The Rolls-Royce Spectre Series II Arrives With More Power, More Range, And More Personalization

By Jordan Aquistapace –  June 02, 2026

The Rolls-Royce Spectre Series II Has Arrived

Since its debut to the automotive world in 2022, the Rolls-Royce Spectre has established itself as one of the marque's most significant models in its modern era, introducing its first fully electric platform to an already historic lineup. It’s hard to believe that four years of Spectre have already flown by, but with that comes the ability to mark successes and note areas for improvement directly from the source, the customer. And nobody is better at listening and catering to its customer base than the team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, always striving to engineer and produce its very best for those who drive these cars daily with intent. Welcoming the next chapter of its electric era with open arms, Rolls-Royce has just revealed the Spectre Series II, featuring an array of technical and creative updates to its landmark super-coupé.  GALLERY-EMBED While the Spectre’s performance proves to be plenty of power for anyone behind the wheel, Rolls-Royce still took the opportunity to research new ways to heighten the overall driving experience. The team at its Goodwood headquarters has recalibrated the car’s drivetrain to deliver more immediate power and control through the pedal. Power has been slightly boosted to 592-horsepower, while torque has also risen to an impressive 750 ft-lbs. The Black Badge Spectre Series II offers 670 horsepower in Infinity mode, with Spirited mode summoning 811 lb-ft of torque. A re-engineered battery cell increases potential driving distance by 16% to 308 miles, which has also reduced charging times by 14%. GALLERY-EMBED Rolls-Royce approaches its updates with the belief that each new generation should feel like a natural progression rather than a departure from what came before. The Spectre retains its fastback, super-coupé silhouette for Series II, with key characteristics including signature split headlights and clean surfacing. A new solid exterior finish, named Ethereal Blue, has been developed specifically for the launch of the Spectre Series II. New 23-inch forged multi-spoke wheels have also been revealed, available in partially polished and fully polished, with each taking up to six hours of hand-finishing to complete.  GALLERY-EMBED Inside the new Spectre Series II, Rolls-Royce has pushed personalization and craftsmanship even further with a range of materials and design details. One of the new interior highlights is Duality Twill, a bamboo-derived rayon fabric inspired by the French Riviera and featuring a detailed, embroidered pattern that requires up to 2.6 million stitches to complete. Available options also include artistic perforated leather seating, a high-gloss Brindled Walnut veneer made using repurposed natural materials, and a new Illuminated Fascia featuring more than 8,000 individual lights. Completing the cabin is a redesigned clock inspired by aviation instruments and a newly displayed stainless-steel Spirit of Ecstasy. GALLERY-EMBED For Black Badge Spectre Series II, Rolls-Royce has introduced a number of new design elements that tie into its darker, more aggressive personality. The new Iced Black exterior detailing package is a standout, replacing much of the traditional chrome with a matte finish on the grill surround, door handles, side trim, and even the Spirit of Ecstasy. Complementing the look is a newly open-spoke design wheel option that showcases the massive brake calipers and a polished outer ring that shows off its sheer size. Available for the first time in an Iced Matte Black finish.

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Rolls-Royce Just Built Its Most Artistic Cullinan Yet

By Jordan Aquistapace –  May 15, 2026

Rolls-Royce Just Built Its Most Artistic Cullinan Yet

Over the years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has transformed from an elegant marque with centuries of craftsmanship into a creative powerhouse, giving clients the ability to truly personalize their cars and SUVs, almost like a blank canvas. In addition to offering bespoke paint shades and interior comforts, the brand has also enlisted professional artists to reimagine Rolls-Royce models into rolling works of art. Curated by its Private Offices in Seoul, New York, and Goodwood, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to debut its latest creative collaboration with French painter and graffiti artist Cyril Kongo, featuring a bespoke, hand-painted Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge as part of a series of five exclusive examples. Instead of stopping at off-catalog paint colors or upgraded trim packages, Rolls-Royce gave Kongo the freedom to completely restyle the interiors by hand. His graffiti-inspired artwork spans across the dashboard, center console, rear seating area, picnic tables, and even the renowned starlight headliner. Every car follows the same overall design theme, but each one gets its own artwork and painted details, making all five completely unique collector cars.The interiors are where the personalities of these Cullinans really shine. Rolls-Royce divided the interiors into various color zones using bright shades like Phoenix Red, Mandarin, Forge Yellow, and Turchese, for a much louder, more vibrant feel than most people typically think of Rolls-Royce. The driver’s seat, passenger seat, and rear seating areas all carry their own contrasting color schemes, while matching stitching, piping, carpets, and embroidered “RR” logos tie the artistic vision together.Overhead, the hand-painted starlight headliner is most definitely the wildest detail of the entire build. The ceiling showcases more than 1,300 fiber-optic lights with Kongo’s artwork, showing off abstract planets, symbols, and references to quantum physics hidden throughout the piece. Rolls-Royce prepped more than 70 paint colors to use during production, with every detail hand-painted directly onto the interior surfaces. Even the placement of the illuminated “stars” was individually mapped out as part of the process.Finished in a dark Blue Crystal over Black, each Cullinan features a new, gradient coachline that shifts colors along the bodyline from front to rear, a first-ever for Rolls-Royce. Matching brake calipers, illuminated tread plates, embroidered details, and hidden Kongo Easter eggs throughout the SUV make this collaboration one of the most creative of all time. These five Cullinans show just how far Rolls-Royce is willing to go to create something nobody else on the road will ever have. Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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Setting Rolls-Royce Speed Records

