Category Archives: RollsRoyce

ROLLS-ROYCE SUNNINGDALE UNVEILS NEW LUXURY SHOWROOM

  • Rolls-Royce Sunningdale re-opens its doorways after in depth redesign and redevelopment
  • New showroom gives a recent, luxurious retail house, providing purchasers a wholly-immersive Rolls-Royce expertise
  • New visible language resonates with youthful demographic of purchasers
  • Expansion and redesign mirror rising demand for the marque’s pinnacle merchandise


“After extensive redesign and redevelopment, I am delighted to announce that Rolls-Royce Sunningdale has now re-opened its doors. During the last 18 months the highly dedicated, professional, and experienced team temporarily relocated to their aftersales facility, where they continued to offer our esteemed clients their expertise and a hyper-personalised client experience characterised by luxurious encounters.

“The reopening of the Sunningdale dealership, the showroom nearest to the Home of the Rolls-Royce in West Sussex, is a great moment for us. This new space, with its wealth of innovative digital technologies and elegant, luxurious design, is the perfect embodiment of the brand. It really captures the essence of the marque and brings our visual identity to life, reaffirming our position as a leading House of Luxury, distinct from an automotive manufacturer.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central Asia

Rolls-Royce has a profound understanding of its purchasers; their wants, expectations and their needs and strives to exceed these. Offering its patrons distinctive experiences is an integral a part of the continuing success of the world’s main luxurious marque, and so Rolls-Royce is delighted to announce its newly redesigned showroom in Sunningdale is able to welcome purchasers previous, current and future to its new luxurious house.

Located in a distinguished location within the coronary heart of Sunningdale, the house has been utterly reworked each architecturally and aesthetically, making it nearly unrecognisable. The unique showroom has been considerably prolonged, providing extra space to showcase the marque’s beautiful merchandise and offering purchasers an unparalleled expertise, according to Rolls-Royce’s persevering with evolution as a real world luxurious items model. A terrace, with views over the Berkshire countryside, is a wholly new addition to the showroom; a soothing and alluring house for purchasers to attract nearer to the model.

The redesigned location, spanning two ranges, now showcases the marque’s up to date visible id, designed by award-winning company, Pentagram. The house affords purchasers an immersive expertise from the second they step foot into the constructing: the entrance door is modelled on Rolls-Royce’s well-known Pantheon grille and gives a discreet, tantalising glimpse of what lies inside. The doorway is topped by the marque’s iconic figurine, the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Inside, the brand new showroom continues to exude sophistication, up to date luxurious, and creativity, but nonetheless recognises the significance of heritage for the marque, with citations from the founding fathers of the model all through the showroom. The Cabinet of Curiosities, an eclectic mixture of intriguing, timeless and legendary design objects, is designed to spark the creativeness and conversations as a part of the fee course of. The pièce de résistance, the Atelier, homes a few of marque’s most beautiful examples of workmanship, together with wooden veneers, leathers, embroidery threads in quite a lot of vivacious hues, in addition to lambswool samples. The surface-finish samples are offered within the acquainted Rolls-Royce speedform form, making it simple to think about the just about limitless two-tone color mixtures; the leathers are rolled on wands with handles from Rolls-Royce’s well-known umbrellas, whereas the veneers are formed just like the cross-section of an aerofoil, recalling The Hon Charles Rolls’ aviation exploits. This sensory-inspired room helps purchasers to envisage their dream fee coming to life.

The outstanding transformation of the Sunningdale showroom is an additional signal of the dealership’s dedication to excellence which was recognised in two latest prestigious awards. In 2020, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sunningdale was honoured to obtain the title of ‘Global Bespoke Dealer of the Year’ and, in 2022, ‘Regional Provenance Dealership of the Year’, each recognising its unwavering dedication to the Rolls-Royce model and delivering personalised experiences to its cherished purchasers.

A Rolls-Royce is unapologetically luxurious, it’s unmistakable, synonymous with magnificence and magnificence, a real design icon, and so every mannequin rightfully enjoys its personal devoted house, framed, and is offered in accordance with its distinctive character and traits.

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS OPENS APPLICATION WINDOW FOR 2024 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

  • Rolls-Royce invitations functions for its 2024 Apprenticeship programme
  • Application window open till 31 March 2024
  • Opportunities to realize hands-on, sensible coaching expertise in departments and capabilities throughout the corporate, working alongside skilled colleagues
  • All Apprentices additionally research for nationally recognised {qualifications} by additional and better schooling companions within the native space
  • Demand for locations is all the time excessive, so early registration is strongly really helpful. Visit: www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/careers or e mail futuretalent@rolls-roycemotorcars.com


“The Rolls-Royce Apprenticeships scheme is one of the most respected and prestigious of its kind in the country. We’re looking for people interested in administration, support and commercial roles as well as craft and manufacturing, so you don’t need to be a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) specialist to apply – but if you are, this is definitely one of the best places in the world to pursue your interest in engineering and technology. With qualifications available from Level 2 right up to Level 6, we have Apprenticeships suitable for everyone; from those leaving school at 16, to those seeking an alternative to a traditional university course. We look forward to receiving applications and meeting prospective candidates over the coming weeks.” 
Mark Adams, Director of Human Resources, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Applications for the 2024 Rolls-Royce Apprenticeship Programme are actually open, the corporate has confirmed.

Part of the Rolls-Royce Future Talent programme, which additionally contains Internships and Graduate Placements, the Apprenticeship scheme has run yearly since 2006 and is without doubt one of the most revered and prestigious of its sort within the UK. It provides profitable candidates unrivalled sensible coaching {and professional} growth, working alongside skilled specialists on the Home of Rolls-Royce. In addition to their work-based coaching, Apprentices achieve nationally recognised {qualifications} by additional and better schooling suppliers across the native space.

This yr, the corporate is providing Level 2 Apprenticeships – notably appropriate for these leaving college after GCSEs – within the Interior Trim Centre, Technical Assembly, Sewing, Interior Surface Centre and Robot Operations. There are additionally Level 3 (A-level equal) alternatives in Milling Machining, Exterior Surface Centre and Assembly Test & Finish.

For these looking for a substitute for the normal college route after A-levels, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeships can be found in technical areas together with Digitalisation, Product Development, Technical Planning, Quality and Production Control and Assembly Quality.

Rolls-Royce is eager to stress that it has Apprenticeships appropriate for folks with a variety of prior expertise, pursuits and academic backgrounds. As nicely as catering for these eager to pursue STEAM careers, the corporate is searching for candidates fascinated with industrial, administrative and non-production roles. This yr, for instance, it’s recruiting at Level 3 in Logistics, and for Level 6 Degree Apprenticeships in Marketing Regional Sales & Business.

At the top of their preliminary coaching, Apprentices could also be invited to increase their time at Goodwood and research for extra superior {qualifications}. Candidates who attain constantly excessive requirements all through their coaching could also be supplied a everlasting job with the corporate.

This yr’s software window is now open. Candidates are inspired to use as quickly as potential, as locations are restricted and demand is all the time extraordinarily excessive. The deadline to use for every function varies, with some closing as early as 25 February. The firm can also shut functions for specific roles early if it has already obtained adequate functions earlier than the ultimate cut-off date.

