Since the original Phantom’s debut in 1925, it has been considered the flagship luxury sedan par excellence. A century and eight generations later, Rolls-Royce marks the milestone with an even more opulent edition. The Centenary Private Collection adds gold accents inside and out, making an already luxurious car even more extravagant.
First of all, the Spirit of Ecstasy is made of solid 18-karat gold on the long, imposing hood. The figure features a bespoke design inspired by the first statuette that adorned the Phantom I a century ago. Below, the RR emblem combines 24-karat gold with white enamel, a recurring motif reflected on the front fenders and trunk lid.
Each disc-style wheel contains 25 lines symbolizing the limited edition of 25 cars. Rolls-Royce even points out that the 100 lines on all four wheels mark the model’s 100th anniversary. The black and white, two-tone body is reminiscent of the Phantom II, which was sold between 1929 and 1935. It’s a suitably opulent tribute, even by Rolls-Royce standards.
The interior is equally spectacular and was inspired by a 1926 “Phantom of Love” commission. It is the first Rolls-Royce to feature 3D inlays and 3D ink layers, paired with the brand’s most intricate woodwork to date. The piano black veneer sprinkled with gold dust complements a 24-karat gold-plated rotating wheel.
The Starlight Headliner alone contains 440,000 stitches, with another 160,000 used for the rear seats. Laser etchings on the front seats reveal pivotal moments in the Phantom’s lineage. Even the 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 gets the gold treatment with 24-karat detailing on the engine cover.
Too much? The decision is yours. What is certain is that all 25 units have already been taken. This is despite a staggering price tag of £2.5 million (around $3.3 million at current exchange rates).
Photos: Rolls Royce
