rolls-royce debuts pearl inspired 'boat tail' on the shores of lake como

‘a moving work of art’, says rolls-royce

Rolls-Royce unveiled the second of three coachbuilt ‘Boat Tail’ commissions at the 2022 edition of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. Rumoured to cost $28 million, the stunning rose gold coupé was created for a client whose family business has grown from his father’s origins in the pearling industry. Paying homage to this heritage, the bespoke vehicle features a unique exterior finish and interior detailing inspired by mother-of-pearl.

‘Every Rolls-Royce Coachbuild commission is, of course, incredibly special; but in this case, there was an additional depth of feeling,’ explains Alex Innes, Head of Coachbuild Design at Rolls-Royce. ‘Creating a motor car in honor of a revered client’s father and family history is an extraordinary privilege; a responsibility that we took very much to heart. The commissioning patron’s deep-rooted connection to Boat Tail is an inspiration – the result far exceeds a means of conveyance to become, quite literally, a moving work of art.’

images courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

handcrafted aluminum meets bespoke color finishes

Boat Tail’s yacht inspired body was shaped entirely by hand using large sheets of aluminum. For the finish, the coachbuild designers worked with the client, who presented them with four uniquely colored pearl shells as reference.

The final shade is described by Rolls-Royce as a shimmering blend of oyster and soft rose, with large white and bronze mica flakes adding a unique pearlescent quality that changes subtly under different light conditions. The contrasting cognac-colored bonnet, created specifically for this Boat Tail, contains fine bronze and gold colored aluminum mica flakes complete with a layer of crystal and iced matt clear coat, adding significant warmth and depth to the car’s appearance. The technical fiber lower sills of Boat Tail incorporate a rose gold woven thread.

The Spirit of Ecstasy–Rolls-Royce’s bonnet sculpture–was fashioned in rose gold

royal walnut veneer and pearlescent leather interiors

The rear deck contains a unique ‘butterfly-design’ hosting suite and is clad in Royal Walnut veneer, inlaid with rose gold-plated pinstripes with a satin-brushed finish. The Pantheon Grille at the front of car is milled from a single, solid billet of aluminum while The Spirit of Ecstasy—Rolls-Royce’s bonnet sculpture—is fashioned in rose gold.

For the interiors, the coachbuild designers matched cognac and oyster-colored leathers, complete with a pearlescent finish. There’s also Royal Walnut veneer and rose gold and mother-of-pearl accents throughout. The transmission tunnel is formed from Royal Walnut veneer with rose gold pinstripes, drawing a direct visual reference to the rear deck and adding a glowing warmth to Boat Tail’s interior.

The centerpiece of the dashboard is a timepiece made from mother-of-pearl, chosen and supplied by the client from his own collection; the fascia of which is pure and minimal in its appearance so as not to detract from the precious material. The same prised substance graces the control switches and instrument dials, creating a strong visual and material connection between the car, the owner, and his family heritage.

the rear deck is clad in Royal Walnut veneer

‘Coachbuild elevates our work as a House of Luxury into a new space; it is the haute couture of our industry,’ says Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. ‘For the commissioning patron it offers the ultimate in individuality, self-expression and Bespoke service. Far more than just a beautiful motor car, a coachbuilt creation becomes a legacy that embodies something extraordinarily personal and emotionally resonant for each client.

Müller-Ötvös continues, ‘For our designers, too, Coachbuild provides unparalleled creative freedom; opportunities to take design, materials, engineering and craftsmanship to the very highest levels. For Rolls-Royce as a marque, it is both a return to our roots and a contemporary revolution, in which we deliver the impossible in conventional automotive manufacturing into a stunning reality.’

‘Boat Tail is a step-change in ingenuity and creative liberty,’ adds Innes. ‘Building a motor car by hand offers a new realm of exploration and possibility: we can accomplish things and resolve challenges that normal industrialised methods would prohibit. This is the tale of two worlds: a modern motor car of contemporary design, made possible by historical techniques and time-honoured craft. It is truly, one-of-a-kind.’

the car’s distinctive outline is inspired by racing yachts from the early 20th century