Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub

ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES BESPOKE AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2026

Wed, 8 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0200

UK public debut of Spectre Series II, introducing new opportunities for Bespoke expression alongside greater power and extended range
Contemporary expressions of the Rolls-Royce portfolio showcased through a collection of distinctive Bespoke commissions
Black Badge Spectre Series II, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever created, set to take on the fabled Hillclimb in the Festival Supercar Run

“This year’s Festival of Speed motor cars reflect the breadth of the contemporary Rolls-Royce portfolio, from the UK public debut of Spectre Series II to a series of distinctive Bespoke commissions across Phantom Extended, Ghost Extended and Cullinan. Presented a stone’s throw from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, these motor cars demonstrate how design, engineering and Bespoke craftsmanship continue to evolve across every expression of the marque. We look forward to welcoming clients, Dealer Partners, media and visitors to experience these remarkable models throughout the event.”
John Beckley, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Asia

Held adjacent to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, the Festival of Speed offers a unique opportunity to experience the marque’s motor cars close to the only place in the world where they are designed, engineered and handcrafted.

Presented in the Stable Yard, this year’s collection showcases contemporary expressions of the Rolls-Royce portfolio. From the UK public debut of Spectre Series II to a series of distinctive Bespoke commissions, the display demonstrates how craftsmanship, material innovation and design individuality are expressed across the marque.

The motor cars on display this year are:

SPECTRE SERIES II: UK PUBLIC DEBUT

Launched in June this year, Spectre Series II is an evolution of this landmark motor car. Since its launch in 2022, Spectre has become one of the most significant and celebrated Rolls-Royce motor cars of the modern era, widely praised for its timeless design, serene performance and effortless driving characteristics. Spectre Series II builds on this success with greater power, extended range and new opportunities for Bespoke expression, introducing fresh applications of material craft and interior artistry.

Making its UK public debut at the Festival of Speed, this contemporary expression of Spectre Series II is finished in two-tone Dark Emerald with Black Diamond, complemented by a Mandarin coachline and brake callipers that provide a vibrant contrast to the exterior hue.

Inside the example on display, Placed Perforation, now available for the first time on Spectre Series II, transforms the leather itself into a canvas. This new Bespoke expression reveals a hidden artwork through precisely engineered perforation patterns, inspired by the shifting silhouettes cast by clouds in moonlight. Cashmere Grey and Black are the primary interior colours, whilst Mandarin seat piping, monogrammed headrests and coloured stitching provide a vibrant contrast throughout the cabin and reflect the exterior Mandarin details.

A new Illuminated Fascia artwork also features in Spectre Series II. Comprising 8,108 individual illuminations, its flowing wave pattern draws inspiration from the shifting mist that settles over the South Downs beyond the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

BLACK BADGE SPECTRE SERIES II: A BOLD NEW PALETTE

A dynamic interpretation of a Black Badge Spectre Series II, finished in Ethereal Blue, with striking red brake callipers, demonstrates a bold new palette for Black Badge. This new exterior finish is inspired by maritime environments, and the vivid hue emphasises an exclusive suite of Iced Black exterior details – intensifying the already assertive aesthetic of Rolls-Royce’s subversive alter ego.

The interior cabin showcases Duality Twill, now available for the first time on Spectre. This contemporary rayon fabric made from bamboo was inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d’Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa . For this commission, Duality Twill is showcased in Sage, a cool verdant green, creating a soft luminosity to this motor car’s cabin. Arctic White on the seat piping and monogrammed headrests adds a bright contrast to the interior.

PHANTOM REGATTA: INSPIRED BY MARITIME CRAFTSMANSHIP

This one-of-one Phantom Extended commission pays tribute to the racing yachts of the English south coast and to the regattas they contest each summer on the Solent – including the world-renowned Cowes Week. These stretches of water, together with neighbouring Chichester Harbour, are visible from the Goodwood Estate. They are also bound to the marque’s co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, whose beloved home, Elmstead, is located in the coastal village of West Wittering, just eight miles away from the marque’s present-day headquarters.

The exterior of the motor car is finished in Regatta Blue, a deep marine tone, over a lower body of English White, applied as a hand-laid two-tone treatment that recalls the line where a yacht’s hull meets the water.

The interior colourway evokes a yacht under full sail: deep blue water below, with white canvas above. The front is appointed in Navy Blue leather; the rear suite is finished in Grace White, suggesting sailcloth and wake. Seat and door piping, contrast stitching and the steering wheel are presented in both tones, and the RR monograms are embroidered in Turchese, the same turquoise found in clear inshore water.

The veneer is Piano Milori paired with Open Pore Royal Walnut, hand-finished in satin to the Waterfall, rear doors and picnic table tops. Completing the picnic tables alone required around 120 hours of precision craftwork. They are finished as a yacht deck, each composed of 16 ‘planks’ of Royal Walnut, cut from the same section of wood to ensure uniformity in the grain pattern. The ‘planks’ were laid by hand from the centre outwards, mirroring the grain to achieve a bookmatched effect. Between them, in the manner of deck caulking, runs a thin length of Black Bolivar wood. It is just two millimetres wide and cut as one piece to avoid any visible joins.

At the heart of the commission is a hand-painted Gallery artwork named Watercolour, created by one of the marque’s in-house artists using specially developed paints on an open-pore wooden substrate. To capture the movement of waves and open water, the artist created a new blending technique, refined over two weeks across numerous test panels as colours and application methods were trialled and adjusted to match their vision for a faithful interpretation of the sea.

The motor car keeps one detail hidden. Each Eyeball Vent is engraved with a set of geographic coordinates, visible only when the vent is tilted forward. The passenger-side vent includes the coordinates of Goodwood House, 50°52’12”N 00°44’24”W; the driver-side vent carries those of the Home of Rolls-Royce, 50°51’13”N 00°44’40”W. The two points sit within a mile of one another, and together they fix Phantom Extended Regatta to the place from which it came.

GHOST SAVILE ROW: A CELEBRATION OF BESPOKE TAILORING AND PERSONAL STYLE

Rolls-Royce and Savile Row have long shared a commitment to Bespoke. The term itself is closely associated with Savile Row, where cloth was traditionally described as being ‘bespoken’, or spoken for, by an individual client. For Rolls-Royce, alongside its design and engineering disciplines, Bespoke is at the heart of the marque today – an art and craft in which Rolls-Royce Motor Cars leads the world.

This one-of-one Ghost Extended commission is inspired by the art and craft of tailoring, for which Savile Row is renowned around the world. Conceived as a motor car dressed in elegant Savile Row suiting, the two-tone Midnight Sapphire over English White exterior is influenced by the quintessential combination of a navy suit paired with a crisp white dress shirt. A unique Silver Featureline references the refined contrast of polished cufflinks or a dress watch against a jacket cuff.

Inside, Navy, Arctic White and Selby Grey continue the theme. The seats feature a Bespoke vertical run-stitch in Selby Grey referencing traditional pinstripes. This stitching has been carefully aligned to the seat geometry in a manner comparable to pattern placement in bespoke garments.

The centre seam of each seat back meets the vertical embroidery of the Arctic White insert above. Set against the Navy Blue leather, the insert evokes a pressed white pocket square carefully placed in the breast pocket of a jacket. Each of the four inserts incorporates more than 16,000 stitches and embroidered tone-on-tone in two directions, like the warp and weft of woven cloth.

The fascia, steering-wheel spoke and door uppers are dressed in tactile Open Pore White Wood veneer, complemented by Black Wood to the centre console.

Lowering the rear armrest reveals a Bespoke embroidered artwork, inspired by the colourful linings of bespoke jackets and the bold graphics of luxury fashion houses. Bespoke Illuminated Treadplates also feature this pattern, extending the theme throughout the motor car. A Bespoke umbrella, finished in Navy, Arctic White and Selby Grey, adds an elegant final touch.

The commission’s boldest detail remains hidden until revealed. Lowering the rear centre armrest reveals a Bespoke embroidery, hidden like the colourful lining of a tailored jacket. The design is a plan view of the square trees, and the shadows they cast, in the courtyard at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. The artwork is the most demanding single-frame embroidery ever created by Rolls-Royce. The piece comprises seven colours, takes nine hours to construct and includes 250,000 stitches and nearly two kilometres – 1,830 metres – of thread. Brought to life in bold, graphic colour and the confident motifs of London’s great fashion houses, it brings a moment of private exuberance to the interior suite.

CULLINAN BOHEMIAN SUNSET: INSPIRED BY THE SKY AT DUSK

Created by designers at the Home of Rolls-Royce, Cullinan Bohemian Sunset draws inspiration from the changing colours of the sky at dusk. It is presented in Iced Silver Haze with a Mandarin coachline and Mandarin wheel-centre pinstripe.

Inside, the interplay of muted tones and vibrant accents continues with Bespoke Chevron Perforation to Seashell leather and Chevron embroidery in Navy and Mandarin. Overhead, a Bespoke Starlight Headliner transitions from orange to blue, mirroring the changing colours of the sky that inspired the commission.

BEYOND THE STABLE YARD, TO THE HILLCIMB

Beyond the Stable Yard display, Black Badge Spectre Series II will be a central highlight of the Festival Supercar Run. As the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever created, delivering 500 kW of power through Infinity Mode and up to 1,100 Nm of torque in Spirited Mode, it brings together the effortless performance of electric propulsion with the bold character of the marque’s alter ego.

ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST SAVILE ROW: A CELEBRATION OF BESPOKE TAILORING AND PERSONAL STYLE

Wed, 8 Jul 2026 11:59:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce Ghost Savile Row celebrates bespoke tailoring, personal style and the marque’s connection with British craftsmanship
Features and treatments inspired by Savile Row, London’s home of tailoring, and the traditions of fine suiting
Midnight Sapphire over English White exterior evokes navy suiting paired with a white dress shirt
Interior features Navy Blue leather with a Selby Grey run-stitch, inspired by pinstriped suits
Contains the most demanding single-frame embroidery in the marque’s history, recalling the flourish of a colourful jacket lining, with 250,000 stitches and 1,830 metres of thread
Set to be presented at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Savile Row are united by a shared understanding of luxury. Both are founded on the principle that the finest commissions begin with the individual, whose ideas are brought to life through extraordinary craftsmanship, attention to detail and a commitment to Bespoke. Rolls-Royce Ghost Savile Row celebrates the quiet kinship between two British institutions that have spent generations creating deeply personal expressions of their clients’ tastes, character and ambitions.”
Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Ghost Savile Row: a one-of-one Ghost Extended commission inspired by the art and craft of tailoring, informed by connoisseurs of the Savile Row tradition. Conceived as a motor car dressed in elegant Savile Row suiting, the two-tone Midnight Sapphire over English White exterior is influenced by the quintessential combination of a navy suit paired with a crisp white dress shirt. A unique Silver Featureline evokes the subtle jewellery elements worn by the well-tailored, such as cufflinks and a dress watch. The theme extends inside with Navy Blue and Arctic White leathers – subtly uplifted with embroideries and pinstriping – Open Pore White Wood, and a hidden-until-revealed embroidery behind the rear armrest that recalls the quiet flourish of a colourful jacket lining.

ROLLS-ROYCE AND SAVILE ROW: A QUIET KINSHIP

Rolls-Royce and Savile Row have long shared a commitment to Bespoke. The term itself is closely associated with Savile Row, where cloth was traditionally described as being ‘bespoken’, or spoken for, by an individual client. For Rolls-Royce, alongside its design and engineering disciplines, Bespoke is at the heart of the marque today – an art and craft in which Rolls-Royce Motor Cars leads the world.

The two institutions have been close from the marque’s earliest days: Rolls-Royce opened its first showroom in 1905 on Conduit Street, in the heart of Mayfair, London, just moments from ‘the Row’. The marque’s co-founder, Charles Rolls, who would accompany test drives in the capital, was also famous for his personal style. While he was affectionately nicknamed ‘Dirty Rolls’ for the engine oil that marked his clothes during his time at Cambridge University, he was also known to be immaculately dressed for formal occasions, down to the silver pocket watch in his waistcoat. With the showroom so close by, he would have been familiar with Savile Row and its traditions, as many of the marque’s clients still are today. Ghost Savile Row honours this connection with elegant details, developed in consultation with connoisseurs of the Savile Row tradition and realised by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople.

EXTERIOR COLOUR: TWO TONES, PERFECTLY SUITED

Ghost Savile Row’s exterior colourway is inspired by the combination of a navy suit and white dress shirt – a restrained pairing that became the foundation of British tailoring. This colour arrangement was popularised in the early 1800s by Beau Brummell; a close friend of the Prince Regent, a leading figure in London society, and now regarded as the father of modern menswear. His taste for more elegant cuts and understated colours influenced those who followed him and drew the capital’s finest tailors to Savile Row, establishing the street’s legend. Accordingly, the motor car is finished in a Bespoke Midnight Sapphire over English White two-tone.

In place of a traditional hand-painted coachline, the Bespoke Collective has introduced a hand-painted Silver Featureline. Rather than bisect the two-tone, this slender, bright accent line sits within the English White upper colour, referencing the contrast of subtle jewellery, such as cufflinks and a fine timepiece, against a white shirt. The exterior is completed with 22-inch nine-spoke part-polished wheels finished with body-coloured centres.

INTERIOR DETAILS: A HIDDEN FLOURISH

The same tailoring references continue throughout the interior, where the commission’s boldest flourish awaits discovery. Lowering the rear centre armrest reveals a Bespoke embroidery, hidden like the colourful lining of a tailored jacket. The design is a plan view of the square trees in the courtyard at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, and the shadows they cast. True to this commission’s celebration of Bespoke, the stitch style was developed specifically for Ghost Savile Row. Inspired by the interlocking threads of a woven fabric, it gives the embroidery the look and feel of woven cloth laid into leather. The artwork is the most demanding single-frame embroidery ever created by Rolls-Royce. The piece comprises seven colours, took nine hours to create and includes 250,000 stitches and nearly two kilometres – 1,830 metres – of thread. Brought to life in bold, graphic colour and the confident motifs of London’s great fashion houses, it brings a moment of private exuberance to the interior suite.

INTERIOR: A TRIBUTE TO TAILORING

Beyond the hidden embroidery, the language of tailoring is woven throughout the interior. The seats are finished in Navy Blue and Arctic White leather. The carpets, lambswool floor mats and seatbelts are rendered in Navy Blue, with seat and door piping, contrast stitching and embroidered RR monograms in Selby Grey. The seats feature a Bespoke vertical run-stitch in Selby Grey, inspired by the pinstripe of a tailored suit – the first time Rolls-Royce has applied a pinstripe stitch to its seats. As with the meticulous pattern-matching of a tailored garment, the stitch is aligned to the geometry of each seat and framed by Selby Grey piping. The centre seam of each seat back meets the vertical embroidery of the Arctic White insert above. Set against the Navy Blue leather, the insert evokes a pressed white pocket square tucked into the breast pocket of a jacket. Each of the four inserts incorporates more than 16,600 stitches, embroidered tone-on-tone in two directions, like the warp and weft of woven cloth.

