miniature painted by hand to add the details; lady’s name engraved on the mirror-polished (by hand by the watchmaker) tourbillon bridge

Women’s Reverse Dial: Miniature hand-painting of flower bouquet on mother-of-pearl dial (based on historical BOVET 1822 timepiece, customised); hand-engraved bespoke Boat Tail sculpture, lacquered to match the colour of the car then miniature painted by hand to add the details; gentleman’s name (engraved on the mirror-polished (by hand by the watchmaker) tourbillon bridge

Dashboard Holder: Aluminium and Titanium; 51 components; Engraving of two Rolls-Royce Boat Tails in a white gold case, to match that of the timepieces, to place inside when the timepiece is not present (100% engineered, designed, and produced in-house by BOVET)

In-car Drawer: to hold timepieces, straps, chain, necklace

Independent laboratory certification: shock, temperature, humidity, vibration

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Coachbuilt de Rolls-Royce: la obra maestra Boat Tail hace su debut mundial en villa deste

Coachbuilt de Rolls-Royce: la obra maestra Boat Tail hace su debut mundial en villa deste

Rolls-Royce’s coachbuilt La obra maestra Boat Tail hace su debut público mundial en el prestigioso Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este el 2 de octubre de 2021. El automóvil será presentado a las 11.30 hora local en el Mosaic Lawn por Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director Ejecutivo de Rolls-Royce Coches.

  • La exclusiva carrocería ‘Boat Tail’ hace su primera aparición pública en el prestigioso Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este los días 2 y 3 de octubre de 2021
  • Boat Tail a la vista de los huéspedes y los medios solo durante dos días en el Mosaic Lawn dentro de los terrenos del Grand Hotel Villa d’Este, a orillas del lago de Como, Italia
  • Exhibido cuatro años después del lanzamiento del primer Rolls-Royce de la era moderna, Sweptail, en el mismo evento en 2017.

 

“Es un privilegio maravilloso revelar este Rolls-Royce único al mundo por primera vez. Aunque las imágenes se han compartido ampliamente, el automóvil en sí no se ha mostrado antes en público. La Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza es la ocasión perfecta, ya que reúne a los principales medios de comunicación internacionales junto con expertos en automovilismo y entusiastas del lujo exigentes, en las glamorosas orillas del lago de Como. También hay una agradable simetría en el hecho de que lanzamos el primer Rolls-Royce de carrocería de la era moderna, Sweptail, en el evento de 2017.

“Es un momento verdaderamente histórico para la marca. Estamos liderando un movimiento de carrocería moderno que lleva a la industria del lujo en general a un espacio completamente diferente, donde la hiperpersonalización y el patrocinio contemporáneo brindan posibilidades esencialmente ilimitadas”. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, director ejecutivo Oficial, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

 


La obra maestra de carrocería de Rolls-Royce, Boat Tail, hace su debut público mundial en el prestigioso Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este el 2 de octubre de 2021. El automóvil será presentado a las 11.30 hora local en el Mosaic Lawn por Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director Ejecutivo , Automóviles Rolls-Royce. Luego estará disponible para que los invitados y periodistas lo vean solo durante dos días, antes de regresar a la privacidad y el aislamiento que lo han rodeado desde que se reveló formalmente en mayo de 2021.

Las imágenes del automóvil se han compartido y admirado en todo el mundo; sin embargo, esta es la primera vez que Boat Tail se muestra en público. Es una oportunidad única para que invitados y periodistas examinen la notable construcción de carrocerías del automóvil y los extraordinarios detalles a medida, que fueron diseñados y construidos a mano en la casa de Rolls-Royce en un proyecto técnico y creativo altamente exigente que duró casi cuatro años.

Boat Tail marca un momento fundamental en los anales de Rolls-Royce, lo que demuestra el compromiso de la marca con la construcción de carrocerías como parte central de su futura dirección y cartera. Continúa y acelera un movimiento de carrocería contemporáneo que comenzó con Sweptail, el primer Rolls-Royce de carrocería de la era moderna, que también hizo su primera aparición pública en Villa d’Este en 2017.

Boat Tail representa un momento crucial para el sector de artículos de lujo en general. Como una creación verdaderamente hecha a mano, única en su tipo, en la que tanto la carrocería como el interior están diseñados y producidos según las especificaciones del cliente, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild redibuja los límites del lujo y abre vastas nuevas posibilidades para los clientes de la actualidad. diseño y artesanía fina.