For extra info and to use, please e mail futuretalent@rolls-roycemotorcars.com

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS IN 2023: A YEAR OF SUCCESS

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars studies a extremely profitable yr in 2023 with robust enterprise efficiency and Bespoke commissions at file ranges
  • Secure platform for additional progress and improvement because the marque enters its 120th yr: Charles Rolls and Henry Royce met for the primary time on 4 May 1904
  • More motor automobiles bought than ever earlier than in marque’s 119-year historical past: 6,032 delivered to purchasers world wide, all together with components of Bespoke personalisation
  • Global gross sales current a balanced image, led by North America and China
  • Year-on-year progress reported in areas together with Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe
  • Company’s constructive financial influence grew additional with the creation of 180 new jobs on the Home of Rolls-Royce in 2023
  • New funding introduced to extend capabilities for electrical car manufacturing, Bespoke commissions and future progress in Coachbuild actions. Planning software for extension at Goodwood web site submitted in late summer season 2023


“2023 was another extraordinary year for Rolls-Royce, with strong sales performances in all regions and across the full product portfolio. It’s especially encouraging to see the enormous interest in and demand for Spectre, supporting the decision to adopt a bold, ‘all-electric’ strategy for future model development and production. The record level of Bespoke commissions, both by volume and value, also underlines our position within the luxury sector, offering our clients opportunities for self-expression and personalisation they cannot find anywhere else.

“As incoming CEO, I’m in the extremely fortunate position of taking over responsibility for a business in robust good health, with strong foundations and a clear strategy for growth and development, formidable technical capabilities and a focused, dedicated team. I’m looking forward to working with the entire Rolls-Royce team to maintain this momentum and take this great company forward with confidence and conviction.”

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars


NEWS SUMMARY

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars loved a extremely profitable yr in 2023, with robust gross sales and demand for its merchandise in markets worldwide, and Bespoke commissions at file ranges.

The firm’s robust efficiency was as soon as once more underpinned by the distinctiveness and variety of its provide, significantly in respect of Bespoke personalisation and the marque’s unrivalled skill to satisfy and exceed purchasers’ ever-expanding expectations. The ongoing success and progress of the marque’s Bespoke capabilities – supported by the persevering with enlargement of the marque’s worldwide Private Office community – resulted in additional and better worth Bespoke commissions than ever earlier than. Global gross sales of 6,032 motor automobiles have been in keeping with inside expectations and Rolls-Royce’s standing as a world luxurious home, moderately than a volume-driven producer. All Rolls-Royce motor automobiles are hand-built on the marque’s dwelling in Goodwood, UK and each has components of Bespoke.

While the vastly standard Wraith and Dawn fashions ceased manufacturing as deliberate in 2023, the yr was most notable for the beginning of manufacturing and gross sales of Rolls-Royce Spectre, with the very first consumer deliveries going down within the autumn. Following its triumphant public reveal in October 2022, the primary all-electric Rolls-Royce in historical past has attracted huge curiosity, significantly amongst youthful purchasers; this demand has translated into orders extending into 2025, laying a agency basis for the marque’s daring, all-electric future.

The firm’s long-term concentrate on Bespoke, and the rising ambition of consumer commissions, is mirrored within the ever-increasing scope and class of Rolls-Royce’s design, know-how, engineering and craftsmanship. During 2023, the corporate introduced substantial new funding within the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood to boost capability and capabilities for Bespoke and to assist the expansion of Coachbuild. To meet purchasers’ rising demand for more and more detailed and in depth Bespoke commissions, Rolls-Royce expanded its Private Office community additional: following Dubai, which opened in 2022, Shanghai opened in autumn 2023 and the marque confirmed its plans to open Private Offices in Seoul and North America in 2024. The international Rolls-Royce Private Office community allows a brand new stage of consumer engagement with the marque and is already delivering a big uplift in Bespoke demand.


FULL PRESS RELEASE


A WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS

Rolls-Royce loved a extremely profitable yr in 2023, with robust gross sales and demand for its merchandise in markets worldwide.

Every motor automotive hand-built on the Home of Rolls-Royce consists of some component of Bespoke, the corporate’s distinctive programme providing personalisation potentialities that are restricted solely by the consumer’s creativeness. In 2023, Bespoke commissions reached new file ranges by each worth and quantity; the technical improvements required to ship particular initiatives noticed Rolls-Royce file plenty of new patents in the course of the yr. In 2023, extra Rolls-Royce motor automobiles have been delivered to purchasers world wide than in some other yr within the marque’s 119-year historical past.

To mark 20 years of manufacturing at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce commissioned an unbiased examine into the marque’s financial influence, which calculated its complete contribution to the UK financial system at over £4 billion since 2003, and now over £500 million yearly. The firm created 180 new jobs at its Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in 2023, whereas greater than 130 individuals joined the corporate’s Future Talent programme in Apprenticeship, Internship or Graduate Placement positions.

The marque additionally introduced plans for important new funding to modernise and improve its manufacturing amenities to boost its Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities and assist manufacturing of its future all-electric product portfolio.

In 2023, Rolls-Royce additional enhanced its industry-leading experiential luxurious capabilities – a big progress space inside the luxurious sector. The marque’s profitable and celebrated international Private Office community, which provides purchasers a extremely personalised commissioning and possession expertise, expanded to Shanghai in 2023. This distinctive programme, which started with Private Office Dubai in July 2022 – the primary Private Office exterior the corporate’s dwelling at Goodwood, UK – provides purchasers direct entry to Rolls-Royce’s personal designers and engineers. The influence of those new worldwide Private Offices has already been important, with a marked enhance within the quantity and complexity of Bespoke commissions. This programme will probably be prolonged with two new worldwide areas in 2024.

In addition to this, the marque’s Whispers app witnessed important will increase in engagement. Reserved solely for Goodwood-era Rolls-Royce purchasers, the digital members’ membership allows customers to profit from unique merchandise and experiences chosen from the marque’s wider community inside the luxurious {industry}, additional establishing the model as a focus inside the lives of householders.

BESPOKE: FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Rolls-Royce Bespoke provides each consumer the chance to specific their character by means of their motor automotive – an unparalleled expertise that was loved by all purchasers in 2023. It is that this chance to personalise any and each facet of their motor automotive, in partnership with design and engineering specialists on the Home of Rolls-Royce, that’s driving demand for Rolls-Royce merchandise amongst its patrons worldwide. In 2023, Bespoke commissions reached new file ranges by each quantity and worth, with lots of the most creatively formidable and technically difficult originating within the Middle East.

Bespoke initiatives accomplished in 2023 included many ‘firsts’ for the marque that have been additionally technical improvements. These included the scent-release mechanism hid within the headrests of Phantom Syntopia, which integrated know-how initially developed for medical purposes, whereas many Bespoke paint finishes achieved in 2023 required fully new supplies, strategies and formulations to attain.

The yr’s commissions additionally created new alternatives in the usage of uncommon and exquisite supplies and complex craft strategies. These included: beautiful mother-of-pearl inlays for ‘The Pearl Cullinan’; hand-perforated leather-based seats for Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow; Starlight Headliners incorporating mesmerising celestial animations for Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis; and beautiful hand-painted Gallery artworks for Phantom ‘Inspired by Cinque Terre’.

A extra complete number of the yr’s Bespoke highlights will be considered here.

A LANDMARK YEAR FOR COACHBUILD 

Bespoke finds its final expression in Coachbuild, an exacting, extremely collaborative course of during which Rolls-Royce and the consumer co-create each element of the motor automotive, together with its bodily kind. In 2023, the marque unveiled Droptail, the primary true two-seater roadster to be constructed by Rolls-Royce in additional than half a century. Only 4 examples of Droptail will ever be constructed and every extremely particular person, deeply private fee redraws the boundaries for supplies, craft strategies, technical improvements, and creativity, not only for the automotive sector however the wider luxurious {industry}.

ANNUAL GLOBAL SALES RESULTS 2023

In complete, throughout greater than 50 international locations worldwide, Rolls-Royce delivered 6,032 motor automobiles to purchasers – greater than ever earlier than within the marque’s 119-year historical past.

While the primary half of the yr marked the tip of manufacturing for Rolls-Royce Wraith and Dawn as deliberate, the fourth quarter of the yr noticed the primary deliveries of Rolls-Royce Spectre, laying a basis for a daring electrical future during which the marque plans to provide solely fully-electric automobiles by the tip of 2030.

