Represents the pinnacle of the BMW Group electrification strategy
Range of up to 380 miles (WLTP) on a single charge
Premiere for the new generation BMW iDrive powered by Operating System 8
The most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW
Luxurious and contemporary lounge-style interior, seating five
BMW IconicSounds Electric vehicle sounds composed in collaboration with Hans Zimmer
Choice of iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 variants with Sport and M Sport trim choices
Comprehensive BMW Charging solution. Subscription-free access to ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages for iX retail customers in the first 12 months of ownership
BMW iX priced from £69,905 OTR and due for UK launch in November 2021 BMW has announced UK pricing and specifications for the BMW iX ahead of the launch of the flagship electric model in November.
The new BMW iX ushers in an exciting new chapter for the brand, the fully electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) being the first model based on a new, modular, scalable toolkit on which the future of the BMW Group will be built. Conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility and sustainable manufacturing techniques, the BMW iX combines locally emission-free driving pleasure and sporting agility with a highly usable operating range and luxurious spaciousness.
What’s more, the BMW Group’s new technology flagship brings together the company’s latest developments in the strategic innovation fields of Design, Automated Driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services to create a premium mobility experience that is unrivalled in its segment. It is the first model to feature the new generation BMW iDrive, powered by Operating System 8.
When the BMW iX launches later this year, the model range will comprise the BMW iX xDrive50 with a combined output of 523hp and a range of up to 380 miles (WLTP), plus the BMW iX xDrive40 that produces 326hp and is able to cover up to 257 miles on a single charge. Powerful performance is instantaneous and all with zero tailpipe emissions. Both versions are equipped with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, making the iX the very first all-wheel-drive pure electric vehicle produced by BMW.
The impressive battery range is complemented with flexible charging that is designed to be as convenient as possible. DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 195 kW (BMW iX xDrive50) or 150 kW (BMW iX xDrive40). This allows the battery charge to be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in around 35 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive50 or 31 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive40.
Both variants will be available in Sport or M Sport trim levels, with the extensive standard specification including 21-inch alloy wheels, Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats, wireless phone charging and Shadow Line exterior trim. An array of options, including dedicated Packs that group extras which complement each together, allow for further personalisation.
Also set to join the model line-up at a later date is the BMW iX M60 which, with an expected maximum output in excess of 600hp, promises an exceptionally sporty all-electric driving experience.
Model
Max Power (hp)
Peak Torque (Nm)
Acceleration (0-62mph)
Top Speed (mph)
Range (Miles)* (WLTP)
CO2 Emissions* (WLTP)
Electric Power Consumption* (WLTP) kWh/62 miles
OTR Price***
iX xDrive40 Sport
326
630
6.1
124**
257
0
21.0 / 20.0
£69,905
iX xDrive40 M Sport
326
630
6.1
124**
257
0
21.0 / 20.0
£72,905
iX xDrive50 Sport
523
765
4.6
124**
380
0
21.4 / 20.5
£91,905
iX xDrive50 M Sport
523
765
4.6
124**
380
0
21.5 / 20.5
£94,905
*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional. **Electronically limited. *** Preliminary on-the-road pricing, correct at the time of publication – the latest prices can be found at www.bmw.co.uk.
The BMW iX will be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. It is thoroughly integrated into the existing manufacturing structures there and will be built on a flexible assembly line together with models from the BMW 5 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series ranges. The plant in Lower Bavaria is the first facility in the BMW Group’s international production network to manufacture all-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion-engine models on a single assembly line. Both the vehicle itself and the battery cells will be manufactured using green power across the board.
Well-balanced driving characteristicsThe body structure, design principle and chassis tuning of the BMW iX are perfectly geared to blending superb ride comfort with sporty handling characteristics. The aluminium spaceframe construction and the Carbon Cage’s use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof and at the sides and rear result in an intelligent material mix that increases rigidity at the same time as minimising weight. The optimised aerodynamic properties that contribute to the car’s drag coefficient of just 0.25 also have a positive impact on efficiency and range.The high-voltage battery located low down in the car’s underbody lowers the centre of gravity, combining with the even weight distribution to make handling even more agile. Thanks to its well-balanced driving characteristics, the BMW iX feels solid and comfortable out on the road, yet also nimble.
The standard chassis technology for the BMW iX comprises a double-wishbone front axle, five-link rear axle, lift-related dampers and an electric steering system with Servotronic function and a variable ratio. Two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled dampers and Integral Active Steering are standard on BMW iX Drive50 variants, while the M Sport trim level enhances braking performance further still with M Sport brakes as standard.
Both the iX Drive40 and iX Drive50, in either Sport or M Sport specification, feature 21-inch alloy wheels.
Electric all-wheel drive and near-actuator wheel slip limitation The electric all-wheel-drive system in the BMW iX transmits exactly the right amount of drive torque to the front and rear wheels in all driving situations. Its intelligent control enables fully variable power transmission ranging from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all-wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction. The near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology fitted in tandem with all-wheel drive for the first time brings about a further improvement in traction and handling stability. Integrated into the motor management, this system produces very precise and exceptionally fast corrective inputs to enable the car to make effortless progress, even in adverse weather and road conditions. Aided by the advanced system, the BMW iX xDrive50 posts acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the BMW iX xDrive40 covers the same sprint in 6.1 seconds.
Highly integrated and efficient drive technology The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology fitted in the BMW iX is centred around a drive unit which brings together the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing. This highly integrated electric drive system topology has a beneficial effect on both power density and efficiency, at the same time as making the most use of the installation space in the area between the front and rear axle.
Both motors in the BMW iX work according to the principle of an electrically excited synchronous motor, where the excitation of the rotor is induced by the feed-in of electrical energy rather than fixed permanent magnets. This enables them to put their maximum torque on tap immediately on pulling away and maintain it over an extremely broad rev range. Combined torque peaks at 630Nm in the BMW iX xDrive40 and an even higher 765Nm in the BMW iX xDrive50.
Adaptive and individually regulated recuperation Adaptive recuperation gives a further boost to the efficiency and range of the BMW iX. Intelligently connected drive management means the intensity of the brake energy recuperation during overrun and active braking can be adapted to the road situation, as detected by data from the navigation system and the sensors used by the driver assistance systems. When approaching a junction, for example, the degree of recuperation can be increased, working to feed energy back into the high-voltage battery while harnessing the deceleration effect at the same time. On the open road, meanwhile, the coasting function can take over, allowing the car to “freewheel” with no drive power, whenever the driver eases off the accelerator.
Adaptive recuperation is the default setting in driving position D. Alternatively, the driver can choose a high, medium or low Brake Energy Regeneration setting for all driving situations in the BMW iDrive menu. The highest recuperation setting is automatically activated in driving position B, which also produces the characteristic one-pedal feeling.
