2017 Rolls Royce Feature - Higher Than Ecstacy

"...Rolls-Royce will be foreseeing interesting times to come with more models arriving in the near future. "

HIGHER

THAN EC‍‍‍S‍‍‍TASY

PREMIUM marques such as BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are often recognised for their prestigious image and high-end appeal. But over the years with the proliferation of cheaper entry level variants, the dilution of the brand's luxury distillation was inevitable. ‍‍However, there is one brand that never stopped taking motoring luxury to new levels even till today. Utter the name Rolls-Royce and immediately words like spot-on precision engineering, ultra-luxury and motoring perfection will come to mind.

The company has always been well respected as an automaker and remains the pick of every aristocrats and and the higher echelons around the globe. But what is it that made Rolls-Royce seize that exalted cognomen? If you’re looking for that particular answer, lets take a to look back to the early 1900s.

It all started over a lunch discussion between two gentlemen in the Midland Hotel back in May 1904. Henry Royce, a well-known engineer and Charles Rolls, who owns one of Britain’s first car dealerships called C.S.Rolls & Co — struck a deal during their talk to establish a marque that would eventually take on the world by storm.

Now with the foundations set in place, research and development soon took place immediately. Starting off with a range of two, three, four and six cylinder engines, Charles Rolls initially funded the company through his own businesses while Henry Royce commenced on building a series of prototypes that would eventually set a path to the marque’s first car, the Rolls-Royce 10hp.

Exceptionally perfect and sublime, these are two words that define the world’s most opulent offering on four wheels: Rolls-Royce. The brand has always been regarded as one of the most respected marques in the world. And today, we find out why by scrolling back in time to see how they made it.

words by KEEGAN DORAI

“Poor quality is remembered long after low prices are forgotten”

- Charles Rolls

With just four years of research and development, Rolls-Royce gave the Silver Ghost to the world in 1907. It shocked the relatively budding automotive industry through its peerless build quality, craftsmanship and engine technology. The original Silver Ghost was powered by a 7036cc, six-cylinder engine and it was later increased to 7428cc in 1909.

After World War I, Rolls-Royce soon began developing a series of bodystyles to suit specific demands. The Barker Tourer and Cabriolet was the first among them, where it all took place at Royce’s Cooke Street factory in Manchester. In a bid to expand, the company then soon inaugurate its first custom-built factory in Nightingale Road, Derby — in which it was remodelled later on to develop aircraft engines.

Besides developing cars, Charles’ love of aviation also enabled the company to branch out and develop engines for the aviation business. Despite his tragic death due to an air show crash at Hengistbury Airfield in 1910 — Rolls-Royce Limited as a company — continued on the brand’s legacy by achieving tremendous recognition in both the aeronautical and automotive field.

The opening of Rolls-Royce Nightingale factory pushed the firm to expand their production volume. Alongside the manufacturing line for traditional cars, Rolls-Royce was also making Merlin engines for fighter planes such as the Lancaster Bomber, Spitfire and Mustang. Even till today, Rolls-Royce is also well known for developing modern jet engines for commercial aviation makers such as Boeing and Airbus under the modern-day Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc arm.

Apart from aircraft engines, Rolls-Royce has been building a range of custom-built cars throughout the years alongside, too. Starting off with the original, yet ultra-exclusive Phantom IV and V — which both are the successor of the Silver Ghost, Rolls-Royce has also given a few round of upgrades through a number of model series’ before residing onto contemporary and completely-redesigned coupes such as the Camargue in the early 70s.

But after going under a receivership in 2003, Rolls-Royce soon began co-developing with BMW by building the marque’s first, modern-day Phantom. It might hold a BMW-powered V12 engine upfront, but the components are entirely sourced from various companies in Europe and the United Kingdom. Hand-built assembly soon started at the Goodwood factory of Chichester, Sussex.

A coupe version of the Phantom was soon launched to commemorate the original Camargue. The Phantom Coupe and Drophead convertible was offered to complement the flagship Phantom — where the Drophead is considered as one of the best convertibles ever made in their history books.

Topped of with teak wood panelling over the convertible tonneau cover, it held a groundbreaking entry price of £305,000 even before any possible customisation. Making it the most expensive Rolls-Royce to be ever made for the showroo‍‍‍m floors. Yes, it still beats the £10million Sweptail, all because the latter is a one-off specimen for a distinguished customer.

Though not as well received as its predecessors, the Pininfarina-designed Camargue was the ma‍‍‍rque’s first car that paved a new design facade for future models to come. The signatory grille and silhouette soon followed in the Corniche, Silver Spirit and the Silver Seraph. Albeit altered slightly for a sleeker outlook to meet crisp design standards in the 1990s.

Even though newer models like the Ghost, Wraith and Dawn has come into existence in order to broaden brand appeal and offering, Rolls-Royce will be foreseeing interesting times to come with more models arriving in the near future. A few groundbreaking concepts have made appearances at‍‍‍ major motorshows, but to date — the Vision 100 Next still tops the jaw-dropping chart.

‍‍‍Now as the all-new Phantom is set to make its full market debut, and with the Cullinan SUV lurking around the corner, Rolls-Royce wil‍‍‍l always retain the title of being the most revered automotive icon forever. And yes — everyone wants to feel the Spirit of Ecstasy within someday, too.