This robust gross sales efficiency must be seen within the context of Rolls-Royce’s elementary, persistently said place that it isn’t and by no means will probably be a volume-driven enterprise. As a luxurious home, its aim is to satisfy and exceed its purchasers’ expectations by constructing not simply ‘the best car in the world’, however the automotive that greatest represents them and their character. The international demand for Rolls-Royce merchandise and possession expertise displays the technical excellence, inventive aptitude and meticulous consideration to element the corporate brings to this course of, and which purchasers can discover nowhere else.

GLOBAL & REGIONAL SALES

Rolls-Royce studies gross sales progress within the majority of the markets during which it operates, with deliveries reaching new file ranges within the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe areas.

The USA was Rolls-Royce’s single largest market worldwide, whereas Greater China reaffirmed its standing because the marque’s second-largest market. Record gross sales have been achieved in Europe, the place the UK is the biggest single market. Supported by the Private Office Dubai, the Middle East maintained its place because the main supply of extremely elaborate and technically demanding Bespoke commissions. Record annual gross sales and year-on-year progress within the Asia-Pacific area have been fuelled by a robust efficiency in Korea, whose dynamic, vibrant financial system is mirrored in a quickly increasing luxurious market.

CULLINAN LEADS THE WAY, WITH STRONG SALES FOR ALL MODELS

As in 2022, Cullinan was probably the most requested Rolls-Royce mannequin worldwide, adopted by Ghost. Phantom continues to reign supreme because the marque’s pinnacle product.

As deliberate, in 2023 Rolls-Royce ceased manufacturing of Wraith (launched in 2013) and Dawn (2015). With Wraith’s departure from the portfolio, Rolls-Royce has now made its last-ever V12 coupé, an historic second commemorated within the imposing Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow Collection. Released in March and restricted to only 12 examples, the Bespoke artistry seen inside these historic fashions was impressed by the world land pace information set in 1938 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats by Captain George Eyston in Thunderbolt, a seven-tonne, eight-wheeled leviathan powered by two Rolls-Royce ‘R’ V12 aero engines.

SPECTRE 

Rolls-Royce unveiled Spectre to the world in October 2022, with manufacturing beginning in late summer season 2023 and the primary automobiles delivered to purchasers within the autumn. The first all-electric collection Rolls-Royce in historical past has attracted huge curiosity worldwide, significantly amongst youthful purchasers, setting a transparent course of journey and establishing a strong basis for the marque’s daring electrical future.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

In 2023, Rolls-Royce marked the primary 20 years of manufacturing at Goodwood by commissioning an unbiased examine into the financial influence the corporate achieves. Conducted by a workforce from the London School of Economics (LSE) the examine calculated Rolls-Royce’s complete contribution to the UK financial system at over £4 billion since 2003, and now greater than £500 million yearly.

Around a fifth of that contribution is made immediately in Chichester and West Sussex, by means of native provide chains and employment of its native workforce. There at the moment are over 2,500 individuals working on the Home of Rolls-Royce, Goodwood; 180 new jobs have been created throughout 2023 alone.


FUTURE TALENT

One of the biggest employers within the Chichester space, Rolls-Royce continues to spend money on its individuals by means of in depth ongoing coaching programmes and its Future Talent programme. Established in 2006, this programme helps greater than 100 Apprenticeships, Graduate Placements and paid Internships yearly, guaranteeing the marque’s expertise pool is at all times capable of service ongoing product and Bespoke demand. In 2023, the corporate welcomed 27 Apprentices, who will spend between two and 4 years studying specialist craft expertise alongside skilled colleagues, whereas learning for nationally recognised vocational {qualifications}. The new cohort additionally consists of Degree Apprentices, who will full their undergraduate research on the close by University of Chichester.


BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

In 2023, Rolls-Royce submitted plans for a significant new funding to modernise and improve its manufacturing amenities. The plans will improve and lengthen the marque’s Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities in addition to assist manufacturing of its future all-electric product portfolio. This important funding represents the only largest injection of recent capital on the Home of Rolls-Royce because the web site opened in 2003. This displays the size of the transformation within the firm’s measurement, actions, industrial success and international affect within the intervening twenty years.

While over this time the present plant has seen important modifications internally – most notably going from two manufacturing traces to at least one – the constructing itself is actually the identical because it was on day one. Then, it employed round 300 individuals and produced only one motor automotive a day.

Following in depth session with native residents, in late summer season 2023 the corporate submitted a proper planning software for an extension to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood on land instantly adjoining to its present 42-acre web site. The plans take account of the positioning’s distinctive location, on the south-west nook of the historic Goodwood Estate and near the South Downs National Park boundary. Like the unique constructing, the brand new extension will probably be extremely sustainable, and largely invisible at floor stage past the positioning. Around one-third of the brand new web site will probably be landscaped, reflecting the corporate’s ongoing dedication to supporting native wildlife and biodiversity.

CRAFTING DREAMS INTO REALITY: ROLLS-ROYCE REFLECTS ON A YEAR OF MAGNIFICENT BESPOKE COMMISSIONS

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates a few of the most visually hanging, technically difficult and creatively bold Bespoke commissions of 2023
  • Inspirations included scenic areas, uncommon and delightful supplies, shoppers’ signature colors, celestial phenomena and extra
  • Bespoke commissions are a testomony to the distinctive ability of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective and underline the marque’s standing as a real House of Luxury


A Bespoke Rolls-Royce is greater than only a treasured possession. For the commissioning shopper, it’s the realisation of an ambition; a imaginative and prescient made strong; a dream come true.

During 2023, these needs impressed the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective to push their boundaries additional than ever earlier than. The yr’s commissions opened up new alternatives in using uncommon and delightful supplies, intricate craft methods, floor finishes and different progressive applied sciences. There had been an distinctive variety of ‘firsts’ for the marque, together with hand-perforated leather-based seats, Starlight Headliners incorporating mesmerising celestial animations and three-dimensional sculptural parts, beautiful engraved artworks, quite a few new paint processes and the first-ever fee to include a Bespoke scent.

Commissions drew inspiration from celestial occasions, the mysteries of house, enchanting geographic areas, household legacies, shoppers’ signature colors and way more. Below are only a few spectacular examples that symbolize an enduring tribute to the imaginative and prescient, creativeness and ambition of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective and the outstanding shoppers who select to rejoice their private tales in Bespoke artistic endeavors.

ROSE BLOSSOM PHANTOM

This one-of-one Phantom Extended evokes the sweetness and tranquillity of a summer season backyard. Embroidered art work celebrates the marque’s very personal Phantom rose that blooms within the courtyard of the Home of Rolls-Royce. This particular flower is illustrated within the Gallery and on the coach doorways. In addition, the flowers are depicted within the Starlight Headliner which took over 200 hours to finish. Four species of butterfly – Swallowtail, Peacock, Common Blue and Duke of Burgundy – will be seen flitting amongst the blooms.

The charming floral theme continues within the intricate and detailed rose marquetry on the passenger panel and rear waterfall.

PHANTOM SYNTOPIA

The most technically complicated Bespoke fee ever undertaken, Phantom Syntopia was created in collaboration with Dutch designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. It explores the fantastic thing about fluid movement in strong supplies in its ‘Weaving Water’ theme, which extends throughout the Gallery art work, picnic tables, entrance passenger panel, bonnet and Bespoke Starlight Headliner.

The ‘Weaving Water’ Starlight Headliner alone took nearly 700 hours to provide, utilizing a single sheet of leather-based overlaid on woven ‘liquid metal’ material to create a three-dimensional impact. It contains 162 delicate glass organza ‘petals’, utilized on the Home of Rolls-Royce by members of Iris van Herpen’s group.

The rear seats are upholstered in a specifically created silk-blend material with the Weaving Water motif. For a long-lasting, refined sensory expertise Bespoke Collective integrated a scent-releasing mechanism, housed inside the headrests.