Information on the energy flow can be viewed in the control display no matter which driving position is selected. The Efficiency Trainer offers hints for driving in a very economical manner, while the range horizon clearly illustrates the impact of driving style on the high-voltage battery’s charge level.
High-voltage battery with the very latest battery cell technology Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also includes a high-voltage battery with state-of-the-art battery cell technology. Its volumetric energy density at cell level is up by around 40 per cent compared to the high-voltage battery in the 2020 BMW i3. The BMW iX xDrive50 is fitted with a high-voltage battery with a net energy content of 105.2 kWh (gross energy content: 111.5 kWh), while the battery unit for the BMW iX xDrive40 has a net energy content of 71 kWh (gross energy content: 76.6 kWh).
The standard specification of the BMW iX combines an integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin with anticipatory thermal management for the high-voltage battery and a drive system that operates using an exceptionally efficient heat pump function. Anticipatory thermal management enables the high- voltage battery’s operating temperature to be optimised for quick and efficient charging prior to a scheduled stop at a high-power station.
The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in the BMW iX has been designed to offer a very high level of charging flexibility. DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 195 kW (BMW iX xDrive50) or 150 kW (BMW iX xDrive40). This allows the battery’s state of charge to be increased from 10 to 80 per cent in around 35 minutes in the BMW iX xDrive50 or 31 minutes in the case of the BMW iX xDrive40. A range of up to 90 miles for the BMW iX xDrive50 and over 59 miles for the BMW iX xDrive40 can be delivered in just ten minutes when they are plugged into a DC high-power station, as long as there is an initial battery charge of 10 per cent or more.
BMW iX models in the UK are supplied complete with the Flexible Charger offering a charging rate of up to 11 kW and a mode 3 charging cable for public charging stations. Retail customers purchasing their iX via the BMW UK Retail Network will receive a BMW Charging card which facilitates access to special tariffs offered by the BMW Charging network. This allows electrical power to be replenished at a very attractive price at both public and high-power charging stations. In addition, ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages are offered to iX customers without a subscription fee for the first 12 months of ownership. With these additional benefits, BMW iX customers in the UK gain access to one of the world’s largest public charging networks, using just one RFID card or App.
Premiere for the new generation of the BMW iDrive / Operating System 8 The new generation of the iDrive system, display concept and Operating System 8 are making their debut in the BMW iX, making interaction between driver and vehicle even more intuitive than before. They combine to give the BMW iX all the tools needed to serve as an intelligent and proactive partner in any situation. The intuitive, multimodal operation becomes a dialogue between the user and their car that seeks to precisely tailor all the functions controlled via BMW iDrive to the driver’s needs and preferences as the situation demands.
New features available immediately include the expanded capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and the BMW Curved Display. The all-new BMW Curved Display features a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches housed together behind a glass surface that is angled towards the driver. The digital personal assistant now boasts additional capabilities and uses a new graphic when communicating with the vehicle’s occupants.
The new My Modes expand the range of vehicle settings that can be selected. Remote Software Upgrades and the option to purchase vehicle functions later from the BMW ConnectedDrive Store via Functions on Demand, with them then installed over the air, will keep the vehicle software up to date in the future. Navigation using the cloud-based system BMW Maps and Augmented Reality Video in the control display ensures quick and accurate route planning, while also making it easy for the driver to find their way on the road.
BMW Digital Key Plus with ultra-wideband radio technology BMW is a pioneering force in the use of smartphones as digital vehicle keys. The iX offers a new generation of this convenient and secure means of unlocking and starting the vehicle, without the user even having to take their Apple iPhone out of their pocket.
The BMW Digital Key Plus, set to make its debut with the BMW iX, employs the ultra-wideband (UWB) technology already integrated into the vehicle and, for example, the iPhone’s U1 chip. As customers approach the BMW iX, they are welcomed by a staged lighting effect using the exterior lights, and the vehicle unlocks just before they reach the door. Once they have got in, the Apple iPhone can be simply left in the user’s pocket or placed in the smartphone tray for wireless charging; no physical key is required to start the vehicle.
Apple and the BMW Group have been working closely together with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to develop the Digital Key Release 3.0 specification for UWB, which will serve as a global standard for both the automotive industry and smartphone manufacturers. The iPhone’s iMessage service can be used to share a Digital Key with up to five other vehicle users. The Digital Key Plus function is expected to be available from the end of 2021.
Personalisation using the BMW ID When interacting with the new BMW iDrive, BMW iX customers benefit from increasing personalisation of the user experience based on their own BMW ID. This is used to securely store even more personalised settings and to transfer them between vehicles. A PIN code can be created or the BMW ID associated with a particular key to prevent other users of the vehicle accessing personal data. When signing in to a vehicle for the first time, simply scanning a QR code is all it takes to create a new BMW ID on a smartphone. If the user has the My BMW App and is therefore already in possession of a BMW ID, this will be automatically imported into the car via the app when the QR code is scanned.
The BMW ID can be created and activated effortlessly and securely in vehicles with BMW Operating System 8 or BMW Operating System 7. Once the BMW ID has been imported, the driver will receive a personal greeting which will include the customisable profile image the driver can create in the My BMW App. At the same time, personal settings for seat and steering wheel position, exterior mirrors, navigation system, driver assistance functions, display layouts, shortcuts, favourites and infotainment system settings will be imported automatically.
The most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW The new technology toolkit in the BMW iX offers considerable potential for driving forward the development of automated driving and parking functions, with the prospect of Level 3 functionality in the medium term. A new generation of sensors, a new software stack and a powerful computing platform provide the basis for exceptional intelligence. Five cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.
The BMW iX comes equipped with the most extensive set of standard driver assistance systems ever seen on a BMW, along with a wealth of innovations. The front collision warning system, for instance, now detects oncoming traffic when turning left (in countries where vehicles drive on the right) as well as cyclists and pedestrians when turning right. Availability of the Steering and Lane Control Assistant has been significantly expanded, while the Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function offers enhanced situational distance adjustment.
The exit warning function, which alerts to the presence of cyclists or pedestrians in the surrounding area before the doors are opened, and the Interior Camera are both new features. The Parking Assistant including Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant also come as standard on the iX.
Striking exterior design that exudes luxury The pioneering character of the BMW iX is carried through to its exterior design. The body’s imposing styling with distinctive SAV proportions the precisely crafted details create a distinctive appearance that exudes luxury.
The exterior dimensions of the BMW iX – length: 4,953 millimetres, width: 1,967 millimetres, height: 1,695 millimetres (xDrive50 = 1,696 millimetres) – allow it to combine the functionality of the BMW X5 with the dynamism of the BMW X6 and the imposing appearance of the BMW X7.
