8.08 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

A magnus opus from Rolls-Royce

Published
By Reena Amos Dyes

(SUPPLIED)   

 

 

A Rolls-Royce tells the world its owner has arrived, but if he or she owns a Phantom Sapphire, considered a showcase for the luxury car-maker’s bespoke programme, it tells the world they have arrived in royal style.


This is because only a limited number of these cars will ever be made. A time frame had been given for placing orders and the order books have now closed.

Peter-Paul Schoppmann, regional director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, told Emirates Business: “The bespoke programme offers the utmost individualisation of a Rolls-Royce. To retain its exclusivity our dealers had the chance to order Phantom Sapphire Bespoke models in January, and these cars are currently being produced.”

The cars are expected to start arriving in the Middle East from May 2008 onwards.

“The Phantom Sapphire takes its name from the bodywork’s shade of milori sapphire – a dark, complex colour inspired by the iridescent beauty of the precious blue gemstone,” said Schoppmann.

“It features hand-made inlays to the walnut burr veneer, as well as a lounge seat glass cabinet containing a pair of hand engraved crystal tumblers and champagne flutes.

“The interior can be specified with either seashell and navy blue accents or navy blue with seashell accents. As a centerpiece to the dashboard, the standard clock face has been augmented with blue enamel detailing and a single sapphire at the 12 o’clock position,” added Schoppmann.

Even though the starting price of a Phantom is $360,500 (Dh1.3 million), the sky is the limit where customisation is concerned. “As there was the opportunity for customers to add their own features and wishes beyond the specifications for the Phantom Sapphire, there is no common price. Every individual Phantom Sapphire will be unique.”

And unique they can be, with every whim and desire of the customer being catered for by Rolls-Royce. If a customer wants the dashboard to be made out of a favourite oak tree in his garden – it will be done.

If another wants gold-plated or diamond knobs – no problem.

Customers can ask them to match a favourite colour both for the exterior paintwork and the interior leather or even create a completely new shade.

Such is the limitless nature of the bespoke programme that every aspect of the Phantom can be personalised and enhanced. Whether you desire a thicker steering wheel or a 24-carat solid gold Spirit of Ecstasy emblem, visible exhausts, a glove compartment humidor or your initials inlayed into the wood veneer and embroidered into the headrests, the Rolls-Royce bespoke team can make it happen.

Talking about the bespoke programme, Schoppmann said: “The Rolls-Royce bespoke programme allows customers to create their perfect car, designed and built to their exact specifications. The bespoke team at Goodwood is dedicated to finding new paints, materials and engineering solutions, striving to find new ways of creating truly unique cars.

“Phantom Sapphire is a showcase for their capabilities, however it is possible for customers to add their own features beyond the Phantom Sapphire specification.”