2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary - A 100 Year Canvas of Opulence and Legacy

In 1925, the original Rolls-Royce Phantom debuted, establishing the ultimate benchmark for automotive luxury and exclusivity. A century later, in 2025, Rolls-Royce marks this momentous anniversary with an extraordinary homage: the Phantom Centenary Private Collection. This is not merely a limited-edition model; it is a meticulously curated mobile gallery, a rolling testament to the model's 100-year history, crafted with an intensity of detail and use of new techniques that push the boundaries of Bespoke manufacturing.

Limited to just 25 units globally all of which are already spoken for the Phantom Centenary is the most complex and ambitious Private Collection project the marque has ever undertaken, requiring over 40,000 hours of collaborative effort by the Bespoke Collective. Its value transcends the astronomical price tag, estimated to be around $3.3 million (£2.5 million), resting instead in the depth of its historical storytelling and the artistry of its execution.

Exterior: A Golden-Age Grandeur

The Centenary edition’s exterior styling draws inspiration from the flowing lines of 1930s Phantoms and the glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood, a period when the Phantom was the chosen carriage of silver-screen stars.

The Sparkle of Super Champagne Crystal

The vehicle is finished in a unique two-tone paint scheme, pairing Arctic White on the side body with Black on the upper section, both accented with a bespoke finish called Super Champagne Crystal. This distinctive layer is achieved by infusing tiny pieces of crushed glass into the clear coat, creating an iridescent, metallic shimmer that catches the light like no other finish. The long, horizontal division of the two tones reinforces the sedan's already majestic silhouette.

The Glint of Real Gold

Crowning the majestic grille is a new take on the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. For this Centenary edition, the mascot is cast in solid 18-carat gold for strength, then plated in dazzling 24-carat gold. It features a bespoke design inspired by the original statuette from 1925 and bears a special 'Phantom Centenary' hallmark.

This golden accent is echoed across the exterior: the traditional 'RR' Badge of Honour on the front, flanks, and rear is presented in 24-carat gold and white enamel—a first for the marque. Even the signature disc wheels bear a subtle numerical nod, each engraved with 25 concentric lines, summing up to 100 lines across the four wheels to mark the centenary.

Interior: A Century of Stories Unfold

The cabin of the Phantom Centenary is where the vehicle truly transforms into a masterpiece of historical narrative and cutting-edge craft. Rolls-Royce designers spent a year researching the Phantom's past, distilling its rich history into 77 hand-sketched motifs that are intricately woven into the car's every surface.

The Tapestry of the Rear Cabin

Paying homage to the 1926 'Phantom of Love' commission, which featured bespoke handwoven tapestries, the Centenary's rear seats are a marvel of textile art. Developed over a year with an international fashion atelier, the upholstery features a high-resolution printed fabric overlaid with more than 160,000 stitches of intricate embroidery. This artwork tells a three-layered story, depicting the history of the Phantom:

1. Printed Background: Historical locations like the original Rolls-Royce headquarters.

2. Drawn Imagery: Finely sketched classic Phantom designs.

3. Abstract Embroidery: Representations of seven significant owners, one from each generation.

In a return to the early chauffeur-driven era, the more durable white leather is reserved for the front seats, while the rear passengers luxuriate in this bespoke fabric, creating an intentional contrast. The front seats, too, are a canvas, featuring laser-etched motifs that reference pivotal moments and codenames from the Phantom’s development, such as the 1923 'Seagull' prototype and the 2003 'Roger Rabbit' relaunch project.

The Anthology Gallery and Intricate Woodwork

The Gallery, the glass-enclosed space spanning the passenger fascia, is transformed into the Anthology Gallery. This sculptural centrepiece features 50 3D-printed, vertically brushed aluminium fins that are interlaced like the pages of an open book. These fins are engraved with quotes chronicling the Phantom’s acclaim over 100 years, and illuminated to create a dazzling, shifting display.

The woodwork is arguably the most intricate ever created by Rolls-Royce. The stained Blackwood veneer on the door panels employs a combination of 3D multi-directional marquetry, laser etching, 3D ink layering, and 24-carat gold leafing to depict maps and routes significant to the Phantom’s history. This includes the coastlines of Sir Henry Royce's homes in West Wittering and the South of France, with the journey routes themselves gleaming in gold leaf. Even the rear picnic tables are individually etched with realistic images of the original Phantom I and the current Phantom VIII.

The Starlight Headliner

Rolls-Royce’s signature Starlight Headliner is elevated to a new level. The celestial ceiling features over 440,000 stitches of embroidery, depicting a mulberry tree—a nod to a famous photograph of Henry Royce under his mulberry tree—along with honeybees from the Goodwood apiary and other natural motifs, subtly weaving the brand's heritage into the night sky.

Performance: Effortless Power Persists

Mechanically, the Phantom Centenary retains the foundation of the current Phantom VIII, the pinnacle of serene, effortless performance.

The Silken V12

Under the immense bonnet resides the formidable 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, producing 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle is designed for "waftability"—a sense of gliding over the road—rather than outright speed, though its zero-to-60 mph time is an impressively brisk $5.1$ seconds. The ride quality remains unparalleled, a sensation of being carried aloft on a cushion of air, thanks to the self-levelling air suspension.

Even the engine bay receives the Centenary treatment. The V12's cover is finished in Arctic White and accented with subtle 24-carat gold detailing, ensuring that the engine itself adheres to the highest Bespoke standards.

Conclusion: More Than a Car, It's an Icon's Autobiography

The 2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Private Collection is an object lesson in celebrating heritage through meticulous modern craft. It is not defined by its sheer power or technology, which are exceptional, but by its deep, narrative-driven personalisation. It is the ultimate expression of the Phantom's 100-year reign as the definitive luxury motor car.

Each of the 25 Phantoms serves as a moving memoir, encapsulating a century of visionaries, patrons, and cultural impact. For the ultra-wealthy individuals who have secured a commission, they are receiving more than a vehicle; they are acquiring a piece of automotive history, a complex, gold-laden, and deeply meaningful work of art that reaffirms the Phantom’s enduring status as the Apex of Excellence.