Arriving to any location in a Rolls-Royce is bound to turn heads for good reason, there’s just a certain je n’ai sais quoi to these expertly made vehicles that adds on to the well-known legacy of fine craftsmanship and impeccable service that Rolls-Royce embodies. In May 2019, the brand marks 115 years of automotive excellence and innovation in the industry since the founding of the marque in this same month back in 1904.
Excellence and innovation sits at the heart of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce’s brand, from Royce’s first build – an improved version of a 10 horsepower two-cylinder Decauville – to the more than 4,100 cars that Rolls-Royce produced in 2018 alone. Each machine is more than just a car, and the marque’s innovative designs underlie that, such as the Architecture of Luxury, an aluminium spaceframe that can be scaled to fit any design and makes the common platform for all cars.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is also a recent release super-luxury SUV that calls back to the iconic, sturdy Rolls-Royce that Lawrence of Arabia made a trusty companion on his missions across the arid deserts of the Middle East. The Cullinan is the modern luxury all-terrain vehicle, capable of making its way across any terrain proven by its 12,000 mile journey across the Scottish Highlands, the Austrian Alps, the American West and of course the dry sands of the Middle East.
For fans who’d like a little more legacy in their Rolls-Royce, the 2018 Sweptail is the brand’s modern nod to its history of coach building, combining elements of the classic coach silhouette to the machinery of present day. The Sweptail is a unique piece commissioned by a customer who was seeking out the “ultimate grand tourer”, including bespoke touches on the interior and the signature Pantheon grille and rear overhang that makes it undeniably Rolls-Royce.
The introduction of the Black Badge models is also a testament to their 115 year journey of always striving for excellence. Responding to a select number of customers that demand nothing less than the best, the Black Badge Rolls-Royce models are darker, edgier and with more torque and power under the hood than their conventional counterparts. The Black Badge cars are identifiable by a dark chrome Spirit of Ecstasy and wheels, carbon fiber interior and an inverted RR logo, sure to please those looking for a machine at the height of automotive engineering.
With a proven track record in crafting some of the best luxury cars on the market, let’s see what the next 115 years brings for Rolls-Royce.