Rolls-Royce has pulled back the curtain on the Phantom Scintilla, an exclusive private collection that pays homage to the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy that adorns the bonnet of its vehicles.
The collection, limited to a mere 10 examples globally, is built upon the Phantom Extended platform, renowned as a robust canvas for bespoke customisation. The Phantom Scintilla celebrates the aesthetics and enduring legacy of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
Behind the design
The design of the Phantom Scintilla draws inspiration from the ephemeral presence of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
Inside, exquisite features echo the perceived movement of her robes as the car glides along. The graceful bespoke embroidery that flows throughout the cabin encapsulates the Spirit of Ecstasy's dynamism, culminating in an intricate Gallery artwork.
Other design elements subtly reference the figurine's origins, harkening back to the Parian marble used to sculpt the Winged Victory of Samothrace over 2000 years ago - the statue that sparked co-originator Claude Johnson's original vision for a Rolls-Royce mascot.
Cool in ceramic
The Spirit of Ecstasy figurine itself has been reimagined with a ceramic finish, subtly reminiscent of the texture of Parian marble while preserving its characteristic femininity and ethereality. "We were fascinated with the qualities of Parian marble, and this material became the subject of our research for many months," says Celina Mettang, Bespoke Colour and Material Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
"To create a clear and elegant connection to the famed statue, we developed a ceramic finish that captures the translucence and purity of this unique stone, and perfectly embraces the ethereal nature of our icon."
A symphony of stitches
The interior of the Phantom Scintilla showcases the skill and precision of Rolls-Royce's most elite artisans. The embroidery, described as "painting with thread," uses four different colours, thread thicknesses and stitch orientations to create a luminous effect.
This embroidery covers areas never before explored in a Rolls-Royce, resulting in the most extensive density of embroidery ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car. The full interior composition comprises a staggering 869,500 stitches and takes over 40 hours to complete.
A celestial pulse
The centrepiece of the Phantom Scintilla is the bespoke Celestial Pulse artwork in the Gallery, spanning the entire width of the front fascia.
The artwork features seven ribbons, each individually milled from solid aluminium and adorned with the same fine-grained ceramic finish as the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. The edges are polished to a mirror shine, capturing the light and creating a sense of movement and fluidity.
A fleeting moment
The Phantom Scintilla's bespoke Starlight Headliner features an animation inspired by the flowing gown of the Spirit of Ecstasy. 1500 fibre-optic 'stars', hand-placed in a unique pattern, illuminate in sequence, enhancing the sense of motion.
Rolls-Royce's design is complemented by 4450 perforations, deliberately made larger to reveal glimpses of a metallic silver fabric beneath, creating a subtle interplay of light.
A legacy of luxury
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla private collection is a testament to the marque's dedication to crafting bespoke, exquisitely crafted super-luxury products that are highly prized by collectors.
As Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, puts it, "We do not simply build motor cars — we create rare, complex and exquisitely crafted super-luxury products that are highly prized by collectors today and will be cherished long into the future."