By Michael Van Runkle –  May 09, 2026

Setting Rolls-Royce Speed Records

Undisclosed location, Nev. – On a bright November morning, two hours north of Las Vegas in the central Nevada desert – not far from Area 51 – a fleet of six Rolls-Royces lines up across a dry lakebed. It’s early the morning after the Wynn Concours, as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dramatic World Series win in an overtime Game 7 finish, but luckily, I restrained my celebrations, knowing that two Ghosts, three Cullinans, and a Spectre awaited me for top-speed runs on the flat expanse of tan sand, where speed limits did not apply. The lakebed surface actually ripples more than expected, with silty and smooth pads split into almost hexagonal patterns of expansion cracks from water pooling, then drying, then pooling, then drying… All the way to the horizon. And then, as if some sort of mirage under the blistering sun, the Rolls-Royces appear, every Spirit of Ecstacy hood ornament gleaming. Rather than wearing racing or off-road tires, though, each arrived with regular street-legal rubber mounted on the 22 and 23-inch wheels. So naturally, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas CEO Jon Colbeth gave a quick safety briefing to the handful of adventurous drivers in attendance: The Ghosts and Spectres would be allowed to do hard launches on about a quarter-mile delineated by cones, but afterward the Cullinans thanks to slightly higher tire sidewalls eventually might hit their electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour – going off-road needn’t mean slow speeds! Colbeth advised warming up to the handling, applying brakes with even pressure, and adjusting to the radical environment. But sure, go ahead and do some donuts by turning off traction control. Which, it turns out, isn’t particularly easy in a Rolls and takes diving deep into menu options via the central touchscreen. Sure wish I knew how to do this while trying to ice drift a Cullinan earlier this year! Clearly, Rolls-Royce knows how to have fun. But the practicalities of running half- million dollar cruisers to top speed with street tires fully inflated to the advised 42 psi kept cropping up in the back of my head. I started out in a Ghost, with traction control fully activated, not really sure what to expect. I’ve driven at high speed off-road, in lifted trucks and side-by-sides, and even prepped rally cars, but all featured heavily upgraded suspension and legit knobby tires. No supercar launch control nor anti-lag in this stately sedan, either! Alright then, deep breath. I put my left foot on the brake, right foot nudging into the gas pedal to help the Ghost squat a bit. Done the old-fashioned way, traction control kicked in immediately, dialing back power as the tires scrabbled for grip over the first 25 yards or so. Those Goodyears simply lacked the traction necessary to blast off in such a slippery environment. The SUV launched slightly slower, tail end dipping more due to a more upright posture. Between about 40 and 80 miles an hour on the sand, the floatiness bordered on a legitimate speedboating sensation. But passing the cones at full throttle, pushing up to about 125 miles per hour on this first run, the Cullinan settled down. Now I felt wind effects battling the complete lack of aerodynamic efficiency from this beefy SUV hustling along the wide-open lakebed. Past the pinch of the shoreline, the