Standout exterior features include the almost completely blanked-off BMW kidney grille, the surface of which is the product of innovative manufacturing techniques and which incorporates camera and radar sensors. The full LED headlights are also the slimmest units ever to feature on a series-produced model from BMW.
Shy tech for the exterior: subtly integrated technology As well as the intelligence panel in the BMW kidney grille, the BMW iX also has an array of other likewise discreetly positioned camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors. These are used by the driver assistance systems to make life easier for the driver in monotonous or unclear situations on the road and espouse the principle of “shy tech”. For example, the distance measurement radar sensors are integrated inconspicuously into the black body edging at the front and rear of the car.
The flush-fitted door openers and the rear-view camera with cleaning system integrated into the BMW badge on the tailgate are further examples of shy tech at work. The underlying principle here is that the technology stays in the background and only becomes apparent as and when the relevant functions are called into action.
Spacious lounge-style interior with a luxurious, contemporary feel The BMW iX has been meticulously designed from the inside out. The spacious cabin and newly developed seats with integral head restraints set a luxurious tone. The absence of a centre tunnel creates extra legroom and plenty of space for both storage and a centre console designed in the style of a high-quality piece of furniture. The control panel with active haptic input as well as a rocker switch for gear selection adds some very modern touches.
As well as the new BMW Curved Display, the polygonal steering wheel and frameless projector integration for the optional Head-Up Display further add to the focused driving experience. There is also a choice of three different types of upholstery trims for customising the interior.
The automatic climate control system in the BMW iX comes with a nanofibre filter to purify the air and new touchscreen controls. The system intelligently combines interior ventilation and surface, seat and steering wheel heating to maximise the occupants’ comfort.
As standard, iX models receive the Harman Kardon entertainment system, but should customers desire a sound experience that is even more concert hall-like, they can choose the optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System. This system features speakers integrated out of sight in the head restraints and a 4D Audio function using bass shakers in the front seats.
In addition to acoustic pedestrian protection, the BMW iX also features a specially composed drive sound, which enhances the driving experience by providing authentic feedback in response to accelerator movements and speed. The BMW IconicSounds Electric function included as standard also allows new sound variants from a collaboration with film score composer Hans Zimmer to be added to the available acoustics. Sport and M Sport trim levels, plus extensive personalisation options The strong performance nature of the BMW iX is represented in the choice of Sport and M Sport trim levels.
The Sport specification includes a comprehensive list of equipment and features that are designed to optimise the style, comfort and convenience of the iX. Together with the likes of the Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Professional and storage for wireless charging, standard features include climate comfort windscreen, four-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and Shadow Line exterior trim.
Even more eye-catching and purposeful is the M Sport specification. As well as a different style of 21-inch alloy wheels, the exterior is set off with the Aerodynamics pack comprising of M Sport front apron, side apron, rear apron and diffuser, and air curtain. Dark taillight glass completes the appearance of the M Sport, while M Sport brakes and an Anthracite roof lining are also included.
Customers who want to personalise their iX to their own individual requirements can specify a host of options. For convenience, BMW has combined options that complement each other into a series of Packs. For example, the Technology Plus Pack encompasses Parking Assistant Plus/Interior Camera and the Bowers & Wilkins entertainment system, while the Comfort Plus Pack adds supreme refinement courtesy of Comfort Access, soft-close doors, front fully electric seats with massage, front and rear heat comfort system, and ventilated front seats. Seven individual options are also available, spanning Titan Bronze exterior trim and sun protection glass to a trailer tow hitch.
Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing using purely green power, monitored raw materials extraction, high proportion of natural and recycled materials The BMW iX will be produced at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Both the vehicle itself and the battery cells will be manufactured using green power across the board. The BMW Group procures the cobalt and lithium required for the high-voltage batteries from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco and delivers it to the battery cell manufacturers. The design principle for the electric motors allows the use of rare earth metals to be avoided in the drive system rotors. Added to which, the company sources aluminium produced using power from solar energy plants.
A high proportion of secondary aluminium and reused plastic also contribute to the resource-efficient production of the BMW iX. Its interior uses FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials. Recycled fishing nets are among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats.
*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional.
The electric power consumption and operating range figures are determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable and as per the WLTP procedure. They refer to vehicles in the German market. Where a range is shown, WLTP figures take into account the impact of any optional extras.
All values were calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle. WLTP values are taken as the basis for determining vehicle-related taxes or other duties based (at least inter alia) on CO2 emissions as well as eligibility for any applicable vehicle-specific subsidies. Further information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures can also be found at www.bmw.de/wltp.
Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO2 emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: ‘Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen’ (Guide to the fuel economy, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/
The BMW Group With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
Peak efficiency: All-electric Jaguar I-PACE completes ‘Everesting Challenge’ by climbing 8,848m – the height of Mount Everest – on a single charge
Reaching new heights: Performance SUV completed 16.2 ascents of Britain’s highest surfaced road – Great Dun Fell – gaining 547m on each full climb
Race-to-road technology: I-PACE’s clever regenerative braking – developed with learnings from the Jaguar Racing Fomula E team – recovered equivalent to 58-miles (93.3km) of range under the challenge’s extreme conditions
World-class performance: British Olympic and World champion cyclist, Elinor Barker MBE, was at the wheel of Jaguar’s award-winning EV for the drive
Endurance challenge: Popularity of repeatedly ascending a climb until the total elevation gain matches the height of Everest boomed among cyclists in the last year*
Ready to go: I-PACE battery and cabin were preconditioned while charging to optimise range and comfort – ideal for temperatures of less than 2°C at the summit
Ready to go: I-PACE battery and cabin were preconditioned while charging to optimise range and comfort – ideal for temperatures of less than 2°C at the summit
Available to order now: Jaguar I-PACE is priced from £65,195 in the UK. Configure yours at: jaguar.com
The Jaguar I-PACE shrugged off the steep inclines, twisting tarmac and near freezing temperatures of the UK’s highest paved road to successfully ‘Everest’ at Great Dun Fell, in Cumbria, on a single charge of its 90kWh battery.
The award-winning all-electric performance SUV model was driven by Olympic and World champion cyclist, Elinor Barker MBE.
The concept of Everesting is simple, yet extreme: complete a series of runs up an incline until achieving an elevation gain of 8,848m – equal to an ascent of Mount Everest – and the popularity of this endurance challenge boomed among cyclists during the pandemic*.
