Rolls-Royce built this extended-wheelbase Phantom for a single client in the Middle East through their Dubai facility. Every element pays homage to traditional mashrabiya latticework, the geometric screens that have long been a distinguishing feature of buildings, castles, and courtyards throughout the region. If you’ve ever seen these screens, you’ll understand how they filter light, allow air to circulate freely, and provide a private sanctuary all inside their beautiful designs. The team behind this automobile has meticulously translated those attributes into a vehicle that feels firmly anchored in legacy while remaining undeniably Rolls-Royce.
The front of the car has to be the most notable aspect, as Rolls-Royce has never applied a full laser-engraving finish to the bonnet before. The technology was developed and patented by an Exterior Surface Centre team of engineers and artisans over a five-year period. They began by adding a deeper base coat of paint, followed by clear lacquer, and lastly a lighter top coat. Next, a laser was used to gently remove precise sections of the top layer to reveal the darker paint beneath, carving to depths ranging from 145 to 190 microns, or approximately double the thickness of a single human hair in some instances. varies in laser speed and intensity lend extra complexity and shading to the finish, giving it a very realistic three-dimensional appearance that varies as you move it around in the light. To cap it off, the artisans spent hours hand-sanding the surface to get a velvety smooth finish.
- 2 Mercedes toy cars for kids – LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes-AMG G 63 & Mercedes-AMG SL 63 vehicle playset for boys and girls ages 10 and up and adult model car collectors
- 2 driver minifigures – Each buildable vehicle toy comes with a driver minifigure wearing a Mercedes outfit so kids can role-play fast-paced races
- Authentic Mercedes design – Each collectible car model features design details from the real life versions, including front grilles, hoods, wheels, interior features and the famous Mercedes livery
The design on the bonnet is full-on mashrabiya from one end to the other, transforming something traditional into a long-lasting and highly modern surface treatment. The rest of the body has a two-tone finish, with the lower areas in Diamond Black and the higher sections in a gorgeous Silver, separated by a magnificent hand-painted coachline that repeats the same geometric pattern. The Pantheon grille shines with a lovely Dark Chrome glow behind it, the Spirit of Ecstasy sits proudly, and the 22-inch wheels have been gently polished to give them a serene beauty.
The mashrabiya concept continues inside, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The dashboard’s full-width Gallery display is a stunning piece of craftsmanship, including marquetry made from the finest Blackwood and Black Bolivar woods. The wood bits make a lovely take on the lattice design, which is balanced by a tiny miniature clock in a matching dark tone. The seats, doors, and other surfaces are all upholstered in stunning Selby Grey and black leathers, with black piping and carpeting providing a wonderful contrast. The front and rear headrests also have lovely embroidered mashrabiya designs. The Starlight Doors have gorgeous Selby Grey piping and black stitching, and the illuminated treadplates feature a small cross-section of the bonnet’s etched design.
This Phantom, of course, is a one-of-a-kind commission that cannot be replicated. It now joins the owner’s collection as a magnificent addition to their cultural heritage and a monument to the skill of those who made it. Rolls-Royce claims that the laser technology is only the beginning of a whole new universe of possibilities for its clientele, but for the time being, it is being used to combine old shapes with current accuracy in a car designed for one person.