BLACK BADGE GHOST ÉKLEIPSIS COLLECTION

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection explores the charming interaction of sunshine and darkness because the Moon obscures the Sun throughout a complete photo voltaic eclipse.

The totally Bespoke Starlight Headliner contains an animated sequence replicating the second of totality: a circle of 940 fibre-optic ‘stars’ represents the corona across the Moon’s silhouette, surrounded by an extra 192 ‘stars’. The animation stays seen for exactly seven minutes and 31 seconds – the longest attainable length of a complete photo voltaic eclipse.

The illuminated fascia options 1,846 laser-etched ‘stars’ in a symbolic timeline of a complete eclipse. The design culminates in a Bespoke timepiece incorporating a brilliant-cut 0.5-carat diamond set into the bezel, recalling the ‘Diamond Ring’ impact.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN BLUE SHADOW

The Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow Private Collection is impressed by the Kármán Line, the invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s floor, the place our environment ends and outer house begins.

The Starlight Headliner contains an intricate embroidery depicting the Moon’s floor, made up of 250,000 particular person stiches in 5 completely different thread colors. It’s surrounded by 1,183 twinkling fibre-optic ‘stars’ – 799 white and 384 blue – every positioned by hand.

The leather-based seats function creative perforations for the very first time. The art work, shaped with 75,000 tiny perforations, mimics the patterns of clouds swirling over the continents and oceans as seen from house.

GHOST CHAMPAGNE ROSE

Ghost Champagne Rose celebrates the commissioning shopper’s signature color,  impressed by her digital persona @ChampagneRose. Creating a single-tone color throughout each exterior end and inside trim is exceptionally complicated; supplies take in and mirror mild in a different way, and the attention perceives slight variations if precisely the identical color is utilized to all surfaces. The Bespoke Collective subsequently developed quite a few formulations of the ‘Champagne Rose’ hue, every subtly adjusted in keeping with every materials’s particular floor traits – a real technical and creative tour de power.

MANCHESTER GHOST

This one-of-one Ghost celebrates Manchester’s pivotal historic reference to the marque. It was within the metropolis’s Midland Hotel on 4 May 1904 that Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met and agreed to construct ‘the best car in the world’.

The illuminated fascia options 10,000 laser-etched dots depicting an aerial view of Manchester, with the biggest dot displaying the placement of the Midland Hotel.

The design additionally contains the Manchester Bee – town’s emblem for over 150 years, symbolising exhausting work and collective endeavour. It seems as a coachline motif and delicate embroidery on the entrance and rear seat inserts.

GHOST AMBER ROADS

This magnificent assortment, comprising simply 12 examples, is impressed by amber, often called the ‘Gold of the North’ and traded alongside routes often called ‘Amber Roads’ for over 3,500 years.  These historic commerce routes are depicted within the Bespoke Starlight Headliner and illuminated fascia panel.

The two-tone exterior end and inside palette seize amber’s heat, lustrous character. A chunk of polished amber is about into the central rotary dial so as to add an additional tactile dimension.

BLACK BADGE WRAITH BLACK ARROW PRIVATE COLLECTION

Created to mark the tip of manufacturing of Wraith, this Private Collection contains the ultimate 12 examples of the last-ever Rolls-Royce V12 coupé.

The design celebrates the land velocity report set by Captain George Eyston on 16 September 1938 on Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The Bespoke Starlight Headliner’s 2,117 fibre-optic ‘stars’ depict the Milky Way and the constellations exactly as they might have appeared there that evening. The complicated design on coach doorways, comprising over 320 lasered marquetry items, mimics the cracked, irregular floor of the Salt Flats.

Unique fascia art work depicting Wraith’s V12 engine, engraved on a single sheet of black-coated aluminium to disclose the gleaming metallic beneath, commemorates the legacy of this Rolls-Royce icon.

‘THE PEARL CULLINAN’

Commissioned for the proprietor by his household to mark a big birthday, this magnificent Cullinan displays the shopper’s ardour for pearls and contains a few of the most elaborate use of  mother-of-pearl ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor automobile.

The exterior end captures the colors of essentially the most prized pearl within the proprietor’s assortment. The Picnic Tables function a spectacular round sample made out of 1,351 separate items of mother-of-pearl, every individually chosen and inlaid by hand. The fascia motif illustrates the Arabic image for ‘father’ inlaid in chrome steel. The Bespoke Starlight Headliner reveals the sky because it appeared on the proprietor’s birthplace on the evening he was born.

PHANTOM CINQUE TERRE

This one-of-one Phantom celebrates the distinctive panorama and viticultural heritage of Italy’s Cinque Terre area. The Gallery art work represents an imagined amalgamation of parts from the 5 Ligurian cliffside villages, sketched digitally, then airbrushed by hand.

The Bespoke Starlight Headliner contains a map of Italy, embroidered in 14,338 particular person stitches, with 5 outstanding ‘stars’ marking the areas of the villages.

The rear doorways are adorned with a fragile grape-branch embroidery, every comprising 9,215 stitches and utilizing two completely different methods to create lustre and texture. The grapes motif additionally seems as an intricate plated gold and chrome steel inlay on the rear picnic tables, in addition to the coachline motif.

BLACK BADGE CULLINAN LUCID NIGHTS

These three hanging commissions, created solely for Korea, are impressed by the surroundings, environment and dynamism of Seoul Metropolitan City at evening. Bold exterior colourways, harking back to the neon-lit streets of Seoul, embody the daring Lime Green, luscious Indy Red and vibrant Tucana Purple.

ROLLS-ROYCE BUILDS ON FOUNDATION OF ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE: TWO NEW SENIOR LEADERS TO JOIN THE COMPANY

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars pronounces the retirement of its Director of Manufacturing, Johann (‘Hans’) Wolf, concluding his extremely distinguished 46-year profession with BMW Group
  • Director of Engineering, Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, is promoted to Senior Vice President function inside BMW Group following profitable introduction of Spectre, with pathway set for future electrification
  • Both go away a permanent legacy of innovation, progress and achievement, culminating within the growth and launch of Spectre
  • Engineering groups for upcoming and future merchandise will probably be led from 1 January 2024 by new Director of Engineering Dr Bernhard Dressler, who beforehand led the Ghost challenge staff
  • New Director of Manufacturing will probably be Gunther Böhner, who will lead the marque’s extension plans and new manufacturing capabilities from 1 January 2024

“In their respective time at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, both Hans and Mihiar have had a substantial impact on our business. As our Director of Engineering, Mihiar has driven pivotal advances in our powertrain, suspension and software technologies, harmonising physical engineering practices with advanced digital systems. He developed solutions to the increasingly complex challenges presented by Bespoke and Coachbuild commissions and oversaw the development of Spectre – a towering technical achievement that spearheads a bold electric future for Rolls-Royce. As the marque’s Director of Manufacturing, Hans led Rolls-Royce manufacturing through landmark launches including Ghost and Cullinan, the marque’s most highly sought-after models. With the introduction of Spectre, Hans embraced and mastered the challenge of manufacturing the first-ever all‑electric Rolls-Royce. Both Hans and Mihiar will be greatly missed by all at Goodwood and the global Rolls-Royce team, but I know that their carefully chosen successors will bring their own immense wealth of expertise to these crucial and prestigious senior leadership roles, as the marque embarks on the next chapter of its storied history.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has at this time introduced two adjustments to its senior management staff.

Hans Wolf will retire from his function of Director of Manufacturing, concluding a outstanding 46‑12 months profession with BMW Group.

Director of Engineering, Dr Mihiar Ayoubi, has been promoted to a Senior Vice President function inside BMW Group after six years on the Home of Rolls-Royce.

Both will formally hand over to their respective successors on 1 January 2024, with Gunther Böhner taking on from Hans and Dr Bernhard Dressler succeeding Mihiar.