Known by cyclists as ‘Britain’s Mont Ventoux’ – a reference to the daunting Alpine mountain stage in the Tour de France – Great Dun Fell is home to the highest surfaced road in the UK. The narrow ribbon of asphalt is defined by a series of sweeping bends and gradients of up to 20 per cent as it climbs 547m from the start point used for the challenge to a peak of 848m. Elinor completed 16.2 repeats of the 3.6-mile/5.8km climb (a 7.2-mile/11.6km loop in total) using the I-PACE’s regenerative braking technology to generate approximately 60 per cent*** of additional available energy over the total 16 descents.
Having covered 124-miles (199.6km) in total, including an eight-mile drive to the start point on the fell, the I-PACE completed its energy intensive challenge with 31 per cent battery charge remaining – enough to drive for up to 80-miles (128.7km) more.
Key to the efficient completion of the Everesting challenge was the I-PACE’s regenerative braking system. Developed using technology from Jaguar Racing’s Formula E programme, ‘regen’ is a critical enabler for success on the track. In an average race the I-TYPE 5 generates around 30 per cent*** of additional energy from regen, without it the car simply wouldn’t make it to the chequered flag.
Elinor Barker, MBE, said: “I watched with fascination as cyclists took up the Everesting challenge during lockdown – even as a professional rider, it’s a daunting feat of endurance, so I was happy to do it behind the wheel of the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE. When I found out that Jaguar Racing drivers typically need to regenerate 30 per cent of their I-TYPE’s battery capacity in a Formula E race, as a competitor I naturally wanted to beat that figure! I’m delighted to have smashed that target – all while enjoying the comfort, silent power delivery and single-pedal driving of the I-PACE.”
Elinor was supported throughout the drive by members of the Jaguar Racing and I-PACE engineering teams, on hand to monitor the vehicle’s performance.
Jack Lambert, Jaguar Racing Engineer, said: “The advanced regenerative braking system developed for the I-PACE is a defining feature of the driving experience. Lessons learned through our Formula E programme on the track ensure I-PACE customers enjoy benefits on the road in terms of optimised range. The regenerative braking also provides up to 0.4g of deceleration so Elinor would only have been using the conventional friction brakes at two or three points on each run.”
In preparation for the challenge, the I-PACE was preconditioned using the Jaguar Remote App. While the vehicle is plugged in, preconditioning automatically heats or cools the battery to reach its ideal operating temperature and establishes the desired cabin temperature –using mains power. Using the grid to do this instead of drawing current from the vehicle battery optimises the driving range – especially in cold weather.
Another feature which enhances the I-PACE’s efficiency is Smart Climate, which uses the seatbelt sensors to determine how many occupants are travelling inside, and only heating or cooling the relevant areas of the cabin, maintaining comfort while minimising energy use.
The Jaguar I-PACE delivers outstanding performance with acceleration from 0-60mph in just 4.5 (0-100km/h 4.8 seconds) seconds and up to 470km/292 miles range (WLTP).** Charging on longer journeys is made easy as the I-PACE’s Pivi Pro navigation system is able to locate suitable connections and route data within a couple of taps of the home-screen. It can even show if a charger is available or not, what it costs and how long it will take to charge: in just 15 minutes, 50kW DC and 100kW DC chargers can add up to 63km (39 miles) and 127km (78 miles) of range (WLTP) respectively. ****
* Data from Strava shows 600 per cent more successful Everesting rides were uploaded in June 2020 compared to the same period in 2019
** WLTP is the official EU test used to calculate standardised fuel consumption and CO2 figures for passenger cars. It measures fuel, energy consumption, range and emissions. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2, fuel economy, energy consumption and range figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load, wheel fitment and accessories fitted.
*** Percentages are expressed as a share of the battery’s useable energy storage capacity
**** Charging times and capacity will vary dependent on battery age and condition, and environment
Driver teams confirmed for Audi Sport’s Dakar project
Audi to herald energy revolution in cross-country rallying
Dakar record winner, World Rally champion and DTM champion start for Audi
Audi is the first car manufacturer to fight for overall victory in the famous Dakar Rally with an electrified powertrain, thus also heralding an energy revolution in cross-country rallying.
Audi Sport has succeeded in recruiting three illustrious driver teams for the ambitious project.
Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist (Sweden), Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger (France), and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz (Spain) will compete for Audi in the world’s toughest rally from January 2 to 14, 2022. “It’s no exaggeration to speak of a ‘dream team’,” says Julius Seebach, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH and responsible for motorsport. “Stéphane is the most successful Dakar driver of all time. Carlos is a multiple Dakar winner and World Rally champion.
With Mattias, we already celebrated many Audi successes in the past. He is one of the world’s most versatile drivers. In addition to a lot of speed, they are all adding an extreme amount of expertise and motivation to our team. The same goes for their co-drivers, who play an increasingly important role in the Dakar Rally.”
“In the end, the drivers and co-drivers make the difference at the Dakar Rally,” says Andreas Roos, who is responsible for the factory motorsport commitments at Audi Sport. “The fact that we will have three driver teams at the very highest level is reassuring. We can put a checkmark behind this point. Now it’s up to us to complete the development of our innovative car and kick off the energy revolution in cross-country rallying in January.”
“At the Dakar Rally, teamwork and reliability are crucial,” says Sven Quandt, team principal of Q Motorsport. “You need a well-bonded team, a super reliable car, and reliable driver teams. You can’t permanently drive at the limit in the Dakar Rally. The right strategy is crucial. I’m very happy that we will have three renowned and strong teams competing for us. We know their qualities very well.”
Mattias Ekström (42) has spent almost his entire career under the banner of the four rings, particularly in the DTM, where he won the title twice with Audi (2004 and 2007). The Swede underlined his versatility by winning the World Rallycross Championship in 2016, as well as successful stints in the World Rally Championship, NASCAR, and in Australian Supercars. In 2021, he is competing for CUPRA in the new Extreme E electric off-road series. Earlier this year, he also made his debut in the Dakar Rally.
“The Dakar will definitely be one of the most exciting adventures of my career,” says Ekström. “To be able to tackle this exciting project together with the team, with which I celebrated my greatest successes, is fantastic. Although I’ll be turning 43 this year, I feel like a junior compared to Carlos and Stéphane. In this sport, you need a lot of experience in all areas. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Mattias Ekström’s co-driver is his compatriot Emil Bergkvist (26), who used to be a rally driver himself. “I come from the same region as Mattias. He has always been an idol for me, every motorsport enthusiast in Sweden knows him,” says Bergkvist.
“When I stopped driving, I called him and asked if I could work for his team. Now, I am his co-driver. It’s an honor for me to be able to work with Mattias and be part of this great project at Audi.”