Presentado por primera vez en 1929 a orillas del lago de Como, en el norte de Italia, el Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este es una de las ocasiones más importantes y glamorosas del calendario internacional de estilo de vida. Normalmente se lleva a cabo en mayo, el evento de 2021 se lleva a cabo del 1 al 3 de octubre de 2021, y Boat Tail se presenta al mundo, por primera vez, solo el 2 y 3 de octubre.

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ROLLS-ROYCE ‘BOAT TAIL’. A COUNTERPOINT TO INDUSTRIALISED LUXURY.

ROLLS-ROYCE ‘BOAT TAIL’. A COUNTERPOINT TO INDUSTRIALISED LUXURY.

Today marks a seminal moment for the House of Rolls-Royce. We are proud to unveil Rolls-Royce Boat Tail to the world, and with it, the confirmation of coachbuilding as a permanent fixture within our future portfolio.

  • Rolls-Royce introduces utterly unique coachbuilt ‘Boat Tail’ commission
  • Rolls-Royce Coachbuild to become a permanent fixture in future portfolio
  • Based on a true commission model, ‘Boat Tail’ represents a collaborative exploration of luxury, design and culture between the marque and commissioning clients
  • Coachbuild empowers clients to create potent evocative expressions of personal taste
  • Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is contemporary patronage in its truest form
  • Rolls-Royce prompted the contemporary coachbuilding movement in 2017 with the introduction of ‘Sweptail’


“Today marks a seminal moment for the House of Rolls-Royce. We are proud to unveil Rolls-Royce Boat Tail to the world, and with it, the confirmation of coachbuilding as a permanent fixture within our future portfolio.

“Historically, coachbuilding had been an integral part of the Rolls-Royce story.  In the contemporary Rolls-Royce narrative, it has informed our guiding philosophy of Bespoke. But it is so much more. Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is a return to the very roots of our brand. It represents an opportunity for the select few to participate in the creation of utterly unique and truly personal commissions of future historical significance.

“Rolls-Royce has carefully listened to its closest clients, each of whom has expressed a desire to deepen their relationship with the brand by creating ambitious, personal statements of true luxury. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is not a concept created to be retrospectively sold.

“Quite the contrary. Rolls-Royce believes in complete authenticity and Boat Tail is the culmination of a four-year collaboration with three of our most special clients.

“Rolls-Royce Coachbuild clients are intimately and personally involved at each step of the creative and engineering process. We work in harmony with the client to gain complete fluency in the nuances of their character and personality. We carefully translate these qualities into the elements with which they wish to imbue their commission.

“Only the House of Rolls-Royce can offer its Coachbuild clients the inimitable opportunity to commission a product of future historical significance, that is as fundamentally unique as they are – and then participate in every detail of its creation.

“This is authentic luxury. This is contemporary patronage in its truest form. This is Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.”

 


Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce 


“Rolls-Royce Boat Tail challenges the notion of what a motor car is and creates a new definition of what a motor car means. Boat Tail exists far beyond a mere means of transport. It is not just the method to reach a destination, but the destination itself. It is an ambition realised with a remarkable cohort of women and men who empowered the marque to create a concept of extraordinary scope.

“Coachbuild provides freedom to move beyond the usual constraints. Normally, there is a natural ceiling to Rolls-Royce Bespoke by way of the canvas. At Rolls-Royce Coachbuild we break through that ceiling, embracing the freedom of expression afforded by coachbuilding to shape a concept directly with our commissioning patrons.

“With Boat Tail we have achieved this. We have created a trio of exceptional cars which, although they share a common body style, are each imbued with the unique, highly personal imprint of the commissioning patron, thereby telling differing stories. Boat Tail is unprecedented. Boat Tail is a distinct counterpoint to industrialised luxury.” 

Alex Innes, Head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design, Rolls-Royce


As a House of Luxury, Rolls-Royce imbues its products with meaning. A Rolls-Royce serves as a canvas onto which clients reflect their personal tastes, express ambitions and often, define legacies. The Bespoke treatment of a Rolls-Royce elegantly reflects its status as ‘the best car in the world’ while stylishly expressing the personality of its commissioning client.