ENGINEERING: PART OF THE BRAND’S DNA

Rolls-Royce’s co-founders, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, had very totally different characters and backgrounds, however have been each extremely expert, fastidious and progressive engineers. Almost 120 years later, engineering stays one of many three foundational pillars – along with design and craftsmanship – of the Rolls-Royce philosophy and model.

During his six years at Rolls-Royce, Dr Mihiar Ayoubi led the engineering groups answerable for Ghost, Cullinan and Spectre; he additionally oversaw the specialist groups creating complicated, progressive and extremely Bespoke applied sciences for the Boat Tail and Droptail Coachbuild tasks.

Under Mihiar’s management, the engineering division at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars laid the foundations for the marque’s all-electric future, creating the drivetrain, battery, chassis and ‘Decentralised Intelligence’ management methods for Spectre. Engineering has additionally reasserted its central significance in delivering future Coachbuild commissions by means of the ground-breaking technical work undertaken on each Boat Tail and Droptail.

With Mihiar’s promotion, total accountability for persevering with that very important and prestigious work now passes to Dr Bernhard Dressler, who’s at present Head of Product Concept at BMW Group. Bernhard is already well-known to many at Rolls-Royce, as he beforehand led the challenge staff for Ghost. Bringing a wealth of information and expertise of the marque’s tradition and enterprise mannequin to his new place, Bernhard is ideally positioned to construct on the agency foundations laid by his predecessor.

Mihiar’s promotion, to Senior Vice President Driving Experience for BMW Group, is the newest step in a distinguished engineering profession with the corporate that started in 1997, after gaining a Degree and Doctorate in Control Systems Engineering and Applied Artificial Intelligence from the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany.

At BMW Group, Mihiar headed departments in acoustics and vibration, dynamics growth, chassis management methods, drivetrain growth, all-wheel drive and driver help methods, earlier than taking up the senior function of Head of Concepts, Architectures and Integration. He was promoted to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2018, having already been concerned with the engineering idea for Phantom 8.

MANUFACTURING: TURNING VISIONS IN REALITY

The Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is the one place on the planet the place Rolls-Royce motor automobiles are designed and hand-built, all of them to order and all incorporating Bespoke parts.

Hans joined Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in November 2018. During his five-year tenure as Director of Manufacturing, he oversaw the launch of Ghost and Cullinan, respectively essentially the most technologically superior Rolls-Royce ever made and essentially the most in-demand mannequin within the marque’s modern product portfolio. Hans additionally took on the problem of producing Spectre, the primary all-electric Rolls-Royce ever created – a problem he and his staff have mastered, with the primary collection manufacturing Spectres being handed over to their new house owners in simply the previous few weeks.

Hans’ tenure as Director of Manufacturing included the highest-ever output within the marque’s historical past, with over 6,000 hand-built, bespoke motor automobiles produced in a single 12 months. In 2020, he led the staff that made Rolls‑Royce the primary UK producer to restart motor automotive manufacturing after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

His retirement marks the tip of a profession with BMW Group that spans greater than 4 many years. Starting out in 1977 as an apprentice, he went on to carry plenty of senior manufacturing roles: previous to becoming a member of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2018, he was answerable for integrating all new merchandise into BMW Group’s largest European manufacturing plant at Dingolfing, in Bavaria.

In late summer time 2023, Rolls-Royce submitted plans to increase the Goodwood plant. The principal purpose is so as to add enhanced capabilities to ship shoppers’ more and more bold Bespoke and Coachbuild commissions. Hans performed a key function in creating the plans, making use of his lengthy expertise gained on tasks together with the unconventional reconfiguration of the Goodwood plant in readiness for Spectre and future fashions.

Taking these new growth plans ahead will probably be his successor, Gunther Böhner, who has held a wide range of senior manufacturing roles inside BMW Group in a profession spanning greater than 25 years. From 1998 to 2013, he labored throughout planning, meeting, logistics and high quality administration in Germany, then transferred to the MINI plant in Oxford – first as General Manager, then Director of Assembly. Gunther is well-known to many at Rolls-Royce, having labored on plenty of joint tasks between Goodwood and the BMW plant at Dingolfing, the place he’s at present Director of Assembly. Gunther’s expertise each with Rolls-Royce and of working within the UK equip him completely to construct on the excellent outcomes Hans and his staff have delivered.

ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST: A SYMBOL OF ENDLESS PURE EXPRESSION

This Press Kit gives an outline of the present Ghost mannequin household, its design philosophy and place throughout the Rolls-Royce product portfolio. The unique launch launch for Ghost is offered on PressMembership, the place you may as well discover details about earlier generations, variants and fashions, together with Ghost Extended and Black Badge Ghost .


BACKGROUND

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars launched the primary Ghost in 2009 on the Frankfurt Motor Show. More compact than the marque’s pinnacle product, Phantom, it was created for a brand new group of purchasers who desired a extra modest, minimalist expression of Rolls-Royce perfection in design, engineering and craftsmanship. The Ghost Extended variant adopted in 2011. An up to date Series II Ghost was unveiled on the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with the primary Black Badge Ghost making its debut two years later.

Over the course of its 10-year lifecycle, the first-generation Ghost grew to become probably the most profitable product within the firm’s historical past, enabling Rolls-Royce to scale up manufacturing, put money into its capabilities and set up itself as a really world luxurious model. Production led to 2019, an occasion commemorated within the Ghost Zenith Collection.

The current Ghost, constructed on the identical Architecture of Luxury spaceframe as Phantom, Cullinan and Spectre, was launched in 2020: the line-up additionally consists of Ghost Extended and Black Badge Ghost, launched in 2021.


GHOST PHILOSOPHY AND POSITIONING

Ghost is a examine in discount, minimalism and ease. Its purity gives the best clean canvas for Bespoke commissions, with purchasers in a position to train their formidable creativity and categorical their preferences nearly completely freed from technical and aesthetic constraints.

That purity presents chance. It creates potential as boundless because the proprietor’s creativeness, emboldening them to convey color, power and vibrancy to their fee and to permit stunning supplies, skilled craftsmanship and beautiful particulars converse for themselves, delicate and unadorned.


A NEW APPROACH TO LUXURY

Ghost’s design displays a marked shift in purchasers’ attitudes to luxurious that has occurred since its first incarnation. Today’s luxurious shoppers consciously reject extravagance and ostentation: their tastes are outlined by discount, simplicity and substance, and the clever, thought-about choice and unobtrusive software of remarkable supplies and craftsmanship. Every ingredient of Ghost subsequently has relevance, goal and integrity. This philosophy is the antithesis of ‘premium mediocrity’, a time period coined by the style business for in any other case unremarkable merchandise that depend on contrivance, superficial particulars and meaningless aesthetic artifice to create an phantasm of luxurious.

Ghost can also be designed for a youthful shopper cohort, typically self-made and invariably self-confident and self-reliant, who are typically self-drivers by default, and thus take a eager curiosity of their motor automotive’s driving expertise and dynamics.

THE CURRENT GHOST MODEL

Ghost is ideal in its simplicity; however creating this purity of expression was one of many marque’s greatest-ever technical challenges. It incorporates state-of-the-art tools and features together with:

  • LED and laser headlights with greater than 600m of illuminated vary, plus imaginative and prescient help
  • Alertness assistant
  • Four-camera system with panoramic view, all-round visibility and helicopter view
  • Active cruise management
  • Collision, cross-traffic, lane departure and lane change warnings
  • Industry-leading 7×3 high-resolution head-up show (HUD)
  • On-board Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Self-park system
  • Bespoke navigation and leisure techniques.

