Tag Archives: Rolls-Royce

Irene Nikkein, APAC Regional Director of Rolls-Royce: Spirited Rise

Irene Nikkein is the new regional director, Asia Pacific for Rolls-Royce, taking over from Paul Harris who had been in the role for 11 years, and she’s taking this challenge positively.

In the evolving automobile industry, Nikkein has to look after the British marques’ business in Asia Pacific from the regional office in Singapore but the brand’s operations also cover key markets in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.

Nikkein has no qualms asserting her business sense and style in a male-dominated industry. Her humble beginnings started in BMW Asia back in 2007. She started as BMW Regional Experiential & Sponsorship Manager, was appointed Head of Marketing for MINI Asia in 2010 and then, relocated to MINI Japan in 2016 as Head of Brand Communication and Product Management. To date, she still reminisces about her time in Japan because her stint there taught her many valuable lessons, which she still carries with her when she took up the top job as Regional Director for Rolls-Royce.

As someone who has worked in a male-dominated industry, what would you like to see change for women? How do you think this can be accomplished?

“I think what a man will accomplish will always be very different from what I will accomplish as a woman for Rolls-Royce in the Asia Pacific region. We will push boundaries differently — certainly one of my focus points will be how our brand evolves over the next few years as we head into a new, electric future and with an increasingly younger, diverse customer base.”

Nikkein explains, “In the past, Rolls-Royce had included strong female characters in its brand communications with the previous generation of Ghost and more recently Phantom. The one that made me sit up was the latter, a campaign called ‘Rules Rewritten’ where Gwendoline Christie (of Game of Thrones fame) was washing a dirty Phantom — that certainly got my attention.”

Rolls-Royce is pivoting the way it communicates with its customers. The tagline, “Inspiring Greatness” aptly exemplifies this shift that the marque is taking. Last year, the company embarked on a campaign where three distinguished women were featured. Each of the ladies held different occupations and was paired to an iconic Rolls-Royce model. From the Phantom to the Ghost and the Cullinan, it was a reminder that Rolls-Royce cars are not solely for one gender.

Since 1904, the prestigious British marque has been courting the aristocratic, wealthy and the famous. Nikkein enthuses, “Rolls-Royce can really appeal to a broader set of people than the commonly perceived older segment. We are moving into different demographics and subgroups. In terms of more women working in the car industry, it’s already increasing.”

Aside from the increased emphasis on putting more women behind the wheels, Rolls-Royce contends that owning a Phantom, Ghost, or Cullinan is not simply for its utility. The marque’s status has transformed over the years, and it is perhaps more accurate to liken bespoke Rolls-Royce cars as art pieces — an alternative asset that will appreciate over the years.

The beaming Asia Pacific Regional Director of Rolls-Royce is contented working and living in Singapore on home ground and notes that women hold high positions in many companies, thereby, changing the perception of what a woman can achieve. However, Singapore’s unique position is not a common occurrence in other parts of the world, and she hopes to see more women in leadership positions.

Nikkein adds that it’s fair play for women and men in Singapore, but she would like to see more of the former in management roles. She adds that in Japan, in the context of putting women first in top business roles, the culture has just recently changed in the last few years. She emphasises that traditionally for women to be in leading positions, it’s been important to build respect first and work doubly hard.

When quizzed about some must-have traits of a modern working woman, she opines, “I think some women live their lives the way society expects them to be — to be someone’s wife, someone’s mother, someone’s partner… I think women should live their lives for who they want to be. It’s about appreciating your own self and being authentic.” Also, she says never to settle for less. “It’s not about always looking for something better, rather, it’s about continuing to improve yourself. It’s good to learn something new each day and challenge oneself.”

When she was asked, “So what do you think that women can bring to the table that is unique compared to men?”

She was quick to point out that women generally have better sensitivity than men. “I can sense someone’s view is not expressed during a meeting and I will drop him/her a note. I will check with the individual if he/she is okay? I guess women have the sixth sense.”

As a mother and career woman, does she find it hard to have both a career and a family? She feels the challenge between family and career will tend to conflict with a woman’s mind. She feels a woman must weigh the pros and cons and strive to obtain the family support she needs.

She points out the saying, “It takes a village to raise a kid.” She feels women should come forth and rally support when she needs it, and that business needs be more accommodating to single mothers or individuals who do not have an extended family around them.” Juggling career and family is never easy, so it’s important for family members to help out where possible.

Nikkein is also happy that she notices a lot of men are also stepping up to take on a lot more household responsibilities so women can focus on their careers. Perhaps, she would like men and women to share equal roles in the family, too, while balancing their careers.

Having worked at BMW for more than 15 years, Nikkein explains that there are more ups than downs. Her most memorable experience was working in Japan as a foreigner. In that culture she worked doubly hard to prove she was worth her salt. When you get recognition from Japanese colleagues she recalls, it’s very gratifying.

On how she would like Rolls-Royce to be as a company in the next five years under her leadership, Nikkein says, “I hope to gain a bigger footing in the Asia Pacific with an evolving wealth segment, especially in an era where more Ultra-High-Net-Worth individuals are younger, and transform the brand to be more modern.” She would like to continue to change the perception of Rolls-Royce as a luxury brand rather than an automobile brand. The self-effacing lady boss also quips, “As we move forward with this heavily storied and prestigious brand, Rolls-Royce will continue to be bold, we will push boundaries!”

The plans for a more daring Rolls-Royce have already started to unfold. The recently launched Black Badge Ghost epitomises this change. The new model consists of the company’s most technologically advanced equipment. It is said to be the “purest” Black Badge experience yet. Further adding to the opulent factor of Rolls-Royce is the option for personalisation, where customers can customise almost anything. This option for bespoke creation is the hallmark of a luxurious brand.

*The New Black Badge Ghost. Image: Rolls-Royce*

When questioned about the advice she would give to women aspiring to become leaders in the workforce, Nikkein beams. “My first advice is never to see yourself as disadvantaged, more as a capable worker. We must never enter a room feeling shy. Once acquainted with our industry and knowledgeable, people will treat one with respect. Also, it pays to have confidence, but not arrogance.” She also adds that women should not be afraid to ask for help. It does not show weakness. In fact, it shows that you are ready to take action and responsibility. Therefore, it’s always okay to ask for help.”

Lastly, when we asked her about a woman she admires, Nikkein was quick to point out that it was not a woman, rather, a man — Simon Sinek. Simon Oliver Sinek is a British-American author and inspirational speaker. She admires him for his inspirational leadership talks; his focus on leadership behavior and how to perform as a team rather than any performance disparities between genders at work.. Instead, it’s how each sex can do it differently yet achieve the same goals. However, she feels where women leaders potentially excel is the ability to show more empathy than their male counterparts. In a world where the number of highly successful female entrepreneurs are increasing, and the super-luxury segment comprises increasingly diverse audience, the rules are definitely being rewritten.

