Rolls-Royce unveiled a limited edition of just 25 examples inspired by the mystery of solar eclipse.
Rolls-Royce has taken its iconic Starlight headliner to new heights, drawing inspiration from the beauty of a solar eclipse. Picture this: as the twin-turbo V12 engine roars to life, the headliner’s star-like lights gracefully dim, mirroring the celestial ballet that occurs during a solar eclipse. But it doesn’t stop there—the captivating transformation continues with the emergence of a circle of 940 dazzling “stars,” symbolizing the radiant corona of light enveloping the lunar silhouette.
The project was spearheaded by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, described as “an elite team of engineers, designers and craftspeople [that] take inspiration from historical events and figures, renowned artworks, personal artefacts, nature and the architectural world.” The Bespoke Collective is not to be confused with Rolls-Royce Bespoke, the British marque’s customization division.
An additional 192 surrounding lights flicker, reminiscent of celestial bodies casting their ethereal glow during a daytime eclipse. Prepare to be spellbound for a cinematic seven minutes and 31 seconds—the exact duration of a total solar eclipse. As the celestial spectacle concludes, the Starlight headliner seamlessly transitions into its customary nighttime sequence, casting a celestial ambience throughout the vehicle’s journey.
Beyond the celestial canopy, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection boasts an illuminated dashboard adorned with 1,846 laser-etched “stars.” A bespoke timepiece, featuring a .5-carat diamond pays homage to the elusive “diamond ring” effect observed just before and after the moon’s dance with the sun.
“The seldom-seen alignment of Sun and Moon, a total solar eclipse is a magical — yet fleeting — cosmic phenomenon that inspires momentary awe. The Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection immortalises this brief spectacle, defying the boundaries of space and time for a cohort of audacious individuals. The collection is commissioned exclusively through the Rolls-Royce Private Office — an inspirational space for owners and Bespoke experts to converse, collaborate, and create together.” said Rolls-Royce.
The luxury extends to the interior, where bi-coloured seats, clad in tinted black Mandarin leather, reveal a solar-like orange hue through 200,000 meticulously crafted perforations. This sunlit theme extends to the exterior with a hand-painted coachline beneath the Pantheon Grille and brake callipers, forming a visual narrative of the transition from sunlight to darkness as the moon gracefully eclipses the sun.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, shared, “The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis draws inspiration from a total solar eclipse—a captivating and rarely witnessed phenomenon. It mirrors the rarity and beauty inherent in Rolls-Royce Private Collections.”
The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection, limited to 25 exemplars, has found eager enthusiasts, with every unit spoken for. This celestial masterpiece on wheels stands as a testament to the fusion of automotive opulence and the awe-inspiring allure of the cosmos.