ENGINEERING

Proprietary Architecture of Luxury

Ghost is constructed on the marque’s proprietary Architecture of Luxury spaceframe, as utilized in its flagship Phantom, Cullinan SUV and all-electric Spectre. The aluminium spaceframe’s flexibility and scalability creates an acoustically superior, extremely inflexible and dynamic platform, based mostly round 4 mounted factors, one at every nook of the motor automotive. The moveable aluminium bulkhead, ground, crossmembers and sill panels are positioned particularly to make Ghost as gratifying to drive as it’s to be pushed in. Pushing two of the solid suspension mounting assemblies to the very entrance and inserting the 6.75-litre V12 behind the entrance axle, provides an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

Ghost has all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and a Planar Suspension System particularly designed to reinforce the marque’s hallmark ‘magic carpet ride’.

All-aluminium bodyshell

Ghost’s metallic superstructure is 100% aluminium, rendered as one clear, expansive piece, flowing seamlessly from the A-pillar, over the roof and right down to the rear of the motor automotive. To eradicate shut strains and physique seams, 4 craftspeople hand-weld the physique collectively concurrently; Ghost can also be fitted with 100% aluminium, laser-welded doorways. As properly as lowering the motor automotive’s total weight, aluminium provides a exceptional 40,000Nm/deg stiffness, and a decrease acoustic impedance than metal, bettering cabin atmosphere.

6.75-Litre Twin-Turbocharged V12

Ghost’s bespoke V12 engine ensures dynamic efficiency, delivering 563bhp/420kW and 850Nm/627lb ft of torque, with most torque accessible from 1600rpm – simply 600rpm above tick-over. The air consumption system incorporates massive ports designed to cut back engine noise within the inside.

Planar Suspension System

The Planar Suspension System is the results of 10 collective years of testing and growth, creating a way of ‘flight on land’ by no means achieved in a motor automotive earlier than. Created via bodily engineering developments, and complex scanning and software program expertise, it incorporates a world-first Upper Wishbone Damper unit, reserved completely for Rolls-Royce and by no means beforehand utilized in a manufacturing motor automotive. Located above the entrance suspension meeting, this assists the constantly variable, electronically managed shock absorbers and self-levelling high-volume air strut assemblies, making a secure, easy experience.

The marque’s Flagbearer system makes use of cameras to learn the street forward and modify the suspension proactively relatively than reactively at as much as 100km/h. This permits Ghost to anticipate and react to probably the most demanding street surfaces. It operates in live performance with the Satellite Aided Transmission system, which pulls GPS information to pre-select the optimum gear for upcoming corners, all managed by the planar software program system.

The five-link rear axle advantages from self-levelling high-volume air suspension expertise and rear-wheel steering.

Effortless Doors

Rolls-Royce purchasers have loved self-closing doorways because the first Goodwood Phantom. In Ghost, purchasers open the rear door with one pull of the inside deal with, then permit it to return to its resting place whereas they test for potential hazards. They then pull and maintain it for full energy help on opening. Once the door is opened sufficiently, they merely launch the deal with, which engages a door brake. The door might be closed fully robotically on the push of a button on the outside deal with.

If purchasers want to shut the door manually, the operation is energy assisted. On-board longitudinal and transverse sensors, in addition to G-force sensors fitted to every door, permit the identical velocity of operation no matter hill or driveway angles.

Micro-Environment Purification System (MEPS)

Ghost advantages from a Micro-Environment Purification System (MEPS), incorporating a full suite of {hardware} and software program. They embody extremely delicate Impurity Detection Sensors that robotically change recent air intakes to Recirculation Mode if unacceptable ranges of airborne contaminants are current. This channels all cabin air via a nanofleece filter, which is able to eradicating almost all ultra-fine particles from the Rolls-Royce’s micro-environment in lower than two minutes.


ACOUSTICS

Ghost applies the marque’s Formula for Serenity, designed to supply a peaceful, serene and near-noiseless inside setting.

The first ingredient of this components is the Architecture of Luxury. Its aluminium development has the next acoustic impedance than metal, and contains advanced varieties, relatively than flat, resonant surfaces. The bulkhead and ground sections are double-skinned and stuffed with composite damping felts to cut back street noise intrusion. In whole, Ghost incorporates 100kg of acoustic materials within the doorways, roof, between the double-glazed home windows, contained in the tyres and all through the underpinning structure.

During growth, each element was interrogated and, the place essential, re-engineered to eradicate unacceptable noise. For instance, the within of the air con ducting is polished to cut back wind noise; the diameter of the prop shaft was adjusted and its rigidity elevated to enhance acoustics.

The growth course of additionally revealed {that a} fully silent inside is definitely relatively disorienting for occupants. Ghost subsequently displays a ‘whisper’ – a mushy undertone skilled as a single, delicate be aware. This is achieved by tuning every element so it shares a standard resonant frequency. Again, this requires particular engineering options, corresponding to damping items within the seat frames, and ports beneath the rear parcel shelf that permit low-frequency sounds produced within the 507-litre boot cavity at motorway velocity to flee.


EXTERIOR

Ghost is outlined by minimalism and purity, underpinned by nice substance. Sharp bow strains intersect with an angular gentle signature, creating an assertive but stunning entrance finish. Twenty LEDS set beneath the highest of the radiator grille subtly illuminate the vanes: the backs of the vanes are brushed, making them much less reflective and making a restrained glow impact. The Spirit of Ecstasy will not be surrounded by panel strains however relatively stands inside her personal unbroken ‘lake’.

The hand-welded aluminium physique seems as one fluid complete, uninterrupted by shut strains, with a single straight stroke within the flanks emphasising the motor automotive’s size. The decrease ‘waft line’ borrows from boat design and makes use of reflection to lighten the surfacing and create a pure sense of movement. The subtly arched roof line and rear finish observe this sense of motion and resolve in a taper. The near-square rear gentle graphic, a longtime tenet of latest Rolls-Royce design, has a slight ahead tilt and seems as an ‘island’ throughout the painted floor.

In the intentionally impartial higher part, the home windows are equally proportioned, balancing Ghost as each a driver-oriented and chauffeur-driven automotive.


INTERIOR

The inside aesthetic pursues the identical minimalist rules as the outside. Free of busy particulars and superficial adornment, it creates a soothing refuge and maximises the influence of Bespoke color personalisation.

Producing an setting outlined by discount, simplicity and magnificence is an especially advanced endeavour, since even the very most interesting supplies will, when left unembellished, invite shut scrutiny. The leather-based utilized in every of Ghost’s 338 particular person panels, nonetheless small and unobtrusive, is topic to the automotive business’s most exhaustive high quality management checks: the stitching is minimal and varieties lengthy, completely straight strains, once more inviting minute inspection.

Ghost options specifically developed wooden veneers in open-pore end, which showcase the supplies of their bare type. Obsidian Ayous is impressed by the wealthy combine of colors present in igneous rock, whereas Dark Amber introduces delicate glamour with fantastic aluminium particles built-in into the darkish wooden. The wooden is left uncovered as lengthy, single-veneer leaves, punctuated solely by cold-to-the-touch strong metallic air vents.


BESPOKE FEATURES

Illuminated Fascia

Ghost’s Illuminated Fascia subtly echoes the Starlight Headliner, which itself has turn into as a lot part of Rolls-Royce iconography because the Spirit of Ecstasy, Pantheon Grille and ‘Double R’ monogram.

Developed over two years and greater than 10,000 collective hours, the fascia consists of an ethereal glowing Ghost nameplate surrounded by greater than 850 ‘stars’. The illumination comes from 152 LEDs mounted above and beneath the fascia, every meticulously colour-matched to the clock and instrument dial lighting. The Ghost wordmark is lit by a 2mm thick gentle information, that includes greater than 90,000 laser-etched dots throughout the floor. This not solely disperses the sunshine evenly however creates a twinkling impact as the attention strikes throughout the fascia.