Salon Privé 2021: Rolls-Royce celebrates bespoke commissions

Rolls-Royce has displayed two of its bespoke commissions at Salon Privé 2021, an exclusive Concours d’Elégance held at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. The two cars on display are the Black Badge Wraith and the Black Badge Cullinan.

Black Badge Cullinan

The Black Badge Cullinan features a plethora of bespoke appointments, the most notable of which is a highly contemporary Bespoke Verde Ermes green for the coachwork. It also has a dark chrome Spirit of Ecstasy, blackened stainless steel exterior treatment and exclusive 22-inch part-polished Black Badge wheels to give the Cullinan a very bold feel. The interior features Havana trims on the seats, contrasted by Tan panels and Cashmere Grey accents on the seat piping.

Black Badge Wraith

The Black Badge Wraith also features a dark chrome Spirit of Ecstasy, however, it opts for 21-inch part-carbon fibre Black Badge wheels instead. Its coachwork is finished in a bold Iced Premiere Silver, which provides a delicious monochromatic contrast against its dark wheels and Spirit of Ecstacy. To give this Wraith a bit more depth, the interior incorporates a vivid Mugello Red.

Salon Privé 2021

As in the previous iterations of the event, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will lead the Tour Privé. This year’s rolling concourse will include a 120-mile (193km) tour of the Cotswolds, led by the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Deemed the latest iteration of the marquee’s most successful product, the Rolls-Royce Ghost leading the tour is presented in Salamanca Blue.

Apart from the Tour, visitors will be able to enjoy a host of other events over five days. This includes a display of some of the finest automotive brands today, including Aston Martin, Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche and many more. Salon Privé 2021 will also play host to numerous classic car specialists such as DK Engineering, Everrati, Jensen International Automotive and more. While the main focus of the event is automotive excellence, Salon Privé 2021 will also have various other luxury displays. Salon Privé TIME will showcase a selection of luxury watches from IWC, Montblanc, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin. The Luxury Retail Village is another highlight visitors should check out if they need a break from cars. Check out the brands on display here.

Learn more about Salon Privé 2021 here.

By Terence Ruis

Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection celebrates the forgotten record holder

Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Landspeed Collection

The year was 1937 when Captain George Eyston’s Thunderbolt reached a record land speed of 312 mph, powered by two Rolls-Royce R V12 aero engines. The British racer was not new to the world of racing as two years prior, he had already set new 24-hour and 48-hour endurance speed records held at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. For his outstanding achievements, he was presented with the Segrave Trophy — an award to “British national who demonstrates Outstanding Skill, Courage and Initiative on Land, Water and in the Air”.

While the world is acquainted with Sir Malcolm Campbell and his car, Blue Bird, he was bettered by Eyston and the new record timing would stay in place till 1939. More than eight decades later, Eyston’s accomplishments still hold a special place in the chronicles of Rolls-Royce. Determined to proclaim to the world Eyston’s inspiring feat, the British marque has unveiled two special versions of the Wraith and Dawn in a Black Badge finish, which collectively is called the Landspeed collection.

“With this Collection, we have revived Eyston’s memory and retold his remarkable story. Throughout Wraith and Dawn Landspeed, clients will find numerous subtle design elements and narrative details that recall and commemorate his amazing achievements, grand vision and exceptional courage.” — Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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The Landspeed collection, unfortunately, is not equipped with the V12 engines seen in the Thunderbolt. Only about 19 of these engines were ever made and the ones in the Eyston’s are now preserved at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon and the Science Museum in London. Motor enthusiasts be sure to mark down these places and make a quick pit stop when visiting the UK. In replacement, Rolls-Royce has fitted the well-known 6.6-litre twin turbo engine, which also provides the same horsepower as the V12.

In designing the marque’s Landspeed collection, the allure of the Bonneville Salt Flats has been irresistible to dismiss. Aside from being the prime location for famous motor events, stunning views at night also warrants attention. The star-filled sky is meticulously captured in the Wraith Landspeed’s Starlight Headliner, which calls to mind the heavens of 16 September 1938, the date that Eyston and Thunderbolt sealed their last land-speed record. Using exactly 2,117 fibre-optic ‘stars’, they are fastidiously placed to resemble the constellations of that date and the largest number of stars ever fitted in a Roll-Royce Wraith Starlight Headliner.

Elsewhere on the car, identical Grosgrain weave silk and colours as with Eyston’s accolades he had received during his lifetime can be found on the driver’s door — Military Cross for serving in the Great War, a Chevalier Légion d’honneur and the Order of the British Empire. Reminiscence of the Thunderbolt could be seen with the occasional splashes of yellow and black, a combination pertinent in allowing the day’s timing equipment to accurately record the results. The colours are translated subtly onto the clock, which also resembles closely to the instrument dials of the Thunderbolt.

The Landspeed collection will no doubt be rare as the marque has planned to only manufacture 25 Dawn Black Badge and 35 Wraith Black Badge.

By Joseph Low

New 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost represents post-opulent design: Perfection in simplicity

Emblematic of spearheading an era of post-opulence, the first Goodwood Ghost was a response to a whole new generation of clients, both in age and attitude. The Ghost is a slightly smaller, less ostentatious Rolls-Royce with the full flavour and provenance of the legacy and luxury which exemplified the brand for the last 116 years.

The most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet, the new Ghost reflects a minimalist philosophy which rejects superficial expressions of wealth, underpinning our last conversation with the brand’s Head of Bespoke Alex Innes, “ With a Rolls-Royce there’s always this sense of etiquette, and a feel for having just the right gesture, at the right moment that it’s perceptive to the situation whether it’s the careful offering of an umbrella from the door, as soon as it starts to rain or it’s indeed the fact that the coach doors open to the rear to ensure that you can access and egress the car in the most elegant fashion. There is this subtle sense of what’s right, these details extend also to people’s perception as well.”

‘post-opulent’, ‘limited, intelligent, and unobtrusive’.

Post-Opulent Aesthetics: New Rolls-Royce Ghost represents Perfection in simplicity

Indeed, as a quintessentially British brand, there’s a civility which permeates every fibre of a Rolls-Royce’s rigid aluminium spaceframe architecture. Over its ten-year lifespan, the Ghost has become the most successful model in the marque’s history for good reason: By listening carefully to their discerning clientele, the Goodwood carmaker inevitably set new benchmarks in customer centricity by creating a completely new motor car. Sublimely engineered, hugely charismatic, the new Ghost pushes technological boundaries which on the surface , appears more the purview of the makers of performance sports cars rather than stately sedans for captains of industry.

Beneath the surface, significant advances were made with the marque’s proprietary aluminium spaceframe architecture. A revolutionary development first used on Phantom, then Cullinan, this spaceframe is unique to Rolls-Royce and enables the brand’s designers and engineers to develop an authentically super-luxury product, free from the constraints of traditional platforms used to underpin high- volume vehicles.