Ever increasingly, clients appreciate and enjoy the marque’s Bespoke capabilities and Rolls-Royce is called upon, by its clients, to integrate itself into their lives in meaningful ways. The brand and its clients have become progressively closer and the designers, engineers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce, a Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence, have developed a unique fluency in interpreting the lifestyles of these remarkable women and men. This evolution of mutual confidence has resulted in ever more ambitious commissions, reaching well beyond the scope of Bespoke competencies and capacity, into the rarefied realm of coachbuilding. To fulfil these extraordinary client commissions Rolls-Royce has reached a decision to return to one of the historical roots of the marque and to initiate a distinct department within the company, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.

Coachbuilding is a highly distilled expression of Rolls-Royce Bespoke and is reserved for those who look to move beyond existing constraints. It is based on a true commission model and represents a collaborative exploration of meaningful luxury, design and culture between the marque and its commissioning client. The results become pivotal moments in time that create a future historical legacy, advancing designs which in turn define an era, extending influence far beyond the original intended purpose of a mere means of transportation.

Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is contemporary patronage in its truest form.

The discipline inherent in Rolls-Royce’s approach to coachbuilding requires elite artistic skills that do not exist elsewhere in the automotive industry. Commissioning clients demand an object that is truly transformative; an object that makes a permanent statement and sets itself apart from anything that has gone before.

In response, the marque must interrogate and deeply understand two worlds. The first is the intimately personal context of the client – their individual life-space, how they celebrate, what and who they surround themselves with, and the experiences that have defined the very best moments in these exceptional people’s lives. The second is the broader cultural context in which a Coachbuild car will exist. Here the marque explores the cultural nuances of the client, movements in architecture, couture, colour palettes, artistic tastes – even hospitality.


THE DAWN OF A MOVEMENT

In 2017, the celebrated Rolls-Royce Sweptail defined the dawn of the contemporary coachbuilding movement. It created a definitive moment that raised the awareness of a new watermark in luxury and automotive possibility, illustrating a new realm of exploitation owing to its hand-built nature. This remarkable product, which was instantly proclaimed as one of the finest intercontinental tourers in history, represented a major recalibration of possibility, and confirmed that the legacy of Rolls-Royce will be defined in collaboration with its clients.

Sweptail set a new waterline of potential and ignited a fascination among a rarefied cohort: collectors, patrons of the arts and commissioning clients of now-iconic architecture. A number of these women and men approached Rolls-Royce to discover if they too could collaborate on a unique commission, one that was even more profound – one that provided an elevated sense of curation. The marque agreed, signalling the genesis of a permanent contemporary Coachbuild department at the Home of Rolls-Royce.

Within this group, it emerged that three potential patrons shared a deep appreciation of contemporary nautical design. J-Class yachts were often referenced as points of inspiration, both for their purity of form and their requirement for hand craftsmanship at the highest level to will them into existence.

This client-led creative expression coincided with a long-held ambition of the design team at Rolls-Royce to create a contemporary expression of the Boat Tail typology, where coachbuilders would graft the hull forms of sailing boats onto the rolling chassis of a Rolls-Royce. When the idea of this design direction was proposed, the three patrons were unequivocal in their approval. And all three shared a single demand: “Show me something that I have never seen before.”

In consultation with the clients concerned, an agreement was reached whereby three cars would share a common body, but each would then be individually, highly personalised, reflecting the confluence between vision, capability and ambition of the marque and each of the individual commissioning patrons.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail was conceived.

THE TRANSFERENCE OF SOUL

The manual techniques of coachbuilding offer new realms of design opportunity. Once the preliminary design proposal is penned by hand, the discovery of the form is enabled with a full-sized sculpture in clay, allowing hand-crafted manipulation of the expansive surfaces to perfect its shape. Throughout this process, the clients were invited to envisage the scope of the collaboration and influence its direction. Cutting-edge engineering technologies within Rolls-Royce are fused with the artistic practice of coachbuilding to exploit new possibilities. The clay sculpture is digitally remastered, from which the buck, is created on to which aluminium sheets are hammer-formed by hand.

Employing age-old individual hand skills and craft, a living canvas is created from metal –honing and optimising the aluminium body, creating a clarity of surface and continuation of line that is unable to be achieved by machine alone.

The process is akin to yacht building, easing the transference of soul into the creation. A process of hand refinement is repeated almost endlessly, without the pressure of time. Slowly, vast sheets of metal transform into the sculptural representation of Boat Tail. A truly pure form is created: uninterrupted by panel breaks, dramatic in its curvature, monolithic in scale and formed from one seemingly endless surface.

A CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS

The first Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, unveiled today, is a curation of exceptional thoughts, concepts and items, which culminate to form the clients’ perfect experience. The commissioning patrons, a globally successful couple who are highly proficient in the appointment of Rolls-Royces, truly personify connoisseurship; their luxury curation is an artform in itself. Their proposition was purposefully self-indulgent. Their desire was to create a response to a life of hard work, success achieved, and celebration required. Their Rolls-Royce Boat Tail should be joyful, a celebratory car to enjoy with their family.

Together, with the marque’s designers, they embarked on an intellectual journey, founded on a long-standing and creative relationship with the brand.  Indeed, the clients’ fascination of the Boat Tail form was furthered by a motor car in their private collection; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, lovingly restored, by them, in time for their modern Boat Tail’s completion.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail presents a wonderful new aesthetic for the marque, balancing previously unseen levels of sculpture with discrete, sometimes playful functionality. The creation tells the romantic tale of Rolls-Royce’s history, echoing a Boat Tail design but not explicitly mimicking it, fusing an historical body type with a thoroughly contemporary design.

At nearly 5.8m long, its generosity of proportion and clarity of surface present a graceful and relaxed stance. The front profile is centred on a new treatment of Rolls-Royce’s iconic pantheon grille and lights. The grille becomes an integral part of the front end, not an applique; a freedom of design bestowed only upon models within the Coachbuild portfolio. This progressive treatment softens Rolls-Royce’s familiar formality while retaining the marque’s undeniable presence. A strong horizontal graphic with deep-set daytime running lights forms Boat Tail’s intense brow line and frames classical round headlamps, a design feature recalled from the design archives of Rolls-Royce.

In profile, nautical references are very suggestive. The wrap-around windscreen recalls the visor on motor launches, while the gentle rearward lean of the A-pillar, the large, crisp volumes at the front and the tapered rear create a gesture that recalls a motor launch rising out of water under power. A progressive negative sculpture in the lower bodyside creates a lithe impression, while making an historical reference to the running boards of prominent heritage Rolls-Royce designs.

Viewed from dead rear, the body resolves in a gentle sharpening of the form. As with the front, a horizontal emphasis is established at the rear with wide, deep-set lamps – a break from the expected vertical Rolls-Royce lamp iconography.

Indeed, it is at the rear where the nautical references become more apparent. The aft deck, a modern interpretation of the wooden rear decks of historical Boat Tails, incorporates large swathes of wood.  Caleidolegno veneer is applied in a feat of Rolls-Royce engineering; the grey and black material which is typically housed in the interior, has been specially adapted to be used on the exterior, with no compromise to the aesthetic.

The open pore material features a linear wood grain which is visually elongated by brushed stainless steel pinstripe inlays, serving as an optical nod to the typical wooden construction of yachts – both old and new. The honed skills of Rolls-Royce’s wood specialists have manipulated and book-matched the grain so as to contract with the geometry of the car. The veneer treatment extends to the lower transom area resolving the taper and overall volume astern. This bold truncation is a subtle reference to the hull lines of classic Boat Tail bodies.

From the rear, one perceives a strong graphical composition marked by further horizontal emphasis, accentuating Boat Tail’s great width.  Deep-set lamps establish a dramatically low reference point, evoking the dipped stern and proud bow of a motor launch under power and on plane.

An explicit architectural influence is discovered in Boat Tail’s unconventional fixed-canopy roof. Adding to the sculptural form, the sweeping roofline concludes in delicate structural elements that touch down on the rear, redolent of flying buttresses. Of course, if inclement weather is encountered while the roof is removed, a temporary tonneau is stowed for static transitory shelter.

A MUSE IN BLUE

The exterior of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is swathed in a rich and complex tone of the client’s favourite colour – blue. The hue, with an overt nautical connotation, is subtle when in shadows but in sunlight, embedded metallic and crystal flakes bring a vibrant and energetic aura to the finish. To ensure the smoothest possible application when rendering the exterior, a finger was run over the definitive body line before the paint had fully dried to soften its edges. The wheels are finished in bright blue, highly polished and clear coated to add to Boat Tail’s celebratory character.

A hand-painted, gradated bonnet, a first for Rolls-Royce, rises from a comparatively subdued deeper blue which cascades onto the grille, providing a progressive but informal aesthetic and a solidity of overall volume when viewed from the front.

