The FINANCIAL – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has presented two new Rolls-Royce models for the first time at an exclusive media reception in the capital, celebrating their respective debuts in Georgia.
Charmian Leaver, Deputy British Ambassador to Georgia, said in her welcome address: “The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine stands like no other emblem for the Best of British. I am delighted to see Rolls-Royce unveiling new models in Georgia and proud that we are able to show these finest examples of British design, engineering and manufacture to our friends in Tbilisi.”
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Baku, the sole Rolls-Royce dealership in Transcaucasia and Central Asia, hosted the event. Bayram Yakubov, General Manager, commented: “Having had the pleasure to present three new models over the past five years in Tbilisi, I feel even more privileged that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Baku celebrates today´s outstanding occasion with such eclectic protagonists on stage,” and continued “our philosophy is that reliable client relations are the key to sustained success, we are here to establish and maintain long lasting bonds. This event underpins our dedication to contribute to a bright future for the Spirit of Ecstasy in Georgia.”
SPECTRE –
A ROLLS-ROYCE FIRST, AN ELECTRIC CAR SECOND
Spectre heralds the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the start of the marque’s all-electric era. The initial announcement of the first all-electric Rolls-Royce in 2021 marked a significant moment in the history of luxury motoring. Since then, Spectre has been on a remarkable journey, completing a highly rigorous testing programme which covered more than 2.5 million kilometres with engineers spending 50,000 hours in the driver’s seat to analyse and tune its driving characteristics.
Rolls-Royce sets a new precedent in the creation of an entirely original class of motor car: the Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupé. Combining elegance and innovation, Spectre delights in an imposing yet effortlessly refined appearance. Creating an extraordinary sense of strength, Spectre has the widest grille ever bestowed on a Rolls-Royce. The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the front of the motor car. Spectre’s stunning proportions, and dramatic fastback silhouette recalls the most evocative motor cars and watercraft in history. The seamlessness of the greenhouse surfacing significantly contributes to achieving the lowest drag coefficient ever for a
Rolls-Royce, 0.25 cd.
The Spirit of Ecstasy figurine has been aero-tuned, the result of 830 combined hours of design modelling and wind tunnel testing.
The excellence of the uncompromising exterior design is continued in the interior, where Spectre’s interior sanctuary offers unrivalled luxury. Spectre is provisioned with the most technologically advanced Bespoke features yet, drawing inspiration from the timeless mystique of the night’s sky, its Starlight Doors incorporate 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars’. The coach doors can also be commissioned with a backdrop of Canadel Panelling, crafted from a single sheet of wood, precisely placed at an exact 55-degree angle to evoke a sense of motion within the car.
Rolls-Royce engineers have unlocked further benefits from the ‘Architecture of Luxury’, the all-aluminium spaceframe architecture underpinning the Rolls-Royce model range. Conceived from the outset for electric drive, the sophisticated extruded aluminium sections and integration of the battery into the structure of the motor car enable it to be 30% stiffer than any previous Rolls-Royce. The flexibility of the architecture has also allowed engineers to place the floor halfway between the sill structures rather than on top or underneath them. A channel has been created for wiring and climate control pipework between the battery and the floor, with the battery mounted underneath, providing a perfectly smooth underfloor profile.
Spectre is the most connected Rolls-Royce ever, the engineers have harnessed a revolutionary ‘Decentralised Intelligence’ system that allows for the free and direct exchange of information between more than 1,000 vehicle functions, further elevating the marque’s celebrated quality of ride.
To ensure Rolls-Royce’s fabled ‘magic carpet ride’, Spectre’s challenging testing programme included over 1,500 hours were dedicated to finessing the car’s regenerative braking to ensure it feels effortless but present. During testing on the Côte d’Azur, Spectre’s digitally integrated evolution of the renowned Planar suspension system was finalised; an orchestra of systems with precisely defined responses to driver inputs and road conditions, made possible by the latest software and hardware developments. Rolls-Royce’s hallmark drive experience within the car is further enhanced by the position of the battery, which not only creates a low seating position and cocooning cabin, but also unlocks a secondary function– almost 700kg of sound deadening.
Frank Tiemann, Director of Corporate Communications Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented: “Spectre possesses all of the qualities for which Rolls-Royce is globally renowned– silence, serenity and waftability – and shows how perfectly suited to electrification a Rolls-Royce truly is. It is a statement of intent and a symbol of a bright, bold future as Rolls-Royce progresses into an all-electric era.”