The fascia, steering-wheel spoke and door uppers are dressed in tactile Open Pore White Wood veneer, complemented by Black Wood to the centre console lids.

Fine tailoring is judged by details many will never notice; the same principle applies at the Home of Rolls-Royce. Here, that discipline is expressed with a leather-wrapped indicator stalk finished with Arctic White stitching, an Arctic White leather-wrapped volume control, and Navy Blue leather-wrapped climate controls.

TAILORED TO THE LAST DETAIL

Bespoke Illuminated Treadplates that feature the same design as the hidden embroidery are fitted to all four door sills. Above them, stored within the motor car, are Bespoke umbrellas with canopies in Navy Blue, beading in Selby Grey and handles in Arctic White, which complete Ghost Savile Row – a motor car tailored, quite literally, to measure.

ROLLS-ROYCE PRESENTS PHANTOM REGATTA: A TRIBUTE TO THE WATERS OF THE ENGLISH SOUTH COAST

Thu, 2 Jul 2026 14:01:00 +0200

Phantom Regatta: a one-of-one Phantom Extended, set to be presented at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Evokes the waters of the English South Coast – the Solent and Chichester Harbour – within sight of Goodwood, including hand-painted ‘Watercolour’ Gallery artwork
Bespoke Starlight Headliner inspired by the tidal currents around the Isle of Wight
‘Decking’ picnic tables finished in Royal Walnut and Black Bolivar, recalling the deck of a yacht
Finished in Regatta Blue over English White, with 22-inch fully polished disc wheels
‘Eyeball’ air vents engraved with the coordinates of Goodwood House and the Home of Rolls-Royce

“Phantom Regatta is the work of our designers, engineers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, inspired by the waters on their doorstep. It brings the spirit of yachting – its colours, materials, and sense of speed – into the calm of a Phantom Extended. More than this, it shows what Bespoke at Rolls-Royce can do: tell an elegant story in paint, leather, wood and metal, each crafted by hand to the highest possible standard.”
Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Phantom Regatta, a one-of-one Phantom Extended commission which pays tribute to the racing yachts of the English South Coast and to the regattas they contest each summer on the Solent – among them the historic Cowes Week. These stretches of water, together with neighbouring Chichester Harbour, are visible from the Goodwood Estate, where the motor car will be unveiled during the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. They are also bound to the marque’s co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, whose beloved home, Elmstead, is located in the coastal village of West Wittering, just eight miles away from the marque’s present-day headquarters.

EXTERIOR: THE COLOUR OF THE COAST

The exterior of the motor car is finished in Regatta Blue, a deep marine tone, over a lower body of English White, applied as a hand-laid two-tone treatment that recalls the line where a yacht’s hull meets the water. The motor car is set on 22-inch fully polished disc wheels, their mirror surfaces recalling the polished steel winches of a racing yacht.

INTERIOR SUITE: UNDER FULL SAIL

The interior colourway evokes a yacht under full sail: deep blue water below, with white canvas above. The front is appointed in Navy Blue leather; the rear suite is finished in Grace White, suggesting sailcloth and wake. Seat and door piping, contrast stitching and the steering wheel are presented in both tones, and the RR monograms are embroidered in Turchese, the same turquoise as clear inshore water.

The veneer is Piano Milori paired with Open Pore Royal Walnut, hand-finished in satin to the Waterfall, rear doors and picnic table tops. Completing the picnic tables alone required around 120 hours of precision craftsmanship. They are finished as a yacht deck, each composed of 16 ‘planks’ of Royal Walnut, cut from the same section of wood to ensure uniformity in the grain pattern. The ‘planks’ were laid by hand from the centre outwards, mirroring the grain to achieve a bookmatched effect. Between them runs a thin length of Black Bolivar wood, just two millimetres wide and cut as one piece to avoid any visible joins, in the manner of deck caulking.

INTERIOR DETAILS: MARINE CRAFT

The centrepiece of the interior is a hand-painted Gallery artwork, which extends across the full width of Phantom Regatta. The piece, named Watercolour, was created by the marque’s in-house artist using specially developed paints on an open-pore wooden substrate. To capture the movement of waves and open water, the artist created a new blending technique, refined over two weeks across numerous test panels as colours and application methods were trialled and adjusted to match their vision for a faithful interpretation of the sea.

Above the interior suite, the marque’s craftspeople have created a Bespoke Starlight Headliner. The pattern design comprises 1,307 hand-placed fibre optic ‘stars’ and is inspired by the swirling tidal currents around the Isle of Wight. This exquisitely crafted reference is complemented by Illuminated Doors.

The motor car keeps one detail hidden. Each ‘eyeball’ air vent is engraved with a set of geographic coordinates, visible only when the vent is tilted forward. The passenger-side vent includes the coordinates of Goodwood House, 50°52'12"N 00°44'24"W; the driver-side vent carries those of the Home of Rolls-Royce, 50°51'13"N 00°44'40"W. The two points sit within a mile of one another, and together they fix Phantom Regatta to the place from which it came.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT FOR NORTH AMERICA

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:16:00 +0200

Nicholas (Nick) Keen appointed President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America
Nick has been with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for more than ten years, serving as General Manager, Client and Brand at Goodwood the last four years
He assumes his new role from 1 July 2026, leading the team in the marque’s largest region

“I am delighted to welcome Nick Keen to his new role as President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America. Nick has more than ten years of experience with the marque and has held several leading positions in the company during that time. Most recently, Nick has played a pivotal role in developing and strengthening Rolls-Royce’s position as a true House of Luxury. I wish Nick continued success in his new role in The Americas.”
Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the appointment of Nick Keen as President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, from 1 July 2026.

Nick joined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2015, moving to the marque’s home at Goodwood in England from BMW Group Australia, where he had worked as Brand Communications and Marketing Services Manager. Nick was appointed as Head of Marketing, Europe before moving to Head of Global Brand Strategy, Communications and Governance, and later to General Manager, Client and Brand in 2022.

Nick has overseen the marque’s global client experience strategy, contributed to the development of its contemporary brand positioning, and led the creation and international expansion of the Rolls-Royce Private Office network – initiatives that define Rolls-Royce today.

The Americas is the largest region for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It is home to the vibrant Rolls-Royce Private Office New York, the source of many of the company’s most ambitiously Bespoke Private Commission motor cars.

Nick will relocate to the US and is excited to take on the leadership of the strong and successful team based there.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN BESPOKE LUXURY IN AUSTRALIA WITH REIMAGINED SYDNEY SHOWROOM

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:19:21 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sydney officially unveils its reimagined showroom – the first in Australia to embody the marque’s landmark retail design language
The highly contemporary showroom environment is purpose-built for a new generation of self-made, distinctly individual Australian clients who demand experiences that are entirely their own
Opening graced by Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand, and Irene Nikkein, Regional Director Asia-Pacific, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The Sydney showroom signals the marque’s profound commitment to the Australian market and to the art of Bespoke commission

“Australia has been part of the Rolls‑Royce story from the very beginning, with only the 54^th Rolls-Royce to be made ordered by Australian Archibald Black in 1906, and today we are proud to write its next chapter. While Goodwood remains our home, showrooms such as this bring the marque to life for our clients; it is where their vision of a Bespoke motor car is first imagined and where their Rolls-Royce journey begins. This new showroom reflects our commitment to Australia and our valued partnership with Autosports Group. As the face and voice of the marque in Sydney, they play an important role in connecting our clients and friends of the brand with the elegance and craftmanship of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.”
Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sydney has been on an extraordinary journey, and this reimagined showroom is the natural expression of where we stand today. Our clients are among Australia’s most dynamic and creative individuals; they don’t simply want a motor car – they want to commission a statement of who they are. This space has been designed precisely for them: an environment that inspires, invites exploration, and transforms the act of acquiring a Rolls-Royce into an experience they will remember for a lifetime.”
Nick Pagent, CEO & Managing Director, Autosports Group

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled its first reimagined showroom in Australia. The Sydney showroom opened on 18 June 2026, marking a significant milestone for the marque in this country and reinforcing its commitment to one of the most vibrant luxury markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The opening was celebrated in the presence of Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Irene Nikkein, Regional Director Asia-Pacific.

The Sydney showroom also represents the continued commitment and strategic investment by Autosports Group in the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marque. Following the successful opening of the Auckland showroom in April 2025, this latest development further strengthens the group’s dual-market presence across Australia and New Zealand – reinforcing confidence in the region’s long-term growth and the increasing sophistication of its luxury clientele.

The revitalised three-car showroom on O’Riordan Street, Alexandria is the first in Australia to present Rolls-Royce’s bold retail design language in its full expression: a philosophy that has now been delivered across the marque’s finest global outposts, and which arrives in Sydney as a benchmark of what a Rolls-Royce client encounter can, and should, be.

More than a redesign, the opening signals a broader shift in how luxury is experienced in Australia and the evolving expectations of the new generation of clients seeking not only exceptional craftsmanship, but meaningful, bespoke experiences that reflect their personal identity. Demand for highly Bespoke motor cars has grown consistently, and Australian clients are increasingly commissioning works of remarkable complexity and ambition, such as Black Badge Ghost Gamer – a trajectory that mirrors the global record growth in Bespoke content value seen at Goodwood year upon year. The Sydney showroom has been conceived to meet this demand, offering an immersive space in which clients can shape their own Bespoke vision.

Drawing inspiration from the city’s celebrated interplay of harbour light, natural space and architectural confidence, the showroom translates the marque’s global design direction into an environment that is unmistakably ‘Sydney’. The entrance, artfully inspired by Rolls-Royce’s iconic Pantheon Grille, offers a discreet and elegant preview of the extraordinary world within, while the Spirit of Ecstasy presides over a space where cutting-edge luxury and the marque’s storied heritage converge seamlessly. Every element has been considered to create a welcoming client experience.

At the heart of the new showroom lies the Bespoke Commissioning Atelier: a dedicated, space where clients can explore the full breadth of Rolls-Royce craftsmanship and bring their own vision to life. Here, an extensive range of materials, finishes, and detailing options – from rare wood veneers to intricate embroidery threads – allows clients to create motor cars that are uniquely their own.

Honouring the city’s rich creative culture and natural grandeur, the showroom’s Cabinet of Curiosities presents a curated selection of objects, materials, and references drawn from the Australian landscape and its artistic traditions, offering a rich source of inspiration for clients embarking on a Bespoke commission.

Reflecting the growing significance of Bespoke in Australia, the Sydney showroom provides clients with a dedicated environment in which to explore new ideas and realise highly individual commissions. It reinforces Rolls-Royce's commitment to delivering an experience as personal as the motor cars it creates.

THE ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE GHOST TOURIST TROPHY: HONOURING CHARLES ROLLS’ 1906 TT VICTORY

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:05:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents the Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy, inspired by The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls’ victory in the 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
Bespoke commission displayed on the Isle of Man in the 120th anniversary year of Rolls’ triumph
Recalls the Light 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce driven by Rolls and his riding mechanic, Eric Platford, featuring Bespoke details rooted in the history of the race
Black Badge Ghost gives contemporary form to Rolls’ restless appetite for risk, speed and mechanical possibility

“Charles Rolls lived with an extraordinary sense of adventure. As a racing driver, balloonist, aviation pioneer, engineer and innovator, he helped define the courage and curiosity that still shape Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today. His victory in the 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was not simply a sporting achievement: it was a test of judgement, nerve and faith in a finely prepared motor car. The Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy honours that spirit, recalling both the motor car he drove and the character that made his achievement so significant.”
John Beckley, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Eastern Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“Charles Rolls was a high-voltage Edwardian: experimental, audacious and moving faster than the world around him. His victory in the 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy demonstrated both courage and discipline – a demanding course, limited fuel, a finely prepared motor car and an absolute belief in what machines could make possible. The Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy carries that spirit with restraint. Every Bespoke detail is rooted in the race, yet the overall expression is contemporary, quietly assured and deeply controlled.”
Alistair Barkley, Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has presented the Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, marking 120 years since Charles Rolls’ victory in the 1906 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.

The commission takes its inspiration from the Light 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce driven by Rolls and his riding mechanic, Eric Platford. Held over four laps of the Isle of Man course, the Tourist Trophy tested touring motor cars in the most exacting terms: speed had to be balanced with endurance, mechanical sympathy and carefully judged fuel use.

The event took place on the Highroads Course, which was shortened to 40.38 miles. Rolls started fourth and was leading by the end of the opening lap. By the final lap, he had built a 10-minute advantage – a remarkable margin in a race governed by restraint as much as pace. He and Platford completed four laps of the course in 4 hours, 6 minutes, and 0.06 seconds, at an average speed of 39.4 mph. There was just one pint and one ounce of fuel remaining in the 20 H.P. at the end of the race; it is this level of precision, aptitude and attention to detail shown by Rolls and Platford that continues to define Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today.

Charles Rolls was independent in thought, technically fluent and restless in pursuit of what machines could make possible. It was his restless quest for the new and the extraordinary which drew him to the exhilaration of early motor racing, ballooning and aviation. In Black Badge Ghost, that restlessness finds a contemporary form – assertive in character, exacting in detail and disciplined in execution.

The Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy carries the memory of the race through quiet, precise Bespoke details – each one connected to the Island, the course, the winning motor car or the man behind the achievement.

THE COLOUR OF VICTORY

The exterior of the commission is finished in Dark Emerald, selected to recall the green hue of the Light 20 H.P. Rolls-Royce driven by Rolls in the 1906 Tourist Trophy. A single Tan Coachline provides a restrained contrast, accompanied by a hand-painted Coachline motif featuring the number 4 in Arctic White. The number references Rolls’ starting position for the race, and the four laps of the course he completed in just over four hours.

A PRIVATE ARCHIVE

Inside, the Black and Tan palette creates an atmosphere of controlled intensity. Black leather and Black Badge Technical Fibre give the cabin a darker, contemporary edge, softened by Tan leather, stitching and seat piping, and the warmth of Mocassin lambswool.

The rear Waterfall carries an embroidered outline of the Isle of Man Short Highroads Course, placing the landscape of the victory within the intimacy of the cabin. Further references are concealed within the central ‘eyeball’ air vents, where engravings record details from the race-winning motor car and the event itself, including the registration number AX157, chassis number 26350B, race date 27.09.1906, and start and finish line coordinates, 54˚09’27.1” N 4°29’ 54.7” W.

Bespoke Illuminated Treadplates fitted to all four door sills also reference chassis number 26350B. Together, these elements form a discreet private archive within the Black Badge Ghost Tourist Trophy.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR RALPH ROBINS: 1932-2026

Thu, 4 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars pays tribute to Sir Ralph Robins, FREng, FIMechE, FRAeS, who has passed away aged 93.

Sir Ralph was Chairman of Rolls-Royce plc from 1992 to 2003, during which time he played a pivotal role in the agreement that secured the future of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the establishment of its Home at Goodwood.

He went on to serve as a non-executive director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars from 2003, the year in which the first motor car was hand-finished at Goodwood, and was a guiding presence through the marque’s modern renaissance and the years that followed. A Chartered Engineer and the holder of numerous professional and academic honours, he brought a depth of technical insight to bear on many of the marque’s innovations and continued in his non-executive role until very recently.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars extends its sincere condolences to Lady Robins, their two daughters and Sir Ralph’s entire family at this sad time.