terrain opened up a bit. Time to keep upping the numbers, then. I braked harder, felt the nose dive, and kicked into a donut or two on the way back to the start line. But even with traction control off, the weight of a twin-turbo V12 over the front axles definitely contributed to more understeering, and I wanted to avoid popping a tire off the bead and ruining my shot at a top speed run. Still, I built up steadily, hitting 135 then 145, the acceleration starting to peter off despite unleashing all 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. I hit the electronically limited limit of 155 mph anyway, after an interminable crawl that probably took 30 seconds or more to get from 135 to 155 miles per hour. By my mental math, that probably translated to about another mile of imaginary runway – and this lake must end somewhere… Even as a southwest breeze pushed the Cullinan further and further to the left. I lifted at 155 mph and coasted for a bit, beginning to use the brakes. Slowing down let the pungent smell of toasting rubber creep in from the tires, so I took a quick break to let everything cool down before going again. What if the wind helps? With a little more confidence in the distance required, for my next run, I determined to hold full throttle up to the limit. This time, the chip kicked in and cut power, but I still crested to 156. The next run, I spied 157, then 158. Trying, trying, but despite keeping the pedal matted, fuel cutoff brought me back down to 155 again. And now the end of the lakebed approached, slightly uphill, the surface getting rougher with less silt and cushion. Back at base camp, the rest of the crew threw out their top speeds. Another duPont Registry contributor, Basem Wasef, claimed 157 mph – in a Ghost, no less. Better aero but also even less ideal tires. Everybody else typically dialed back around 135 mph or so. Then I climbed back into my Cullinan for the most comfortable six-hour drive possible back to Los Angeles. <- Gallery -> Not the most typical road trip day of my life, to say the least! And a few days later, Rolls-Royce reached out with some news: I might now hold the United States land speed record for a production Rolly Polly! That’s hard to verify, but three ticks past the ECU’s official restriction, thanks to wind and slick conditions and traction control, sounds pretty reasonable to claim. Of course, from a historical perspective, Rolls-Royce in 2021 launched a limited run of 25 Black Badge Dawn and Wraith models dubbed the Landspeed Collection to honor Captain George Eyston, who set a Bonneville Salt Flats speed of 357.497 mph in 1938 driving the “Thunderbolt” car, an eight-wheeler powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce V12 aero engines. I might have hit just under half that pace, but I still begged for some sort of commemorative certification or official plaque. Instead, I just get bragging rights and the gratification of memory. And awe, at the fact that Rolls-Royce today feels confident enough in the cars to allow this kind of entirely unnecessary hooligan behavior on a lakebed, even if, just like Area 51, the exact location must remain confidential. View All Rolls-Royce Motor Cars For Sale Images: Michael Van Runkle, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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Rolls-Royce Reveals Project Nightingale, a Stunning Open-Top, Two-Seater EV