GHOST SERIES II –
a uniquely agile and self-assured expression of Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents Ghost Series II, a powerful, driver-orientated and elegant rendition of the most popular Rolls-Royce model in history. In line with client requests, the subtle evolution of Ghost’s monolithic and self-assured external appearance serves as a potent stage for Bespoke commissions. To extend their choices, clients now have access to interior finishes and features never previously available on Ghost, as well as advanced software technologies that see Bespoke enter the digital world.
Ghost Series II is more closely aligned to Rolls-Royce’s sheer, monolithic design approach than ever. The front end has been distilled into a clean and contemporary showcase for the illuminated Rolls-Royce Pantheon grille.
Ghost Series II’s modern presence is captured in its updated headlight and daytime running light graphics, which flow from the lower section of the grille to the edge of the front wings. The lower portion of the front end provides a foundation for the grille, augmented by new chrome embellishments that form a ‘floating’ visual plinth for the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.
In rear view, Ghost Series II benefits from a new tail lamp configuration, harmonising the side and rear surfaces, inspired by Spectre.
The interior of Ghost Series II celebrates craftsmanship, both analogue and digital. Housed in the new pillar-to-pillar glass panel, the Central Information Display incorporates the marque’s advanced SPIRIT operating system. SPIRIT integrates Series II remote functions into Whispers – the Rolls-Royce digital private members club, on invitation only.
Alongside the Central Information Display, on the passenger side, is the new Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet. This vitrine houses an analogue timepiece and an up-lit, mirror-polished, solid stainless-steel Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. On entering the motor car, the Spirit of Ecstasy is illuminated from below initially, as if she is being lit by a spotlight, before her stage lighting settles to a soft glow.
GHOST EXTENDED SERIES II –
the indulgence of superlative rear seating space
Clients who seek the inherent agility that Ghost Series II represents, but require the indulgence of superlative rear seating space, are invited to commission Ghost Extended Series II. The motor car offers 170mm more space in the rear suite, enabled by extending the rear doors and apertures only, which preserves its elegant silhouette.
BLACK BADGE GHOST SERIES II –
A DARING EXPRESSION OF LUXURY AND POWER
For those who wish to make an even more daring and self-confident statement, the marque unveils Black Badge Ghost Series, II, the alter ego of Ghost. Meticulously redesigned to provide this group of clients with a dramatic canvas for their bold Bespoke commissions, Black Badge Ghost Series II presents a daring evolution of this unapologetic and uniquely driver-focused motor car. Black Badge Ghost Series II reflects a growing desire among the marque’s clients to enjoy a dramatic expression of the brand’s uncompromising V12 engine and uniquely advanced chassis systems while benefitting from Rolls-Royce’s peerless Bespoke capabilities. This extraordinary new motor car builds on the overwhelming success of its predecessor, embodying a bold vision of luxury in motion.
In Black Badge Ghost Series II, the formidable V12 engine is presented in a high-power configuration, producing 29PS more power and 50NM more torque than Ghost Series II. As with all Rolls-Royce Black Badge models, the ‘Low’ button situated on the gear selection stalk unlocks Black Badge Ghost’s full suite of technologies, including a 50% increase in gearshift speeds when the throttle is depressed to 90%, and a subtly more voluble note from the motor car’s exhaust system– features that dramatise, but never compromise the effortless Rolls-Royce driving experience.
Ghost Series II – new interior materials
Ghost Series II continues Rolls-Royce’s exploration of textiles with a new rayon fabric made from bamboo, named Duality Twill. This material is inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d’Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa.
The twill textile is embroidered with an artistic ‘Duality’ graphic. Based on an abstract interpretation of the two interlinked letter R initials of the marque’s founders, the design reflects a clear nautical influence, reminiscent of the interweaving rope lines found on sailing yachts – another subtle allusion to the French Riviera.
A full Duality Twill interior can incorporate up to 2.2 million stitches, 11 miles of thread and is the product of 20 hours of construction.
Series II integrates another new contemporary craft technique – Placed Perforation. This innovative practice enables artisans to create artworks, using seats as a canvas, through tiny perforations in the leather. Designers created a pattern, inspired by the constantly changing shapes and shadows of the clouds over the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood – it comprises 107,000 0.8- and 1.2-millimetre perforations.
Tiemann emphasized: “Since the launch of the initial Ghost in 2011 it has become the most sought-after model in the 120 years history of Rolls-Royce. At our clients’ request, this new Series II iteration remains faithful to its principles.”
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