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “Sir Ralph was instrumental in the renaissance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at Goodwood, and remained a trusted counsel and steady hand in the years that followed in his capacity as a non-executive director. Beyond Rolls-Royce, his contribution to British industry and to UK plc was profound; he was, in every sense, one of the great engineers and business leaders of his generation. He will be deeply missed by all of us at the Home of Rolls-Royce.”

ROLLS-ROYCE PRESENTS SPECTRE SERIES II: THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF PERFECTION CONTINUES

Tue, 2 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce presents Spectre Series II and Black Badge Spectre Series II: a landmark motor car, further elevated with greater power, extended range and an enhanced Bespoke offering
Re-engineered technology extends range by up to 18% (390 miles/628km WLTP) and reduces charging times by up to 14%
Black Badge Spectre Series II becomes the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever created, delivering 500kW of power through Infinity Mode and up to 1100Nm torque in Spirited Mode
Bespoke possibilities expanded to support increasingly ambitious commissions
Iced Black exterior detailing introduced for Black Badge Spectre Series II
New clock design draws on aviation instruments, housed within a Clock Cabinet vitrine
New Bespoke interior offering: Duality Twill and Placed Perforation now available for Spectre

“Spectre is a landmark motor car for Rolls-Royce – conceived by our engineers, designers and craftspeople, informed by our clients and acclaimed the world over. It amplifies the qualities our clients value most: silence, effortlessness and abundant power, confirming that Rolls-Royce is perfectly suited to electrification. This motor car’s extraordinary reception around the world has also established Spectre as one of the most compelling canvases for Bespoke in our contemporary product portfolio, inspiring clients to pursue ever more individual and ambitious commissions. With Spectre Series II, we extend those possibilities even further. This refinement of a modern masterpiece is made in the spirit of our co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, who said: ‘Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing’.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“Spectre has consistently been recognised as one of the most elegant automotive forms of the modern era. Clients frequently cite its design as one of the defining reasons for their commission, and it will undoubtedly take its place in future collections of remarkable motor cars. In expanding the palette of materials and crafts introduced for Spectre Series II, we respond directly to our clients’ desire to approach Spectre with even more creative ambition, as they explore its possibilities as a canvas on which to tell their story.”
Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce announces Spectre Series II, introducing a suite of technical and creative enhancements to the marque’s landmark super-coupé.

Since its introduction in 2022, Spectre has become one of the most significant and celebrated Rolls-Royce motor cars of the modern era, widely praised for its timeless design, serene performance and effortless driving character. Spectre Series II builds on this success. Engineering updates unlock up to 18% more range (390 total miles, WLTP), alongside higher torque of 1,015 Nm increased to 1,100 in Spirited Mode and up to 14% reduction in charging times. Newly crafted interior illuminations, an expanded palette of exquisite materials, and striking exterior treatments further elevate Spectre’s interior possibilities. These changes sharpen Spectre’s character while preserving the qualities that have already established it as a future classic.

CONSIDERED REFINEMENT, SILENT POWER

While Spectre's range and performance already exceeded client expectations, engineers at Goodwood have recalibrated the motor car’s drivetrain to deliver even greater immediacy and control for Series II, further strengthening Black Badge Spectre’s standing as the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history. Power output now reaches 442 kW whilst torque rises to 1,015 Nm. In Black Badge Spectre Series II, Infinity Mode unlocks 500 kW of power, while Spirited Mode summons up to 1,100 Nm torque.

Thanks to re-engineered battery cell technology Spectre Series II’s potential driving distance is increased by up to 18% to 390 miles (WLTP) and charging times have been reduced by up to 14%. This reinforces the marque’s commitment to both electric serenity and uncompromised capability.

SPECTRE: A DEFINING CANVAS FOR BESPOKE

Spectre has emerged as one of the most compelling canvases for Bespoke in Rolls-Royce’s contemporary portfolio, with some clients requesting more than 20 individual and personal Bespoke elements in their motor car. Demand for Bespoke commissions on Spectre is surpassed only by Phantom. In addition to the near-limitless opportunities for Bespoke through the marque’s Private Offices, Spectre Series II introduces a new suite of crafted elements, materials and finishes as a response to clients’ increasing desire for highly ambitious and expressive commissions.

EXTERIOR COMPOSURE, REINFORCED

The super-coupé’s celebrated fastback profile, clean surfacing and split headlamp signature are retained for Spectre Series II, underlining the marque’s confidence in this initial, widely acclaimed design. Since launch, Spectre has been widely praised as one of the most elegant automotive forms of the era and now stands alongside Phantom Coupé and other revered Goodwood-era models in the marque’s collector canon. Of the numerous international accolades Spectre has received, its timeless design is consistently celebrated by judging panels, while clients have embraced Spectre as a true modern masterpiece. To accentuate Spectre’s form and surfacing, a new solid exterior finish, named Ethereal Blue, has been developed for Spectre Series II.

SCULPTED WHEEL DESIGN

A new 23-inch forged alloy wheel design introduces a highly faceted multi-spoke treatment that captures and reflects light from every angle. The wheel is forged with exceptionally sharp 2.5 mm radii, allowing the surfaces to retain their crisp diamond-like definition even after polishing. Each wheel is hand-finished for up to six hours to achieve this precise faceting and is available in two finishes: part-polished and fully polished.

INTERIOR EXPRESSION AND MATERIAL INNOVATION

Responding to the exceptional creative ambition of Spectre clients, Spectre Series II significantly expands the interior palette, offering new materials, treatments and crafted details of remarkable depth and variety. Among them is Duality Twill – a contemporary interior rayon fabric made from bamboo, now available within Spectre for the first time. This material was inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d'Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa.

The twill textile is embroidered with an artistic ‘Duality’ graphic. Based on an abstract interpretation of the two interlinked letter R initials of the marque’s founders, the design reflects a nautical influence, reminiscent of the interweaving rope lines found on sailing yachts – another subtle allusion to the French Riviera.

A Duality Twill interior on Spectre Series II can incorporate up to 2.6 million stitches, 10 miles of thread, requiring up to 25 total hours to construct. The twill textile is available in Lilac, Chocolate, Black and a newly introduced Sage: a cool, verdant green that introduces a soft luminosity to Spectre Series II’s interior suite. Clients can select from more than 50 different colours of thread for the embroidered elements, either contrasting with or complementing the base layer.

Placed Perforation leather is also available for Spectre Series II, where precision-cut patterns are created to reveal unique artworks. For its debut, designers created a pattern inspired by the shifting silhouettes cast by clouds in moonlight. Spanning the shoulder and headrest areas of the front and rear seats, it comprises 78,138 perforations in three different sizes: 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm. If the perforations are extended to the illuminated door option, the pattern subtly disperses as it approaches each light source, creating a soft, atmospheric diffusion effect reminiscent of starlight emerging through shifting night skies.

A new distinctive high gloss Brindled Walnut veneer reflects the marque’s deeply considered approach to material craft. The finish is created by combining walnut sourced from non-fruiting trees – which would ordinarily be burned – with residual eucalyptus fibres from fine paper production, forming a richly layered ‘tiger stripe’ pattern. These elements are first compressed and then precisely cut into veneer sheets.

The finish is sealed with a lacquer infused with a fine powder of glass flakes, before a final clearcoat is applied. This layered process creates the impression that the shimmering particles are suspended beneath the surface, adding a sense of depth and movement to the veneer.

The Interior Panel and Clock Gallery now span the entire width of the fascia, joined by a new Illuminated Fascia artwork. Its directional wave pattern is composed of 8,108 individual pixel-like illuminations that appear to flow across the surface, reinforcing Spectre Series II’s strong horizontal character. The design draws inspiration from the shifting mist that settles over the woodlands of the South Downs, which rise beyond the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

A new timepiece has also been introduced. Its design takes inspiration from precision aviation instruments, which prioritise absolute legibility. The dial features cast metal hands and a pared-back graphic treatment that reflects the motor car’s contemporary character. As well as housing a new timepiece, the unique inset vitrine showcases an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine crafted from solid stainless steel.

A BOLD NEW PALETTE FOR BLACK BADGE

For Black Badge Spectre Series II, a suite of new design enhancements further dramatise the marque’s alter ego, amplifying its intense and uncompromising character.

A new Iced Black Exterior Detailing offer has been developed, transforming almost all of the motor car’s brightwork with a matte finish. The treatment is applied to the grille surround, sideframe finishers, bumper inserts, ‘Double R’ Badge of Honour side surround, door handles and the Spirit of Ecstasy. The effect is achieved using a specially developed matte clear coat, creating a refined, satin-like finish. Notably, the vanes of the Pantheon Grille remain polished – a decision taken by Rolls-Royce designers to preserve the motor car’s identity.

A new wheelset has also been developed to create an even more imposing visual character for Black Badge. The open-spoke design places emphasis on the motor car’s powerful braking hardware while a polished outer ring – pushed to the very edge of the wheel – accentuates the diameter of the seven-spoke structure. A subtle sparkle effect is achieved through fine glass flakes embedded within the finish. This bold new design is also available in Iced Matte Black – the first time a Black Badge wheel has been offered in this finish – created using a specialised high-temperature curing process.

SPECTRE AND ITS CLIENTS

At the heart of Spectre’s success is its founding philosophy. It was conceived as a Rolls-Royce first – defined by silence, effortlessness and presence – brought to life through electric power. In doing so, it delivers an experience completely in tune with the marque’s values, confirming Rolls-Royce’s authority in shaping the future of super-luxury motoring.

This approach has clearly resonated with clients. In 2025, Spectre retained its position as the marque's second best-selling model globally.

To inform the development of Spectre Series II, Rolls-Royce specialists mapped how clients live with their Spectre. Typically the second Rolls-Royce in a seven-car garage, Spectre is nonetheless driven extensively. While the average annual mileage of around 4,000 miles (6,500 km) remains consistent with other two-door Rolls-Royce motor cars, such as Wraith, Dawn, and Phantom Coupé, Spectre is increasingly used for personal driving enjoyment, charged almost exclusively at home, and most often driven solo – affirming its identity as a true driver’s Rolls-Royce.

Spectre’s effortless usability has seen many clients embrace it as a daily motor car. One European client has travelled more than 30,000 miles (50,000 km) in the two years since taking delivery – more than three times the average annual mileage typically recorded by a Rolls-Royce.

In the United States, one well-known collector based in Los Angeles has also made Spectre a daily companion. One particular pleasure of their ownership, they have told the marque, is the short journey from their residence at the top of a hill to their garage below – a drive in which the motor car arrives with more range than it started, thanks to regenerative braking.

Spectre’s peerless driving experience is an important expression of this motor car’s success though not the only one. It is equally recognised by clients as a long-term emotional asset and a unique canvas for Bespoke individualisation. For example, Spectre has been reimagined as a tribute to a client-couple’s lifelong relationship, symbolised by a Bespoke Starlight Headliner configured with the constellations as they were on the day they first met; a celebration, through exquisite marquetry, of a cherished family dog, named Bailey; an extension of a client’s home, directly mirroring the hues and textures of their living space; and a continuation of a notable haute joaillerie collection, drawing inspiration from a colour associated with their favourite designer. A client in Korea has taken the act of commissioning further still by creating a gallery space within their residence in which to display their Spectre as a work of art.

These insights reflect the emotional breadth, creative depth and driving pleasure clients now associate with this landmark motor car, all of which shaped the subtle refinements introduced for Spectre Series II.

SPECTRE SERIES II: INTEGRITY, ENHANCED

Spectre’s evolution for Series II is a powerful affirmation of the motor car’s design integrity and engineering permanence. It emerges within a new era of commissioning shaped by deeper collaboration through the marque’s expanding global Private Office network, and a broader creative repertoire than ever before. It respects the instincts of those who recognised Spectre’s significance from the outset and offers new opportunities for expression to those who commission it next.

ROLLS-ROYCE PRESENTS BLACK BADGE CULLINAN BY CYRIL KONGO: CAPTURING THE ENERGY OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:01:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce presents Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo: a collaborative project featuring hand-painted artworks by acclaimed modern artist
Artworks on Starlight Headliner and woodset hand-painted by Kongo, representing the vibrant ‘Kongoverse’
Debuts first-ever Rolls-Royce Gradient Coachline, matching the colours of the brake callipers and the interior accents
Kongo ‘tag’ motif adorns umbrellas, Illuminated Treadplates, hand-painted as the Coachline motif and re-created in embroidery
Unprecedented collaboration: Kongo brought the artwork to life alongside the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce
Five Private Commissions curated through Rolls-Royce Private Offices in New York, Seoul and Goodwood

“Creativity and imagination are the forces that define Rolls-Royce, shaping motor cars that are as individual as their owners. Our Private Offices, where clients co-create the most complex Bespoke commissions, directly reflect this belief. It was conversations within these spaces where the desire for bold contemporary art was identified among a uniquely daring and likeminded group of Rolls-Royce collectors. To bring this idea to life, we collaborated with Cyril Kongo, whose expressive, uncompromising style resonated perfectly with the spirit of Black Badge. What followed was an unprecedented collaboration, with Kongo working with and among our Bespoke Collective of designers, craftspeople and engineers to bring these extraordinary motor cars to life. Five unique Black Badge Cullinan Private Commissions are the result, each a unique work of art in its own right, and represents the complete fusion of two unmistakable creative worlds.”
Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“When I first saw Black Badge Cullinan, I felt compelled to create my own interpretation of the universe it belonged to – what I call ‘The Kongoverse’. It is a place of fantasy, mathematical formulas, symbols, pyramids, atoms and imagined planets. Rolls-Royce welcomed these ideas and gave them form – that’s what made it special. It was a conversation, using my visual language and Rolls-Royce’s way of making, with the motor car itself as the canvas. To bring that to life in collaboration with the brand’s artisans has been an extraordinary experience.”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo; five exuberant Private Commissions featuring veneer and leather interior surfaces individually hand-painted by world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist, Cyril Kongo. All five motor cars share the same creative theme, but each features a unique expression of Kongo’s work. This project has been curated through the marque’s Private Offices in New York, Seoul, and the original Private Office at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.

Black Badge Cullinan is a powerful canvas for Kongo’s work. As the darker, more subversive alter-ego of Rolls-Royce, Black Badge is the most daring expression of the brand. This mirrors the intensity of Kongo’s art, which appears on the Starlight Headliner, picnic tables, fascia, and Waterfall between the rear seats.

Using the interior surfaces of Black Badge Cullinan, Kongo brought ‘The Kongoverse’ – the artist’s aesthetic universe conceived for the collaboration with Rolls-Royce – to life within the motor car. This unique expression is shaped by destiny, imagination, and the power of individuality: themes that became central to Kongo during this landmark project.

AN UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION

“What made this collaboration so special was the constant conversation between my universe and Rolls-Royce’s. Every idea was treated with care and curiosity. I was fully immersed in the brand’s creative studio.”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

To bring his vision to life, Rolls-Royce embraced Kongo as a member of the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and artisans. Though the marque has a rich heritage of collaborating with leading creatives, this project represents an unprecedented depth of co-creation. From the outset, Kongo was embedded within the Bespoke Collective, working alongside the Rolls-Royce teams at the Home of Rolls-Royce. He was involved in every stage of the project’s conception, design and realisation, with a dedicated space created for him, where Kongo painted each element by hand.