The interior leather reflects the bonnet’s colour tone transition with the front seats swathed in the darker blue hue, recognising Boat Tail’s driver focused intent, while the rear seats are finished in the lighter tone. A soft metallic sheen is applied to the leather to accentuate its pairing with the painted exterior while detailed stitching and piping is applied in a more intense blue inspired by the hands of the car’s timepieces. A brilliant blue is also found woven at a 55 degree angle into the technical fibre elements to be seen on the lower bodywork, precisely orientated to emulate the spill of a water’s wake.

The fascia is distilled in its appearance, purposefully reduced to provide a modern aesthetic. This minimalist canvas accentuates the jewel like features of the completely unique BOVET 1822 timepieces specifically commissioned by the client for Boat Tail (see below). Collecting pens is another of the clients’ great passions. A particularly cherished Montblanc pen will reside in a discretely placed, hand-crafted, case of aluminium and leather, in Boat Tail’s glove box.

The instrument panel dials are adorned with a decorative technique named Guilloché, more commonly perfected in the workshops of fine jewellers and watchmakers. An elegant, thin rimmed two-tone steering wheel then bears the colours of the commission.

The tactility of the open pore Caleidolegno is brought into the cabin. Anthracite in colour, the veneer brings modern strength and depth to offset the softness of the light blue and metallic sheen. The wood is applied to the lower cabin and floor area, reminiscent of wooden hull forms, again, at 55 degrees, perfectly book matched on centre line providing a uniform appearance when viewed from either side.

A SENSE OF OCCASION

“This car should mark a sense of occasion and serve that occasion like nothing else”.

Such was the brief of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail’s commissioning patrons. In response and in reflection of their character, the rear deck inconspicuously houses a highly ambitious concept never seen before in the automotive world. At the press of a button, the deck opens in a sweeping butterfly gesture, to reveal an intricate and generous hosting suite. Its complex movement was inspired by cantilever concepts explored by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
The hosting suite creates a celebratory focal point for a shared occasion and affords ample opportunity to reveal the individuality of the clients’ tastes and desires. It harbours an abundance of surprises executed to the highest quality. Expressed in a celebratory fashion, subverting the very notion of the motor car, the hosting suite surprises and delights all who come to experience it.

Hinged towards the centre line, the synchronised balletic opening movement reveals a treasure chest of moving parts that offer themselves to the host at a precise angle of 15 degrees. This subtle gesture of presentation reflects a genteel and quintessentially British expression of service.

The chest is appointed with the perfect accoutrements for a true Rolls-Royce al fresco dining experience; one side dedicated to aperitifs, the other, cuisine, complete with cutlery engraved with the name ‘Boat Tail’, made by Christofle in Paris.

A double refrigerator has been developed to house the clients’ favourite vintages of Armand de Brignac champagne. Elegant cradles were created to stow the specific bottle size within the refrigerator, the surrounds are highly polished and colour matched to the bottle.

While champagne is a familiar trope in the luxury world, Boat Tail’s client had a particular affinity with fine wine. The husband of this couple recalled a story from his humble beginnings. A great friend of his was a sommelier in his hometown and educated him in the taste profiles of various Grandes Marques de Champagne. This became a life-long education that turned into one of the most informed collections of rare Grand Cru champagnes in the world. The requirement for this knowledge and passion to be shared through the client’s Boat Tail was paramount – as was the need for this champagne to be rapid-cooled to precisely six degrees – the optimum serving temperature of the preferred vintage.

A classic design element of contemporary Rolls-Royce motor cars is the stowage of Rolls-Royce umbrellas in the doors, in anticipation of possible poor weather. In a delightful twist and to heighten the languid experience of Boat Tail, a unique parasol is housed beneath the rear centre line in anticipation of fine weather. A telescopic movement opens this beautiful and whimsical canopy inversely, ensuring effortless deployment.

Cocktail tables, which elegantly rotate to mimic the offering of an attendant, open on either side of the hosting suite providing access to two highly contemporary minimalist stools, which are discretely stowed below. Designed by Rolls-Royce and created by Italian furniture maker Promemoria, the slim-line interlocking stools are formed from the same technical fibre found on the exterior of the car. The interior blue Rolls-Royce leather provides the stools’ suitably comfortable seating materials.