By Charles Bradley –  April 14, 2026

Rolls-Royce Reveals Project Nightingale, a Stunning Open-Top, Two-Seater EV

In the rarified world of ultra-luxury motoring, true exclusivity is hard to find. Responding to the demands of the world’s most discerning patrons, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled Project Nightingale, the inaugural entry in its new Coachbuild Collection. This production concept is a dramatic, all-electric open-top car that marries the complete design freedom of coachbuilding with a near-silent powertrain – a combination never before realized in the British marque’s storied history. Inspired by phenomenal one-off commissions such as the eight-figure Sweptail, Boat Tail, and Droptail of recent years, the marque is returning to those roots as the starting point for its Coachbuild Collection anthology – an ultra-exclusive program that pairs its automotive creations with a multi-year journey of curated experiences. “Some of the most discerning Rolls-Royce clients in the world asked us for our most ambitious work,” said Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “We responded by bringing three things together that have never coexisted within our brand: the complete design freedom of coachbuilding, our powerful, near-silent all-electric powertrain, and a uniquely potent yet serene expression of open-top motoring — an experience that only this technology makes possible. “Achieving this required the same audacious mindset that drove our co-founder, Sir Henry Royce, to create his radically different experimental ‘EX’ motor cars of the 1920s. Project Nightingale shares the spirit of those landmark projects and is the most extravagant expression of what Rolls-Royce is capable of today.” A Lineage of Audacity The name ‘Project Nightingale’ finds its soul in heritage: It is derived from Le Rossignol (French for “the Nightingale”), the name of the designers’ residence at Sir Henry Royce’s winter estate on the Côte d'Azur. This connection to the French Riviera is more than nominal; it signals a return to the “audacious mindset” that drove Royce to create his radically different experimental ‘EX’ motor cars a century ago. Specifically, Project Nightingale draws inspiration from 16EX and 17EX, the torpedo-shaped prototypes of 1928. These red-badged legends were cloaked in lightweight aluminum to chase new top speeds during the Jazz Age. Today, Project Nightingale adopts that same red-badge status to denote its position as a contemporary production concept – its design is 95% complete, with the final specification to be confirmed in 2027. Monolithic Beauty: The Streamline Moderne Aesthetic Measuring 18.9 feet – the same length as a Phantom sedan, almost exactly – Project Nightingale utilizes its immense proportions to celebrate a two-seat convertible form. Underpinned by the ‘Architecture of Luxury’ aluminum spaceframe, the design is a masterclass in Streamline Moderne discipline. Domagoj Dukec, Director of Design at Rolls-Royce, said: “Project Nightingale is built on the design principles that define this marque at its most compelling — grand proportions, absolute surface discipline, and a clarity of line that rewards the closest attention. And yet, it takes them somewhere entirely new. For me, this landmark motor car feels both inevitable and completely unexpected, and it will shape everything that follows.” Twenty-four-inch wheels – the largest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce – feature a directional design draws from the propellers of a yacht seen beneath the waterline, with forms that suggest constant motion even when the car is stationary. The “sheer, monolithic” volumes prioritize uninterrupted forms over ornament. Key design principles include: ·      “Upright to Flowing”: The commanding Pantheon Grille transitions into a graceful, tapering rear. ·      “Central Fuselage”: A single unbroken hull line inspired by yacht design runs from front to tail. ·      “Flying Wings”: Sculptural volumes create tension, pulling the eye toward a low trailing edge. The Pantheon Grille itself is almost a meter wide, carved from a solid block of aluminum with 24 deep veins. In a progressive move, the Spirit of Ecstasy is integrated directly into the grille, her lines dissolving into the bonnet as if moving through water. The Starlight Breeze: Translating Birdsong into Light The transition to a fully electric drivetrain has unlocked a level of open-air serenity that was previously unattainable. Acoustic engineers noted that early prototypes were so silent that the sound of birdsong became a primary part of the driving experience. In tribute, Rolls-Royce designers analyzed the sound-wave patterns of a Nightingale’s song to create the Starlight Breeze suite. This interior masterpiece features 10,500 individual ‘stars’ of varied sizes that wrap around the occupants in a ‘Horseshoe’ architectural gesture, transforming melody into ambient illumination. The interior further evokes the Côte d'Azur with a palette of soft Charles Blue and Grace White, contrasted by Navy seat inserts and Peony Pink flashes inspired by Riviera blooms. Invitational Exclusivity Project Nightingale is not merely a motor car; it is a ‘production concept’ entering a rigorous global testing and validation program this summer. It is available by invitation only to a select group of aesthetes with a deep affinity for Rolls-Royce design. Production is strictly limited to 100 client motor cars worldwide. These patrons are already participating in a multi-year program of curated gatherings, immersing themselves in the technical and creative formation of their vehicles. As Rolls-Royce looks toward the future, Project Nightingale stands as a most extravagant expression of the marque’s capabilities. Deliveries for this 100-car collection are scheduled to commence in 2028; pricing is confidential but expected to be north of $3 million per vehicle. View All Rolls-Royce For Sale Images: Rolls-Royce

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Rolls-Royce Celebrates 20 Years of Experimental Cars

