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Carmel, California, August 16, 2024,—Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to redefine luxury and craftsmanship with the unveiling of the Phantom Scintilla, a new Private Collection showcased at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week. This meticulously crafted series, limited to ten commissions worldwide, pays homage to the Spirit of Ecstasy. This iconic Rolls-Royce mascot has symbolized elegance and grace for over a century.
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A Tribute Rooted in History
The Phantom Scintilla is not merely a vehicle but a work of art steeped in history and symbolism. The Spirit of Ecstasy, conceived in 1910 by sculptor Charles Sykes, was initially inspired by the ancient Greek sculpture, The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Descending from the heavens, this deity embodies power and grace—a fitting muse for Rolls-Royce's newest creation. Sykes’ interpretation of the statue led to the birth of the Spirit of Ecstasy, a figurine that encapsulates the marque’s ethos of silent power and understated luxury.
Now, 120 years later, Rolls-Royce's Bespoke designers have reimagined this legacy with the Phantom Scintilla, introducing new materials and design elements that echo the original inspiration while pushing the boundaries of modern automotive design.
Exterior: A Symphony of Subtlety and Elegance
The Phantom Scintilla’s exterior is a masterclass in bespoke craftsmanship. It features a two-tone finish that draws inspiration from the Aegean Sea, specifically the waters surrounding the island of Samothrace. The upper body, adorned in Andalusian White, is complemented by a lower body in Thracian Blue—a shade that captures the depth and mystery of the sea. The subtle metallic flake embedded in the paint mimics the sparkle of sunlight on water, creating a visual effect that is both dynamic and serene.
The hand-painted Coachline and Wheel Pinstripes in Spirit Blue further enhance the exterior, a hue selected to resonate with the car’s underlying theme of fluidity and motion. The result is a vehicle that not only pays tribute to its historical roots but also speaks to the timeless beauty of the natural world.
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Interior: A Canvas of Movement and Light
Step inside the Phantom Scintilla, and you are immediately enveloped in an environment as luxurious as it is expressive. The interior is dominated by a flowing embroidery motif that mirrors the dynamic form of the Spirit of Ecstasy. This intricate design, which took over two and a half years to develop, spans the entire cabin, covering the coach doors and fabric seats. Composed of more than 633,000 stitches, this is the most complex embroidery ever seen in a Rolls-Royce, with artisans spending over 40 hours to complete each interior.
The motif uses a palette of Blue Grey, Arctic White, Spirit Blue, Powder Blue, and Pastel Yellow threads, which come alive at night with a soft, luminescent glow. The embroidery is complemented by illuminated perforations, adding an ethereal quality to the interior and making the space feel as though it is gently pulsing with light.
The upholstery—a twill fabric with a subtle reflective sheen that catches the light and accentuates the car’s sense of movement—adds to the interior's allure. The stitching, which matches the colors used in the embroidery, ties the entire interior together, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for the occupants.
The ‘Celestial Pulse’ Gallery Artwork
Central to the Phantom Scintilla’s interior is the ‘Celestial Pulse,’ a bespoke artwork displayed in the Gallery, a feature unique to Rolls-Royce Phantom models. This piece comprises seven ribbons, each milled from solid aluminum and finished with the same finely-grained ceramic as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. The ribbons are polished at the edges, allowing them to catch ambient light and create a sense of movement and fluidity—a visual metaphor for the Spirit of Ecstasy’s flowing gown as it catches the wind.
This artwork is more than just a decorative element; it embodies the core principles that have guided Rolls-Royce for over a century—elegance, craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating not just cars but art pieces.
A Starlit Symphony: The Bespoke Starlight Headliner
Above, the Phantom Scintilla’s Bespoke Starlight Headliner offers a celestial experience. This unique feature, which includes 1,500 fiber-optic stars hand-fitted into the headliner, illuminates in a sequence that mimics the flowing movement of the Spirit of Ecstasy. The design incorporates 4,450 perforations, revealing a metallic silver fabric beneath and creating a subtle interplay of light and texture. This headliner not only enhances the interior's ambiance but also serves as a reminder of the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Graceful Touches and Finishing Details
Every detail was noticed during the creation of the Phantom Scintilla. The rear picnic tables, for example, feature a graphic motif that captures the Spirit of Ecstasy’s fluidity of motion. This motif is applied using a meticulous masking technique, where the glossy iridescent surface is hand-sanded and coated with a matte finish, creating the illusion of two shifting colors. The complete Arctic White wood set is finished with a lacquer mixed with iridescent metallic particles, adding a final touch of elegance to this already exquisite vehicle.
An Exclusive Masterpiece
The Phantom Scintilla is undoubtedly one of the most valuable Rolls-Royce Phantoms ever delivered in North America. Although the exact pricing remains undisclosed, the fact that all commissions intended for the U.S. market have already been spoken for underscores the vehicle’s exclusivity and desirability.
Rolls-Royce has once again demonstrated its unparalleled ability to blend history, craftsmanship, and innovation in a way that honors its past and sets new standards for the future of luxury motoring. The Phantom Scintilla is more than just a car; it is a tribute to the Spirit of Ecstasy and a testament to Rolls-Royce’s enduring legacy of elegance and excellence.