Speaking to Rolls-Royce’s Luxury Intelligence Specialists, highly successful, diverse and globalised entrepreneurs and founders, spoke of their needs for a vehicle that could be as connected and integrated into their lives as their connected technology. They yearned for a drive that could perform the dual role from day-to-day business to a weekend drive: in other words a super-luxury saloon that was simultaneously dynamic, serenely comfortable and perfect in its minimalism.

Less but better

These were profound learnings: As Ghost clients required even more of their motor car, Rolls-Royce incorporated technology such as all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering in Ghost , unlocking an entirely new, purposeful personality that clients soon came to realise that Rolls-Royce could offer more than a chauffeur-driven experience.

Downplaying the parthenon-esque grille of the Phantom sedan and shifting to nimbler proportions, the Ghost enjoys the sensuous curves, departing from the high and crisply formal roof and shoulder lines of its other brethren, opting for for billet-smooth body panels and a tapered silhouette instead. According to Innes, ’Post Opulence’ is characterised by reduction and substance. In service to this, the Rolls-Royce Ghost curates exceptional materials and a simpler yet uncompromising aesthetic where Design is purposefully limited, intelligent and unobtrusive. What results is new Ghost. An automobile so precisely tailored to its clients, that it appears perfect in its simplicity which belies its remarkable substance.

The interior cabin of the Ghost echoes her exterior: a clean, almost uninterrupted dashboard with a generous dose of natural wood panelling and other esoteric (depending on your choice of bespoke material) finishing with a glowing Ghost nameplate on the passenger side using over 150 LED lights and 90,000 laser-etched dots to disperse some gentle, almost mesmerising ambient lighting.

“Bespoke” is not just some buzzword at Goodwood, it applies to the audio system as well. Highly engineered aesthetics incorporate a resonance chamber into the body’s sills, effectively turning the car into a giant sub-woofer. A home away from home, 18 channels to provide 1300W output, channelled through magnesium-ceramic speaker cones where active microphones detect frequency imbalances which the amplifier automatically compensates for, CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös calls it, “the best way to get through heavy traffic” and we agree.

Presciently and of utmost importance to Rolls-Royce since 2015, Micro-Environment Purification System with ultra-sensitive impurity sensors detect airborne contaminants, protecting clients from harmful carbon and pollen particles, as well as contaminants. One might tolerate the day-to-day reality of traffic James but Covid-19 isn’t really the kind of thing that can be ‘tolerated’. Detecting a threat, the MEPS has a Recirculation Mode channels all cabin air through a Nanofleece filter capable of removing nearly all ultra-fine particles from the Rolls-Royce’s micro environment in less than two minutes.

It’s very much a driver’s Rolls-Royce. The modular aluminium chassis with its bulkhead, floor, and crossmembers have been repositioned; and augmented by the world’s first Planar suspension system, the Ghost enjoys significantly improved agility and effortlessness. One doesn’t so much as drive a Ghost bur rather pilots it.

Equipped with the hallmark 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, delivering 571PS and 850nm, it’s not so much the power and impeccable handling but a holistic concept that Rolls-Royce dubs “Formula for Serenity”. Utilising 100 kilograms of sound-deadening material and know-how, Goodwood’s acoustic engineers identified ‘hidden inputs’ and examined every component to create a ‘near-silent’ soundstage – the trick of soundstaging is that anything would be an annoyance in a zero-sound environment, what the new Ghost demonstrates is a suppressed buzz and a ‘cultured’ but still no less throaty roar when the twin-turbo power plants kicks it up a notch.

The new Ghost is perfect in its simplicity, but created with maximum adaptability, a creature in harmony with the needs and multi-hyphenate portfolios of its high achieving owners and perfectly in tune with the times.

Discover the full story of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost

By Jonathan Ho

Alex Innes, Head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design on creating True Bespoke Luxury

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has been emblematic of the marque.

In a world where Rolls-Royce is used as a synonym description for an object that is the pinnacle of its product class, Alex Innes, the Head of Coachbuild Design is often tasked with the unenviable task of making the Rolls-Royce of Rolls-Royces. Leading a team of extraordinary designers, engineers and craftsmen, the English marque has been responsible for some of the most iconic models of our time, while avoiding the pitfalls of simply being derivations of existing designs.

It’s not everyday that a journalist gets to talk with a man who has been involved with some of the greatest milestone designs at truly the pinnacle of automotive manufacturing – cars like the Wraith, the Cullinan and of course, the Sweptail; so naturally, this lengthy read endeavours to discover what taking ownership of a Rolls-Royce truly entails and distils the brand values, which permeate every fibre of the world’s most recognisable luxury brand.

Alex Innes, Head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design on creating True Bespoke Luxury

Beginning his tenure right out of the college, Innes worked his way into Rolls-Royce’s most valued and arguably, storied department, the Coachbuilding division, where its most groundbreaking work is done. A department which lives up to the ethos which defined Savile Row for centuries and today, part of the fabric of supreme customisation and erudite creativity which has come to define true bespoke commissions of the world’s most luxurious automobiles; in essence, creating the Rolls-Royces of Rolls-Royce.

So, Alex, tell me a little about yourself, how does one go about creating the ultimate Rolls-Royce?

I joined as a designer, and was very fortunate to develop through the varying ranks in the studio to now take on responsibility as one of the chief designers, and my contribution today for the Rolls Royce is centred around working directly with the patron. What we’ve defined as bespoke Rolls-Royce is the notion of creating motorcars that reflect the image, and the personality of the customers behind it. It is characteristic of Rolls-Royces throughout history, and in fact it is one of the elements that really separates Rolls Royce as a unique proposition to any other luxury automobile. It is a canvas onto which customers can project, their personality and their image.

The modern editions of Rolls-Royce, particularly the new Black Badge editions and Fade to Black, feel a countercultural to the sombre elegance that is associated with historic Rolls-Royce. It’s unexpected and exciting but you’ve also had to design these cars in an environment where Fast and Furious movies have entrenched perceptions of what a supercar looks like. How do you design in an environment like this without turning the ultimate driver-centric Rolls-Royce into some grotesque approximation of some other supercar?

It was useful in my design career to have joined the brand at a time when the perception of Rolls-Royce was still one of a maker of sophisticated limousines. One of the very first briefs that I was given was to create a dramatic grand tourer for the marque with the sole purpose of shifting the perception of what a Rolls Royce motorcar could be; And that was incredibly tantalising, you know, and I would suggest that that seed was sown then back in 2008 has developed into the direction for the black badge attitude that now exists. It represents a real step change in terms of people’s perception of what a, what a Rolls Royce motor car could be. And we are very delighted to say it has been an enormous success for us in attracting buyers new and old.

More controversially, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge is exceedingly popular, so much so that a bit of the limelight has kind of gone off the Phantom. Would you ever see a future where Rolls-Royce is exemplified by the Wraith and not so much to Phantom anymore and, you know, what would it say in terms of branding and to you, what would it say about Rolls Royce as a car, and what it stands for?