TIMELESS PASSION – A COLLABORATION WITH BOVET 1822

In a move that further demonstrates the clients’ visionary approach to contemporary patronage, two great luxury Houses with a common pursuit of perfection have been brought together at the clients’ behest. World-class craftspeople from the House of BOVET 1822, which was founded on the philosophy of ingenuity and engineering, were called upon to work hand-in-hand with Rolls-Royce’s own masters in their field.

The mechanically minded clients sought to break new ground in horology. As esteemed and passionate collectors of both the Swiss-based House of BOVET and Rolls-Royce, their vision was to create exquisite, ground-breaking timepieces for their Boat Tail. In an act of tireless endeavour and genuine collaboration, the Houses have come together to re-imagine Rolls-Royce’s iconic centrepiece, the dashboard clock.

The result is an accomplishment never before realised in either industry. Two fine reversable timepieces, one for the lady and one for the gentleman, have been designed to be worn on the wrist, or, placed front and centre within Boat Tail’s fascia as the motor car’s clock.

The two-sided timepieces required Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 to work side by side over the course of three years to develop a ground-up remastering of the Amadeo convertible system, the most complex undertaken to date. The result is a true reflection of BOVET’s mastery, allowing for the bespoke tourbillon timepieces’ inclusion in the motor car.

Pascal Raffy, owner, BOVET 1822, commented, “I am so proud of the BOVET 1822 team, who worked in tandem with the elite design team at Rolls-Royce to produce something spectacular. These two pieces, and the mounting system, are completely unique and unlike anything we have ever done before.”

The story behind the creation of these remarkable works of art, and a detailed exploration of their mechanisms, together with information on the precious materials, unique micro-sculptures and the vast complexity of the watch carrier will be shared via a press release on 8 June, 2021 at 1pm BST.

AN ENGINEERING MARVEL

To fulfil the clients’ extraordinary ambitions, significant engineering challenges were overcome in the development of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. Indeed, 1813 completely new parts were created specifically for the cars. Time, patience, dedication and passion were the project’s hallmarks. To complete the preliminary engineering phase, prior to the commencement of production, a total of over 20 collective years were expended.

While designs were being finalised with the clients, the marque’s body-in-white, with its scalable aluminium spaceframe architecture, was completely reconfigured to support Boat Tail’s generous proportions, a process that took eight months in itself. As ever, the 15-speaker Bespoke Rolls-Royce Audio System was intended from the motor car’s inception, but the spaceframe architecture was exploited differently. Rolls-Royce’s existing product portfolio use a specially designed sill section of the architecture as the resonance chambers for the sound system’s bass speakers. In Boat Tail, the entire floor structure is utilised, creating an exceptional audio experience for the client.

To support the complex requirements of the hosting suite to the rear of Boat Tail, a unique electronic treatment was required. Five electronic control units (ECUs) were created for the rear of the car alone – a process that required a completely redesigned, dedicated wiring harness, which was the product of nine months of intensive research and development. Only then was it possible for the aft deck lids to open to an appropriate 67-degree angle, incorporate a highly secure locking mechanism and integrate a total climate control system to the rear hosting suite to preserve any cuisine stowed on board.

Indeed, the inside temperature of the hosting suite was a specific consideration. Boat Tail was created in anticipation of fair weather, so measures needed to be taken to ensure that heat absorption did not adversely affect the contents of the suite, which could include food, liquids and of course champagne. To that end, two fans are mounted in the lower section of the hosting suite to dissipate heat.  To confirm this and to ensure that Boat Tail’s hosting suite will acquit itself in all climates, it has been rigorously and successfully tested to 80 degrees Celsius and -20 degrees Celsius.

As Boat Tail is a fully homologated, road-legal motor car that was created to be driven, it was only fully released by the marque once it had undergone the same rigorous dynamic testing as all other Rolls-Royces, including high speed analysis to ensure the contents of the rear hosting suite are sufficiently fastened and therefore silent under power. Indeed, each client has stipulated that they wish to drive their Boat Tail immediately upon receipt.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, concluded, “Boat Tail is the culmination of collaboration, ambition, endeavour, and time. It was born from a desire to celebrate success and create a lasting legacy. In its remarkable realisation, Rolls-Royce Boat Tail forges a pivotal moment in our marque’s history and in the contemporary luxury landscape.” 