Located on the passenger facet of the dashboard, the constellation and wordmark are fully invisible when the inside lights are usually not in operation. This is achieved utilizing three layers of composite supplies. The first, a piano-black substrate, is laser-etched to permit gentle to shine via the wordmark and star cluster. This is overlaid with a layer of dark-tinted lacquer, hiding the lettering when not in use. Finally, the fascia is sealed with a layer of subtly tinted lacquer earlier than being hand polished to attain a wonderfully uniform, 0.5mm thick high-gloss end, matching different high-gloss accents integrated into the inside.

Bespoke Audio

As properly as making a serene inner setting, Rolls-Royce’s pursuit of acoustic perfection creates an impressive sound stage for Ghost’s Bespoke Audio system, which is engineered into the motor automotive’s very material. A resonance chamber into the physique’s sill part basically transforms the motor automotive right into a subwoofer: exciter audio system bonded to the Starlight Headliner flip the ceiling right into a single massive speaker. A robust 1300W amplifier drives 18 particular person loudspeakers: state-of-the-art optimisation expertise and high-precision magnesium-ceramic compound cones present excellent frequency response. Two lively microphones detect anomalous frequencies, then set off the amplifiers to counteract them, ensuing a pure and completely balanced listening expertise.


PERFECTION, EVOLVED

The solely elements within the present Ghost mannequin to be carried over from its predecessor are the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot and the beloved umbrellas hid within the doorways: all the pieces else was designed, crafted and engineered from the bottom up. It distils the Rolls-Royce model values into a good looking, minimalist, but extremely advanced product that’s completely in concord with purchasers’ evolving wants, and exactly in tune with the occasions.

A MAGNIFICENT 20-YEAR RELATIONSHIP: ROLLS-ROYCE AND CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE

  • Rolls-Royce marks 20 years as a Platinum Sponsor of the internationally famend Chichester Festival Theatre
  • Relationship dates from the official opening of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in 2003
  • Long-term assist for a number one native establishment, underlining Rolls-Royce’s place on the coronary heart of life in Chichester
  • Reflects shared values of celebrating creativity and group, and provoking and delighting patrons

 
“This year we mark 20 years of hand-crafting motor cars at Goodwood, and throughout that time, we’ve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with our friends at Chichester Festival Theatre. This acclaimed venue, only a couple of miles from the Home of Rolls-Royce, is one of our home city’s crown jewels. As one of just a handful of Platinum Sponsors, it’s our privilege and pleasure to support its wonderful work, both on its fabled stage and in the local community. Together, we represent two great Chichester institutions, with a shared commitment to championing creativity, community engagement and practising our respective arts at the very highest level.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates 20 years as a number one supporter of the close by Chichester Festival Theatre – a steady relationship that dates from the beginning of motor automotive manufacturing on the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in 2003.

Rolls-Royce is one among a choose group of Platinum Sponsors on the world-renowned venue, which lies simply a few miles from the marque’s Goodwood website.

Chichester Festival Theatre was based in 1962, financed by donations from native companies and people in an early instance of what right now can be referred to as crowdfunding. The most important auditorium seats as much as 1,300 individuals, with a ‘thrust stage’ design equally suited to musicals and epic drama. A Grade II* Listed constructing, it underwent a complete restoration in 2014.

The opening night time was on 3 July 1962, below the creative directorship of the legendary actor, Sir Laurence Olivier, and the corporate grew to become the nucleus of his new National Theatre firm.   In the six many years since, many productions together with musicals, new performs and basic revivals have transferred efficiently to London’s West End and toured each nationally and internationally. Its flagship Festival Season runs from April to October and attracts virtually 1 / 4 of one million theatregoers yearly; the Theatre additionally runs an intensive programme of workshops and occasions for the area people.

As a Platinum Sponsor, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a vital contributor to the Theatre’s creative and outreach work, selling the creativity and excellence which might be central to the marque’s personal values. The relationship additionally underlines the deep roots Rolls-Royce has established in the area people because it selected Chichester as the placement for its new house within the early 2000s.

In 2007, the partnership was recognised with a Sustainability Award from Arts & Business South East. The following yr, Rolls-Royce’s lovely, landscaped grounds supplied an excellent setting for Chichester Festival Youth Theatre’s open-air promenade present, Toad of Toad Hall.

Kathy Bourne, Executive Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, says: “Rolls-Royce is a leading light of Chichester’s business community and we’ve hugely valued the company’s generous sponsorship over the past 20 years, ever since the Goodwood-based manufacturing plant was first established. We share with Rolls-Royce a strong commitment to our local community and an international reputation for excellence, flying the flag for British expertise worldwide. We offer them our warmest congratulations on their 20th anniversary and our thanks for their ongoing support.”

A GRAND SUCCESSION: FROM CLAUDE JOHNSON TO TORSTEN MÜLLER-ÖTVÖS

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reflects on the lasting influence of the company’s first chief executive, Claude Goodman Johnson (24 October 1864 – 11 April 1926)
  • A gifted publicist and marketer who became known as ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce’
  • Managed the company from 1906 until his death 20 years later
  • Retiring in November 2023 after almost 14 years, Torsten Müller-Ötvös is the longest-serving CEO of the modern era, and second only to Johnson in time at the head of the marque
  • Continued a long line of influential Rolls-Royce CEOs who shaped both the company and the wider automotive and luxury industries during their tenure

 
“Though perhaps less familiar in the public mind, Claude Johnson is probably the most important and influential figure in the annals of Rolls-Royce apart from the founders themselves. As we mark the retirement of Torsten Müller-Ötvös after almost 14 years as our Chief Executive Officer, this seemed the ideal moment to shine a light on the only person in the marque’s history to have held the top job for longer. A larger-than-life character, Johnson was evidently a force to be reckoned with; it was his energy, enthusiasm, vision and dedication that made Rolls-Royce a household name around the world. Even today, he’s still known as ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce’ – a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable man.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

A BIG PERSONALITY

When the Hon Charles Stewart Rolls first met Henry Royce in Manchester on 4 May 1904, the first person he shared the news with was his business partner, Claude Johnson.

Johnson, a large-framed, extroverted man 13 years older than Rolls, initially ran scientific and trade exhibitions in his career, then served as the first Secretary of the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland for six years before joining C S Rolls & Co in 1903.

At the fledgling Rolls-Royce company, Johnson brought in much-needed commercial acumen and financial backing, leveraging his talent for marketing and organization.

MAKING HIS MARK

Johnson, in 1906, became the first Commercial Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Limited, excelling in sales and marketing. He convinced Royce to focus on a single model, the 40/50 H.P., which he named the Silver Ghost. He also persuaded Royce to supply every car with an official mascot, leading to the enduring symbol, the Spirit of Ecstasy.


A FRIEND INDEED

During Royce’s health struggles in 1911, Johnson took him on a rejuvenating road trip through Europe to Egypt, and bought land in the South of France for Royce’s new home in Le Canadel, near Nice.


‘THE HYPHEN IN ROLLS-ROYCE’

Johnson continued leading Rolls-Royce until his death in 1926 at 61, marking him as the company’s longest-serving chief executive. His influence on the brand was far-reaching, profound, and lasting, earning him the moniker ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce’.


WORTHY SUCCESSORS

The executive title at Rolls-Royce changed over time, following Johnson’s role as Commercial Managing Director. Notable successors include Ernest Hives and Dr Frederick Llewellyn Smith.


DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

Ernest Hives, who started as Charles Rolls’ chauffeur, played a pivotal role in the development of Rolls-Royce’s aero engines and automotive products, eventually becoming Managing Director and later Chairman until his retirement in 1957.

A COMPLETE CHANGE

Dr Frederick Llewellyn Smith led the transformation of Rolls-Royce’s Crewe factory from producing wartime Merlin aero engines to civilian car production. His visionary leadership resulted in the production of innovative models like the Silver Dawn, Silver Cloud, and Silver Shadow, before retiring in 1967 as Chairman.

