Rolls-Royce is highlighting its Bespoke program at this week's Dubai International Motor Show, showing two one-of-a-kind Phantom models. One model travels with more diamonds than the entire Kardashian clan on a Saturday night, while the other is an homage to the famed Goodwood Motor Circuit.
The Celestial Phantom is a special one-off edition that was originally unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It was designed to celebrate the anniversary of the very first Phantom delivery, which took place at midnight on January 1, 2003. Rolls-Royce created a midnight theme with a glass-particle exterior paint representing the color of the night sky.
Inside, a Starlight Headliner features more than a thousand fiber optic lights, replicating the look of the constellations on that very night. To ensure accuracy, Rolls-Royce verified the constellation positioning with the South Downs Planetarium in the UK.
For the Dubai Motor Show, Rolls-Royce added a detail – or rather, 446 details – not seen in Frankfurt. The Celestial Phantom was upgraded with 446 diamonds, all hand-set into the door-cappings, center console lid and rear divider.
"The Middle East is the largest market for Bespoke in the world and in celebration of this we sought to create something truly special for the Dubai International Motor Show," explains Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller‑Ötvös. "Every Rolls‑Royce is crafted with only the finest materials, extending the Celestial Phantom’s starry night theme with one of the rarest and most precious commodities in the world."
Other elements of the Celestial one-off include "Dusk" leather, an illuminated hood ornament, and an included picnic set with hand-engraved glassware and specially-designed porcelain plates.
In addition to the upgraded Celestial Phantom, another one-off Phantom made its world debut at the Dubai show. The Phantom Coupé Chicane is designed in honor of the Goodwood Motor Circuit, located adjacent to Rolls-Royce headquarters. The car features a gunmetal exterior with matching wheels and a matte black hood and windshield surrounds.
"I wanted to create a motor car that captures the unique atmosphere and history of the Goodwood Motor Circuit," Rolls-Royce Dubai Brand Manager Mohammed El-Arishy says about the car's inspiration. "The Home of Rolls-Royce’s connection to such an important center of British motoring heritage is something that fascinates my customers."
The Chicane's exterior is fairly subtle, but the Goodwood theme really takes hold inside. Race-inspired carbon fiber and bright red leather create a much more vibrant environment than the typical wood-trimmed Rolls cabin. The seats have checkered flag stitching, and a metal plaque in the glove compartment shows the Goodwood track layout.
Rolls-Royce is also showing the Alpine Trial Centenary Collection and Wraith at the show.
Source: Rolls Royce
They were even known to attempt to buy up poorly or inappropriately modified versions of their cars, such was their desire never to see their brand sullied.
How times have changed.