British carmaker Rolls-Royce has unveiled a new bespoke version of its flagship sedan, the Phantom Hummingbird. The car was built as a one-off commission for a client from Dubai.
From the outside, the sedan is largely identical to the standard Rolls-Royce Phantom, but the main changes are found inside the cabin. The company introduced a series of unusual design solutions that place the model among the brand’s most expensive custom projects.
Phantom Hummingbird is the first Rolls-Royce vehicle to feature a special form of marquetry mosaic in its trim. The technique involves creating images from thin layers made of different materials.
For this project, Rolls-Royce moved away from the traditional use of wood and chose abalone shell instead. The shell of this marine mollusk is known for its thick nacre layer and pronounced iridescence, producing blue-green shades depending on the viewing angle.
Using the mosaic technique, the designers depicted a hummingbird collecting nectar from a flower. Each bird image is made up of 53 pieces of shell and pearlescent material, while the composition on the rear panel between the second-row seats contains 84 elements.
Designers spent about nine months developing the car. The lengthy process was largely due to the challenge of working with exceptionally thin material. In total, the cabin features three mosaic panels mounted on ash wood veneer.
The seats are finished in light cream leather with decorative inserts, while the marine theme is also reflected in the carpet design.
Rolls-Royce has not disclosed the price of the Phantom Hummingbird. Still, given the intricate and labor-intensive work involved, the sedan is likely to carry a seven-figure price tag. By way of comparison, the source notes that the exclusive Rolls-Royce Boat Tail version of the Phantom was previously sold for $28 million.