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SPOFEC ROLLS ROYCE WRAITH BLACK BADGE OVERDOSE

SPOFEC ROLLS ROYCE

WRAITH OVERDOSE BLACK BADGE

 

Black, wide, powerful and exclusive: SPOFEC offers a strictly limited edition of only three SPOFEC OVERDOSE models worldwide based on the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith.

The thrilling looks of this GT are coined by the spectacular widebody version with components made of carbon and 22-inch SPOFEC SP2 hi-tech forged wheels, which Vossen produces especially for this supercar. The coupe’s twelve-cylinder twin-turbo powerplant is uprated to 527 kW / 717 hp peak power and a peak torque of 986 Nm. This enables the OVERDOSE to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. In addition, there is a lowering module for the air suspension, which lowers the ride height of the two-door by about 40 millimeters.

SPOFEC ROLLS ROYCE WRAITH BLACK BADGE OVERDOSE

Black, wide, powerful and exclusive: SPOFEC offers a strictly limited edition of only three SPOFEC OVERDOSE models worldwide based on the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith. The thrilling looks of this GT are coined by the spectacular widebody version with components made of carbon and 22-inch SPOFEC SP2 hi-tech forged wheels, which Vossen produces especially for this supercar. The coupe’s twelve-cylinder twin-turbo powerplant is uprated to 527 kW / 717 hp peak power and a peak torque of 986 Nm. This enables the OVERDOSE to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. In addition, there is a lowering module for the air suspension, which lowers the ride height of the two-door by about 40 millimeters.

SPOFEC refines all current Rolls-Royce models. The brand name is composed of the first letters of the “SPirit OF Ecstasy,” the legendary radiator figure of the luxury cars from Goodwood. For the Black Badge Wraith, the German automotive refinement specialist is creating an OVERDOSE Limited Edition of just three cars. The carbon widebody that gives this supercar its name was shaped in cooperation with German designer Vittorio Strosek. The hi-tech compound from Formula 1 racing offers a perfect combination of low weight and high strength, while the high-end finish of these composite components guarantees a flawless fit and surface quality as well as optimal paintability. The wider front and rear fenders are instantly fascinating.

They give the 2+2-seater a width of 208 centimeters at the rear axle, surpassing the production car by 13 centimeters. To this end, SPOFEC developed curved extensions for the rear sidewalls, which seamlessly attach to the production bodywork. They create space for concave 10.5Jx22 forged wheels, which are fitted with high-performance tires of size 295/30 ZR 22. To match the vehicle, the SPOFEC SP2 wheels featuring nine pairs of double-spokes and a large cover that conceals the wheel bolts are painted black. US company Vossen, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hi-tech wheels, is responsible for the design and production. The OVERDOSE front fenders create the space required to install 9.5Jx22 wheels fitted with 265/35 ZR 22 tires. The fenders replace the production components in their entirety and add seven centimeters to the width of the Wraith at the front.

Special rocker panels create a perfect transition between the front and rear OVERDOSE fenders. What is more, they also emphasize the thrilling wasp waist and give the British luxury coupe an even lower and sleeker stance. An air intake on each side supplies the rear brakes with cooling air. The automotive refinement specialist also developed special SPOFEC OVERDOSE fascias for the wider front and rear fenders, which completely replace the production bumpers. The carbon front fascia not only gives the Wraith an even more striking face, it also reduces front-axle lift at high speeds. The OVERDOSE rear bumper likewise is a perfect fit with the two fender flares, giving the fastback a decidedly sporty look from the rear as well. A naked-carbon spoiler lip on the trunk lid can round off the athletic look. The SPOFEC performance upgrade is available to make the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith’s 6.6-liter twin-turbo twelve-cylinder even livelier. The processor-driven N-TRONIC module controls the engine with special mapping for injection and ignition and increases the boost pressure as well. With an output of 527 kW / 717 hp at 5,700 rpm and a peak torque of 986 Nm, on tap at a low 1,800 rpm, the upgraded luxury coupe slings itself from zero – 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h due to the high vehicle weight. The optimized power delivery of the V12 over the entire rev range ensures an even more superior driving experience. The SPOFEC OVERDOSE also offers a further plus when it comes to agile handling. To this end, the SPOFEC chassis engineers developed a special control module for the production air suspension. It lowers the ride height of the coupe by around 40 millimeters up to a speed of 140 km/h. At speeds higher than that, the body is automatically raised back up to the original level. SPOFEC also individualizes the interior of the Rolls-Royce Coupe by customer request.

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