By Jordan Aquistapace –  April 07, 2026

Rolls-Royce Celebrates 20 Years of Experimental Cars

For classic car collectors and enthusiasts, Goodwood remains an automotive mecca, hosting legendary events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Revival. It’s also been home to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for the past 23 years, serving as a proving ground for the marque’s most iconic and unique creations. Along with flagship models like Phantom, Cullinan, Spectre, Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn, Goodwood has also housed Rolls-Royce’s experimental program, featuring one-off EX cars that showcase the brand's evolution and future inspiration. For 2026, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is celebrating Experimental, or “EX,” cars with three of its Goodwood-era EX models marking milestone anniversaries, 20, 15, and 10 years since their debuts. Every concept is engineered and built with actual intent, testing new ideas and designs that would eventually help shape what modern Rolls-Royces would become. From advanced, unused materials to evolving production procedures and the brand’s now-deeply beloved Bespoke customization, these experimental models were less about asking customers what they want and more about anticipating it before they even know themselves. The EX lineage can be traced back over a century to early experimental builds tied to models like the Phantom II and the development of the V12-powered Phantom III. Even the name “Spectre,” now associated with the brand’s modern electric future, has roots in those early experimental programs as calculated steps forward. There’s also a subtle detail that connects these modern EX cars to that deeper history, like the return of the red double “R” badge. Reserved for monumental moments, it’s a small but meaningful nod to the brand’s heritage. As Rolls-Royce continues to evolve, especially with EVs and one-off bespoke builds, these EX models stand as reminders that the future of luxury is shaped long before it ever reaches the road. All Rolls-Royce Inventory Rolls-Royce 101EX Unveiled in 2006 - 20 Years Ago GALLERY-EMBED The Rolls-Royce 101EX made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006. Built on the same aluminum chassis as the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII but shorter, lower, and wrapped in carbon-fiber composite bodywork. The design tweaks, like the reclined Pantheon grille and tighter glasshouse, gave it a more personal feel. At the same time, the 6.75L V12 kept things firmly rooted in the brand's traditional powertrain DNA. Inside is where things really changed, as 101EX introduced the now-iconic Starlight Headliner, something that's since become almost synonymous with modern Rolls-Royce interiors. What started as an experimental idea paved the way for the production of the Phantom Coupé in 2008 and helped reshape Bespoke customization. Rolls-Royce 102EX Unveiled in 2011 - 15 Years Ago GALLERY-EMBED The Rolls-Royce 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric, marked an important turning point as the brand’s first fully electric test car. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, it wasn’t built for production but to purely explore what electrification could actually look like for Rolls-Royce. Engineers had to rethink everything, from power steering to climate systems, all running off one of the largest batteries fitted to a car at the time, along with an early wireless charging setup. After debuting, it toured globally, gathering real feedback that would later shape the path toward models like the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre. Rolls-Royce 103EX Unveiled in 2016 - 10 Years Ago GALLERY-EMBED The Rolls-Royce 103EX, revealed in 2016, stretches nearly 16 feet long and features the same footprint as a long-wheelbase Phantom. It carries that unmistakable Rolls-Royce sense of scale, but rethinks how the space is actually used. Fully electric and built around autonomous driving, it ditches the idea of a driver-focused cabin altogether, replacing it with the “Grand Sanctuary,” a lounge-like interior centered around a floating sofa and clean, minimal materials. Even details like the illuminated glass Spirit of Ecstasy add to the atmosphere, while its digital assistant, Eleanor, hints at a future where the car works around you.

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Rolls-Royce’s New Cullinan “Yachting” Collection Has Four One-Offs

By Tyler Rampersaud –  March 26, 2026

Rolls-Royce Unveils New Cullinan “Yachting” Collection

Rolls-Royce is not only known for opulent ultra-luxury vehicles, but also for the bespoke design and artisan craftsmanship behind them. Some of the most exciting vehicles from Rolls-Royce are those that are designed with a story or a cultural reference in mind, and painstakingly crafted to achieve their vision. The latest is a new collection that consists of four Rolls-Royce Cullinans, called the Cullinan “Yachting,” and each of the four Private Commissions is inspired by the beauty of yachts and the spirit of maritime adventure. Setting each apart, however, is the inspiration of each of the four cardinal directions. North, South, East, and West each serve as inspirations for one of the cars. All of them have teak detailing, hand-painted fascias with a nautical theme, and Starlight Headliners with a “Mediterranean Wind” pattern. The hand-painted finish on the picnic tables and fascias of each car evokes the wake that forms behind a tender that’s headed for an anchored yacht. Each finish is painted so that the wake matches the direction of the car’s inspiration: North, South, East, and West. Two months of development were required for the composition, and details like a Piano Milori Sparkle finish and Open-Pore Teak wood complement it, along with a compass motif on the rear waterfall. The interiors feature Arctic White and Navy Blue leathers, with Navy contrast stitching, piping, and embroidery, along with a bespoke pattern that is hand-stitched in the seat centers. For the North commission, the exterior finish is Crystal over Light Blue, while South has Crystal over Arabian Blue IV, East has Dark Silk Teal, and West has Sapphire Gunmetal. Each color finish echoes the oceans of their respective parts of the world. Beyond the simple association of both relating to ultra-luxury opulence, Rolls-Royce and yachting have been connected for over a century, as many models have taken design inspiration from the sailing world, and Charles Rolls’ family owned a yacht named the Santa Maria, which cruised throughout Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With this new collection, Rolls-Royce is showcasing the opulence of its Cullinan with a maritime twist. View All Rolls-Royce Cullinan For Sale <- Gallery -> Image Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Announces Its Bespoke Coachbuild Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace –  March 24, 2026