Stéphane Peterhansel (55) is “Mister Dakar” and a living legend in his sport. The Frenchman has won the world’s toughest cross-country rally 14 times, which includes six victories on a motorcycle and eight more in the car category. “I love nature and beautiful landscapes,” says Peterhansel. “At the Dakar Rally, we travel to fascinating places that you would never see otherwise. The Dakar is one of the last adventures in this world. And it is on the verge of a radical change: the future is electric. In ten years, everyone will be driving electric cars. The Dakar is an extreme test for this technology. We want to be the first team to win the Dakar Rally with an electric powertrain. I’m looking forward to tackling this very ambitious project with Audi.”
“A new era is coming. The whole world is moving towards electric mobility and motorsport has to do the same,” says Peterhansel’s co-driver Edouard Boulanger (42). “Audi brings a lot of experience from Le Mans and Formula E and is not starting from zero. History has shown: When Audi does something in motorsport, it does it right. Being allowed to be a part of the Audi squad is another important step in my career and a big responsibility. I don’t want to disappoint expectations.”
The trained engineer has become familiar with the Dakar Rally over many years in various functions. In 2021, he started together with Stéphane Peterhansel for the first time and won the rally outright. “I’ve admired Stéphane since I was a kid,” says Boulanger. “We’ve known each other personally for 13 years and more recently we’ve been working together in the cockpit. He is the best in the sport.”
Carlos Sainz (59) is also a living legend. The Spaniard is a two-time World Rally champion (1990,1992) and has celebrated three Dakar Rally victories to date: in 2010, 2018, and most recently in 2020 at the premiere in Saudi Arabia. “Even at 59,
I’m still hungry, otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken on this new challenge,” says Sainz. “Even as a child, it was my dream to become a rally driver. My passion is unchanged.” The Audi brand has always been something very special for “El Matador”. “The Audi quattro changed the World Rally Championship forever,” says Sainz. “Now we are trying something similar at the Dakar Rally. The engineers have much more freedom in the Dakar Rally than in other racing series. I have full confidence in the Audi engineers and will try to help them with my experience to develop a fast and successful car. The Dakar is the ultimate challenge for an electric powertrain. It is a fantastic, extreme project. I can’t wait to test the car for the first time. What I’ve seen so far gives me confidence.”
Sainz will share the cockpit with Lucas Cruz (46), who was part of one of his countryman’s junior rally teams at the start of his career, before discovering cross-country rallying for himself. “2021 is my 20th year in the sport,” says Cruz. “I have competed in the Dakar Rally with different drivers before Carlos asked me to work with him at Volkswagen in 2009. I would never have dreamed of doing that. A year later, we won the Dakar together for the first time and three times since then.”
“Carlos is super professional,” says Cruz. “He only has one goal: to win. He demands that everyone else is as focused as he is: the mechanics, the engineers, the co-driver. We have a good connection. I’m the calming influence in the car. Working with him is a great pleasure.”
Cruz is also intrigued by the idea of tackling the Dakar Rally with an electrified powertrain. “Audi is the first manufacturer to enter such a car,” says the Spaniard. “It’s important and positive for our sport to take this step and rely on new energies in the world’s toughest motorsport event. It’s very complicated in the Dakar Rally. Audi is daring to do something that no one has done before. It’s the future.”
New Bentayga Hybrid now available to order in the United Kingdom and Europe, bringing electrified motoring to the luxury SUV market
Unrivalled serenity through electric drive and even greater refinement
Increased connected car services with access to charging data, statistics and cabin comfort controls
E-Motor partnered with a 3.0 litre twin-scroll turbocharged V6 petrol engine delivering 443 bhp (449 PS) and 516 lb.ft (700 Nm) of torque
Combined range of 430 miles (693 km) with capability of 25 miles (40 km) range in pure electric drive (WLTP)
Usage profile data shows majority of journeys made with Bentayga Hybrid are in EV mode, and 90 per cent of customers consistently travel less than 30 miles per journey
The Bentayga Hybrid is now available to order for customers in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Following introduction in the launch markets of the USA and China, the Bentayga Hybrid continues to bring unrivalled, electrified serenity to the luxury SUV sector around the world.
Following the launch of the Bentayga V8 and Bentayga Speed last summer, the Bentayga Hybrid is the third model in the most successful luxury SUV portfolio the segment has ever seen. The first generation Bentayga Hybrid accounted for one in every five of Bentaygas manufactured, and the introduction of the second generation is likely to increase that ratio – 45 per cent of Bentayga orders in China since launch have been for the hybrid version.
Providing a simplified offer for customers, the latest generation Bentayga Hybrid is available at the same base price as a Bentayga V8 – focusing the customer choice on powertrain preference rather than cost.
Delivering the same level of comfort and luxury, yet with a quieter and more refined driving experience, the Bentayga Hybrid brings a selection of new technologies and connected car services, positioning the new product as the most technically advanced Bentayga to date.
The exterior and interior design emphasises Bentley design DNA across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company. Furthermore, the Bentayga Hybrid is the first step on Bentley’s path to having an electrified offering for every model in the range within the next three years, ahead of Bentley’s first BEV in 2025 and as part of Bentley’s revolutionary Beyond100 strategy that will see the iconic brand become the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company. Introducing the very latest on-board technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new Bentayga is significantly revised both inside and out from the previous generation. The Bentayga Hybrid is available with a four or five-seat configuration and can be personalised further with a vast selection of optional content including Blackline and Styling Specifications, with Blackline now being ordered on more than a third of customer cars.
The Bentayga Hybrid offers the ultimate in electric luxury, with smooth and silent progress through urban environments, whilst having the grand touring capability to escape the city and explore further. Customers of the Bentayga Hybrid can escape the noise of the city through the refined and acoustically-isolated serenity of the cabin without engine interference, using up to 25 miles of electric-only range (WLTP), before physically leaving the city behind with the comfort of a total combined range of 430 miles (WLTP).
Bentley’s research shows over 90 per cent of customers use their first-generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week, and nearly 100 per cent of customers use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles.
In real world terms, the majority of journeys can be achieved completely in electric only, with zero emissions, delivering more benefits environmentally and building on Bentley’s new reputation for sustainability for the future.
The Bentayga Hybrid is the first of two new Bentley hybrids due to enter production this year, with the next to break cover this summer. The Bentayga Hybrid is available to order in the UK and Europe now, with deliveries beginning in the coming weeks.
Legendary Italian styling house Touring Superleggera is this year celebrating its 95th anniversary and marking the occasion with a graceful new two-seat coupé appropriately named the Arese RH95 to reflect their commitment to the future at their home of via per Arese, an area long known as the standard-bearer for Italian design, as well as the initials of the Arese project’s founding patron.
The Touring Arese RH95 will receive its UK premiere during the 2021 Salon Privé week. The distinctive design will break with tradition by being the first Touring creation to feature a mid-engined layout.