“The way we worked together with Cyril Kongo was unprecedented. Six months before production began, we brought him to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and immersed him in our world, meeting our specialists and craftspeople, sharing our tools and techniques, and placing our full paint palette at his disposal. When we came to co-create the motor cars, we set up dedicated workspaces within our Bespoke facilities, where Cyril and our specialists worked hand-in-hand, integrating his artistic language into each element. The collaboration fostered a continuous exchange of ideas and a shared spirit of curiosity and creative confidence. This fully embedded, in-house approach gave Cyril the freedom to explore his vision in the moment, true to the spontaneous nature of his art.”
Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

VIVID WORLDS: ADVENTURES IN THE KONGOVERSE

“My art reflects the infinite power of imagination – picturing worlds that do not exist, but which could. To bring this vision to life with a Rolls-Royce was unforgettable.”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

Each motor car shares the same interior colour treatment: a Black foundation with vivid bursts of colour. For the first time, the interior is divided into four distinct zones, each defined by a contrasting colourway: Phoenix Red for the driver’s seat, Turchese for the front passenger’s seat, and Forge Yellow and Mandarin for the rear. These colours are expressed through stitching, piping, seat inserts and the ‘RR’ monograms on the headrests, as well as the lambswool carpets. From this shared palette, Kongo hand-painted five individual interior artworks, transforming each motor car into a true one-of-one collector’s piece.

STARLIGHT HEADLINER: THE KONGOVERSE, WRITTEN IN STARS

“When I first saw a Starlight Headliner, it inspired me straight away: they are a universe in motion, and truly immersive. I knew this feature would be my centrepiece .”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

A hand-painted Starlight Headliner – a roof lining creating the impression of a serene night sky within the motor car with 1,344 fibre-optic ‘stars’ – is the focal point of each Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo. In each artwork, Kongo introduces imagined planets and constellations alongside references to quantum physics – a subject that has fascinated him since sharing a studio with his brother, who is a physicist. Equations and formulae are embedded within his compositions, symbolising the infinite potential of the imagination: a theme echoed in the infinity symbol, which codifies all Rolls-Royce Black Badge motor cars.

To realise his vision, Interior Surface Centre craftspeople prepared more than 70 paint colours, giving Kongo complete creative freedom to bring his artwork to life. Each composition was applied using a combination of sponges, airbrushes and brush tools.

After painting the Starlight Headliner, Kongo worked closely with Bespoke engineers to define the precise placement and colour of all ‘stars’. Each ‘star’ was counted and individually marked by the artist before being painstakingly hand-punched and placed by the marque’s artisans. Each Starlight Headliner features various combinations of Blue, Phoenix Red, Forge Yellow, Cobalto Blue, Twickenham Green or Lime Green illuminations and eight Shooting Stars, including a final ‘star’ that spans the entire length of the ceiling – a Rolls-Royce first.

As a final, hidden detail, Kongo’s signature ‘tag’ motif is painted on the leather lining inside the sun visor and inside the luggage compartment lid. This hallmark design is also faithfully recreated in fine embroidery on the door leather.

HAND-PAINTED INTERIOR SURFACES: A CONTINUOUS COMPOSITION

“We talked about how to make the piece groove, how to keep the rhythm inside the motor car. For me, painting is like jazz. You move, but everything stays connected.”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

Each Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo features a Bespoke woodset individually hand-painted by the artist, extending across the fascia, centre console, rear console, Picnic Tables and the Waterfall between the rear seats. Together, these elements form a single, continuous composition within the motor car.

Ahead of Kongo’s arrival, the Interior Surface Centre prepared each of the 19 veneered pieces by painting them in black and mounting them on specially created fixtures within the marque’s paint laboratory. Working directly onto these surfaces, Kongo applied his signature Kongoverse designs using airbrushes of varying sizes to achieve different levels of detail.

To enhance and protect the artworks, Rolls-Royce artisans applied ten layers of lacquer to each surface. Each piece was then sanded and polished to a brilliant finish, ensuring the depth and durability expected of a Rolls-Royce interior.

BESPOKE EXTERIOR: A POWERFUL CANVAS

“I want people to discover this artwork step by step. The more you explore, the more you see. The exterior should only hint at the universe inside.”
Cyril Kongo, Artist

Each Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo motor car is presented in a rich Blue Crystal Over Black finish: the deep black paint is further elevated with a lacquer infused with blue particles that shimmer in sunlight, allowing the surface to appear almost blue in certain light. In a Rolls-Royce first, each features a Gradient Coachline: Phoenix Red transitions to Forge Yellow along the left side, Mandarin fades into Turchese along the right, with Kongo’s distinctive ‘tag’ symbol incorporated as a Bespoke motif within both. In another Rolls-Royce first, behind each 23-inch Part Polished Black Badge alloy wheel is a different coloured brake calliper: Phoenix Red, Turchese, Forge Yellow and Mandarin – colours selected to match the Coachline and the vivid colour accents in the interior.

The Phoenix Red ‘tag’ graphic used in the exterior Coachline is carried through to the Bespoke Illuminated Treadplates and the black Bespoke umbrellas concealed in the doors, where it appears as a subtle motif on the canopy.

CURATED BY PRIVATE OFFICES: THE POWER OF CONNECTION

The Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo project has been curated by Rolls-Royce Private Offices in Seoul, New York, and the original at Goodwood. Private Offices are creative hubs, available by invitation only, which serve as extensions of the Home of Rolls-Royce and further elevate the experience of commissioning a Bespoke Rolls-Royce motor car.

Each Private Office has a dedicated Rolls-Royce team based permanently in the region. Their deeply personal relationships with clients give them a unique insight into the cultural cues, passions, and interests of local collectors. It is through this lens that the Cyril Kongo collaboration took shape as both an artistic statement and a reflection of contemporary collector culture.

All five Black Badge Cullinan by Cyril Kongo motor cars are allocated to collectors worldwide.

ROLLS-ROYCE AND THE ART WORLD

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:00:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce has long been associated with some of the most high-profile names in the art world. Many leading artists and significant patrons owned and travelled in Rolls-Royce motor cars; in the modern era, the marque has collaborated with influential figures in the contemporary milieu to create Bespoke motor cars that stand as works of art in their own right.

This review celebrates some of the notable artists for whom Rolls-Royce has become part of their legacy and legend, and the wider connections between Rolls-Royce and the art world that have brought so many great practitioners to the brand over the years.

A BRAND BORN FROM ART

Born in 1875, Charles Robinson Sykes won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, where he studied drawing, painting and sculpture. Sykes, who enjoyed a long, varied and successful career as a commercial artist, was hired by The Hon. John Montagu in 1902 to provide the illustrated elements of The Car Illustrated magazine, one of the first to print images in full colour.

Sykes’s work soon caught the attention of Claude Johnson, the first commercial managing director of Rolls-Royce. When Johnson decided Rolls-Royce needed an official mascot, he commissioned Sykes to create one, instructing him to make it look like the imposing Greek statue Nike of Samothrace in The Louvre in Paris. Sykes, however, believed a more ethereal figure would better express his own experience of travelling in Montagu’s Rolls-Royce. He created a delicate figurine now globally known and revered as The Spirit of Ecstasy, which continues to grace every Rolls-Royce motor car to this day.

ART IN MOTION

In the early days, Rolls-Royce supplied motor cars as rolling chassis, on which the owner commissioned bodywork from their chosen specialist independent coachbuilder. Many owners took full advantage of this opportunity for personal expression, creating motor cars that stand as works of art in their own right.

1925 Phantom I – Chassis 94MC

This motor car is based on a 1925 Phantom I chassis, bought new by Mrs Hugh Dillman of Detroit. Unhappy with the cabriolet body built by Hooper & Co in London, Mrs Dillman never took delivery, and the car was sold on to the Raja of Nanpara.

In 1934, a new owner sent the chassis to coachbuilders Jonckheere in Belgium. They gave it a completely new body defined by the large round doors, which allow passengers into either row of seating. Each door features a two-piece window that splits like a pair of scissors down into the door. The design also includes a sloping radiator grille covering the perpendicular original, double side-by-side sunroofs, round spats that cover almost the entire rear wheel, and a side-opening louvered luggage compartment. Bullet-shaped headlights, flowing wings and a long vertical tailfin down the luggage compartment lid finish off the sleek contours of what became known as The Jonckheere Coupé.

The motor car was later acquired by a Mr Max Obie, who painted it gold and charged visitors $1 to view it. In 1991, it was sold to a Japanese collector, then sat largely forgotten until 2001 when it was acquired by its present owners, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, CA. Now fully restored, the ‘Round Door Rolls-Royce’ has taken top honours at both Pebble Beach and Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance.

1927 Phantom I – Chassis 76TC

Among the most famous and extravagant examples was a Phantom I commissioned in 1927 by Clarence Gasque as a gift for his heiress wife, Maude. Known as 'The Phantom of Love', it was both a glorious monument to his devotion, and a spectacular indulgence of Maude’s passion for 18th Century French history and design.

With an effectively unlimited budget, coachbuilders Charles Clark & Sons produced an interior worthy of Versailles. Details included a bespoke Aubusson tapestry on the rear seats, a hand-painted ceiling with gilded cornices, and a bow-fronted drinks cabinet based on a Louis XIV chiffonier, topped with an ormolu clock and a pair of French porcelain vases filled with gilded metal and enamel flowers. Cupboards at either end held concealed, fold-down, inward-facing occasional seats also upholstered in Aubusson tapestry. A century later, it remains one of the finest examples of automotive art and craftsmanship ever created; it was displayed at the Goodwood Revival as part of the marque’s 100 Years of Phantom celebrations in 2025.

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III – Chassis 3CP38

Originally built in 1937 as a six-passenger limousine with occasional seats, this Phantom III was re-bodied in 1946 as a Sedanca de Ville by coachbuilders Freestone & Webb for Sir John Gaul, a colourful and eccentric property developer with a penchant for spectacular cars. To complement its striking Chianti Red paintwork and sham-cane rear doors, the front and rear wings, together with all the brightwork, were finished in copper, earning the motor its nickname, ‘The Copper Kettle’. The sumptuous interior featured comforts including an electrically operated division window, folding tables, a heater, radio, bar and clock in the rear compartment.

In 1954, Gaul sold the car to a Mr L Zimbler in the UK: it then spent time in South Africa and the Netherlands before returning to London in 1964, where it went on sale, fully restored and with 56,000 miles on the clock. By 1966 it had found its way to the USA, eventually entering the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, CA, where it remains among the most popular exhibits. In 2008, the motor car took both First in Class in the Rolls-Royce Pre-War Class and the Lucius Beebe Trophy at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance; it returned to the event in 2017.

1946 Silver Wraith – Chassis WTA45

This motor car was also owned by Sir John Gaul. He initially sent the chassis to Freestone & Webb, creators of his ‘Copper Kettle’, but changed his mind and commissioned Coupe de Ville bodywork from his other favourite coachbuilder, Carrosserie Saoutchik of Paris. It was the first Rolls-Royce to be bodied by a coachbuilder outside the UK after the Second World War, and the only example Saoutchik ever built on a Rolls-Royce chassis.

In typically flamboyant Saoutchik style, the motor car features sweeping curves and reversed elements, sham-canework, carriage-style door handles and faux landau irons. The interior is pure Art Deco in contrasting colours. The motor car was awarded Best of Show at the Monte Carlo Concours in 1948; over 60 years later, following a complete rebuild, it took a Best in Class at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Today, the Coupe de Ville roof, which was welded shut during the motor car’s middle years, has been restored to its original configuration.

THE HOME OF GREAT ART

The team at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood includes its own world-class artisans, who produce one-off pieces for client commissions and Bespoke Collection projects.

In 2023, Rolls-Royce unveiled Phantom Syntopia, a singular Bespoke commission developed over four years in collaboration with Dutch fashion designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. Inspired by her ‘Weaving Water’ concept and the principles of biomimicry, the motor car translates the fluidity and movement of natural forms into both its iridescent ‘Liquid Noir’ exterior and a highly sculptural interior featuring three-dimensional textiles, the most intricate Starlight Headliner in Rolls-Royce history, and a unique Gallery artwork. As the first Rolls-Royce to incorporate a tailored fragrance, it delivered a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience, pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship, innovation and personalisation.

Two years later, Rolls-Royce presented three Bespoke motor cars inspired by the ancient mural paintings of Dunhuang in China, which date back over 1,000 years. Commissioned through Private Office Shanghai, the centrepiece of the interior is a hand-painted Bespoke Gallery artwork. The composition presents a landscape painting on black leather, completed with the Silken Spirit motif embroidered in white and black thread, evoking the movement of flying apsaras – celestial beings in Buddhist culture – which are prominently portrayed in the ancient murals.

Rolls-Royce has also exhibited at the prestigious London Craft Week; founded in 2015, this city-wide festival celebrates exceptional craftsmanship across multiple sectors and disciplines. A curated programme shines a light on the creative talent behind some of the world’s most beautiful objects, telling stories of their inspiration, process and materials. Today, it features over 1,000 makers from more than 30 countries.

In 2025, Rolls-Royce presented an exquisite artwork inspired by the rich flora and fauna of the British Isles. A collaboration between makers from the Interior Surface Centre, the Exterior Surface Centre and the Interior Trim Centre, the triptych captures the essence of woodland life at three moments over a 24-hour period.

For London Craft Week 2026, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled four new craft techniques inspired by historical craftsmanship: 3D leather hand-sculpting, 3D metal hand-sculpting, 3D veneers and beadwork application. These innovations were presented in two works built at the scale of a Phantom Gallery.

ART FOR A CAUSE

Phantom VIII provided the canvas for a one-of-one work by artist Marc Quinn, offered as the headline lot in an auction at the marque’s ‘Dine on the Line’ charity event in 2019. Quinn created a bespoke artwork featuring the iris of the winning bidder’s daughter, inspired by his series of paintings, We Share Our Chemistry with the Stars.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Greater China worked with Spanish artist Javier Calleja to produce a series of 1:8 scale models of Ghost featuring abstract representations of a child’s portrait. One of the pieces was auctioned to raise funds for a charity foundation supporting mental health and well-being initiatives.

Some years earlier, Rolls-Royce had commissioned 12 leading artists, including Gavin Turk, Charming Baker, Stuart Semple, Richard Wentworth, Mark Wallinger, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Maggi Hambling, Yinka Shonibare and Natasha Law to create unique artworks based on miniatures of Ghost to raise funds for a breast cancer charity.

THE PHANTOM GALLERY: A NEW CANVAS

With the introduction of Phantom VIII, Rolls-Royce reimagined the motor car interior as a space for artistic expression. At its heart is the Phantom Gallery: a full-width, glass-enclosed fascia that spans the dashboard, designed to house commissioned artworks. Seamlessly integrated and permanently displayed, it transforms Phantom into a curated exhibition space.

