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Rolls-Royce shows off bespoke Wraith with interplanetary inspiration

Rolls-Royce is dangling yet another one-off Wraith far out of our reach — so far out of reach, one might even say it's not of this world. If you've ever dreamed of rolling around in your own private planetarium, well, one lucky Rolls-Royce customer in Dubai is about to be living your fantasy.  Bestowed with the tagline "Inspired by Earth," this Wraith draws its cues from more than just the Blue Planet. While the hood is adorned with an air-brushed scene of the Middle East as viewed from the heavens, this luxury coupe's overall aesthetic is decidedly interplanetary. The first hints of this can be seen in the hand-painted solar system incorporated into the pinstriping elements on the Wraith's flanks. “WeÂ’re used to clients bringing us grand visions for their Bespoke Commissions, but this provided a new perspective altogether. In our response to the brief, weÂ’ve worked at both the ‘macroÂ’ level, referencing the Sun and planets of the whole Solar System, and the much more personal ‘microÂ’ level, centring our view of the world on the place the customer calls home,” said Rolls-Royce Bespoke design chief Michael Bryden. Bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith 'Inspired by Earth' View 9 Photos The artwork on the hood might be the highlight of a first impression, but if you ask us, Rolls-Royce buried one of the Wraith's coolest touches pretty deep in its announcement: a headliner embroidered with the solar system, floating like a magnified night's sky over the earth-themed elements of the cabin surfaces.  "The seats are made from Moccasin leather to mimic the sands of the EmiratesÂ’ deserts; Navy and Cobalto Blue accents are suggestive of rivers and lakes and Emerald Green piping symbolises nature in all its forms. Arctic White ‘RRÂ’ monograms and stitching hint at clouds and translucent running water," the announcement says.  The result creates the impression of gazing toward the heavens from Earth, which sounds like a tranquil cure for standstill traffic.  Related Video:

Rolls-Royce mulling V16 roadster, SUV

Rolls-Royce may be working on a new, mega-powerful roadster for 2017. CAR reports the convertible would conceivably boast a V16 engine. Of course, the report gets a little muddled here, with CAR saying the engine would be very similar to that of the one that powers the Bugatti Veyron - the French machine makes use of a W16 mill. Even so, the article says the Rolls-Royce version could put down around 700 horsepower. Design wise, we're told the creation will feature a suitably long nose with the passenger compartment pushed far to the rear.
Of course, 2017 is a long way off, and the thought of a 16-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine bowing under the crush of ever more stringent government fuel efficiency and emission regulations seems unlikely. We'll just put this one in the wait-and-see file for the time being. In the interim, you can hop over to CAR for a closer look at the magazine's rendering of the would-be roadster. If a V16 convertible does happen, look for a smug look on Rowan Atkinson's face.
Oh, and about that SUV? There's not much to report, though CAR does note that officials are keeping a close eye on rival Bentley and its plans for a luxury utility vehicle. Rolls brand boss Harald Krüger has even gone so far as to admit "we're regularly debating whether to take action."

One-off Boat Tail is the tapered tip of Rolls-Royce's coachbuilding iceberg

Rolls-Royce is open to taking additional requests for one-off cars from its wealthiest clients in the coming years. It doesn't plan to make coachbuilt vehicles the norm in order to maintain their exclusivity, however. Rumored to cost nearly $30 million, the Boat Tail (pictured) introduced in May 2021 demonstrated what the BMW-owned British firm is capable of when money is truly no object. It's the product of a four-year development process that presumably cost several million dollars, and it was built at the request of three anonymous clients. It's the first car made since Coachbuild was promoted to a standalone division with the group, and it's very likely not the last. "Our idea is to maybe do one project every second year. Whether it's three cars or one car will hinge very much on the idea of the clients, and also on our appetite for doing it," explained company boss Torsten Muller-Otvos in an interview with British magazine Autocar. He added Rolls-Royce has the luxury to turn down requests it doesn't like. Precisely what will receive the firm's proverbial green light for production hasn't been specified. We're guessing future one-offs will need to adhere to the company's image, so transforming a humble Fiat 500 into a luxury car, Aston Martin Cygnet-style, is probably very low on the firm's list of priorities. Regardless, one-of-a-kind models won't roll out of the Rolls-Royce workshop on a weekly basis. Executives want to keep them "very rare," the CEO added, even if they receive numerous requests. Supply won't necessarily keep up with demand. What comes next depends on what customers request (and are willing to pay for). Rolls-Royce is open to experimenting with different body styles and different powertrain types, including a fully electric system. It's reportedly working on its first electric model, which could be called Silent Shadow when it enters production, and this foundation could be used to make a coachbuilt car if a customer commissions it. "There is no intention to boost any volume, because the intention clearly is to create projects that are significant for the brand's history in 70 or 100 years or so, and that are truly unique pieces. That also fits quite nicely into the heritage of Rolls-Royce with coachbuilding projects in the 1920s and the 1930s," Muller-Otvos concluded. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.