Over 8,000 hours took to complete Wood-works On Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly unveil the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail at Rs 209 crore, a masterpiece of bespoke craftsmanship and tranquility. The Arcadia Droptail epitomizes serene elegance, celebrating simplicity of form and the use of natural materials while serving as a bold expression of the client’s style. This coachbuilt creation draws its inspiration from the mythical realm of Arcadia, a place revered in Ancient Greek mythology as ‘Heaven on Earth,’ renowned for its unparalleled natural beauty and perfect harmony. Much like the idyllic haven it is named after, the Arcadia Droptail was conceived as a tranquil sanctuary, characterized by simplicity, material depth, and tactile richness, offering a respite from the complexities of modern life.
To capture the essence of tranquility, Rolls-Royce Coachbuilder designers embarked on a journey of exploration, drawing inspiration from the client’s favorite architectural styles and regions around the world. This included the precision and lushness of modernist tropical sky gardens found in Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the organic forms and material honesty celebrated in British ‘Biomimetic’ architecture.
Additionally, the client found inspiration in the motor car and insisted on staying true to the original hand-drawn sketch presented in 2019, drawn to the Droptail’s bold, low stance, enveloping cabin design, and striking body lines. The design is further enhanced by the nautical-inspired ‘sail cowls,’ which rise behind the doors, subtly directing the eye to the occupants of the motor car.
Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail Exteriors
The exterior of the Arcadia Droptail pays homage to the purity of the Droptail design concept, with a calm, natural duotone colorway created for the coachwork. The main body color is a solid white infused with aluminum and glass particles, offering a timeless elegance with a hint of intrigue under natural light. The carbon fiber used for the lower sections of the Droptail is painted in a bespoke silver color, visually lifting the motor car and intensifying its dynamic presence. The exterior grille surround, ‘kinked’ vane pieces, and alloy wheels are meticulously mirror-polished, paying tribute to the brilliant finish of historical Rolls-Royces.
Inside, the Arcadia Droptail is a reflection of the client’s aesthetic, curated from their experiences and surroundings around the world. Central to the interior design is Santos Straight Grain wood, selected for its rich texture and visual intrigue. Despite the challenges posed by working with this delicate material, Rolls-Royce artisans used Santos Straight Grain wood throughout the interior, including the rear deck section, where the grain is laid at a perfect 55° angle. To protect the wood surfaces from varying climates, a bespoke lacquer was developed and tested rigorously to withstand global weather extremes.
Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail Interiors
The leather interior features two bespoke hues – a white main color and a tan contrast color – reserved exclusively for the client. The shawl panel, the largest continuous wood section ever seen in a Rolls-Royce motor car, is made from Santos Straight Grain veneer, seamlessly integrated into the interior design. The complex curvature of the dashboard and door linings required an innovative carbon fiber substructure to ensure stability and durability.
A precision instrument, the clock incorporated into the Santos Straight Grain veneer fascia is the most complex Rolls-Royce clock face ever created. Symbolically referencing the marque’s heritage, the clock features a geometric guilloche pattern with 119 facets, a nod to Rolls-Royce’s 119th anniversary. The clock face also includes partly polished, partly brushed hands and 12 ‘chaplets,’ each just 0.1mm thick, meticulously crafted to ensure readability and durability.
Rolls-Royce Specs
Reflecting the client’s cosmopolitan lifestyle, the Arcadia Droptail is specified with a left-hand drive for international use, allowing the client to experience the motor car in multiple locations worldwide. This bespoke creation is a testament to the client’s confidence, clarity of vision, and enduring relationship with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Arcadia Droptail stands as a timeless masterpiece, capturing the essence of its owner’s soul and sensibilities in every exquisite detail.
The dynamic duo of the two-seat roadster is energized by the renowned twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 engine, finely tuned to unleash an extra surge of power, boasting an additional 30 horsepower. This amplifies the total performance figures to a remarkable 601 horsepower and a robust 841 NM of torque.