Luxury automotive manufacturer Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is celebrating the Lunar New Year in style with the launch of its limited Year of the Dragon Bespoke Commissions. This exclusive collection, introduced last Friday, features four exquisitely designed vehicles, marking exactly 12 years since the release of its first dragon-themed Phantom in 2012, which sold out in China within two months.
The 2024 collection includes three extended versions of the Phantom and one Cullinan sport utility vehicle, each incorporating design elements inspired by the dragon, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture. The vehicles are adorned with a unique color scheme, complemented by a bespoke Phoenix Red coachline featuring a right-facing dragon motif, symbolizing the east and the rising sun. The Cullinan sport utility vehicle is finished in cherry red, a color deeply symbolic in Chinese culture, representing joy and luck, and is complemented by gray exterior accents and wheel centers bearing the Rolls-Royce emblem in red.
The two Phantom models in the collection showcase striking two-tone color themes. One features a silver body with a red roof, while the other opts for a more understated black exterior with red accents tracing the car’s profile and accentuating the wheels. Inside, the dragon theme continues with a hand-painted red dragon stretching across the dashboard. This theme extends to the detailing, including Phoenix Red stitching on the headrests and rear Piano Black picnic tables, which feature a stainless steel inlay of the Chinese zodiac calendar, with the dragon symbol taking prominence. This meticulous stitching process alone requires an estimated 20 hours of labor, highlighting the craftsmanship synonymous with Rolls-Royce. The dragon motif even extends to the Starlight Headliner, a signature feature of Rolls-Royce, with a constellation of lights arranged to depict the silhouette of a dragon, creating a semi-virtual experience for the passengers as if cruising under a celestial dragon.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has witnessed significant growth in its market presence in South Korea, with sales nearly doubling over five years, from 123 cars in 2018 to 234 in 2022. In June last year, the brand launched its first all-electric car, the Spectre, in South Korea, achieving the highest number of pre-orders in the Asia-Pacific region.
China remains the largest market in the region and the second-largest market for Rolls-Royce, accounting for 25 percent of its global sales in 2022, with approximately 1,500 vehicles sold. The Year of the Dragon Bespoke Commissions exemplify Rolls-Royce’s commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and its dedication to catering to the discerning tastes of its clientele, particularly in markets where the brand’s luxury offerings are deeply appreciated and sought after.
(Source: Gulf Business | CNA | Korea Herald)