I can’t speak for your part of the world but from what we understand, globally, it is quite the opposite. Actually of what you described. It’s important to understand that the Phantom is our flagship. It is a demonstration of great design acuity and wonderful artisanship, but more importantly, it is the most powerful representation for the character traits that make up a Rolls-Royce, that includes exclusivity. It is extremely exclusive for very good reason, because it sits at the apex of what we determined to be our pinnacle product offer. Wraith on the other hand, is a completely different proposition. It is designed to be a much more casual and much more approachable, much more drive orientated Rolls-Royce, and of course, that resonates more strongly with differing parts of the world where there are potentially more driver-orientated. Yeah, mentality. And of course that in turn will influence the success of that car locally, and I don’t know whether that is the case in Southeast Asia. But I can say the on a global level, the positioning that we wanted to achieve with the Phantom has grown and continues to be very very stable, which is something that we set out to achieve in the first place.

What would you say with your design muse for the Rolls-Royce Sweptail? Did you take any particular inspiration? it’s curvy in just the right places but it’s doesn’t look like your usual performance vehicle; it was completely unexpected and you couldn’t tell where the design cues begin or end…

I’m glad you described it the way that you did because that was certainly the intention. And to be really open with answering your question, it was really guided by the definition of the design in collaboration with the customer who was a super-yacht and aircraft specialist. I think the unique elements as I mentioned related to Rolls Royce motor cars that as a designer, not only are we charged with this great responsibility to move what is presumptively an iconic marque, but also to do so in close partnership together with our patrons and the Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a great example of the commission model that we work on, which is something that I think prompts people to describe us as more of a luxury brand than an automotive manufacturer.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail is emblematic of a commission model where we are sitting down with a client and understanding their aspirations, wants and desires. We’re all familiar with the term bespoke and unfortunately, it is a term overused in modern society. We can trace the definition of ‘bespoke’ back to Savile Row as a tailoring term derived from the terminology of when a cloth was cut for a specific customer and set to one side, and it was to be spoken for that individual.

If you break that down in the sense of the relationship was actually between the cutter and the patron and not the tailor as many people think, in the same way as Rolls-Royce’s relationship is between the designer, and the patron, but more importantly the understanding of the client came before the fact. And that is a true quintessential commissioned model. In the same way that you would commission house with an architect. And that’s how we work within the automotive industry. We never necessarily know beforehand where a collaboration with a particular individual would lead us. The Rolls-Royce Sweptail achieved a new level of ambition for us in terms of fashioning a wholly new exterior and interior design around the desires of that particular gentleman, but it also allowed us to venture into a completely new definition of character for the marque.

Even if it was a new and unexpected design language from Rolls-Royce, it was very much translated from the guiding descriptions that the client gave us – a strong formal upright frontal area that was a signature trait of a Rolls Royce but softened with a taper in terms of the line and overall volume of the car as it moved through to the rear. So, he was not guiding the pencil within the studio in terms of telling us exactly what to create, he was describing a certain philosophy and principle of representation that he wanted the car to imbue and we were able to then translate that into, into the final model.

The golden age of Rolls-Royce during the Interwar period: Silver Cloud II

Would you be able to share what some of your visual references when it comes to designing a vehicle such as this?

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail in particular, was a mixture of things. We referenced quite heavily what we consider is the golden age of coach building for Rolls-Royce (the interwar period). Those days, the bodies were fashioned by external coach builders according to the tradition at the time and Rolls Royce was merely providing the rolling chassis.

What was distinctive then is that it allowed the coach builder to create a unique identity, but also for the cars to reflect the character and personality of the commissioning client. This was a period where these Rolls-Royces took on a grander sense of occasion and scale, the like of which we have never seen since. And this, in many ways, still serves as a guiding reference today.

The original Silver Cloud

It was particularly central to the development of Rolls-Royce Sweptail that the client wanted to reimagine. It was representative of the grandiosity that existed in these early Silver Clouds, but at the same time it wasn’t some historic pastiche. He also wanted to fuse with it the modernity of some more contemporary references. I was very lucky to spend quite a lot of time with him on various yachts and boats where he was referencing the lines and the volumes and, particularly at the rear, where the, the stern of two yachts that he actually owned we were guided by his particular passion for yachts.

Was it hard for Rolls-Royce to design an SUV that didn’t look like a typical SUV because if you look at all the other marques out there now they’re just different flavours of SUV. With the Cullinan, you created something entirely unique, just how hard was it?

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was a result of a very different approach. I have to say it’s heartwarming to hear your observations of the wider SUV sector because this was exactly our impression as well: that nobody had really challenged it, and there was this feeling that some other marques were working on derivations of something that already existed. We knew right from the very beginning that we had to create the Rolls-Royce of SUVs.

With the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, there were two factors that really allowed us to do that. First and foremost, it was the opportunity to work with a standalone aluminium architecture that is unique to Rolls-Royce. We called it the architecture of luxury because it was proprietary architecture specific to Rolls Royce, and what it means is that we can create totally unique proportions volumes and heights like a big Meccano set: as a result, the Cullinan represents a unique proposition that can’t be traced back to anything else, you can’t spot the bone structure or the DNA of anything else, it stands in its own space as a totally unique Rolls-Royce. This was a strategic decision made by the brand several years ago to ensure that we have this standalone identity which is why it’s so encouraging to hear your observations.

The second element of the approach is that we took a completely different creative direction with the Cullinan. If you think about iconic Rolls-Royces styling and linework, they are elegant and genteel with a wonderful sense of grace. With Cullinan, we wanted it to be very different. We wanted to have a completely different attitude, it needed to reflect the robustness of what is Rolls-Royce’s vision for four by four capability. Rolls-Royce’s vision of the SUV also had to deliver a sense of presence the like of which we had never seen before. So it was something that we consciously wanted to depart from our normal workflow in developing saloon cars and limousines and indeed convertibles and coupe. I take comfort in your observations because we do proudly believe that Cullinan is a standalone proposition when you compare it to anything else that exists.

Rolls-Royce is very customer-focused, you understand what bespoke means but at the same time, you don’t really design by consensus – you design according to what you feel is right – so how do you bring the two contrasting philosophies together because most of the time customers don’t really know what they want?

The prospect that we have within the Rolls-Royce design studio is that we are working directly with the clients, so we have a short term perspective, that we’re afforded by way of this unique dialogue melded together with this long term ambition of where we need to raise them.

The typical automotive studio only has the responsibility to anticipate what the client may or may not want In five, four to five years time from now. With Rolls-Royce, you’re taking a relatively shorter time for developing the car with us, we have that responsibility, but we’re guided by the fact that we know today what our clients are asking for, and we can shift and change our approach based on exactly what we are hearing and detecting directly from our clients.