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Announces Its Bespoke Coachbuild Collection

With more than 122 years of expertise in luxury motoring and craftsmanship, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has built a world-renowned reputation for elevating the everyday driving experience. And while the marque is now driven by flagship models like the Phantom, Ghost, Spectre, and Cullinan, hand-crafted coachbuilding remains the roots of its legacy. Returning to its roots, Rolls-Royce just opened a new chapter in the luxury automotive world with the Coachbuild Collection, an exclusive program that aligns a completely bespoke car with a multi-year configuration journey of experiences. Rolls-Royce Sweptail, 2017 It’s not a car you can just order from a dealership, as each Collection is ultra-limited, handcrafted by Rolls-Royce, and never repeated. Access is strictly by invitation through the marque’s Private Office network, giving owners and collectors a behind-the-scenes look at how these cars are dreamed, designed, and built. Think of it as a rare opportunity to follow a Rolls-Royce from the first sketch all the way to the road, with the process almost as valuable as the finished car itself. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail no.1, 2021 Since Rolls-Royce’s humble beginnings, chassis were sent out to specialist builders who would create bodies tailored to a client’s wishes, while keeping the proportions and identity that make a Rolls-Royce unmistakable. It’s the same mix of form and freedom that fuels the Coachbuild Collection today. Designers can push creative boundaries while still honoring a century-long tradition. Previous one-offs like Sweptail, Boat Tail, and Droptail teased at this, but this program makes the creation process itself part of the story. Rolls-Royce Drop Tail La Rose Noire, 2023 The program starts with a truly unique coachbuilt car, handcrafted and fully road-legal. Beyond the car itself, owners get access to testing facilities, design studios, and ateliers where master craftspeople turn concepts into reality. There are also private events in some of the world’s most desirable destinations, where designers and engineers share their inspirations behind each Collection. It’s a glimpse into a world most people never see. All Rolls-Royce Inventory The first Coachbuild Collection will be fully electric, reflecting a growing interest among Rolls-Royce collectors in quiet, high-performance luxury. Many early participants are already Spectre owners, attracted to the way electrification reshapes the driving experience without losing the signature Rolls-Royce feel. With a strict limited number of cars and no repeats planned, the Coachbuild Collection is truly about storytelling, creativity, and craft. With the program already in motion at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in England, we can expect to see the very first car in the middle of next month. Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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Rolls-Royce Transforms Handcrafted Sapele Model Into Limited-Edition Charity Artwork

By Khris Bharath –  March 11, 2026

Rolls-Royce Transforms Handcrafted Sapele Model Into Rare Charity Artwork

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has transformed a handcrafted wooden model car into an exclusive artwork series that will support the Aldingbourne Trust, a charity that provides services and opportunities for people with learning disabilities, including autism and Down’s syndrome. The project began with a small but meaningful gesture. When Rolls-Royce presented its final 2024 donation to the charity, members of the Wood@Aldingbourne team handed over a carefully carved model car made from Sapele hardwood.  From dash boards, and interior trim on a Ghost or Phantom, to the rear decklids on models like the Arcadia Droptail, wood ofcourse has long played a defining role in bespoke Rolls-Royce interiors for decades, where carefully selected veneer slices are matched and finished by hand to create seamless grain patterns across the cabin and the piece, now displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, immediately captured the attention of the brand’s design studio.  Using the same digital rendering tools normally reserved for bespoke client commissions, one Rolls-Royce designer created a detailed visualization inspired by the wooden model. The result is a limited series of just three framed prints with what appears to be Art Deco-inspired lines, each individually signed and numbered to verify authenticity. “It was a privilege to work with Aldingbourne Trust as our House Charity in 2024. It’s a pleasure to extend our support for this wonderful organisation beyond 2024.” - Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Two of the prints will remain closely connected to the charity that inspired them. One will hang inside the Aldingbourne Trust café, while another has been presented directly to the Wood@Aldingbourne team that built the original Sapele model. The third will serve a fundraising role when it appears as a raffle prize during the Goodwood Members’ Meeting this April.  “We were so appreciative of the fundraising efforts by Rolls-Royce staff, and the tremendous awareness we were able to generate through being their House Charity. It’s wonderful that the relationship has continued through this collaboration, which meant so much to the client who created the original wooden model, and will help raise further money for us.” - Abigail Rowe, Aldingbourne Trust Founded in 1978, Aldingbourne Trust now supports more than 1,500 people through training programs, employment opportunities, and social enterprises such as Wood@Aldingbourne, located about 10 minutes from the Rolls-Royce headquarters at Goodwood. View All Rolls-Royce For Sale Images: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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The Spirit of Ecstasy: The Story Behind Rolls-Royce’s Icon

