Dubai: ‘One-of-a-kind’ is a favoured turn of phrase when it comes to anything that emerges from the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars plant in Goodwood.
But the luxury carmaker may have just outdid itself with the ‘Maharaja’, a model based on Phantom Drophead Coupe and meant only for one yet-to-be-confirmed buyer in Dubai.
The price itself has not been revealed, apart from the fact that a base Phantom Drophead Coupe carries a Dh1.8 million price tag. With the personalised Maharaja, the buyer will have to factor in quite a substantial sum over and above the base. (What it will share is the V12 6.75-litre engine, that can do the 0-100 kmh in 5.8 seconds. As for sheer ‘presence’, it already has that in ample measure at 2,719kg in kerb weight.)
“Now that it has been officially unveiled, we will have private discussions with the customers who have expressed the most interest in it,” said Richard Collar, the manufacturer’s global head of bespoke sales and marketing.
The theme itself is derived from a time in history when India was ruled by hereditary kings and princes and with fabled wealth to call upon. “The Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé is the first model from what will become a collection of bespoke vehicles inspired by the ‘Golden Age of the Raja’,” said Collar. “For the Maharaja specifically, we had a lot of input from our Indian customers in Dubai, in addition to our partners at AGMC, as we refined the design of the car.
“Once you see the car it is quite apparent it will always be an instantly recognisable modern interpretation of an iconic era in recent history. Of course, the Bespoke programme can retroactively add elements to the car if a customer desires.”
It took more than two years from initial concept to the actual production. The points-of-difference from a standard version comes from the emerald green coachline, the elaborated Peacock (India’s national bird) emblems, the deep green hood and lamb’s wool floor mats. The exterior bears the ‘Carrara White’ colour.
“Dubai is the only market in the world to receive this one-of-a-kind bespoke Phantom Drophead Coupé — not only an incredible coup for us, but also a strong reflection of the importance that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars places on this market,” said Osman Abdelmoneim, General Manager at AGMC, the dealership for Dubai and the northern emirates.
Rolls-Royce has history with India’s erstwhile maharajas. “One hundred years ago, India’s princes and maharajas collectively engaged in what is described as one of the world’s longest relationships with one automobile manufacturer,” said Collar. “Over a period of five decades, they purchased over 840 unique Rolls-Royce motor cars. We wanted to recreate the golden age of India’s motoring heritage though a collection of bespoke vehicles inspired by the Maharajas’ cars.”
As to whether there will be more in the Maharaja line, Collar said: “This vehicle was based on the symbol of the Peacock ... however, there are different interpretations of this period that can be done as well — it all depends on what the customer desires.
“In the Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme — the possibilities are endless, and as always, if it doesn’t exist, we will do our very best to achieve it. ”