It comes back to this analogy of the cutters on Savile Row; we detected shifting attitudes to luxury and the pandemic has been an acceleration of changing representations and definitions of luxury. Our clients taking the time to go one step further in terms of scrutinizing the substance of whatever it was that they were letting into their lives, that we’re moving away from your nakedness and then the decoration of yesteryear towards a simpler, more reduced and distilled definition of luxury. We had sensed this quite some time ago now we’re starting to feed this new paradigm into our future model developments, so you can expect a pure cleaner, more timeless definition for Rolls Royce.

Some press colleagues have asked if the pandemic has decreased our interactions with clients. In reality, it is the exact opposite because our clients have been afforded the most precious commodity – time. it’s been amazing to know that they have dedicated that newfound time towards a proposition that is deeply valued for them – the commissioning of a Rolls-Royce and they have discovered a newfound level of attention and focus poring over the details: really obsessing over the singularity of what they are creating rather than the accumulation of perceived definitions of luxury from the past.

You mentioned that you received indications that the market heading towards particular directions in terms of design, could you share what some of those signals were?

If I would put my finger on it, it was noticing subtle shifts in attitude: Our clients wanted less, but they wanted it to be better. This plays perfectly to our strengths as a luxury brand because as a business we work to a scale of scope rather than volume. We ensure that we produce very few cars to maintain that exclusivity.

The ambition is that we can commission cars together with our patrons almost without constraint. If anything, this current period is only intensifying that philosophy and this leads to patrons wanting less but in the “wanting better”, they’re prepared to really push us to make sure that the quality of materiality, the balance of proportions, the expression of lines is absolutely perfect, because when they take delivery of that car they know it is going to mean a great deal to them, and they want to ensure that it will do so for an awful long time.

In the process of designing cars like the Black Badge or Wraith, these are basically performance vehicles and usually this genre of “sports car” is designed in such a way that it gives people who dislike you an excuse to call you a “wanker”; Was this an overarching considering during the initial conceptualisation phase? That Rolls-Royce performance vehicles should not ever give people reason to cuss you (even if under their breath)?

[Laughs] Not quite as explicitly as you described but I would mention this, and it’s something that we do talk about quite a lot within the studio that we, as a quintessentially British brand have a certain civility in our blood. I think many automotive brands take their identity and wear it on their sleeve, like referencing the Union Jack as a design element, it is quite obvious where the points of inspiration are; but for Rolls-Royce, our nationality, and our heritage, lives in our DNA. With a Rolls-Royce there’s always this sense of etiquette, and a feel for having just the right gesture, at the right moment that it’s perceptive to the situation whether it’s the careful offering of an umbrella from the door, as soon as it starts to rain or it’s indeed the fact that the coach doors open to the rear to ensure that you can access and egress the car in the most elegant fashion. There is this subtle sense of what’s right, these details extend also to people’s perception as well.

Okay, last question: before Apple gave us the iPod. We didn’t know we wanted an iPod so what’s next, what can Rolls-Royce offer us that we didn’t know we wanted?

That’s a good question and while we can’t speak about future models, I can tell you that we believe, fundamentally is that the future of luxury is individual. Our role as pioneers in luxury in the future will be defined by our ability to work together with our patrons, and for their image and their character to be captured in their Rolls-Royce motorcars, and the prospect of the power of ambition of our owners knowing that they are by common definition, highly successful people. When you take the ambition of those individuals and you pair it with one of the most iconic brands in the world, it makes for an incredibly exciting future.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur is coming to Penang Rendezvous 2019

Penang RendezVous 2019 is set to take place on the 11th to 13th October 2019 at Straits Quay in Penang and one of the key highlights of the three-day event is our partnership with the pinnacle of automotive luxury – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur.

For the coming event, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur will be showcasing two of the latest models from its prestigious stable of super-luxury cars – the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, the most luxurious on the market, and the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost, a bold, dynamic version of its award-winning saloon.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the first-ever all-terrain SUV manufactured by Rolls-Royce to make super-luxury off-road travel a reality for Ultra High Net Worth individual jet setters and luxury connoisseurs around the world.

Named after the world’s biggest natural diamond, the Cullinan boasts of luxury, performance and usability levels never before seen in the SUV market.

With its ‘architecture of luxury’: a bespoke aluminium space frame, 563hp, 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine and satellite aided transmission and some 100kg of sound insulation, the Cullinan promises the utmost in smoothness and quietness, along with with a Rolodex of other novel features, like a cargo compartment separated from the cabin, rear coach doors, and an automatic lowering system that drops the SUV 40mm when the driver approaches.

Also, to make it even more perfect for off-road adventures, the Cullinan features multiple driving modes as well as a suspension adjustment of +40mm, a superlative air suspension system, wildlife and pedestrian warning, alertness assistant, and four-cameras with all-around visibility and a “helicopter view” to offer its riders a panoramic view of their surroundings.

As for the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost, many have dubbed it as the most powerful Rolls-Royce saloon ever built and is designed for the generation of young, self-empowered, self-confident rule-breakers of today.

This new edition of the Ghost has been upgraded to its maximum potential with a 603hp, 6.6L twin-turbocharged V12 engine reaching a top speed of 250km/h (governed), making it the fastest Ghost to ever grace the road.

Sleek, bold and charismatic, the Black Badge Ghost features the ‘sanctuary’; a luxurious interior like no other designed to cocoon driver and passengers alike in the utmost luxury.

Drop by Penang RendezVous 2019 between 11th to 13th October 2019 at Straits Quay Marina to discover more about the new Rolls-Royce motor cars.

For more information on the event, please contact [email protected].

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur
Ground Floor, Quill 9
112, Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim
46300 Petaling Jaya,Selangor

Website: www.rolls-roycemotorcars-kl.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rollsroycemotorcarskl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rollsroycecarskl

Yacht-like cabin interiors are becoming a trend

Lufthansa Technik’s new SkyRetreat Concept is reminiscent of yacht style

Lufthansa Technik, the design and engineering division of Lufthansa airlines recently unveiled SkyRetreat a VIP cabin interior concept for the Airbus A220. Presented at the recent European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibitions (EBACE) in Geneva, Lufthansa’s SkyRetreat concept is reminiscent of the increasing adoption of yacht style (no pun intended) thanks to the appeal of naturalist approaches which makes generous use of “warm” fixtures and fittings like wooden decking, furnishings and plush leather seating.

Yacht-like cabin interiors are not a new concept. Famously, luxury automotive carmaker Rolls-Royce employed artisan specialists who have previously worked with Princess Yachts and Sunseeker. In the 2000s, Rolls-Royce secured the skills of famed Coachline painter Mark Court, and started to deploy the teak decking found on yachts on models like the Rolls-Royce Dawn and the Phantom drophead. This new direction necessitated that the British luxury car marquee had to hire people from shipyards, according to an exclusive LUXUO/Yacht Style interview with CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös.

In the field of aviation, the SkyRetreat’s yacht interior is an unconventional approach designed around minimalism, integrating tech gadgetry into the cabin much like an Observation Lounge on an ocean-going vessel albeit not so much for safety on rough seas but simply for its Zen appeal – 4K display screens roll-up and hideaway when not in use.

