Rolls-Royce rolls out the limited edition Phantom Metropolitan Collection at the 2014 Paris Mondial de L’Automobile, showcasing the marque brand’s pinnacle Bespoke offering from every angle.
Featuring exquisite hand-crafted interior designs inspired by modern metropolis city wonders, the latest line up of just 20 beautifully crafted motor cars are illustrations of individual Bespoke masterpieces . A master class lesson in Bespoke customisation from our friends at Rolls-Royce. 2014 has seen such highlights as the Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection that paid tribute to Sir Donald Campbell’s record-breaking achievements and the Pinnacle Travel Phantom that made its debut at the Beijing Auto Show.
The Phantom Metropolitan Collection
The Phantom Metropolitan Collection pays homage to the world’s great metropolises through the meticulous application of marquetry – the art of inlaying small pieces of wood veneer to form decorative motifs. When open, Phantom’s signature picnic table presents occupants with an elevated but delightful view of the city, fashioned through the meticulously application of 500 individual wood veneer pieces. To give you a gist of the process behind the finish product, the process of hand-cutting, colouring, shaping and applying is so complex these unique objects d’art take an expert wood craftsperson several days to complete. On closing the tables, a different perspective of the cityscape is offered – reflecting the view one gets when effortlessly travelling in the rear of a Phantom.
“I can think of no more fitting location than Paris to debut this remarkable new motor car. This is a city that echoes Rolls-Royce’s very special brand promise in perfectly combining the timeless and modern in a manner that celebrates the art of the master craftsperson. Our customers across the globe delight in challenging our designers and craftspeople to create true, one-of-a-kind pieces of automotive art. This latest Collection serves to showcase the extraordinary scope for Bespoke personalisation afforded to every patron of the marque.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Perfection or Nothing
A precious and meticulous process is implemented when it comes to selecting individual wood veneer. Perfection or nothing, that is how Rolls-Royce cruises. Minute imperfection such as microscopic knots and flecks lead to instant rejection. Staying true to this tradition, adjustments to the colour of each piece are made through the traditional hand-process of hot-sand shading before a final inspection under magnification on a light box to ensure perfection.
Interior Bespoke Art
The cityscape theme extends beyond Phantom’s many wood surfaces. A specially developed Aetherius Grey leather colour was created to echo the colour palette of the modern city whilst 6,800 two-tone stitches to the central rear seat flutes depict an abstract image of a skyscraper. A specially developed Bespoke clock extends the theme to the front of the car. For the first time in the marque’s history, a rotating bezel expressing 24 of the great cities of the world and their time zones – Paris included – adorns the central console of a Rolls-Royce motor car.
Exterior Bespoke Elegance
An exterior hue, Darkest Tungsten, inspired by city skylines finishes the exterior surfaces of the motor car on display in Paris. However, as afforded to any Rolls-Royce customer, the full palette of 44,000 colours is available to those commissioning a Phantom Metropolitan Collection motor car. Should that not be enough, the marque’s Bespoke craftspeople will create a perfect match of any colour or object a customer may wish to replicate. The exterior is completed with a hand-applied coachline that depicts an abstract silhouette of modern skyscrapers.
THE INSIDER GALLERY
Phantom Metropolitan Collection a master class of Bespoke design from the best in the business.
Bespoke is Rolls-Royce.
