This year signifies the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac, and Rolls-Royce is marking the occasion with two custom Phantoms—one tailored for China and the other intended for the U.S. market.
Named the Phantom Dragon editions, these vehicles are the inaugural special editions set to be released as part of the nameplate’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
The design for the Chinese Phantom Dragon edition draws its essence from an age-old tale of two dragons and a pearl. Legend has it that these dragons were rewarded with the pearl for their diligent protection of mankind.
Dragon imagery is prominently displayed throughout the car’s interior, which boasts red leather, complemented by wooden accents on the dashboard. Notably, the upper section of the dashboard showcases intricate marquetry depicting the two dragons, crafted from 297 individual wood pieces. They are portrayed as safeguarding the pearl, represented by a clock mounted on the dashboard.
Additional bespoke features include a starlit headliner displaying an abstract representation of the two dragons in red and white, created with over 1,200 fiber-optic lights. The rear picnic tables also showcase inlaid stainless steel circular Chinese zodiac calendars, where each zodiac sign is indicated by its Chinese character, with the dragon emphasized in gold.
The U.S. Phantom Dragon edition, specifically commissioned by Rolls-Royce of Orange County, is available solely through this dealership. This model integrates dragon motifs throughout, including on all four headrests, where the dragons are artistically rendered with red accent stitching. Each embroidered dragon is composed of 5,449 stitches and takes 20 hours to create. Additionally, the car features hand-painted coachlines on either side, subtly incorporating a dragon motif, with the dragons oriented towards the right, symbolizing the east.
The creation of the Phantom Dragon editions was overseen by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalization department, which is currently enhancing its facilities at Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood, U.K. plant to meet the rising demand for customized vehicles. This upgrade includes the addition of more Private Offices, similar to those utilized by clients who commissioned the Phantom Dragon Editions.
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