The Yacht-like cabin interior sees rows of seats replaced with welcoming L-seating sofas and marble fixtures paired with yacht-like wooden decking and other matching furnishings. In a 2017 conversation with South China Morning Post, Carla Demaria, president of Monte Carlo Yachts and Thibaut de Montvalon, APAC director for Beneteau, Lagoon’s parent company are quick to point out that yacht companies are adapting new models to suit Asia-Pacific tastes; the yacht’s ability to be customised is a big drawing card for Asian owners in particular Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian and Hong Kong clientele.

Hence, the eventual adoption of yacht cabin styles for private jets in 2019 is not an altogether surprising phenomenon. The SkyRetreat concept will be exhibited in full at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

Interview: Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller Otvos

The Cullinan has fast become one of Rolls-Royce’s most successful models

Named for the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the Goodwood brand’s belated if epic response to the SUV genre of automobiles. During the early days of the SUV growth spurt, Rolls-Royce briefly courted some controversy when they declared that a sport utility vehicle and all its connotations of “practicality” and “utility” would run counter to the brand’s automotive ethos. Nevertheless, when Rolls-Royce sets it mind to making a sport utility vehicle, by damned, it’s going to be an SUV worthy to carry the Rolls-Royce badge. The Cullinan, the Goodwoord marque’s first SUV, is also the brand’s first all-wheel drive vehicle.

When you pay a certain price, it comes with certain expectations and we spend over 800 hours making a single Rolls-Royce to ensure that it is immaculate. This is our competence. – Rolls-Royce CEO on build quality of his cars

Swinging through the East, starting in Japan, spending some time in Seoul, LUXUO’s Jonathan Ho and YACHT STYLE’s Gael Burlot eventually caught up with CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös at the Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore to talk about the direction of Goodwood and the potential of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös on brand direction and the growth potential of the Cullinan

In fact, with the Cullinan, we’ve begun to use words at Rolls-Royce that we never thought we would use like “utility” and “practicality” – Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller Ötvös on the new Cullinan

LUXUO Group Managing Editor Jonathan Ho and YACHT STYLE Publisher Gael Burlot in conversation with Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller Otvos at TMO, the lobby lounge of the Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

You have enjoyed great success in 2018, especially in Asia, could you share some of the factors which contributed?

It was a record year for us historically. In comparison to 2017, we had full availability of the Phantom in 2018 and it had fantastic reception, becoming our main driver of revenue for that year. We were also helped with the launch of the Cullinan which brought lots of attention to the brand as you can imagine. We have delivered a cars since last Christmas across the ranges: Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and of course the Phantom. Furthermore, many markets are in excellent condition, the United States, our biggest; the Middle East is recovering while China is growing from strength to strength. Meanwhile in East Asia, Japan and Korea in particular, show amazing growth rates, totalling up to 1700 cars last year in all [laughs].

How has this exuberant growth affected your operations? Have you had to appoint more apprentices to the program?

We’ve had to employ 200 more crafts people to deal with the demand for the Cullinan. Our brand is running in contrary to what is evident in the UK automotive industry, we’re in very good shape. We want to continue our growth rate. We are always looking for more apprentices because it is not easy to find the skills required for our products, we are always looking into training and educating our staff. The best example is that coachline painting has to be done by hand and we only have three artisans capable of doing this under the guidance of Mark Court, famed Coachline painter; hence, we are always on the lookout for new people to train in all artistic fields required: embroidery, marquetry, etc. We’ve had a record intake of apprentices this year as well, we will probably continue for a number of years to come.

Do you share craftsmen in common with British shipyards like Princess and Sunseeker?

No, we have done so in the past. The teak decking found on so many yachts can also be found on models like the Dawn and the Phantom drophead. Back then, we had to get the marine skills to make that decking. We used to hire people from shipyards but not anymore because they are quickly snapped up by Princess and all the others. For this reason, we are no longer sharing but we have amicable relations. When you pay a certain price, it comes with certain expectations and we spend over 800 hours making a single Rolls-Royce to ensure that it is immaculate. This is our competence.

Torsten, pictured with the latest and greatest Rolls-Royce Cullinan parked outside the Fullerton Bay Singapore

You have the ability to offer really bespoke products…

Indeed, I dare say Rolls-Royce wouldn’t exist if we weren’t able to deliver this experience. 98% of all cars leaving Goodwood are heavily bespoke because once you decided that you want a Rolls-Royce, a lot of creativity goes into making the ultimate car your own. Your imagination is our limit. The bespoke division alone employs over 100 people: engineers, designers, consultants and so forth.

With this level of hyper-luxury, do you find any synergies or similarities with other industries like watchmaking or the arts?

Very much so. In fact, many of our clients are very interested watches way beyond the kind that I would wear [he wears a Vacheron Constantin Patrimony]. These timepieces are commissioned by them and just for them, over half a million dollars or more by watchmakers I have not even heard of before. We share common ground in our attention to details and artistry. Art and even bespoke tailoring inspires us, I’m glad that luxury exists because it’s an enriching lifestyle.

he eighth-generation Phantom featured a dashboard panel fashioned from a single piece of glass, allowing three-dimensional artworks to be displayed. This is known as the Rolls-Royce Gallery.

We have seen C-level Executives from yacht companies crossing over to luxury automotive brands, are there crossovers in design or more potential collaborations?

We deal a lot with Burgess. We also attend all the relevant boat shows (Monaco Yacht Show, etc) because client profiles are very similar. We have also launched cars on the decks of yachts and we provide a great experience on the Sydney Harbour as we unveil a car on the helipad with a great party. Amazing photo-opportunities. Part of the allure of luxury is our ability to surprise and delight a client: Rolls-Royce is not in the car business, we are in the luxury goods business, nobody actually needs us and so we have to create something they absolutely want. It’s all about inspiration at the end of the day.

Have you been asked to incorporate your designs onto their yachts?

What we have seen happen is clients who want the Rolls- Royce feel for their Gulfstream. Sometimes certain colours and key details are commissioned to match. As you get to know your customers better, you will find key elements and themes will be commissioned for his helicopter, home and private jet. His DNA is reflected in his environment.

Interior of the Rolls Royce Cullinan

The media landscape changes often, is there a platform you find particularly effective to reach ultra high net worth individuals?

It’s very much driven by private functions and money can’t buy invitations. We do a lot on social media and electronic direct marketing. Broader advertising is not very effective for us. The brand doesn’t have a problem for not being recognised or being unknown, everyone knows Rolls-Royce, for us, it’s all about targeting customers. We do more with digital intelligence and digital science to identify potential prospects and finally, the most important thing is that the potential customer needs to test-drive it. You can talk about a Rolls for hours but nothing compares to the experience, particularly on a model like the Cullinan. This model approaches customers we have never seen before and its crucial for them to drive it first thus, we started having exclusive drive events which allow the customers to drive it for a day so they understand what it means to own one.

