Rolls-Royce Marks Phantom's 100th Anniversary with Special Dragon Theme

Rolls-Royce unveiled the Phantom Extended Dragon model, a timeless tale of grace and generosity. Created for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Phantom and distinguished by unique details, the dragon-inspired coating art features 297 individual pieces.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars introduced an exceptional Phantom Extended model designed by Private Office Shanghai as a celebration of the Year of the Dragon. Commissioned by a select customer based in China, the Phantom Dragon presents a modern interpretation of the legendary tale of two dragons and a pearl. This motif carries deep symbolism celebrated across East Asian art, architecture and literature, bearing significant cultural meaning. This unique example from the brand's flagship products magnificently marks the conclusion of the Year of the Dragon and the beginning of the Phantom's 100th anniversary in 2025.

At the foundation of this special commission lies a design that blends Rolls-Royce's meticulous and in-depth interpretation of traditional Chinese iconography with the brand's own creative signature. With increasing interest in the Rolls-Royce brand among younger consumers in the country, the integration of Chinese culture with international aesthetics has become an important turning point for the nation's luxury sector.
Designed by Rolls-Royce creators in China, the Phantom Dragon became a work of art that honours this enduring cultural symbol while reflecting the personal sensibilities and taste of the commissioning customer.

Shuai Feng, Lead Bespoke Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Private Office Shanghai, said the objective of this project was to express China's most revered symbols and the customer's personal iconography in an impressive and respectful manner: "With this automobile, our craftsmen succeeded in capturing the rich heritage of the region, the customer and the Rolls-Royce brand by using different materials."

The Dance of Dragons
In the Phantom Dragon, Chinese iconography was creatively and respectfully integrated into the fundamental design elements of the vehicle's interior. The design theme drew inspiration from an ancient legend dating back more than 3,000 years, in which two dragons, protectors of mankind, are granted a sacred pearl by the Gods for their good deeds.

Traditional Motifs
The Gallery located on the front console of the Phantom Dragon houses a special marquetry art featuring 297 individual pieces made from four different types of wood. A craftsman at Rolls-Royce spent three months on this striking feature, including meticulously cutting the veneer shapes and hand-assembling and securing them.

The artwork represents two dragons positioned within swirling clouds, protecting the pearl embodied in a Bespoke timepiece. The base layer is crafted from smoked eucalyptus wood, while shape boundaries are defined by sycamore veneer just 0.5 mm wide. Red oak bark was used to imitate the texture of clouds due to its natural grain structure. The 'shadows' of black Bolivar veneer create the impression of dragons gliding over the surface, giving the design a sense of depth.

Extraordinary woodcraft manifests in this special commission through details such as high-gloss smoked eucalyptus elements and door panels shaped from natural open-pored smoked eucalyptus wood. The forward and rearward-reclining seats feature Ardent Red and black leather respectively, while the customer's family name is meticulously embroidered on the headrest in classical Chinese calligraphy using contrasting cotton thread.

The theme continues with a striking Bespoke Starlight headliner composed of 768 red and 576 white fibre-optic lights arranged around an abstract representation of two dragons, each with 24 manually-mounted sliding stars. The Phantom Extended is finished in Iced Diamond Black, creating its own distinctive gleaming satin appearance.

Martina Starke, Head of Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, noted that one of the brand's signature strengths is its ability to sensitively and respectfully integrate iconography from specific cultures. She continued: "Like every Bespoke vehicle, this extraordinary Phantom Extended is a testament to the skill and creativity of our Bespoke designers, engineers and craftsmen. The design in this special commission features a Bespoke Gallery where the dragon appears to be formed from clouds of smoke, achieved through the refined execution of marquetry, one of the most challenging techniques applied in the vehicle's interior design."