INTO THE MODERN ERA

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, as CEO since 2010, has overseen the complete transformation of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars during his almost 14-year tenure. His leadership introduced various new models, an expansion in Bespoke offerings, and the launch of the first all-electric Rolls-Royce, Spectre in 2022. His successor, starting from November 30, 2023, is Chris Brownridge, former CEO of BMW UK.

‘THE PEARL CULLINAN’: A BIRTHDAY GIFT LIKE NO OTHER

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Private Office Dubai presents one-of-one Bespoke commission, ‘The Pearl Cullinan’

Commissioned by a son as a surprise birthday gift for his father: fascia motif features the Arabic symbol for ‘father’ inlaid in stainless steel

One of the most extensive uses of mother-of-pearl ever seen in a Bespoke Rolls-Royce motor car, including central rotary dial and clock surround

Rear Picnic Tables handmade at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, each including 1,351 individually selected pieces of mother-of-pearl

Bespoke paint finish inspired by the colours of most prized pearl in the owner’s collection

“The Middle East region has long been the source of many of the most technically complex, creatively ambitious Bespoke commissions ever undertaken by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. ‘The Pearl Cullinan’ stands at the very summit of those achievements and is a supreme example of the marque’s creativity and craftsmanship. It is also the very first client Bespoke project to be commissioned through our Private Office Dubai. This is an extension of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and gives clients direct access to our talented Bespoke designers, together with the full support of their local dealer partner. As the motor car is a birthday gift to the father of a longstanding patron, it adds a very special dimension to the project: it has been a privilege to create such a magnificent motor car to mark this auspicious occasion. ‘The Pearl Cullinan’ not only has a deep personal meaning to both father and son, it also commemorates the great heritage story of the family. At Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, highly Bespoke commissions have always been crafted with deep emotional connections in mind and each motor car has its own tale.”
César Habib, Regional Director Middle East & Africa, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to present ‘The Pearl Cullinan’ – a magnificent, one-of-one Bespoke motor car commissioned by the owner’s family to mark a significant birthday. It is also the first Bespoke project to be revealed by the Private Office Dubai, which works with local Dealer Partners to bring the authentic Goodwood experience to clients across the Middle East and Africa region.

‘The Pearl Cullinan’ was commissioned in early 2022 by a longstanding Rolls-Royce client, to mark his father’s 90th birthday. Regional Director, César Habib, and Bespoke Lead Designer, Michelle Lusby, were originally introduced to the father with the purpose of understanding his passions and life story; these meetings provided valuable insights to inform the design direction for the commission.

BESPOKE PEARL ROSE EXTERIOR FINISH
The Bespoke Pearl Rose finish is inspired by the colour of the owner’s most prized pearl in his extensive, world-class collection and is reserved exclusively for this motor car: it will not be available to any other client in future. Paint specialists at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood used carefully selected pigments to replicate a delicate hint of pink rarely found in natural pearls. Unusually, the paint combines both metallic and pearlescent effects to give exceptional depth and lustre.

Perfecting the finish required around 30 different iterations, each applied to a full-sized body panel. These were pre-checked under daylight simulation lamps in the Atelier at Goodwood, then sent to the client to make sure the colour was correct when viewed under the Middle Eastern sun. The paint also underwent extensive technical testing to ensure it will remain unaltered by heat or UV light over its lifetime.

The Pearl Rose finish is complemented with a single coachline, applied by hand in Rose Gold paint, to match the rose gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. The rose gold theme also extends to the Bespoke treadplates, which are revealed on each of the four door sills upon opening.

INTERIOR: THE ART OF PRESENTATION
The interior of ‘The Pearl Cullinan’ features two different leather colours. The front seats – where the father prefers to travel as a passenger – are finished in his favourite Cashmere Grey. In reference to the family’s heritage, the rear seats are trimmed in Ardent Red which takes inspiration from the colour of the material on which pearls are presented to customers, to best highlight their subtle natural colour variations. In a similar vein, the burr walnut veneer echoes the wooden presentation boxes in which pearls are traditionally handed over to customers upon purchase.

Bespoke embroidery detailing includes ‘RR’ monograms in Rose Gold thread on the headrests, and rear seat inserts in Grace White, inspired by the symmetrical growth patterns of an oyster shell and angled at the same precise 55 degrees as the veneer.

A CELEBRATION OF MOTHER-OF-PEARL
‘The Pearl Cullinan’ features one of the most extensive uses of mother-of-pearl ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car. The natural variations of this beautiful material created opportunities and challenges in equal measure for the marque’s designers and craftspeople.

This is particularly apparent with the detailed design of the Picnic Tables, fitted to the rear of the front passenger seats. The upper surface features an intricate, circular pattern inspired by traditional Arabic design that draws the eye inwards to a central point. Each tabletop is then inlaid with 1,351 separate pieces of mother-of-pearl, every one individually selected and placed by hand in the surrounding burr walnut marquetry and sealed with clear lacquer. The natural shade and colour differences in both the mother-of-pearl and the wood mean each tabletop is a unique work of art.

The burr walnut fascia incorporates an exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay inspired by traditional Middle Eastern art. At its centre is the Arabic word for ‘father’, inlaid in stainless steel. In a first for Rolls-Royce, the Bespoke dashboard clock is set in a mother-of-pearl surround; the dial and hands are in rose gold. The centre rotary dial is also finished with mother-of-pearl, giving it a tactile, jewel-like quality.

Above the occupants, the Bespoke Starlight Headliner shows the sky as it appeared on the night and at the very place the commissioning client’s father was born.

Michelle Lusby, Bespoke Lead Designer at the Private Office Dubai, said, “For me, there was a huge emotional connection with this Bespoke project. I had the privilege of spending time with the commissioning family, which allowed me to discuss details of the design directly with them, and really understand their true significance. Their unique use of mother-of-pearl was a great creative and technical challenge for us: to see the Picnic Tables go from my original digital designs to those beautiful, highly detailed finished works of art was fantastic. This is a truly special commission in so many ways, and a project we aspire to have as Rolls-Royce designers. Emotions inspire our imaginations.”

NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 348 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.6 mpg / 15.2 l/100km. WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 377-368 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.1-17.5 mpg / 16.5-16.1 l/100km.

SPECTRE SETS OFF FROM THE HOME OF ROLLS-ROYCE FOR EUROPEAN/UK MEDIA DRIVE

  • The European Media Drive for Spectre starts from Rolls-Royce’s headquarters in West Sussex.
  • Invited guests will have the opportunity to experience the transformative motor car in its home market.

“The launch of Spectre is a significant moment in Rolls-Royce’s history. It is the first all-electric Rolls-Royce and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the brand. We announced two years ago that in 2023, we would launch our first all-electric motor car, and by the end of 2030, our entire portfolio would be fully electric. Since then, Spectre has undergone rigorous testing, covering 2.5 million km, and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. It’s a pleasure to see this motor car on the roads in our home market, and I am delighted to offer the European media the opportunity to experience it in the United Kingdom.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central Asia

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has invited European media to experience Spectre, its first fully electric motor car, in the beautiful countryside surrounding the marque’s headquarters in West Sussex. This invitation comes as client deliveries have just begun.

The adventure begins at the Home of Rolls-Royce on the Goodwood Estate, the exclusive location where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed and handbuilt. The estate is known as the world’s leading House of Luxury, nurturing creativity, talent, and ingenuity. It also offers a fully immersive Rolls-Royce experience to clients, media, and friends of the marque.

From the Home of Rolls-Royce, the media embark on a journey through the stunning hills of Hampshire and Sussex, specifically chosen for their breathtaking views. After experiencing the remarkably quiet motor car, the media will arrive at Heckfield Place, a modern country retreat situated on a 430-acre eco-estate.

WLTP: Power consumption: 2.6-2.8 mi/kWh / 23.6-22.2 kWh/100km. Electric range 329 mi / 530 km. NEDC: CO2 emissions 0 g/km.