When I last saw you at the launch of the Wraith, you mentioned that this was the ultimate self-drive Rolls-Royce, is the Cullinan more for personal driving or for people to be driven in?

Self-drive is the name of the game. You hardly see in Asia that our cars are operated in chauffeur mode with the exception of the Phantom. Nobody operates a Dawn or Wraith or Black Badge in chauffeur mode. The Cullinan is 80% self driven. Funnily enough, the demographics have changed as well, our customer profiles are skewing younger and younger over the last years. They are so much younger than they used to be 10 years ago thanks to new business models, IT, apps, Fintech and technology entrepreneurs. If you are smart and creative, it’s much easier to make money today than 20-30 years ago hence, we are getting new customers we have never seen before including families and female customers.

Rolls Royce Black Badge Dawn

How do you precisely target this younger generation in Asia?

Just to go on a slight tangent, Bloomberg reported that the car brand most mentioned in pop songs and music videos is Rolls-Royce by far. In a way, with all the influential celebrities and pop cultural influences, this becomes a self-fulfilling mechanism which helps us a lot. We can’t influence this and we are not paying influencers, this authenticity comes from natural, organic, influence. We also created a lot of marketing collaterals and assets which help support the eco-system. The Black Badge with a black Spirit of Ecstasy also helped to create an “edgy” Rolls-Royce which resonated with younger audiences. Success with the Black Badge has shown us how to connect with these consumers.

We have seen Rolls-Royce entering less developed markets like Kazakstan and closer to home, Cambodia, what are some of the considerations when choosing which market to enter? What would be the trigger to enter such a market?

We look at the market potential. We don’t open a dealership because we have 5 or 6 ready customers, we look into the long term to see what potential there is and how many high net worth individuals are in the area, will there be potential growth over time? We look at mutual growth opportunities. Our partner invests big money and we want to ensure that it is a successful enterprise, especially for us brand-wise. It takes a year at minimum to analyse, make a conclusion, develop a business plan and then execute. I would say that we are happily covered globally, there’s no need for further expansion, we are currently sitting on 135 partners and representatives in 56 countries worldwide and that’s sufficient. It’s easy to harvest the low hanging fruit like the first 4 or 5 customers but once they’ve bought, you have to look for the others and if they’re not there, then you are in trouble. Having a luxury dealership close because there’s no business doesn’t convey the prestige of success if you fail.

The Rolls-Royce Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé, a one-of-a-kind Bespoke vehicle created exclusively for customers in Dubai

Do you find the same situation with other luxury car brands where the infrastructure or roads not ready to support these vehicles but people still want to buy?

Yes we do. Cambodia and Africa are good examples where certain individuals just collect the cars. India is a difficult market for us even with the long-standing history between the country’s maharajahs and the brand. We are still selling cars there but the combination of lack of infrastructure, a complicated tax scheme and the government not supporting luxury consumption adds up to create a slower market for us there. In fact, Indian journalists often ask when India will be overtaking China so there’s definitely the aspiration for luxury, just not the consumption.

China has clamped down on luxury consumption as well haven’t they?

They did it years ago during President Xi’s investigation of corruption scandals and that dampened demand for luxuries for not just cars but timepieces and other luxuries. Things have since normalised and now business is in good shape in China.

The Cullinan is sold out far into the 3rd quarter 2019 and the beginning of the 4th quarter.

How do you measure success and importance of a model like Cullinan in Asia?

We have our business matrixes whenever we conceive a new model. We are not sales or volume driven. We are profit driven. My target for the BMW group (our shareholders) is profit and we are tasked with how we want to reach it. We need to sell cars otherwise we wouldn’t generate revenue but I think we have conservative plans because it is even better to achieve victory when we overshoot these goals. The Cullinan is sold out far into the 3rd quarter 2019 and the beginning of the 4th quarter. The whole plant is doing extra shifts to cope with demand but there is a limit to how many we can produce. The Cullinan appeals to families and female customers for many reasons – the power, strength and safety of an SUV. In fact, with the Cullinan, we’ve begun to use words at Rolls-Royce that we never thought we would use like “utility” and “practicality” – you can take the kids to school or throw the dogs in the back.

Rolls-Royce is backed by the electrical engineering technology of parent company – BMW Group

What is Rolls-Royce’s stance on the environment? Any plans to go electric?

We will go full electric and not hybrid within the next decade. We are probably one of the last ones offering 12 cylinder combustion engines and there are a growing number of markets which will no longer allow combustion vehicles in the current form. For this reason, we need to prepare ourselves and I believe that a fully electric car fits very well with the brand in terms of instant full torque and silent running. I’m very optimistic that evolution of battery technology will see improved range that is inline with what we expect from a Rolls-Royce. We are also part of the BMW group which has invested massively into electric drives.

Where do you believe the next big opportunity for the brand?

I would say the next big thing is electrification. These technologies will be developed in-house using BMW Group technology but most importantly, it has to be a proper Rolls-Royce at the end of the day. This is one phase. The next phase is also to enter real customer commissioned bodies and coachbuilds.

Rolls-Royce will be looking into more serious bespoke options right down to bodywork commissions in the future

What is the biggest challenge for Rolls-Royce in Asia?

Uncertainty in business – from lowering taxes or consumer sentiment. You only buy a Rolls-Royce when you feel good because you don’t need one to travel from A to B. Consumer sentiment is the most troubling because it is a very big influence on our customers who are business people and entrepreneurs worried about politics, international trade routes, trade relations, tax wars between countries. This is the biggest concern in general, not just Asia.

Any challenges due to Brexit?

It’s extremely hard to forecast. We are very much worried and we are urging the government to create a smooth transition. A hard Brexit will disrupt our logistic chains overnight, the flow of skilled labour from outside the UK – 30% of our staff are non-Brits. Going down the wrong alley would not be good for our business. Not from a tax or import tariff perspective but the super delicate logistics chains which will affect the flow of parts for our cars. We are importing 38,000 components daily, higher for some models and I only need to lose one part and we cannot finish a product anymore. Only 10% come from UK suppliers and even these suppliers will have sub-suppliers in Europe, this chain is very delicate and our products are super bespoke with specific configurations. I cannot afford to go on a stock hold for components.

Is the contingency plan a Rolls-Royce that is not from Goodwood?

No. Definitely not. We will not move to our factory to Europe, our contingency plan is alternative routes for logistics and even the feasibility of flying components into the country to avoid jams on the border. But all this is limited because we can only sustain this for a short period.

A tour inside the Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV

Christened with the name of the largest diamond ever discovered, the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV has finally landed in Malaysia.

Bearing the classic Rolls aesthetics, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the crème de la crème in the SUV category. With a height of 1,836mm and 22-inch wheels, Rolls-Royce Cullinan is made to perfection in terms of performance, comfort and refinement – thanks to the ‘Architecture of Luxury’, a bespoke platform incorporated within this gem.

This ultra-luxury SUV is also a tough beast where it is able to load things up to 560 litres and 1930 litres when the rear seats are folded.

