Rolls-Royce is honoring its 115th birthday with a bespoke red Phantom that will be auctioned off for charity by Sotheby's.
Rolls-Royce marks its 115thbirthday this year. To celebrate the occasion, the quintessentially British luxury carmaker is looking to do something special.
It’s teaming with RM Sotheby’s to raise money for charity. The two top names in luxury and wealth threw a party complete with a five-course dinner at Sotheby’s newly redesigned 90,000-plus-square-foot New York City headquarters to announce plans build a one-off, bespoke 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom to be auctioned off this fall exclusively on Sotheby’s online auction service.
“While Roll-Royce motor cars have a history of crossing the block at RM Sotheby’s, tonight we are looking to the future of the brand,” said Martin Fritsches, president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas.
“The eighth generation Phantom will carry the longest running name in luxury motoring into a new era. Built on the ‘architecture of luxury,’ this new Phantom commission offers one special owner the chance to enjoy a motor car that is bound to be a classic over the next 115 years.”
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Sotheby's David Goodman, left, and Rolls-Royce's Martin Fritsches celebrate the two companies latest charity endeavor.
The automaker offered up an early sketch of what the special-edition Phantom could look like. The company didn’t offer too many details about the vehicle either aside from it will be red and included “an original hand-crafted leather work of art” as part of the interior.
The basic “everyday” Phantom is powered by a 6.75-liter turbocharged V-12 putting out 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque weighing more than 5,400 pounds, yet running zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Pricing for the Phantom ranges from $450K to $650K.
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However, don’t get any ideas about picking up this special, one-off for $650,000. It’ll likely go for seven figures because of the special occasion. Rolls-Royce said the car will be auctioned in the fall but gave no specific dates.
“We are deeply conscious of our heritage: it is a tremendous privilege to be continuing and building on work that began 115 years ago,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive, Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars, during Auto Shanghai.
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“But we also understand that our founders were visionaries, always looking to do things in new and different ways. It’s that spirit of excellence and innovation that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars embodies and celebrates today.”