22 January 2025
Rolls-Royce Unveils One-Off Phantom Dragon

If you want to stand out in an already opulent car, there is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Dragon.


As the Year of the Dragon draws to a close, Rolls-Royce has unveiled a one-off Phantom Dragon.  

This was commissioned by an esteemed Chinese patron. The Phantom Dragon is a moving tribute to centuries of Chinese heritage, a showcase of artistic craftsmanship, and a statement of personal philosophy.

The dragon, one of the most revered symbols in Chinese culture, has long been associated with power, wisdom, and prosperity. Here, it is reinterpreted through Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke craftsmanship, resulting in a creation that is as culturally significant as it is breathtakingly beautiful.  

At the heart of the Phantom Dragon’s design is an ancient legend that dates back more than 3,000 years. The story speaks of two celestial dragons, guardians of the human realm, who were gifted a divine pearl by the gods for their unwavering loyalty and selflessness. Instead of keeping the treasure for themselves, they deferred to one another, demonstrating kindness and generosity, virtues deeply valued in Chinese culture.  

The gods, moved by their noble act, gifted them a second pearl, which they absorbed before ascending to the heavens as deities. The interplay of the dragons and the pearl has since been a timeless symbol of balance, enlightenment, and harmony, a theme that now finds its way into the bespoke details of this Phantom.  

The centrepiece of the Phantom Dragon is its Bespoke Gallery, a feature that runs the width of the dashboard and serves as a blank canvas for artistic expression. Here, a stunning marquetry depiction of the two dragons and their treasured pearl unfolds, crafted from 297 individual wood veneer pieces sourced from four different species of wood.  

An artisan at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood spent over three months assembling this intricate masterpiece.

The base layer, crafted from Smoked Eucalyptus, is accentuated by Sycamore veneer outlines, each a mere 0.5mm wide, painstakingly filled with Ash burr, a material chosen specifically for its grain pattern that mimics swirling clouds. 

Above, the Bespoke Starlight Headliner takes this mythical vision into the heavens. Comprising 768 red and 576 white fibre-optic lights, this feature abstractly depicts the two dragons soaring through the night sky, illuminated by celestial bursts of light.

Each fibre-optic light has been individually hand-fitted, surrounded by 24 shooting stars.

The interior is finished in Ardent Red and Black leather, a striking combination that reflects both modern luxury and the traditional colours of Chinese imperial grandeur. The door panels, meticulously crafted from natural open-pore Smoked Eucalyptus, add a sense of warmth and authenticity, while the reclining Serenity seats exude an air of quiet sophistication.

As a finishing touch, the client’s family name is elegantly embroidered in ancient Chinese calligraphy onto the headrests.  

Contrasting the drama of its bespoke interior, the Phantom Dragon’s exterior is finished in Iced Diamond Black. The satin-like shimmer of the paint lends a subtle radiance, ensuring the vehicle remains a commanding presence on the road.

As one of the marque’s most significant regions, China has consistently been at the forefront of bespoke commissions, with clients seeking creations that blend cultural storytelling with modern craftsmanship.  

The involvement of Rolls-Royce’s Private Office Shanghai in curating this masterpiece further underscores this relationship.

Martina Starke, Head of Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce, encapsulated this philosophy: “One of Rolls-Royce’s greatest strengths is creating products that sensitively and respectfully integrate cultural iconography, reinterpreted through our own design language. The Phantom Dragon is a perfect example of this; melding traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary craftsmanship to create something truly remarkable.”  

For Shuai Feng, Lead Bespoke Designer at Rolls-Royce’s Private Office Shanghai, the project was a labour of love: “Our goal was to express China’s most revered symbols in a way that was both impactful and respectful, while seamlessly incorporating Rolls-Royce’s design handwriting.”  


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