The Gallery marked a significant evolution in the marque’s relationship with the art world; where Rolls‑Royce motor cars have long inspired artists, the Gallery provided a new platform for art itself. Clients collaborate with leading artists, designers and the marque’s own artisans at the Home of Rolls‑Royce to create entirely bespoke works, making each Phantom a rolling gallery unique to its owner.

Notable recent commissions demonstrate the breadth of possibility. The Phantom Centenary Private Collection contains a special Anthology Gallery, the dramatic composition of which features 50 3D-printed, vertically brushed aluminium ‘fins’ interlaced like pages of a book. Each fin is composed of sculpted letters that can be read from both sides, forming quotes drawn from a century of press acclaim.

Phantom Oribe was developed in collaboration with Hermès; for its Gallery, Hermès commissioned an artwork based on a design by the celebrated French artist and illustrator Pierre Péron (1905–1988) who created many of the House's iconic scarves. The work, inspired by the famous Hermès horse motif, is hand-painted on Open Pore Royal Walnut and is presented as though staged in an art gallery, behind glass.

In the Koa Phantom, the Gallery incorporates rare, open-pore Hawaiian Koa wood, selected and bookmatched to create a serene, landscape-like composition, underscoring the client’s personal connection to place and nature.

Through the Phantom Gallery, Rolls-Royce has defined a new typology within the art world: a private, mobile exhibition space, experienced not in a public gallery, but in moments of quiet reflection. It is a contemporary expression of the marque’s enduring dialogue with artists and patrons alike – and a powerful articulation of Phantom’s position not only as a motor car, but as a work of art in its own right.

AN ENDURING CONNECTION

Since its earliest days, Rolls-Royce has so often been the mode of transport chosen by the world’s most influential figures – and the art world is no different. From master artists to the world’s most notable collectors, it is no surprise that such influential figures would travel in this fashion, with Rolls-Royce offering a luxury experience that is akin to viewing the exquisite pieces of art these individuals became known for.

A Place of Sanctuary

In 1947, aged 77, Henri Matisse embarked on what he regarded as his masterpiece: not a painting, but a chapel for the Dominican convent in Vence, a small town near Nice. Matisse eventually spent more than four years working on the Chapelle du Rosaire (Chapel of the Rosary) designing its architecture, stained-glass windows, interior murals and ceramics, liturgical furnishings and even the priests’ vestments. Throughout the construction work, he made constant trips up the hill from his studios in the upper-class Nice suburb of Cimiez to the site –now often known simply as the Matisse Chapel – in a Rolls-Royce.

An Unforgettable Scene

Anyone rejoicing in the title Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquess of Dalí of Púbol, is always likely to attract attention. But the Spanish artist better known by his abbreviated name, Salvador Dalí, nevertheless went out of his way to occupy the limelight. Having shocked the art world with his surrealist images of nightmarish landscapes, chimeric animals, suggestive food and melting clocks, he was eager to bring his unique brand of excess and eccentricity to a wider audience.

In 1955, he was asked to give a lecture at the Sorbonne in Paris. Seeing a golden opportunity to create a moment in modern art, Dalí borrowed a friend’s white Phantom and filled it with 500kg (1,100lb) of cauliflowers.

After a wild ride through the streets of Paris in his brassica-laden conveyance, Dalí pulled up outside the august university and flung open the Phantom’s doors, sending the cauliflowers cascading to the ground. How many now remember his exposition on ‘Phenomenological Aspects of the Paranoiac Critical Method’ is debatable, but in the public consciousness, Dalí had well and truly arrived.

Famous for More than 15 Minutes

Dalí spent every autumn and winter in New York City, where he based himself in a suite at the St Regis Hotel in Manhattan. It was here, in 1965, that he first met a young visual artist named Andy Warhol. This seminal moment in art was captured by British photographer David McCabe, who later recalled: ‘Dalí turned the whole event into theatre. Andy was petrified.’

Warhol was Dalí’s natural successor and became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Unlike his mentor, however, he actually owned a Phantom: a 1937 model that had been converted into a shooting brake around 1947. In 1972, Warhol and his Swiss agent, Bruno Bischofberger, happened to pass an antique shop in Zurich where it was on sale. Warhol bought it on the spot and shipped it to New York. He owned the car until 1978, when he sold it to his friend and manager, Fred Hughes.

Power and Patronage

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (1908-1979) served as Vice President of the United States under President Gerald Ford; he was also Governor of New York from 1959 to 1973. Arguably, his more enduring legacy was as a leading patron of the arts: Alfred Barr, founding director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) observed that ‘Nelson needs art more than any man I know’.

Rockefeller was also a passionate car collector and owned a number of Rolls-Royce motor cars during his lifetime. One notable example is his 1929 Phantom I, manufactured at Rolls-Royce’s former US plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, with coachwork by in-house coachbuilder Brewster. It is one of only 10 ever produced with the Brougham de Ville’s ‘Riviera Town Car’ body style, and the only one to be decorated in pure gold. Its most arresting feature is the passenger cabin set at the extreme rear of the chassis, accentuating its extended wheelbase. Rockefeller’s name can still be seen on the gold-varnished wicker on the rear. He also owned a 1936 25/30H.P. Sedanca Coupé, with distinctive maroon and black coachwork by Gurney Nutting.

Rockefeller took delivery of his 1966 Phantom V, one of just three Sedanca de Ville motor cars produced by coachbuilders James Young and refinished to his order in Black over Primrose Yellow, a few days before being sworn in as Vice President of the United States in 1974.

On the Beaton Track

Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton CBE (1904-1980) was an artistic polymath; though best known as a fashion, portrait and war photographer, he won three Academy Awards and four Tony Awards as a costume and set designer for screen and stage, and was also a noted diarist, painter and interior designer. An artist-patron of extraordinary reach and depth, he photographed Queen Elizabeth II and dressed Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady.

Beaton used a 1946 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, driven by a chauffeur, to convey him from the whirl of London high society to the peace of his country home at Reddish House in Wiltshire.

There is Nothing like a Dame

At the height of her fame, Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) was one of the most eminent and popular painters in Britain. In 1936, she became only the third woman to be elected as a full member of the Royal Academy – her 1965 retrospective was the first for a woman in the RA’s history – and her success in the then male-dominated British art establishment helped secure greater status and recognition for other female artists.

Dame Laura was greatly interested in and inspired by marginalised communities and individuals, including Romani people and circus performers. In the mid-1930s, Dame Laura befriended and painted groups of Romani women at Epsom and Ascot racecourses, using an old Rolls-Royce she rented from an undertaker as her mobile studio. The motor car, which is sadly unidentified, was large enough to accommodate her easel when it was raining; in fine weather, she would climb on the roof, which gave her a splendid vantage point above the heads of the race-day crowds.

ROLLS-ROYCE EXTENDS CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE SPONSORSHIP IN 2026

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:25:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to strengthen an unbroken 23-year relationship as a Principal Sponsor of Chichester Festival Theatre
Part of the marque’s wide-ranging support for the local community and the arts world
Continued sponsorship coincides with a recently discovered historical connection to the site of Chichester Festival Theatre

“Chichester Festival Theatre stands as a beacon of creativity, excellence and delight for its audiences, just as we do for our clients, and sends a powerful signal that talent, inspiration and brilliance can be found anywhere, not just in major cities, when they are given the support and commitment they need. We are privileged to support its invaluable work with local young people, as well as helping to bring landmark productions by world-class performers, directors, choreographers and producers to our corner of West Sussex. We’re delighted to be embarking on another year as Principal Sponsor of Chichester Festival Theatre, continuing a partnership that has deepened and thrived over the past 23 years.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to confirm that it will continue its long-running partnership with the world-renowned Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) in 2026, as Principal Sponsor.

The relationship between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and CFT has now entered its 24th year; dating back to the opening of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in 2003. With confirmation that the partnership will continue, it is the longest-running initiative within the company’s wide-ranging philanthropic programme, providing practical, financial and in-kind support to charities, schools, organisations and local communities in Chichester and the surrounding area.

As a Principal Sponsor, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars provides vital support for CFT’s Learning, Education and Participation programme. This enables young people of all backgrounds in the local area to take part in and benefit from creative projects, including the celebrated Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025 with the world premiere stage adaptation of Matt Haig's A Boy Called Christmas.

The relationship between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and CFT is also linked by a recently discovered historical connection. Oaklands Park, which neighbours the theatre and is just 1.1 nautical miles from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, hosted one of The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls’ regular charity ballooning competitions in 1907. Soon after Charles Rolls’ ascent, twelve assembled cars set off in pursuit of the balloon, aiming to be first to reach him upon landing. The race took three hours and covered over 40 miles, concluding at Avington Park, Hampshire. This well-attended event, which raised large funds for local associations, mirrors the marque’s continued support for the local community.

“A distinguished presence in Chichester’s business community and a globally renowned brand, we are proud to mark over two decades of partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. United by a shared commitment to our local community and a pursuit of excellence on the world stage, we are delighted to celebrate these 23 years. We extend our sincere thanks to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for their continued support and look forward to many more years of working together to inspire young minds, champion the arts and enrich our community.”
Liz McCarthy-Nield, Director of Development, Chichester Festival Theatre

ROLLS-ROYCE INTRODUCES NEW BESPOKE CRAFTS INSPIRED BY FIVE CENTURIES OF DECORATIVE ARTS

Fri, 8 May 2026 13:00:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce introduces four new craft techniques, inspired by the decorative arts
Exploration of texture, material and depth influenced by art, haute couture, fine jewellery and architecture
First-ever application of hand-sculpted 3D metal within a Rolls-Royce Gallery
First showcase of layered 3D veneer that integrates brass elements
Beadwork and leather sculpting applied to create realistic forms
Innovations developed by the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce
Available to view at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, Mayfair, during London Craft Week 11-17 May

“Our Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople constantly looks to the history of decorative arts and asks how those techniques might be reinterpreted for the surfaces of a Rolls-Royce motor car and for today’s super-luxury clients. The concepts we present here are a playful expression of our craftspeople’s creative spirit. They show how hand and machine can work in concert, how a 17th-century still life or a Jacobean strapwork motif can become a modern sculptural form, and how Rolls-Royce is both a custodian and an accelerator of rare craft skills.”
Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“London Craft Week is an important calendar event for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, bringing together leading specialists in contemporary craft. Each year, it is always truly mesmerising to see the exquisite examples of Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke craftsmanship created for the event. We are really proud to participate once again in London Craft Week and to display these highly complex examples of craft and creativity at our dealership in Mayfair.”
Claus Andersen, Brand Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London

“Craftsmanship lies at the very heart of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, with creativity nurtured at every turn. As a brand synonymous with exacting levels of craftsmanship, London Craft Week is a defining moment in our annual calendar. For this year’s event, our highly talented craftspeople and designers from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood have created two enchanting works of art – intricate Phantom Galleries with corresponding exterior jewellery pieces, inspired by the legacy of their crafts. This exhibition will be on display at our flagship showroom, in the heart of Mayfair, for the duration of the event in May.”
John Beckley, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople is dedicated to advancing the discipline of craft itself, developing techniques that expand the ways clients can express themselves through the surfaces of the motor car. Driven by this pursuit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils four new craft techniques inspired by historical craftsmanship: 3D leather hand-sculpting, 3D metal hand-sculpting, 3D veneers and beadwork application. To showcase the potential of these innovations, they are presented in two works built at the scale of a Phantom Gallery – concept pieces that translate the techniques into a finished form.

LEATHER AND THREAD IN THREE DIMENSIONS

The composition named 'Legacy Craft: Inspired by Still Life' draws inspiration from the nature morte paintings of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age – a style developed to display the skill of the artist through the exploration of texture and the play of light across natural forms – and the embroidery traditions revived by the Arts and Crafts movement.

Across the length of the Gallery, Interior Trim Centre artisans composed a still-life arrangement of fruit and flowers, recalling 17th-century art in a three-dimensional form using a combination of materials, textures and contemporary craft techniques.

The Gallery debuts the first application of 3D leather sculpting and beadwork. The hydrangeas are constructed from 50 individual flowers, each hand-sculpted from leather and painted by hand. After studying the texture and quality of natural flowers, the artist painted each petal with a fine brush in tones of pink that gradually deepen toward the centre of each bloom. Floral twine is used to shape and secure the flowers to the Gallery surface. Their leaves are formed entirely from thread using a newly developed style – Sphinx Moth 3D embroidery – introducing a uniquely tactile dimension.

The pomegranates are embroidered using the alternate stitch technique, with 76 jewel-like beads individually hand-sewn to form the seeds that replicate the ruby translucence of the real fruit. More than 250 hours of handwork were required to complete the Gallery.

A broad colour palette is central to the Gallery’s impact; rich, deep tones have been chosen to maintain focus on the subject matter. Peony, Cocoa, and Chartreuse have been used for the flowers.

“Still life painting interests us because it freezes a moment in time. It is also one of the most technically demanding traditions in art. We saw an opportunity to take that discipline further with a sculptural piece that draws on every skill within the Interior Trim Centre and is worked at the smallest possible scale. For the textures and layering, we looked to late-19th-century haute couture. The embroidered gowns of that period taught us how to build a surface that feels rich, refined and unmistakably contemporary.”
Rebecca Davies, Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

SCULPTING METAL BY HAND

The artwork named 'Legacy Craft: Inspired by The Draught' is created by specialists from the Interior Surface Centre and brings together 3D metal hand-sculpting and layered 3D veneer with brass elements.

Conceived as a piece of fine jewellery, it draws on four historical references: the draught – the technical drawing a craftsman uses to guide architectural work; scribing – the act of marking a surface to guide cutting and carving; strapwork – the interlaced, band-like motif of Elizabethan and Jacobean ornament; and ferramenta – the ironwork support grid used to retain stained glass.

The 3D veneer uses multiple layers of laser-cut wood to create a complex, faceted relief, finished with brass inserts that catch the light like haute joaillerie. The composition reads from left to right as a journey from initial design to finished sculpture, culminating in a three-dimensional, jewellery-like flower. On the left side of the Gallery, the patterns laser-etched onto smoked Eucalyptus wood represent the maker’s plan – the draught. The etched design then transitions into 3D marquetry, marking the journey from drawing to object. The piece then becomes increasingly sculptural. A delicate brass lattice, inspired by strapwork and the ferramenta of stained-glass windows, is applied over the veneer and completed with subtle laser engraving for additional texture.

The centre point is a jewel-like flower, formed from five layers of brass, each cut into petal shapes using an advanced waterjet. This detail alone required over 45 hours to complete. Before assembly, each petal is hand-engraved with over 50 lines – each just 0.2 mm wide – and shaped using specially modified tools, a technique developed in-house by Rolls-Royce craftspeople.