The company has enjoyed numerous highlights at Salon Privé in recent years, having previously displayed its Bentley Flying Star and award-winning Disco Volante, and in 2014 it picked up Best Concept Car of the Year for its MINI Superleggera Vision. Last year, Touring Superleggera used the magnificent backdrop of Blenheim Palace to introduce its Aero 3, which drew inspiration from the Touring-bodied Alfa 8C 2900 Le Mans Berlinetta. The Aero 3 is still available, giving Touring Superleggera a range of two distinct models for the first time in modern production.
The 95th anniversary design will share many elements with its recent Touring predecessors, as well as their elegant flow and balance of proportions. The Arese RH95 expresses a touch of drama and glamour in all its features, from the novel scissor-hinged doors, the bright aluminium side-slash, the elegant waistline inspired by the Disco Volante to the grille and front air nostril treatment derived from the Aero 3, every flank and panel is a visual delicacy.
All examples of the Touring Arese RH95 will be built around the drivetrain of a well-known exotic, mid-engined donor car, whose active dynamic have been engineered to handle the new body and specifications, to ensure performance and efficiency.
‘The design is both a clear evolution and an enhancement of Touring’s contemporary front-engined Aero family, as exemplified by the Disco Volante Coupé and Spyder and last year’s Aero 3,’ said Emanuele Bedetti, Head of Sales & Marketing at Touring Superleggera. ‘This will be a truly fitting design with which to carry forward the Touring streamline philosophy into the mid-engined genre. The 95th-anniversary supercar is in the final stages of production and we look forward to returning to Salon Privé in September for its UK premiere.’
Salon Privé Director David Bagley said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Touring Superleggera back to Blenheim Palace. The launch of its Aero 3 was one of the highlights of last year’s event. I’m sure the 95th anniversary car will be spectacular, and we are proud to be hosting its UK premiere.’
Founded in Milan in 1926 by Felice Anderloni and Gaetano Ponzoni, Touring produced bodywork for some of the most prestigious marques of the time, including Alfa Romeo and Isotta Fraschini. Following the Second World War, Touring established a close relationship with Ferrari and made bodywork for the 166MM as well as the subsequent 195, 212 and 340MM models. Its ‘Superleggera’ method of producing lightweight bodies was licensed by Aston Martin for its DB4 and DB5, and it also worked with Maserati, Pegaso and Lamborghini.
Still based in Milan, Touring Superleggera now specialises in bespoke projects, and over the past decade it has created everything from the Tornante supercar for Gumpert to the four-seater Maserati-based Sciàdipersia Coupé. It also has a restoration department that ensures Touring-bodied cars are rebuilt to exacting standards of authenticity.
Salon Privé Week 2021 1 September – Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance 2 September – Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance Awards 3 September – Salon Privé Ladies’ Day presented by Boodles 4 September – Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton 5 September – Salon Privé Classic & Supercar
Tickets can be purchased via the website www.salonpriveconcours.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline: 0808 100 2205.
Charity Partner Salon Privé is proud to once again have Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity as its charity partner. The organisation provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness, and thanks to the generation donations of guests and Concours entrants, the event has so far raised in excess of £1 million for this great cause.
Exclusive Performance Car Uses Innovative Design And Manufacturing Technologies
Czinger, the trailblazing company that uses an in-house invented Human-AI production system to build state-of-the-art high-performance vehicles, unveiled today its final production spec 21C hypercar.
The 21C expresses the apex of Human-AI creativity.
The Czinger 21C, the first model in a series of exclusive performance vehicles – production will be limited to 80 cars – was created in part using additive manufacturing technologies. Each component manufactured using this technology is computationally engineered using AI, optimized for weight and performance, and is beautifully finished by hand. Czinger’s proprietary manufacturing technologies, in-house developed powertrain, and iconic design will guide its future family of vehicles.
This new hypercar showcases significant updates since its first public introduction in March 2020 ahead of the cancelled Geneva International Motor Show, including an updated width of 2050 mm. With 1250 hp and a dry weight under 1240 kg, the 21C achieves a true 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. It also features all-wheel drive with a strong hybrid powertrain that includes:
An in-house developed 2.88-liter, flat crank V8 with twin turbos located mid-vehicle
Two high output electric motors, each powering a front wheel with torque vectoring
An ultra-light, sequential seven-speed automated manual transmission gearbox
Total output of 1250hp redlining at 11,000 rpm (A 100hp upgrade is offered providing 1350 hp)
The 21C V8 is designed to use a range of fuels, including carbon recycled methanol and other e-fuels, so it can be run as a zero emission vehicle
The 21C’s hybrid powertrain uses the world’s most power dense production IC engine as its foundation. It is a 2.88 liter, flat-plane crank V8 with twin turbos located mid-vehicle. The V8 is coupled with an 800V electric drive and regen system. An e-motor drives each front wheel and the batteries are charged during operation both through regenerative braking and a Motor Generator Unit (MGU) using a gear drive that is attached to the IC engine. The total strong hybrid system delivers a peak output of 1250hp (1233bhp).
The hypercar has a top speed up to 281 mph in optional low drag vmax configuration. Putting the driver and passenger in the center position for ultimate weight distribution, aero and driver engagement, its quarter mile time is 8.1 seconds, and it goes 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 1.9 seconds; 0 to 186 mph (300 kph) to 0 in 13.8 seconds and 0 to 248 mph (400 kph) to 0 in 27.1 seconds; 0 to 186 mph (300 kph) in 8.5 seconds; and 0 to 248 mph (400 kph) in 21.3 seconds. It has a >3:1 Lift / Drag Ratio with 615 kg downforce @ 100mph and 2,500 kg @ 200mph (high downforce configuration).
The hypercar is designed, built, and manufactured in Los Angeles using cutting-edge technology tools that are integrated into a patented production system. This system includes automated AI based design and optimization software, patented additive manufacturing driven processes, high accuracy automated assembly and novel performance materials. This revolutionary technology enables Czinger’s design and engineering team to unlock performance and styling not before seen in the automotive industry.
Computationally engineered, printed and assembled, each component is at the frontier of theoretical performance. For example, the front upper control arm is hollow with internal structures allowing it to achieve significant mass savings compared to a traditional tooled variant, thereby greatly reducing un-sprung mass and further driving the 21C’s dominating performance.
The 21C is highly customizable both from a specification and individual personalization perspective. Presented in two fully homologated specifications, a lightweight high downforce configuration and a low drag configuration, both cars are powered by Czinger’s in-house powertrain and display its iconic design language and in-line seating architecture.
Czinger first unveiled its groundbreaking 21C in 2020 and confirmed that its halo hypercar is just the start of a family of exclusive performance vehicles created for the 21st century – all using the company’s in-house developed design and manufacturing technology and proprietary drivetrain.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray T-top C3 (454 big-block)
1968 Ford Mustang Fastback GT
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door ‘Sport Sedan’
There are less than two weeks to go until Classic Car Auctions close their next catalogue with some significant examples of American classics going under the hammer at The London Classic Car Show.