Upon entering the car, you will instantly feel the aura of luxury unleashed by the interiors of the opulent car especially the ‘Box Grain’ black leather upholstery. You will then discover a fixed rear centre console as you explore the Cullinan.

Providing a truly luxurious experience, the console accommodates a drinks cabinet storing Rolls-Royce whisky glasses and decanter at the front; while it stores champagne flutes and fridge in the rear. Not to mention, the seat is also installed with ventilation and massage functions to provide exceptional comfort for the passengers on long journeys.

What makes the Rolls-Royce Cullinan a precious jewel is the features integrated inside this paragon of luxury. Upon activation using a bespoke key, Cullinan will lower down itself to make entry easier for anyone. Electronic-closing doors and panoramic glass roof aside, the car offers an impeccable experience with studio-grade 18-channel, 18-speaker Bespoke audio system, touch-screen operated video entertainment systems and Rolls-Royce’s signature picnic tables.

On top of that, Rolls-Royce Cullinan also comprises a unique glass partition to muffle noise from outside and optimise temperature within the car.

When it comes to safety, Rolls-Royce does not take it for granted. Driving off-road, the wheels with electronically-controlled air suspension will regulate itself to ensure the car is in contact with the ground all the times.

Meanwhile, maximum torque is delivered effectively to the wheels. Other safety features included are Vision Assist, Alertness Assistant and a 4-Camera system with panoramic view, all-around visibility as well as helicopter view.

Discover more about the new Rolls Royce Cullinan here for more info.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan takes on new high roads

Since its announcement three years ago, the “most anticipated” Rolls-Royce Cullinan marks a shift away from the luxury saloon cars the luxury brand is best known for.

An all-terrain high-bodied car, the Cullinan will realise the urban dream of luxury off-road travel.

Named after the world’s biggest natural diamond, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan launches with luxury, performance and usability levels never before seen in the SUV market.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan certainly signifies the changing consumer demand, as more luxury car makers such as Bentley and Lamborghini have also launched SUVs, with Ferrari following the trend next year. With keen intentions of overtaking the Range Rover and Bentley Bentayga to become the new king of the ultra-luxury SUV segment, Rolls Royce has invested heavily in both the production and marketing of its Cullinan.

The 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 Rolls-Royce engine delivers 563bhp/420kW and 850Nm/627lb ft of torque to all-wheel drive and steer system needed to overcome any challenge.

Branded as a full-capability off-roader “able to do whatever a Range Rover can do”, Rolls-Royce stresses Cullinan’s breadth of capability with a series of artfully filmed clips showing prototypes tackling rough roads and huge dunes, with the slogan “effortless, everywhere”.

A century-long pedigree of adventurous quests and campaigns successfully carried out across all terrains thanks to the luxury offered by a stout vehicle that was swift, stealthy and dependable. “A Rolls in the desert is above rubies” – T.E. Lawrence.

The contemporary and functional design ensures Cullinan gains iconic status in the face of increasingly bland SUV designs. Retaining the refinement and luxury of a limo, the Cullinan is perhaps most practical of Rolls-Royces – versatile, family oriented, fun-to-drive.

The first “three-box” car in the SUV-sector. Cullinan’s partition wall creates a distinct environment for passengers, separated from the luggage compartment.

Built with a modular aluminium space frame and a twin-turbo V12, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan promises utmost smoothness and quietness. The 563bhp is developed at a relaxed 5000rpm, while the peak torque of 627lb ft occurs at only 1600rpm, made for optimal performance both off-road and on-road.

The SUV also has a rolodex of other novel features, like a cargo compartment separated from the cabin, suicide rear doors, and an automatic lowering system that drops the SUV 1.5 inches when the driver approaches.

The interior of the car is fashioned with the brand’s usual paragon of quality and style, lined with box-grain leather and comes with an impressive array of equipment. In the face of adventure, it plays even more roles, with wildlife and pedestrian warning, alertness assistant, and four-cameras with all-around visibility and a “helicopter view” to offer its riders a panoramic view of their surroundings.

The cabin of the Cullinan combines authentic Rolls-Royce luxury with simple, symmetrical functionality that expresses the car’s inherent strength.

The Bespoke division even offers a Viewing Suite and Recreation Module – a superbly made container filled with tools tailored to the buyer’s lifestyle demands, from croquet to drone racing.

To explain the shift in focus to luxury SUVs, Chief Executive Officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös observes how the changing target group of “ultra-high net worth individuals” has gotten “younger and younger”, with many rejecting the “old cliche that Rolls-Royce is chauffeur-only”. The new clientele wants to “drive themselves”, in a car that boosts versatility – “fits to go to the opera, which brings you up to the chalet in the Swiss Alps and so on”.

Also available in classic Tungsten Grey and a more striking shade of Magma Red, deliveries of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan will begin in 2019.

Get this diamond of a car here.

This is the Rolls Royce that Indulged Lennon’s Dream of Being an Eccentric Millionaire

The Rolls-Royce Phantom V owned by John Lennon will be on display in London at Bonhams’ exhibit “The Great Eight Phantoms.” Photo credit: Bonhams/Royal British Columbia Museum

The Phantom V previously owned by John Lennon is definitely one you’ll never forget when you see it. And thanks to auctioneers Bonhams, fans of the former Beatle and any other members of the public in the UK will be able to go and see the ‘John Lennon Phantom V’ between July 29 and August 2 at Bonhams on New Bond Street in London.

It’s all because the legendary British luxury manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, has announced it’s going to be celebrating the 50th anniversary year of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by bringing the colorful Phantom V back home to London for the British public to enjoy, for a short while at least.

Although originally owned by Lennon, the iconic car is now owned by the Royal British Columbia Museum in Canada. ‘The John Lennon Phantom V’ will now make the journey from its home in Canada to London to join ‘The Great Eight Phantoms,’ which is a very special Rolls-Royce Exhibition being held at Bonhams. The auctioneer’s London home where the exhibition is being held is on New Bond Street, which is also an area that was regularly visited by Lennon in this very car during the late 1960s.

Lennon originally took delivery of the Phantom on June 3, 1965, and at that point it was in its original Valentine Black. He later revealed he’d always wanted to be an eccentric millionaire, and the Rolls-Royce would go on to become an important step towards achieving his dream.

In the true rock-star way of things, Lennon didn’t want to settle for an ‘ordinary’ Rolls-Royce, so he went about having it customised. The rear seat was turned into a double bed; a television, telephone and a refrigerator were fitted, and a ‘floating’ record player and custom sound system that included an external loud hailer were also added.

However, the finishing touch was the ‘psychedelic’ paint job Lennon decided to have done by Surrey coachbuilders, JP Fallon, which he asked for in April 1967 as the recording of the game-changing “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album was concluding.

The car was shipped to the USA in 1970, and in 1977, after a period in storage, it was eventually donated by billionaire Jim Pattison to the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.