“Clients often come to us with two or three ideas they want to see brought together, and we create ways for those inspirations to speak to each other. This composition was a chance to sharpen that instinct by taking a flat draughtsman’s drawing and growing it into a three-dimensional sculpture. We brought together four historical references – the draught, scribing, strapwork and ferramenta – in materials and techniques entirely new to Rolls-Royce. What emerged is something that feels highly modern, built from techniques that are centuries old.” Laura Salter, Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

HAND AND MACHINE, IN ONE COMPOSITION

Both artworks have been developed around a single design philosophy: that hand and machine craftsmanship are most powerful when they work in concert. Laser cutting, waterjet shaping and digital pattern drafting are used to achieve geometries that no hand could repeat with the same accuracy. Hand-engraving, hand-painting, hand-embroidery and hand-sculpting are then applied to give the work its individual character.

The techniques introduced on these two Galleries have been developed as part of Rolls-Royce’s wider programme of bespoke craft research and exploration of new materials and techniques.

Both pieces will be presented to the public at London Craft Week, hosted at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, Berkeley Street, Mayfair, from 11 to 17 May 2026.

ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES GLOBAL DEALER AWARDS

Fri, 8 May 2026 10:00:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces its Global Dealer Awards, recognising and celebrating the outstanding performance in 2025
Categories connected to business objectives, brand communications and client services
Global network of dealer partners is critical in delivering the marque’s ‘Inspiring Greatness’ strategy
Global Dealer Awards complemented by a range of regional awards

“The global success of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a testament to our dealer partners’ incredible level of dedication to offering an exceptional client experience. Their local knowledge and insights, as well as deeply personalised individual client engagement, is central to the experience we offer our clients as a true House of Luxury. These awards recognise some truly outstanding contributions to excellence shown across the worldwide Rolls-Royce family last year. My sincere thanks and compliments to all our worthy winners.”
Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Global Dealer Awards acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding performance of individual dealer partners in a range of categories connected to business objectives, brand communications and client service. They are complemented by a range of regional awards.

The winners of the global awards for outstanding achievement in 2025 are:

Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Osaka
Sales Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Hong Kong
Ownership Services Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai
Client Engagement Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Riyadh
Bespoke Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London
Provenance Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Auckland
Spectre Dealer of the Year:	Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Leeds

Rolls-Royce motor cars are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide through a global network of dealerships, ensuring the marque’s clients are never without the community, hospitality, and access that Rolls-Royce provides.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS LONDON CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:58:56 +0200

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London celebrates fifth anniversary of its showroom in the heart of Mayfair
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London was the first showroom worldwide to debut the new visual identity, before a global rollout across the marque’s network of showrooms
To commemorate the five-year anniversary, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reflects on the remarkable events, achievements and highlights since opening its doors

“Mayfair has long been the home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; this part of London has real meaning for the brand, indelibly associated with the marque’s co-founder, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls. Following a relocation and extensive redesign, five years ago we unveiled our new showroom at 50 Berkeley Street. Since opening the dealership here, we have created some remarkable brand experiences for our clients and won several global and regional awards for our contribution to the marque’s success. I would like to thank the team for all their hard work and determination over the last five years.”
Claus Andersen, Brand Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London

Mayfair has a long-standing connection with the marque; The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls was born in Hill Street in 1877, and the headquarters of Rolls-Royce Ltd was located at 14/15 Conduit Street – only a short distance from today’s showroom on Berkeley Street – for much of the twentieth century.

Five years ago, after extensive research, planning and restoration, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London opened its doors at its current location. Since unveiling the new showroom, with its elegant and contemporary design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has been awarded several prestigious accolades for the team’s commitment to providing clients with excellent service and outstanding client experiences. From exclusive parties and events, to showcasing the pinnacle of contemporary craft for London Craft Week, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has enjoyed a remarkable five years in its current location, in W1.

Highlights from the past five years include:

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Since unveiling its new visual identity in 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has received seven regional and global awards for its contribution to the marque’s global success and delivery of personalised client experiences. In 2022, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London was named Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Global Dealer of the Year – the second time it received the accolade. This year, it was named Global Bespoke Dealer of the Year, recognising the team’s expertise in guiding clients through Rolls-Royce’s renowned personalisation process, working in close partnership with the Bespoke Collective of designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood to realise the most ambitious individual commissions.

CELEBRATING CONTEMPORARY CRAFTSMANSHIP

At the very heart of the Rolls-Royce marque lies a deep commitment to creativity and artisanal excellence, resulting in an unrivalled client experience regarding the commissioning of truly unique and personal motor cars. It is fitting, then, that over the last five years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has supported London Craft Week, transforming the showroom to showcase the exceptional works of craftsmanship designed and handmade by Rolls-Royce’s artisans and designers. Each year an entirely different yet exquisite example of craftsmanship has been created, illustrating the broad scope of the marque’s Bespoke capabilities. From a hand-painted fascia inspired by the shores of the Riviera, to an exquisite 3D artwork inspired by the rich and remarkable flora and fauna of the British Isles, the showroom has celebrated contemporary creativity and hosted craftsmanship events for clients and media.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London will once again participate in this year’s London Craft Week. To celebrate the twelfth year of the event, artisans from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood have created an intricate display, featuring two highly Bespoke Galleries, inspired by the world of haute couture and jewellery design. The exhibition will be on display at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, from 11 to 17 May 2026.

ROLLS-ROYCE VOTED BRITAIN’S MOST ICONIC TRADE MARK IN NEW PUBLIC POLL

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:38:55 +0200

Rolls-Royce voted Britain's most iconic trade mark of all time in a new public survey
Poll commissioned by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to mark the 150th anniversary of the first UK trade mark being registered
The IPO now protects over 2.5 million registered trade marks
Result confirms Rolls-Royce’s status as a brand woven into Britain’s national identity

“We’re delighted that the British public has chosen Rolls-Royce as their favourite trade mark of all time. Our name has been synonymous with excellence for well over 100 years: the Silver Ghost was officially dubbed ‘the best car in the world’ in 1913, and we proudly retain that crown with the motor cars we hand-build at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood today. We enjoy the rare privilege of a trade mark that transcends not only our own company, but our entire industry, with ‘the Rolls-Royce of…’ a global shorthand for the best of the best in any field. And for us as a team, it’s highly gratifying that our world-class engineering, craftsmanship and creativity resonate far beyond those who actually own and drive our motor cars.”
Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce has been voted Britain’s favourite trade mark of all time in a new poll commissioned by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first UK trade mark being registered.

Members of the public were invited to nominate and share their favourite UK trade marks, past or present, and explain what they felt makes a trade mark iconic. From around 2,000 responses, Rolls-Royce topped the list, its famous ‘double R’ trade mark, formed by the interlocked initial letters of its founders’ surnames, representing more than a century of British engineering excellence and craftsmanship in the popular consciousness. One respondent described Rolls-Royce as “an iconic British brand name which over time has become a worldwide metaphor for the best of the best”, with another calling it simply “the mark of quality”.

The IPO is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights, including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. It currently protects more than 2.5 million marks across 45 different classes of goods and services, with approximately 200,000 new applications received during the past 12 months alone. In its words, the 150th anniversary celebrates not just a legal milestone, but also the enduring role that brands play in connecting businesses with the public.

PRESENTING PROJECT NIGHTINGALE: A COACHBUILD COLLECTION

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:59:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce presents Project Nightingale, the first Coachbuild Collection
Name derived from Le Rossignol, the name of the designers’ and engineers’ house at Henry Royce’s French Riviera estate, which means ‘the nightingale’
Draws inspiration from high-speed experimental ‘EX’ Rolls-Royces of the 1920s
Constructed using the Rolls-Royce Architecture of Luxury aluminium spaceframe
Sheer, monolithic aesthetic inspired by the discipline of Streamline Moderne design
Project Nightingale is a production concept, global testing and validation programme commencing this summer
Available by invitation only, offered to clients with a deep affinity for Rolls-Royce design
Limited to 100 client motor cars worldwide, with deliveries beginning from 2028

“Some of the most discerning Rolls-Royce clients in the world asked us for our most ambitious work. We responded by bringing three things together that have never coexisted within our brand: the complete design freedom of coachbuilding, our powerful, near-silent all-electric powertrain, and a uniquely potent yet serene expression of open-top motoring – an experience that only this technology makes possible. Achieving this required the same audacious mindset that drove our co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, to create his radically different experimental ‘EX’ motor cars of the 1920s. Project Nightingale shares the spirit of those landmark projects and is the most extravagant expression of what Rolls-Royce is capable of today.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“Project Nightingale is built on the design principles that define this marque at its most compelling – grand proportions, absolute surface discipline, and a clarity of line that rewards the closest attention. And yet, it takes them somewhere entirely new. For me, this landmark motor car feels both inevitable and completely unexpected, and it will shape everything that follows.”
Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Project Nightingale, a Coachbuild Collection. Named after Le Rossignol, French for ‘the nightingale’, and the name of the designers’ and engineers’ house near Henry Royce’s winter home on the Côte d’Azur, this extraordinary production concept is an open-top two-seat motor car that introduces a dramatic new expression of Rolls-Royce design.

Defined by grand proportions and underpinned with a fully electric drivetrain that delivers a uniquely silent open-top experience, Project Nightingale draws on the glamour and confidence of the 1920s and 1930s while remaining entirely of its time. Its creative vision is fully resolved – the small number of design details that remain demand entirely new manufacturing techniques that are currently under development. Only 100 examples will be created for sale, each coachbuilt by hand at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

Project Nightingale and the Coachbuild Collection programme have been crafted for aesthetes – individuals for whom beauty is both observed and lived. These clients are connected by a shared conviction in the primacy of Rolls-Royce design, the value of the most considered motor cars in the world, and a deep appreciation for experiences that only Rolls-Royce can offer. Clients are already participating in a multi-year programme of gatherings and moments curated by Rolls-Royce, immersing them in the creative and technical formation of their motor car, as well as private events in the world’s most desirable destinations.

STREAMLINERS, SPEED, AND THE DISCIPLINE OF SHEER, MONOLITHIC BEAUTY

Project Nightingale has been conceived for the uniquely design-literate clients at the heart of the Coachbuild Collection programme: people for whom a perfectly resolved surface is as compelling as the glamour of driving an open-top Rolls-Royce. The motor car’s aesthetic is inspired by the principles of Streamline Moderne design from the late Art Deco era, wherein precise lines and uninterrupted forms are more powerful than ornament. In that spirit, when conceiving Project Nightingale, Rolls-Royce creatives embraced sheer, monolithic volumes.

Another point of inspiration for Project Nightingale is Rolls-Royce’s experimental motor cars of the 1920s. Known as ‘EX’ models and fitted with red badges – which Project Nightingale is also equipped with – these are some of the rarest and most desirable motor cars in the marque’s history. Two of these prototypes were a particular focus: 16EX and 17EX.

These motor cars were created in 1928, at the height of the Jazz Age, just three years after the Art Deco movement was given its name. Henry Royce and his engineers cloaked two powerful Phantom chassis in lightweight aluminium bodies to achieve a new top speed for Rolls-Royce. 16EX and 17EX were designed to reach in excess of 90 miles per hour, and their torpedo-shaped form perfectly captured the audacity of Royce’s ambition: an imposing overall scale; a long bonnet; a shallow windscreen; and a snug, enveloping cabin with driver and companion set deep inside.

From these foundations, Coachbuild designers distilled three principles that directly inform Project Nightingale. ‘Upright to flowing’: the Pantheon Grille’s commanding vertical gesture transitioning into a long, graceful rear; ‘Central fuselage’, defined by a single unbroken hull line running from front to rear; and ‘Flying wings’: sculptural volumes that create tension across the overall form and pull the eye towards the rear. Project Nightingale channels these principles in a way that is both familiar to those fluent in the Rolls-Royce story, yet unapologetically contemporary and unlike anything before it.

FRONT ELEVATION

At 5.76 metres in length, Project Nightingale is almost exactly the same length as the marque’s flagship saloon, Phantom, yet devoted entirely to a two-seat convertible form. The drivetrain transforms the front elevation entirely: with no requirement for the large cooling intakes needed for an internal combustion engine, designers achieved unprecedented expanses of uninterrupted surfacing between the outermost edges of the wings and the Pantheon Grille.

The grille itself is a bold interpretation of one of the most recognisable icons in luxury. Its generous surround – almost a metre in width – appears to be carved from a solid block of stainless steel, with 24 vanes set deeply within it. The Spirit of Ecstasy figurine is integrated on top of the grille in a subtly recessed section, its lines flowing backwards and dissolving into the bonnet, as though the figurine is moving at speed through water, and the metalwork is parting gently around her.

Beneath the grille, a structured section widens at 45 degrees from each lower corner before dropping down vertically, from which a carbon fibre apron projects forward, traced by an elegant chrome belt. This creates the effect that the grille is presented on a structural plinth, recalling the great Art Deco skyscrapers whose uppermost decorative floors are supported by solid geometric forms beneath them.

At the outermost edge of the wing is Project Nightingale’s most progressive statement: slender, vertically orientated headlamp assemblies. This treatment is emphasised with polished stainless-steel bands that run the full length of the motor car from the bottom of the headlamps all the way to the tail lamps.

TORPEDO ‘CENTRAL FUSELAGE’ IN PROFILE

In profile, the full impact of Project Nightingale’s driver-oriented, torpedo-shaped design is revealed. An expansive bonnet gives way to the dramatically raked windscreen, framed on each side by a stainless-steel form housing a delicate quarterlight window, inspired by the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé. Behind it is a compact cabin for two, set deep within the body, before the rear deck falls and tapers towards a dramatically low trailing edge. This is a motor car that is almost entirely bonnet and tail, its two-seat cabin an intimate counterpoint to the grandeur of the volumes surrounding it.

A single hull line runs continuously along Project Nightingale from front to rear, inspired by the line that separates a yacht’s hull from its superstructure. It begins at sculpted ‘Pinnacles’ on the front wings – a subtle reference to heritage Rolls-Royce designs – before flowing uninterrupted to the trailing edge. Set intentionally high, it creates the sensation of being enveloped deep inside the motor car. An upswept volume behind the headrests rises like a turned collar, cosseting driver and companion against the elements, integrating the height of the headrests into the sculpture of the motor car itself.

Beneath, a progressive negative sculpture in the lower bodyside deepens the impression of a central fuselage, balanced by a solid carbon fibre sill that makes an understated historical reference to the running boards of prominent heritage Rolls-Royce motor cars.

To add restrained decoration to the rear of the motor car, a second lower polished stainless-steel band is introduced just behind the centre of the rear wheels, its position and proportion recalling the gentle white water of a sailing yacht’s wake.

Significant development has been focused on the surfacing, ensuring that Project Nightingale appears to have been carved from a single, solid billet. To minimise visual noise, engineers developed a handle for the coach doors that incorporates a hidden lock mechanism and a discreetly integrated indicator lamp. The Rolls-Royce ‘Badge of Honour’ is also distilled into an elegant stainless-steel ‘Double R’ monogram, placed sparingly on each front wing and in the centre of the luggage compartment.

Against this serenity, 24-inch wheels – the largest fitted to a Rolls-Royce – strike a considered contrast. Their directional design is inspired by the propellers of a yacht viewed from beneath the waterline: forms that appear to be in continuous motion even when the motor car is stationary. The surface also includes subtle, machined stripes, creating the impression of wire wheel spokes moving at speed, while aluminium flakes within the black finish introduce a delicate sparkle as the wheel turns.

