Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the coachbuilt model ‘Arcadia Droptail’. This vehicle is the third model to be revealed among a total of four droptail commissions, following the previously showcased La Rose Noire Droptail and Amyshist Droptail.
The Arcadia Droptail is the first model in modern Rolls-Royce history to be based on a two-door, two-seat roadster body. It features a low and bold body, impressive contours, and a comfortable interior that faithfully replicates the initial droptail sketches drawn by a Rolls-Royce designer in 2019. The name ‘Arcadia’ is derived from ‘Elysium’, a paradise in ancient Greek mythology, reflecting the client’s unique appreciation for architecture and design and their desire for a peaceful and pure space reminiscent of a sanctuary.
The Arcadia Droptail represents over four years of dedicated development and production, with coachbuilt designers exploring designs, sculptures, and architecture from around the world to capture the theme of ‘serenity’ requested by the client. Inspiration was drawn from the precision and richness of modern sky gardens in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the organic forms and simplicity of materials seen in British biomimetic architecture.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Chris Bruyninckx, stated, “Coachbuilding is the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce brand and an unparalleled concept in the luxury sector, where the world’s most influential clients collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and artisans to create entirely new ideas. The Arcadia Droptail is a product of this process, embodying the individuality and tastes of the client.”
The exterior of the vehicle showcases the droptail’s clean singular structural surface and exquisite proportions, reflecting a modern aesthetic. A bespoke two-tone color palette of white and silver was developed at the client’s request. The white, mixed with aluminum and glass particles, initially appears as a subdued and natural monochrome but shimmers brilliantly in natural light, giving an impression of endless depth.
The base of the droptail, made from carbon fiber, is painted silver to emphasize the vehicle’s fluid and dynamic feel. The restrained exterior color enhances the clean, singular structural surface of the droptail and boldly emphasizes its negative sculpture.
The vehicle’s interior reflects the aesthetic preferences of clients from around the globe in their residential and business spaces. The highlight is the wood development, featuring modern and richly textured ‘Santos Straight Grain’ wood. A total of 233 wood pieces were used throughout the vehicle, including 76 pieces in the rear deck, to accomplish a complex and geometric structure. Considering that the vehicle will be driven globally, including in tropical regions, an exceptional process was undertaken to enhance the durability of the wood surfaces applied to the exterior. Over 8,000 hours were invested in the development of all wood pieces and their protective coatings.
The interior leather continues the bespoke white exterior theme, complemented by a contrasting tan color that perfectly harmonizes with the wood. Additionally, the interior features the shawl panels and the most extensively continued wood section in Rolls-Royce history, applied across all four droptails. Rolls-Royce engineers completely redeveloped the substructure in order to securely use wood in the complex curvature of the droptail interior.
In addition, the fascia mounts a bespoke timepiece featuring the ‘Ote Orlogerie’ technique, encapsulating high craftsmanship and artistry. This watch was brought to life after more than two years of development, with the assembly alone taking five months. The timepiece incorporates a traditional clockmaking technique called guilloché, where intricate patterns are engraved into the metal surface, cutting 119 facets into the raw metal to create a sophisticated geometric design.
Alex Innes, the head of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Coachbuild Design, stated, “The Arcadia Droptail is a vehicle that showcases the exquisite delicacy that Rolls-Royce pursues, reflecting the client’s penchant for clarity and precision in all aspects of life into the car.” He added, “This model is one of the most faithful representations of the client’s style and sensibilities in the Rolls-Royce commission, with the coachbuild collective capturing the client’s soul and embodying serene yet beautifully restrained elegance into the vehicle.”
Furthermore, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Design Director Anders Warming commented, “Droptail demonstrates the unique advantage of coachbuilding, which completely transforms the character of the vehicle, and the Arcadia Droptail is a work that delicately reveals the lifestyle of clients who prefer bold minimalism and British luxury.”
The Arcadia Droptail is set to be delivered to the client at an exclusive event in Singapore.
In the meantime, coachbuilding represents a top-tier customization method where clients are intimately involved in every stage from conceptual design to engineering, creating a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Rolls-Royce Coachbuild will continue to collaborate closely with the brand’s representative experts and artisans to provide clients with a spirit of creative experimentation and limitless possibilities.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr