Celebrate the Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon in the year of the snake
Rolls-Royce is renowned for crafting exceptional products that blend global luxury with deep cultural respect. One of the brand’s key strengths is its ability to integrate cultural iconography into its Bespoke designs, resulting in timeless masterpieces.
The Phantom Extended Dragon, commissioned to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, stands as a remarkable example of this expertise, demonstrating the skill and creativity of Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke designers, engineers, and craftspeople. This one-of-one commission showcases an intricately designed Bespoke Gallery featuring a floating dragon, created through the delicate art of marquetry, a highly demanding technique in automotive interior design.
Moreover, designed to honor China’s rich cultural heritage, Phantom Dragon was commissioned by a discerning Chinese client and features a modern interpretation of the ancient Chinese legend of two dragons and a pearl. This motif is widely celebrated in East Asian art, architecture, and literature, symbolizing success, balance, and enlightenment.
The design theme of Phantom Dragon is rooted in a 3,000-year-old legend of two dragons, protectors of the human realm, who were gifted a divine pearl by the gods. Their selflessness and mutual respect ultimately led to their ascension as deities. The dragons, symbolizing power and fortune, are complemented by the pearl, which represents purity and perfection.
The combination of these elements also reflects the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang, a central concept in Chinese philosophy. The Bespoke Gallery in Phantom Dragon spans the entire width of the fascia and features marquetry crafted from 297 individual pieces and four distinct wood species.
On top of that, smoked Eucalyptus forms the base, while Sycamore and Ash burr veneers represent the intricate shapes of the dragons and swirling clouds. The piece’s depth is enhanced by Black Bolivar veneer shadows, giving the illusion that the dragons are floating.
Additional Bespoke features include high-gloss Smoked Eucalyptus door panels, Ardent Red and black leather seats, and embroidery of the client’s family name in ancient Chinese calligraphy. The Starlight Headliner further elevates the design, showcasing an abstract depiction of two dragons rendered in red and white fibre-optic lights.
The Phantom Dragon is a fitting tribute to the Year of the Dragon, marking a significant moment in Rolls-Royce’s history and signaling the start of the Phantom nameplate’s centenary in 2025. It is a testament to the brand’s unique ability to create bespoke vehicles that are not only symbols of luxury but also deeply connected to their cultural roots.