A TAIL OF CONSEQUENCE

Towards the rear, the surfacing swells around the rear wheel arches, creating an impression of planted, muscular strength that balances the overall design’s grace. The deck above is purposefully horizontal, broken by two rear lamps of exceptional precision: these slim clusters fall from the upper surface to the lower at an almost perfect right angle. This striking treatment is further dramatised by the Piano Boot, which opens sideways on a cantilever, both recalling the ceremony of a grand piano and transforming a functional moment into a considered act of arrival.

A single longitudinal brake lamp is placed directly at the centreline on the rear of Project Nightingale, recalling the speed stripes of great Streamline Moderne design. Directly below, a recessed chrome number plate surround is set into the lower rear face with the precision of a watch bezel: a small detail that rewards the closest attention.

Beneath, the same precision extends to the engineering. The bold lower transom diffuser, known as the Aero Afterdeck, is enabled thanks to the use of a fully electric drivetrain, which eliminates exhaust pipework. This single carbon fibre piece ensures stability at high speed without the addition of a spoiler, preserving the uninterrupted flow of Project Nightingale’s elegant silhouette.

OPEN-AIR SERENITY, CLOSED-ROOF DRAMA

Project Nightingale becomes an exercise in serene, open-air travel with the roof lowered. With it raised, the character transforms entirely, creating a commanding, coupé-like presence.

Within the roof itself, a unique sound-deadening material combines cashmere, fabric and high-performance composites. Paired with Rolls-Royce’s fully electric drivetrain, which generates virtually no mechanical noise, the marque’s acoustic engineers aim to achieve an exceptionally serene experience whether the soft top roof is raised or lowered, while still preserving the sounds that enhance the romance of driving – such as raindrops on canvas.

The near-silent sensation of driving even early Project Nightingale prototypes with the roof lowered is described by Rolls-Royce designers and engineers as akin to travelling by sailing yacht. The fully electric drivetrain generates virtually no mechanical noise, and wind noise is all but eliminated: what remains is the world itself – the sound of ocean waves breaking on the shore, the movement of air through trees, the particular silence of open countryside at speed, the chorus of birdsong.

THE INTERIOR SUITE: A WORLD FOR TWO

It was this extraordinary serenity that inspired the centrepiece of Project Nightingale’s interior. During an early prototype drive, Rolls-Royce designers were able to hear birdsong with unusual clarity. Intrigued by this experience – and in tribute to the motor car’s name – they began studying recordings of nightingales and analysing the distinctive sound-wave patterns created by their song. From these studies emerged an idea: to translate the rhythm of birdsong into a visual form that could envelop those within the motor car.

The result is the Starlight Breeze suite – a flowing constellation of ambient illumination comprising 10,500 individual ‘stars’ in three subtly varied sizes. Named after the gentle movement of air suggested by the nightingale’s song, the pattern of light draws directly from the soundwave forms studied by the designers. Extending from the front of each door around the driver and companion’s seat, the illumination wraps those within in their own celestial field, transforming melody into light.

The Starlight Breeze illumination is carried within a sculptural interior form called the ‘Horseshoe’, which rises behind the seats and frames the occupants in a protective architectural gesture.

The leather of the door card is overlaid as a raised section recalling a finely crafted saddle. This motif continues through the centre console in a leather-covered saddle armrest – split into two delicate pieces – which aligns precisely with the Coachline that runs the length of the bonnet, through the cabin to the rear central brake light.

On opening the coach door, the armrest glides rearwards automatically to reveal the Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller. It is operated with an exceptionally tactile stainless-steel collar formed with four grooves reminiscent of contemporary haute joaillerie. Within each groove, the metal is facetedand then glass-blasted, delicately subduing the controller’s high polish. This jewelled treatment extends throughout the interior to the gear selector and remaining rotary controls, which are sparingly curated to just five in total.

At the touch of a button, the armrest moves further to reveal a concealed compartment for personal items. Polished individual aluminium cupholders – machined from billet – add a further jewel-like accent, and a hidden shelf behind the seats incorporates space for hand luggage: a considered and practical gesture for a motor car conceived for long, unhurried journeys.

BESPOKE EXPRESSIONS OF PROJECT NIGHTINGALE

For Project Nightingale, Rolls-Royce is developing an entirely new colour and material palette and set of Bespoke features, designed and reserved exclusively for this specific Coachbuild Collection. These will not be available on any other Rolls-Royce motor car. Each of the 100 examples will be meticulously curated with its commissioning client to reflect their personal taste, character and vision.

THE ‘EX’ MOTOR CAR PRESENTED TODAY

The motor car presented today reflects the creative spirit that shaped Project Nightingale’s design story. The exterior paint finish draws inspiration from the experimental Rolls-Royce 17EX of 1928, though it is interpreted rather than replicated. The pale, solid blue hue – named Côte d’Azur Blue – is infused with subtle red flakes that reveal themselves in changing light, a discreet reference to the red badges fitted to the ‘EX’ motor cars in period, and used today to denote Project Nightingale’s status as a production concept. The exterior is completed with a silver-coloured convertible soft top roof.

The interior hues evoke the atmosphere of the Côte d’Azur. The seats are finished in soft pastel Charles Blue, paired with a warm Grace White tone, creating an environment of gentle, sunlit calm. Deep Navy seat inserts introduce contrast and depth, while delicate flashes of Peony Pink appear within the fascia surround and headrests, inspired by the wild blooms of the Riviera. The palette is resolved with Openpore Blackwood laid in a ‘V’ shape that opens upwards, encouraging the eye to the sky above.

ENGINEERED ELEGANCE

Project Nightingale is powered by the marque’s fully electric drivetrain. For a Coachbuild Collection conceived for the most discerning and design-literate clients in the world, the qualities of electric power are deeply considered. The silent and effortless delivery of power amplifies every characteristic that has defined the Rolls-Royce experience for more than a century, and the nature of this powertrain unlocks completely new design possibilities. Further engineering details will be shared as the motor car progresses through its global testing and development programme.

HENRY ROYCE’S LEGACY, PROJECT NIGHTINGALE’S PROMISE

Project Nightingale marks the beginning of the Coachbuild Collection story. The individuals who inspired it represent a growing community of passionate clients who seek Rolls-Royce design at its most ambitious and uncompromising. In drawing on the experimental spirit of Henry Royce and the glamour of the Art Deco era, it is a motor car that looks to the past with the confidence of a marque that has always known its future. As Project Nightingale progresses through its global testing and development programme, Rolls-Royce will share further details of the motor car, its engineering and the extraordinary experiences that await its 100 clients.

Entry to the Coachbuild Collection programme is by invitation only and client deliveries will commence from 2028.

ROLLS-ROYCE MARKS TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF GOODWOOD-ERA EXPERIMENTAL MOTOR CARS

Tue, 7 Apr 2026 14:05:00 +0200

Rolls-Royce celebrates triple anniversary of three Goodwood-era Experimental motor cars
101EX, 102EX and 103EX record 20, 15 and 10 years respectively in 2026
Essential proving grounds for battery electric technology and Bespoke individualisation
Part of a through-line of EX motor cars extending back to 1EX in 1919

“Throughout its history, Rolls-Royce has created Experimental, or EX, motor cars, as part of its product development process. But an EX motor car is not a concept created to ‘test the waters’: it is fully realised, drivable, and informed by our deep understanding of our clients’ needs and desires. Each of the three EX cars marking their anniversary this year has made an immense contribution to the development of Goodwood-era models such as the legendary Phantom Coupé, Spectre and the coachbuilt Sweptail, as well as introducing the world to Bespoke through expressions like our signature Starlight Headliner. In their innovation, creativity, dynamism and engineering accomplishment, they perfectly translate the technical brilliance of Sir Henry Royce and the pioneering vision of Charles Rolls into the modern age.”
Bernhard Dressler, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

In 2026, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks a special triple anniversary; three groundbreaking Experimental – or EX – motor cars, built during the Goodwood-era, are recording 20, 15 and 10 years since their respective unveilings.

Each of these motor cars played a foundational role in establishing Rolls-Royce’s contemporary design language, technology, engineering hallmarks and commitment to Bespoke individualisation. Unlike conventional concept cars, which are used to ask the market what it wants, EX motor cars are developed to answer specific needs and desires, identified through Rolls-Royce’s deep understanding of its clients and a clear view of what comes next. They allow Rolls-Royce’s engineers to evaluate innovative technologies, advanced production methods, and bold new material palettes.

The three Goodwood-era EX cars are part of a through-line going back to 1EX, which Henry Royce built in 1919. When Royce found his new Phantom II, launched in 1929, too large and heavy for his own use, his designers produced a lightweight Experimental version, 26EX, on an adapted short chassis. It proved ideal for high-speed, long-distance touring on Europe’s smooth, straight roads, and entered production as the now rare and highly prized Phantom II Continental. During the early-to-mid 1930s, Rolls-Royce built 30EX and nine further experimental cars under the codename Spectre as part of the V12 engine development programme that would enter production in 1936 as Phantom III. Drawing inspiration from those experimental Phantom III motor cars, the name Spectre was later revived for the marque’s first battery electric motor car, unveiled in 2022. The last of the pre-Goodwood EX motor cars, 45EX, was built in 1957.

101EX, UNVEILED IN 2006 – 20 YEARS AGO

101EX made its debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. A full four-seat coupé with twin coach doors, it was built on the same aluminium spaceframe as Phantom VII, but is 240 mm shorter. Combined with bodywork constructed from carbon fibre composite, and power from a 6.75-litre V12 engine, it was designed to have a more performance- and driver-focused character than its larger sibling. It also has a lower roofline and shallower glass area; the Pantheon grille is discreetly reclined and extended back across a brushed aluminium bonnet and windscreen surround.

The interior features the first-ever Starlight Headliner. Comprising hundreds of fibre-optic ‘stars’, it proved an instant sensation and is now a fundamental element of almost every Rolls-Royce motor car, with its own almost unlimited potential for Bespoke individualisation. Like its predecessor – 100EX, unveiled in 2004 – 101EX would find lasting fame as a series production car; the legendary Phantom Coupé, launched in 2008.

Phantom Coupé, together with the closely related Phantom Drophead Coupé, was foundational to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ development as a modern House of Luxury. They introduced the world to the full possibilities of Bespoke, informed by the company’s growing understanding of the wider luxury market, and the idea of a Rolls-Royce as a canvas for deep, Bespoke individualisation. 101EX also gave designers and engineers vital insights into materials and construction techniques that would inform the development of the first Coachbuild project of the modern era: Sweptail, presented in 2017.

102EX, UNVEILED IN 2011 – 15 YEARS AGO

102EX has a unique place in history as the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) ever built by Rolls-Royce. Also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), it was created as a one-off, working test bed for alternative drive-train technologies, and thus represented the first tangible step on the road that would lead to the advent of Spectre, more than a decade later.

One of the most significant engineering challenges was converting everything that runs directly off the engine in a standard motor car, from power steering and ABS to heating and audio, to battery power. 102EX had what was then the largest capacity battery fitted to a motor car anywhere in the world: its wireless induction charging system was also a world first.

Following its Geneva debut, 102EX embarked on a year-long ‘world tour’ of client, media and public events, culminating in a landmark appearance at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This gave owners, VIPs, media and enthusiasts the opportunity to discover Rolls-Royce’s emerging drivetrain technology and share their experiences and impressions; this information proved crucial to engineers’ understanding of the potential and practicalities of BEVs. 102EX’s international odyssey would later be eclipsed by the 2.5 million kilometres Spectre accumulated in some of the world’s most hostile climates and challenging terrain for its own pre-launch testing.

103EX, UNVEILED IN 2016 – 10 YEARS AGO

In 2016, the marque commissioned a special ‘Vision’ motor car named 103EX, which would define the future of luxury. Hand-built using the most advanced materials, and powered by a zero emissions powertrain, it revealed a future in which Rolls-Royce offered clients a completely personal, effortless and autonomous experience.

The passenger cabin, known as ‘The Grand Sanctuary’, surrounds occupants with precious and contemporary materials carefully chosen to create a feeling of lightness, simplicity and effortless elegance. The seats are replaced with an opulent sofa, which, thanks to artful lighting, appears to ‘float’ within the cocoon of the cabin.

At 5.9 metres long and 1.6 metres high – the same dimensions as Phantom Extended – 103EX guarantees a Grand Arrival for its owner. For the first time, the Spirit of Ecstasy was made in glass and illuminated from below.

As well as an all-electric powertrain, 103EX includes a digital assistant called ‘Eleanor’. The choice of name was inspired by Eleanor Thornton, who was believed to have been sculptor Charles Sykes’ muse for the original Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Within the Vision motor car, Eleanor was conceived to enable fully autonomous driving while also facilitating a seamless digital interface between motor car and owner. This forward-looking concept anticipated aspects of today’s Whispers app, which provides clients with a curated digital connection to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

UNITED BY HERITAGE

Although these three motor cars are very different in conception and execution, they share a single, highly exclusive, distinguishing feature.

The use of the Rolls-Royce Badge of Honour, with its overlaid double ‘R’ for the founders’ second initials, can be traced back to the earliest days of the brand, with the first examples appearing on Rolls-Royce 10 H.P. motor cars in 1905. The first badges featured the ‘RR’ symbol in red on a silver background, but in 1931, the process began to change the lettering to black – a style that has remained ever since.

However, the original-style red badge has periodically resurfaced over the decades – albeit rarely and on a highly restricted basis. In 1979, to mark the company’s 75th anniversary, Rolls-Royce fitted red badges to all 212 examples of the Silver Shadow II Anniversary model, together with a single Camargue and the sole Silver Wraith II. Red badges were also specified for the final series of 25 Corniches, the turbocharged Corniche S.

This practice continues today, with red badges occasionally assigned to carefully selected motor cars. Most notably, they have also been fitted to all the Goodwood-era EX models – including the three celebrating their anniversaries this year. This shared feature underlines their historic importance to Rolls-Royce, preserving a through-line of innovation, experimentation and challenging of convention that can be traced back to the marque’s foundation.

LE ROSSIGNOL: A REFUGE FOR CREATIVITY

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:58:00 +0200

Le Rossignol: the name of the house in which Sir Henry Royce’s designers and engineers lived in the South of France
French for ‘the nightingale’, Le Rossignol was named as a tribute to Rolls-Royce’s Derby factory
Henry Royce personally designed the Derby factory on Nightingale Road
Nightingale Road was home to Rolls-Royce motor car production from 1908 to 1939
Royce later built Le Rossignol near Villa Mimosa, his residence in the South of France
Le Rossignol reflects Royce’s pursuit of creative focus and deep connection with the Côte d’Azur

“The time Sir Henry Royce spent on the French Riviera offers a more private view of how he worked. Le Rossignol, which was purpose-built as a residence for his designers and engineers, adjacent to his house, became a setting for focused creativity, where ideas were formed, tested and refined. That it was named as a heartfelt tribute to Nightingale Road, the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby which Sir Henry himself personally designed, only adds to the significance of this special location in Rolls-Royce’s story. Sir Henry’s closeness to his creative team, and his belief in their ability to achieve remarkable things, remains a point of pride at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today. It lives on in the work that demands the most from us and matters most to our clients.”
Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

During the later years of his life, Sir Henry Royce spent each winter at his private residence on the French Riviera. The villa, named La Mimosa, was built in the hills above the village of Le Canadel in 1911, after Sir Henry had visited the area during a period of rest after the intense effort of establishing Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing base at Nightingale Road, Derby.

