Rolls-Royce bestows Canton Glory Ghost upon Guangzhou

Sun, 15 Dec 2013

Wonder why Rolls-Royce makes so many special editions for the Chinese market? Probably because China is fast becoming its largest market, with the dealerships in Beijing and Shanghai regularly proving able to move more high-end metal than any other Rolls dealer in the world. Little wonder then that, less than two months after releasing the Golden Sunbird edition, Rolls-Royce Bespoke is back again with another special Ghost just for China.

This time it's called the Canton Glory edition. It was introduced recently at Auto Guangzhou, and pays tribute to the Canton Tower in the same city. Two examples were made with a two-tone color scheme contrasting burgundy with either a blueish silver or white. Other features include Guangzhou's Five Rams emblem in the coachline, veneer panels, headrests and dashboard.

We don't doubt Rolls will find (or probably already has found) a pair of Chinese industrialists to gladly take these special editions home. But for those looking for their own unique touches, the British automaker has also brought its Bespoke Atelier to China for the first time, outlining the range of possibilities open to their moneyed customers.

AUTO GUANGZHOU 2013: ROLLS-ROYCE CANTON GLORY GHOST PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF GUANGZHOU WITH EXCLUSIVE BESPOKE LUXURY

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars brings Bespoke delights to the Auto Guangzhou 2013 with the launch of the Canton Glory Ghost. This latest Bespoke model is designed as a tribute to the city of Guangzhou, combining legendary heritage and glorious modernity with the pedigree of the British car marque. The powerful, newly-released Wraith completed the stunning line-up at the show, along with a Bespoke Phantom, which showcased the enthusiastic participation of local customers in the Bespoke Personalisation Programme.

The show also featured the China premiere of the 'Bespoke Atelier', a special area dedicated to Rolls-Royce Bespoke that affords a look into further possibilities for personalisation.

Auto Guangzhou 2013 comes at the end of a successful year for Rolls-Royce; the 10 year anniversary of the marque's arrival in China which marked the beginning of the brand's renaissance that started with the opening of the Goodwood head quarters and manufacturing plant on 1 January 2003. In the decade since, customers in China have developed a profound passion for the legendary heritage of craftsmanship and design excellence that Bespoke represents. Demand for Bespoke services has achieved consistent year-on-year growth, with a particularly significant increase seen in September of this year.

Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Region China, said, "Bespoke is about fulfilling each owner's wish for exclusivity and creativity. Working under the guiding principle that 'The Only Limit is Your Imagination,' Bespoke allows owners to express themselves and create designs to their own unique tastes. These designs are then made a reality by the skilled craftsmen of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood."

The beauty and exclusivity of Bespoke is clearly evident in the new Rolls-Royce Canton Glory Ghost twin cars. Inspired by the iconic Canton Tower in Guangzhou, the Canton Glory captures the style, elegance and personality of south China's urbane heart. A variation on the 2014 Ghost, it is a tribute to both the historic city of Guangzhou and its vibrant, modern cityscape.

A two-tone colour scheme celebrates past and present; Madeira red for a glorious regal history and Cassiopeia silver or Carrera white for the bright and modern present. It is a contrast that brings to mind the cool colour tones of the night sky, and the metallic exterior of the Canton Tower. Although Guangzhou's legendary Five Rams statue is represented in a distinctive motif that is found on the coachline, veneer panels, headrests and dashboards. The Rolls-Royce Canton Glory Ghost is most definitely a car for 21st century Guangzhou – a perfect demonstration of super-luxury for the vital and vibrant economy of this progressive commercial capital.

This latest collection car powerfully upholds the spirit of 'Effortlessness Meets Technology' with newly updated technology, including Satellite Aided Transmission and multi-media interface. These innovative features make driving a Ghost more effortless and comfortable than ever before and bring an even higher level of exclusivity to an already stellar model.

"We know that our Chinese clients value the level of exclusivity that Bespoke provides," Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer said, "which is why we have brought the spirit of Bespoke to the Guangzhou Motor Show. We believe that our cars are the perfect tribute to this prosperous and sophisticated city and the best ambassadors of the craftsmanship and design excellence of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars."

By Noah Joseph