By Jordan Aquistapace –  March 09, 2026

The Spirit of Ecstasy: The Story Behind Rolls-Royce’s Icon

Long before modern branding became part of the automotive conversation, owners were already finding ways to personalize their cars. In the early 1900s, it became more common to mount “mascots” on radiator grilles, some tasteful, others more bizarre. But one small sculpture would end up outlasting them all. Since 1911, the Spirit of Ecstasy has sat at the front of every Rolls-Royce, becoming one of the most recognizable emblems in the automotive world. The figure itself was created by illustrator and sculptor Charles Sykes, who was commissioned by the company’s first managing director, Claude Johnson. At the time, Johnson wanted something more refined than the sometimes cartoonish pieces owners were placing on their cars. Sykes came back with a small sculpture of a woman leaning into the wind, her robes flowing behind her in a shape that resembles wings. The pose feels effortless and calm, which is why it has aged so well over the past century.As with many early automotive stories, the details behind the Spirit of Ecstasy blur somewhere between fact and folklore. It’s widely believed the sculpture was modeled after Eleanor Thornton, a woman connected to the early Rolls-Royce circle. Thornton worked closely with Johnson and later with British motoring pioneer Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, and she frequently posed for Sykes in his artwork. Over time, the idea that she inspired the Spirit of Ecstasy became part of Rolls-Royce legend, giving the small figure a human backstory. While the design has evolved slightly over the decades, the overall shape remains remarkably close to Sykes’ original work. Modern versions can retract into the grille and are available in a range of finishes, but the basic idea hasn’t changed much. Whether it’s sitting atop a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, or even the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre, the Spirit of Ecstasy still feels like a quiet constant in a brand that has seen more than a century of change. It’s a small detail, but one that continues to define Rolls-Royce. All Rolls-Royce Inventory

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A Decade in the Shadows: Rolls-Royce and the Rise of Black Badge

By Jordan Aquistapace –  March 02, 2026

A Decade in the Shadows: Rolls-Royce and the Rise of Black Badge

Rolls-Royce has long been linked to luxury and comfort, an almost intentional distance from fashion or trend. Yet its history suggests a subtler reality, one where clients, rather than marketing departments, quietly pushed the marque into a new territory of personalization. It can be traced back to the personalities of its founders. Sir Henry Royce, self-taught and determined, approached cars as problems to be solved rather than status symbols to be admired. Charles Stewart Rolls, on the other hand, embraced speed, risk, and mechanical engineering. Together, they built a company that valued excellence while leaving room for evolution. A century later, Black Badge would normalize that.One of the earliest examples was uncovered during a deep dive in the brand’s archives: a 1928 Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. Brewster Brougham delivered with a black-finished radiator grille and Spirit of Ecstasy. At a time when polished metal symbolized modernity, this darker spec stood apart. The car was commissioned by J. E. Aldred, a financier whose architectural and design interests were inspired by Art Deco. It’s significant because it broke rules, and because Rolls-Royce allowed it to exist at all.That same pattern of subtle accommodation reappeared more dramatically in 1964 with the Rolls-Royce Phantom V ordered by John Lennon. Spec’d almost entirely in black, including exterior brightwork normally left in chrome, the car challenged long-standing beliefs about what a Rolls-Royce should look like. Lennon’s requests followed inside as well, where dark fabrics and privacy glass created an interior closer to a private lounge than a traditional cabin. His explanation, that the darkness separated itself from the outside world, was practical. The car’s reputation grew later; at the time, it was simply a manufacturer honoring a client's vision.When Black Badge was introduced in 2016, it followed that same logic. Rather than chasing trends or performance, Rolls-Royce responded to a growing number of owners who preferred darker palettes, sharper dynamics, and a less formal relationship with their cars. Changes to tuning, materials, and finishes were gradual, not radical, but collectively they marked a shift. Ten years on, Black Badge represents a milestone that Rolls-Royce’s history has always included space for personalization. All Rolls-Royce Inventory

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