In addition to La Mimosa, Royce had two other houses built: Le Bureau served as a design studio, and Le Rossignol – French for ‘the nightingale’ – was the house in which the designers and engineers lived. It was very important to Royce that the designers and engineers were close to him, so they were able to bring their respective visions to reality quickly.

Le Rossignol’s naming was a heartfelt tribute to Nightingale Road, where Royce had personally designed the factory buildings, down to their internal layout, in 1908. He also revealed his genius for logistics, orchestrating the transfer of plant and machinery from the previous Manchester site without a single day’s delay in production. The name Le Rossignol commemorated Sir Henry’s achievements in Derby, and reflected the purpose of this new building: a quiet space where ideas could be developed, tested and perfected to Royce’s standards.

Royce often invited his most trusted engineers and designers to visit him at La Mimosa, many of whom stayed at Le Rossignol while working closely with him. Despite the tranquillity of the French Riviera, he remained obsessive in his commitment to precision and productive use of time.

One visiting engineer recounted how he was once invited to listen to some records with Royce. Expecting an evening of music, he was instead handed a set of recorded French language lessons. When the guest remarked that this was not what he had anticipated, Royce replied: “No time for leisure. We must use every moment to learn.”

Yet even with such discipline, Royce found moments of pleasure on the Riviera. In a rare moment of levity, he was photographed on the balcony of La Mimosa, playing the flute in the sunshine with the renowned British sculptor Francis Derwent Wood. He also took every opportunity to test his creations on the winding corniches near Le Canadel, often driving them himself.

Even when unwell, Royce couldn’t resist the thrill of his motor cars’ performance. On one journey back to England for emergency surgery, with Commercial Managing Director Claude Johnson at the wheel, Royce noticed a car gaining behind them and urged Johnson to accelerate, insisting: “A Rolls-Royce should never be overtaken.” As the motor car drew closer, Royce recognised its outline and said: “Don’t worry. It’s one of ours.”

The Riviera remained Royce’s sanctuary until his death in 1933, and was a place where nature, design and discipline coexisted. The legacy of Le Rossignol, both as a name and a place of disciplined creation, endures quietly within the Rolls-Royce story: an echo of the brand’s creative heritage that continues to inspire today.

PRESENTING ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN YACHTING: A BESPOKE CELEBRATION OF MARINE CRAFT AND DESIGN

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0100

Four Cullinan motor cars celebrate the material palette and design codes of yachting
Each features a hand-painted fascia inspired by the wake of a tender at speed
Unique Starlight Headliners chart the prevailing winds of the Mediterranean Sea
Intricate marquetry compass motif comprises more than 40 individual pieces
Reflects Rolls-Royce’s links to yachting, including C.S. Rolls’ family yacht, Santa Maria

“Yachting is a world inhabited by many of our clients, and one we’ve come to know intimately. These highly Bespoke Cullinan motor cars celebrate the deep connection between that culture and Rolls-Royce: a relationship that began with our founder, Charles Rolls, and continues to this day. From shared design values with racing vessels to collaborations with marine designers for clients who wish to pair their motor car with their yacht, maritime craft has long informed our approach. In these four Bespoke commissions, that long-standing association is expressed through meticulous marine-inspired details and authentic materials, true to the spirit of adventure that defines Cullinan and the world of yachting alike.”
Martina Starke, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce presents Cullinan Yachting: four Private Commissions celebrating the aesthetics, materials and spirit of contemporary yachting. Each motor car is defined by one of the cardinal points of the compass – North, South, East or West – a subtle thematic thread expressed through both interior and exterior details.

All four commissions feature marine-grade teak detailing, hand-painted nautical fascias, Mediterranean wind-pattern Starlight Headliners, and distinctive exterior finishes. Together, they reflect Rolls-Royce’s longstanding relationship with the world of maritime craft – from Charles Rolls’ own family yacht to contemporary client collaborations with leading yacht designers.

HAND-PAINTED FLOURISHES: AWASH WITH COLOUR

Hand-painted elements are an increasingly sought-after form of Bespoke expression, with Rolls-Royce now employing full-time artisans dedicated to this specialised craft. In each of the Cullinan Yachting motor cars, the fascia and picnic tables include artworks that capture the trailing wake of a tender at speed, bound for a yacht at anchor. The direction of the wake reflects the orientation of each commission – North, South, East or West – ensuring each motor car is a true one-of-one.

Development of the composition required two months of experimentation, refining paint hue combinations, application techniques and lacquering processes. To achieve the lifelike wave effect, pigment is airbrushed onto the wet lacquer before being shaped by hand with a fine brush. By directing air across the surface and manually guiding the paint, the artist achieves a natural sense of movement.

The painted composition sits within a broader treatment spanning the full width of the motor car. The fascia is finished in a Bespoke paint named Piano Milori Sparkle: a rich, metallic blue that evokes the deep, crystalline tones of the Côte d’Azur.

Beyond the fascia, Open Pore Teak is used throughout the interior, including the rear Waterfall, rear centre console lid and door panels. Commonly found on yacht decks, this material was selected for its maritime authenticity, natural tactility and understated visual warmth.

On the rear Waterfall, a marquetry compass motif anchors the theme. Each design comprises more than 40 individual pieces of veneer in Sycamore, Teak, Ash and Black Bolivar, precisely cut and assembled by hand.

BESPOKE INTERIOR: A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY

The interior is finished in Arctic White and Navy Blue leather, with contrast stitching, piping and headrest monograms in Navy. The seat inserts feature a Bespoke rigging pattern, hand-stitched in diagonal bands using Rolls-Royce’s signature thread. Created by an artisan with a personal connection to the Royal Navy, and trained in yarn, weave and embroidery construction, the piece has been carefully orchestrated to echo the twining of rope, where multiple strands are twisted together to create strength. The direction of each stitch reflects this structural composition, elegantly translating the craft of nautical ropework into embroidery. A rope motif also appears on the illuminated treadplates, visible when opening the coach doors.

STARLIGHT HEADLINER: STEER BY THE STARS

Each Cullinan Yachting is fitted with a unique Starlight Headliner, combining static and animated hand-placed fibre-optic ‘stars’ in patterns inspired by Mediterranean wind maps. The shifting air currents – charted and interpreted by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, craftspeople and engineers – are rendered in subtle motion across the roof of the interior suite.

FOUR DIRECTIONS, FOUR IDENTITIES

The exterior finish of each Cullinan Yachting reflects the cardinal point of the compass it is named after. North is presented in Crystal over Light Blue, evoking the colder waters of higher latitudes; South captures warmer climes in a deep, serene Crystal over Arabian Blue IV; East is rendered in Dark Silk Teal, suggesting the calm and mystery of deep water; while West appears in Sapphire Gunmetal, echoing a storm-lit ocean sky. The motor cars are finished with a hand-painted compass motif on the front wings, in which the corresponding directional point is highlighted in red, complemented by a hand-applied Twin Coachline in Phoenix Red and Arctic White.

Each commission is resolved with 22-inch Fully Polished alloy wheels, subtly recalling the mirror-polished brightwork and deck fittings of contemporary yachts.

ROLLS-ROYCE’S YACHTING LEGACY: MORE THAN A CENTURY OF CONNECTION

The connections between Rolls-Royce and the world of yachting are deep and longstanding. In Rolls-Royce's design language, the lower line of the bodywork – known as the ‘waft line’ – borrows directly from yacht design, creating an uncomplicated sense of motion by reflecting the road passing beneath it, much as a yacht hull reflects the water as it cuts through it.

Many heritage motor cars, together with Goodwood-era series models including Phantom Drophead Coupé and Spectre, as well as the contemporary coachbuilt Boat Tail commissions, have incorporated design cues and material influences from racing yachts. A particularly potent reference-point is the peerless J-class, built in the 1930s to compete in the prestigious America’s Cup. With their elegant proportions, long overhangs, sweeping lines and large sail plans, these classic high-performance vessels combined beauty with breathtaking speed, and are still revered as floating works of art.

There is also a more direct, personal link between the marque and the maritime world. Long before he met Henry Royce, Charles Rolls' family owned the substantial but graceful Santa Maria - a 154ft (47m), 235 ton single screw schooner, powered by a twin cylinder 80HP steam engine, typical of fashionable late Victorian and early Edwardian nautical society. After graduating from Cambridge in 1898, the youthful Rolls briefly served as her Third Engineer in what was one of his earliest engineering roles, before fulfilling his true vocation as a pioneer of both motoring and aviation.

Logbooks and records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries show Santa Maria taking the family on frequent cruises from Shoreham, less than 30 miles from the Home of Rolls-Royce, on the south coast of England to the Mediterranean, where her ports of call included Naples, Malta, Algiers and Côte d'Azur. The latter – still a favoured destination and home port for many Rolls-Royce clients who are also yacht owners – provides the creative focal point for Cullinan Yachting.

ROLLS-ROYCE AND YACHTING: A SHARED HERITAGE

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0100

INTRODUCTION

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has a longstanding relationship with the world of yachting, through a shared interest in harnessing fine materials and craftsmanship in the pursuit of performance and an overlapping clientele. Historically and in the modern era, racing yachts have informed key elements of Rolls-Royce’s design language, and provided direct inspiration for motor cars, including the fabled Phantom Drophead Coupé and the Boat Tail Coachbuild commissions.

A SHARED HERITAGE

The links between the marque and the maritime world are deep, personal and predate the marque’s foundation. Charles Rolls’ family owned the substantial but graceful Santa Maria – a 154ft (47m), 235 ton single screw schooner, powered by a twin cylinder 80HP steam engine, typical of fashionable late Victorian and early Edwardian nautical society. Logbooks and records from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries show Santa Maria taking the family on frequent cruises from Shoreham on the south coast of England to the Mediterranean, where her ports of call included Cannes, Naples, Malta and Monaco, still favoured destinations and/or home ports for the many Rolls-Royce clients who are also yacht owners.

After graduating from Cambridge in 1898, six years before his historic first meeting with Henry Royce, the youthful Rolls briefly served as her Third Engineer. This was his foundational engineering role before fulfilling his true vocation as a pioneer of both motoring and aviation. His fellow motoring enthusiast, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu was, like so many of the marque’s aristocratic early adopters, also an active yachtsman and motorboat racer.

MAKING WAVES

In the decades that followed, Rolls-Royce forged deep connections with the maritime world, much as it did in aviation, as a world-class engine manufacturer. In the early 1960s, the graceful Riva Caravelle yachts were powered by Rolls-Royce engines, combining Italian craftsmanship with British engineering excellence. (Between 1989 and 1997, Vickers owned both Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Riva.) In 1965, Rolls-Royce collaborated with the leading Italian boatbuilder, Avonautica Rio, to develop the ‘Rolls-Rio’ – a stunning open luxury wooden sports boat, in the celebrated Italian style, powered by a marine-adapted version of the Rolls-Royce V8 engine which powered the Silver Cloud II.

From 1954 to 1997, Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia was the official vessel of the British Royal Family, the late Queen Elizabeth II describing it as “the one place I can truly relax”. Now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, Edinburgh, as a five-star tourist attraction, during her service life, HMY Britannia famously carried a Rolls-Royce Phantom V Park Ward limousine for the Queen’s use when the yacht docked in foreign ports. The motor car was hoisted on and off the deck using a small crane, or davit, and kept in a garage on the Shelter Deck: in order to fit inside, it had to have its bumpers removed, then reattached at the destination.

ON LAND AND SEA

The strongest historical connection between Rolls-Royce and yachting lies in their shared clientele. During the early 20th century, yacht-racing was a highly prestigious and exclusive pursuit, attracting many of the same wealthy British and American industrialists, financiers, aristocrats and entrepreneurs who were also Rolls-Royce owners.

Then as now, the pinnacle of this rarefied sport was the America’s Cup. For many, this reached its own zenith in the 1930s, when it was contested by the peerless J-class yachts. With their elegant proportions, long overhangs, sweeping lines and enormous sail plans, these classic high-performance vessels combined beauty with breathtaking speed, and are still revered as floating works of art.

One example, Endeavour, was owned by Sir Thomas ‘Tommy’ Sopwith. Another aviation pioneer, whose designs included some of the most influential machines of the First World War, Sopwith ran a Rolls-Royce dealership early in his career, and owned an extensive collection of Rolls-Royce motor cars throughout his life. Similarly, the media magnate Sir William Berry, Viscount Camrose, owned both a J-Class yacht, named Cambria, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom II.

THE LANGUAGE OF SPEED

In the early 20th century, Rolls-Royce motor cars were frequently bodied in styles directly inspired by yachts, incorporating materials such as mahogany and construction methods derived from traditional boatbuilding.

In Rolls-Royce’s contemporary design language, the lower line of the bodywork – known as the ‘waft line’ – borrows directly from yacht design. A defining feature of Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan and Spectre, it creates an uncomplicated sense of motion by reflecting the road passing beneath it, much as a yacht hull reflects the water as it cuts through it.

Launched in 2007, Phantom Drophead Coupé was designed to evoke a classic motor yacht at speed, with a dynamic rise in the waistline over the rear wheels, and graceful lines sweeping up towards the front. Completing the nautical theme, the tonneau cover, boot lining and rear passenger cabin were finished in bleached teak decking.

A decade later, the first Coachbuilt motor car of the modern era, ‘Sweptail’, was inspired by classic yachts in the commissioning client’s personal collection. It was followed in 2022 by the triptych of Boat Tail Coachbuild commissions, which, like their 20th Century predecessors, feature a rear deck inspired by classic yachts, with extensive use of wood and a sculptural, hull-like form.

Most recently, Spectre – the marque’s electric super coupé – continues this lineage. Its design was informed by J-class racing yachts, with a vertical bow line leading the eye rearwards to the sweeping fastback form.

ON COMMON GROUND

The present-day Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is located close to Chichester Harbour, the largest recreational boating harbour in Europe. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, its tidal waters flow through a direct channel connection at the harbour mouth into the eastern Solent, and onward into the Solent itself – one of the world’s most important maritime and yachting centres, and home to one of the most active sailing communities anywhere.

Cowes, at the very heart of the Solent, is the birthplace of organised international yacht racing and international sailing culture; it is also home to Cowes Week, one of the longest-running regular sailing regattas in the world. The world’s oldest international sailing trophy, the America’s Cup, originated from a race that began in the Solent. Many other competitive offshore sailing races also either begin or are culturally rooted there, including the Fastnet Race and the Round the Island Race, which both start and finish off Cowes. In addition, the round-the-world sailing competition, known today as the Ocean Race, originally started and finished in Portsmouth.

The decision to establish the modern Home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at Goodwood was shaped in part by its proximity to one of the world’s most concentrated centres of maritime craft skills. Across the Solent region, generations of specialist knowledge endure through bespoke boat builders, naval architects and master shipwrights.