To submit your entry today, the auction house are offering a one-off opportunity to sell your car with a sellers commission of just 2.5% – visit their website now.
Finished in a beautiful Gloss Black with the top half wrapped in Red is this 1966 Ford Galaxie Convertible. This is a simply fabulous example of the 1966 390ci Galaxie, which has been fully restored over 25 years with all mechanical parts replaced, reconditioned, or upgraded. With a striking new interior, the vendor has spent over £25,000 on this example and Classic Car Auctions have sensibly guided this car at £18,000 – £22,000.
Another car included within their sale is 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray T-top C3 (454 big-block). With over £60,000 of restoration over a period of around ten years, this superbly restored ‘big block’ has only three keepers within the last 25 years and has been cherished by their vendor since 2010! This fabulous 3rd-generation Stingray is finished in gleaming Bridgehampton Blue with distinctive chromed side-exit exhausts and is now extremely desirable. Estimated at: £28,000 – £32,000.
Gary Dunne, CCA’s Sales Manager commented “We are absolutely delighted with our growing lot list that we have consigned for our first sale outside of the Midlands with more going live day by day. This is our first auction in 18 months which bidders can attend in person and we can’t wait to safely welcome everyone back”.
Classic Car Auctions are also offering this superbly presented, 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback GT. With matching numbers, this Passion Red 1968 Fastback is optioned from new with the ‘GT Equipment Package’. With the paintwork refreshed by their vendor last year, the car has been fully detailed and is looking simply spectacular. The auction house are offering this exceptional car for £40,000 – £50,000.
The last of four cars to be previewed from the catalogue is this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door ‘Sport Sedan’. This is the most sought-after US classic car in the world and will be going under the hammer at The London Classic Car Show, Friday 25th – Sunday 27th June. Finished in a striking Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory – this is a colour scheme that’s edging on the iconic. With a fabulous matching interior, the Bel Air, 4-door is 4.3-litre topped with a chrome Edelbrock filter. Estimated at £18,000 – £22,000.
To submit your entry before Classic Car Auctions close their catalogue on 11th June, talk to classic car specialist about your car and contact the team on 01926 640888 or complete their Value My Classic form here.
Britain’s newest concours d’elegance announces its final class and entrant list
With only six weeks to go before the inaugural event, Auto Royale has this morning announced the full list of entrants in its British International Concours d’Elegance set to take place at Waddesdon Manor from 16 – 18 July. Not since 2004 have the lawns of Waddesdon Manor seen such a fine display of rare automotive beauties, when it last hosted the Louis Vuitton 150th Anniversary Classic. As then, Organisers expect to see thousands of classic and historic car enthusiasts to flock to the French renaissance-styled venue in what some have touted could well be the most impressive and important showcase of concours vehicles to be seen and experienced in the UK this year.
Whilst it is too early to predict which cars might take home the silverware – a beautiful, bespoke collection of trophies created by the master designers at Amalgam Collection – there are some early standouts, today being announced for the first time. A newly-restored 1950 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupe by Saoutchik, last seen pre-restoration at Chantilly Arts & Elegance in 2016. Modest by comparison to other Saoutchik designs of the era, it is one of only 36 Grand Sports built and has lived in France, Germany and Belgium prior to joining the Rosso Bianco Collection. Completely different but no less stunning is the 1956 Lancia Florida Berlina by Pinin Farina from the world-famous collection of Corrado Lopresto, a class winner at no less than four European Concours including Villa d’Este.
For pre-war enthusiasts, the concours is notably joined by the Scuderia Ferrari, 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider by Zagato. Not to be confused with the 2020 Salon Prive winner, chassis #2111006, has not seen in public since its class win at the Cartier Style et Luxe at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its highly successful race career saw it achieve third place in the 1931 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, winning the drivers’ championship for Ferninando Minoia and Alfa before winning the Coppa Ciano with Tazio Nuvolari piloting, famously coming from 4th to take the lead in the handicap by 44 seconds from Louis Chiron’s Bugatti.
A contender for a highly competitive Preservation Class must surely be the 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville by Arthur Mulliner, star of the movie, The Millionairess, alongside Sophia Loren and Peter Sellars. Not seen in the UK since 1950 and originally owned by Raymond Way, its four previous owners have seen it reside in London, Texas, California and South Africa.
Reflecting the true international flavour of Auto Royale, entries have come not only from prominent local owners but also collections in Australia, New Zealand, India, Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Italy.
“It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s truly exciting to finally be able to unveil our complete plans for Auto Royale’s debut event”, say Event Director, Paul Mathers. “Many people have worked tirelessly to curate this collection and bring something we believe is fresh and new to the concours calendar. We are genuinely looking forward to sharing these cars and their stories with the British historic motoring community, and I personally hope that enthusiasts embrace Auto Royale as their own. Everyone is welcome!”.
