KUALA LUMPUR: The Bespoke business continues to drive Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to new heights, with every Phantom – the British super-luxury marque’s flagship model – produced nowadays being significantly personalised.
“Bespoke is more than just customisation – the only limit is one’s imagination,” said the company’s Asia Pacific communications manager Hal Serudin.
He pointed out that 2014 marked the first year in which every Phantom, and the great majority of Ghost and Wraith models, left the home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in West Sussex, England in remarkable Bespoke form.
A record number of customers spent personal one-on-one time with Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke design consultants commissioning their personalised vehicles.
“The cost of Bespoke can equal or be more than the price of the car,” said Serudin.
He pointed out that Rolls-Royce Bespoke customers can choose from 44,000 external paint hues, limitless wood veneer options, leather styles and colours.
To reinforce the claim that Rolls-Royce is the go-to luxury carmaker for the connoisseur who demands the best in individualisation, the company’s Bespoke designer Michael Bryden highlighted the unique Celestial Phantom which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago.
The Celestial Phantom one-off edition was made to celebrate the moment when the first Phantom rolled off the production line at Goodwood at midnight on January 1, 2003.
Its headlining features hundreds of tiny LEDs meticulously configured to represent the star-filled sky exactly as it was in Goodwood on January 1, 2003.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke designer Michael Bryden.
The night-sky constellation arrangement was verified by the South Downs Planetarium to ensure authenticity, whilst hand-stitching to the headliner subtly maps out the constellations.
“We work with astronomers for constellation positioning. For our Bespoke customers, if it can be done; we will do it,” said Bryden at a recent media briefing at the Rolls-Royce showroom at Quill 9, Petaling Jaya.
Bryden also highlighted the Wraith Inspired by Music, which is said to be the most exclusive music venue on wheels that delivers an unrivalled aural experience.
The Wraith Inspired by Music’s Bespoke audio system saw a two-year development process that had Rolls-Royce interior designers ensuring the system was perfectly tuned to the interior of the cabin.
A white Ghost made for a client to mark the 50th anniversary of the state of Singapore.
“The contemporary use of copper creates an atmospheric setting for this encompassing music system,” said Bryden, who graduated from Coventry University three years ago with a degree in automotive and transport design.
The Wraith Inspired by Music’s clarity of sound and dynamic range is delivered via a 1300W, 18-channel system comprising two bass speakers, seven tweeters and seven mid-range speakers.
Two “exciter” speakers hand-fitted in the car’s headlining bring the sound to the listener at ear-level, while microphones constantly monitor ambient and exterior noises, and adjust volume and tone settings automatically to ensure no external agent detracts from the user’s listening pleasure.
“Bespoke has been embraced with particular enthusiasm in Asia. A fine example is the “Year of the Dragon” Phantom which has specially commissioned, hand-painted coach-line with dragon-motif,” said Bryden.
He also noted that in July this year, Rolls-Royce celebrated Singapore’s national day with the SG50 Ghost Series II.
It was the first time Rolls-Royce has commissioned a car to commemorate the anniversary of a country.
The car’s exterior is finished in English White with a contrasting Consort Red coachline to represent the colours of the Singapore flag.
The Merlion and the Singapore skyline motif features in various interior appointments.
The iconic Merlion logo was stitched to each of the four headrests in the car.
When the doors are opened, passengers are greeted by a treadplate featuring Singapore’s skyline.
Bryden had referenced images of Singapore’s Central Business District and harbour to create an abstract interpretation of the iconic skyline. The drawing was done digitally, and laser engraved onto the stainless steel tread plate, completed with the words “Hand Built in Goodwood, England for Singapore’s 50th Anniversary”.
“The Rolls-Royce showroom in Singapore has been getting a lot of calls regarding the SG50 Ghost Series II,” said Serudin.
Keyword: Bespoke wealth for Rolls-Royce buyers