Auto Royale – the British International Concours d’Elegance – Entrant List
Vintage Class 1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 “Silver Ghost” Torpedo Phaeton by Barker 1924 Aston Martin 1 ½ L Side Valve Open Four-Seater by Albany 1927 Hispano-Suiza H6B Foursome Coupe by Park Ward 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1928 Bentley 6 ½ L by Vanden Plas 1929 Bentley 4 ½ L “Blower”
Pre-War – Closed Class 1933 SS 1 Coupe 1935 Bentley 3 ½ L Swept Wing Pillarless Coupe by Gurney Nutting 1939 Bentley 4 ¼ L Sports Saloon by Hooper
Pre-War – Open Class 1930 Austin Heavy 12 Tourer (Old Min) 1931 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider by Zagato 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Le Mans by Touring 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C Long Chassis Spider by Brianza 1934 Morgan Supersports MX4 Barrell-Back Cabriolet 1937 Delahaye 135M Drophead Coupe by Abbey 1938 SS 100 Drophead Coupe
Post-War – Closed Class 1950 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Coupe by Saoutchik 1953 Alfa Romeo 1900 C Coupe 1955 Lancia Aurelia “Florida” Coupe by Pinin Farina 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk II Coupe 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Coupe by Vignale 1956 Lancia Aurelia “Florida” Berlina by Pinin Farina 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback 1959 Triumph Italia 2000
Post-War – Open Class 1946 Delahaye 135M Cabriolet by Graber 1948 Talbot Lago T26 Grand Sport Cabriolet by Franay 1954 Lancia Aurelia B24 GT Spider America 1959 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III Convertible 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Post-War – Sports / Racing Class 1950 Ferrari 166MM/212 Export Barchetta “Uovo” by Fontana 1950 Frazer Nash Le Mans “Replica” 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Spider by Vignale 1953 Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 PR “Disco Volante” 1954 HWM Cadillac Sports Racer 1955 Aston Martin DB3S Coupe 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder
Classic Class 1961 Facel Vega HK500 Coupe 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage SS 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V 7-Passenger Limousine 1968 Ferrari 330 GTC Coupe 1970 Monteverdi 375 High-Speed Coupe 1972 Iso Grifo Coupe 1974 Maserati Quattroporte by Frua 1979 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine by Mulliner Park Ward
Classic – Performance Class 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Coupe 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Pinin Farina 1961 Lotus Elite Coupe 1965 Maserati Sebring Coupe 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Coupe 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” Coupe 1975 Ferrari 365 Berlinetta Boxer
Classic – Sports / Racing Class 1960 Triumph TRS Works Roadster 1962 Ferrari 196SP by Fantuzzi 1963 Abarth Simca 2000GT Corsa 1964 Porsche 904 GTS
Contemporary Class 1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prototype by Zagato 1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante 1991 Jaguar XJR-15 Coupe 1991 Schuppan 962CR Coupe 1993 Jaguar XJ220 Coupe 2015 Jaguar CX-75 Coupe
Preservation Class 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom Brougham de Ville “Phantom of Love” by Charles Clark & Son 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedanca de Ville by Freestone & Webb 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville by Athur Mulliner 1949 Bristol 401 Cabriolet by Pinin Farina
Maharaja Class 1904 Napier L49 1912 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Tourer 1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP 1923 Rolls-Royce Barrell-Sided Tourer by Barker 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom Limousine by Maythorn & Sons 1927 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Tourer by Barker 1930 Delage D8 Cabriolet by Figoni 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Tourer by Barker 1934 Invicta 4 ½ L S-Type Tourer 1949 Bentley Mk VI 4-Light Touring Saloon by Hooper
Scaglietti Class 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza 1956 Ferrari 290MM / 250TR 1956 Ferrari 500 TR 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC 1960 Ferrari 250 TR “CEGGA” 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta 1970 Ferrari 246 GT “Dino” Coupe
Sir William Lyons Class 1950 Jaguar XK 120 OTS Competition 1950 Jaguar XK 120 OTS Competition 1951/53 Jaguar XK120 “Hansgen Special” 1954 Jaguar XK 120 Coupe by Pinin Farina 1957 Jaguar XK 150 by Bertone 1957 Jaguar XKSS 1958 Jaguar XK 150 Coupe 1961 Jaguar E-Type Coupe 1961 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight 1961 Jaguar Mk X
Drogo Class 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB “Breadvan” 1963 Ferrari 250 GTE
Morgan’s four-wheeled range receives host of customer-focused updates, enhancing comfort, usability, aesthetics, and acoustic character
The Model Year ‘22 (MY22) update marks the introduction of a cyclical update strategy for Morgan’ core product range
The updates to the product range are based on customer and press feedback, and demonstrate the company’s customer-first philosophy
The MY22 package is headlined by an all-new hood, redesigned seats, and an optional Active Sports Exhaust System
Further standard fit features include USB charging, along with enhanced interior and exterior lighting
New optional features include lockable storage, black painted lower grille, and exhaust tailpipe finish options
The MY22 update also marks the first vehicle application of Morgan’s redesigned ‘wings badge’
Changes to the Morgan Plus Four and Plus Six are effective immediately on all new orders
The Morgan Motor Company continues its programme of customer-focused vehicle enhancement with a host of upgrades for its Plus Four and Plus Six models.
The updates come collectively as part of Morgan’s Model Year ’22 (MY22) package, in the company’s move to a cyclical product enhancement programme. The MY22 update comes following feedback from customers and press alike, and reflects Morgan’s desire to evolve its product and provide tangible customer benefit. It furthermore provides renewed purchase motivation, as part of the company’s wider long-term product strategy.
An all-new hood design leads the MY22 update package, and is designed to improve usability, weather protection, and refinement. This has been achieved through a revised frame structure that eliminates the requirement for hood rail fasteners, and a vastly enhanced seal package around door and sidescreen closures. Together, these changes bring a marked improvement in speed and ease of hood operation, cabin noise insulation, and weather protection.
The MY22 update sees the first usage of Morgan’s redesigned ‘wings badge’ on a vehicle. The iconic logo has received its first update in more than a decade, and the change comes as part of Morgan’s wider brand identity refresh. The badge was designed in-house and is an example of the company’s new level of digital craftsmanship that sits perfectly alongside its famed array of traditional coachbuilding skills. The new badge is complemented by a lower intake mesh that can now be specified with a black finish to match the optional black upper grille mesh.
The engine sound and character is core to the Morgan driving experience, and now customers will be able to enjoy the unrestrained sound of their Plus Four or Plus Six while out on the open road, but with the option of a more subtle acoustic profile in urban environments, thanks to the optional Active Sports Exhaust System. Featuring active bypass valves, the full character of the engine is released when driving in Sport mode (automatic models) and Sport Plus modes. It comes with a choice of polished silver or black tailpipes.
Inside the car, an all-new seat improves comfort, as well as driver confidence during dynamic driving. This has been achieved through reprofiled ergonomic seat padding in the base and backrest, as well as enhanced lateral and longitudinal support. It comes in two forms: the Comfort seat, which comes as standard on the Morgan Plus Four, and features adjustable lumbar support, and the Comfort Plus, which is fitted as standard to the Morgan Plus Six – and is available optionally on the Plus Four – and features increased elasticity in the seat base along with additional pneumatic adjustment to the side and thigh bolsters.
A new lockable storage compartment is now available as an option on both the Plus Four and Plus Six. Fitted to the rear of the luggage compartment, it provides secure stowage for valuable items when the car is left unattended, with no impact on the existing storage capacity or occupant space.
Additional interior lighting is provided by the standard fitment of a pair of LED lights to the rear bulkhead, a further useability enhancement to the MY22 models. A concierge function has been incorporated into the headlights, too, keeping them illuminated for 30 seconds after the key has been removed from the ignition.
The addition of a dual USB outlet as standard represents a further passenger convenience feature, and when combined with the existing Bluetooth audio connectivity facilitate seamless mobile device integration for navigation and in-car entertainment.
Steve Morris, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Motor Company, said: “For 112 years Morgan has listened to its customers, offering a bespoke service that has made it famous the world over. Today, that’s as much the case as it ever was, and feedback on the Plus Four and Plus Six, which were launched in 2020 and 2019 respectively, has been carefully collated and acted on by our engineering team.
“The result of this engineering programme is the MY22 update package, which holistically brings new levels of usability, refinement and driving enjoyment to the four-wheeled range. The introduction of a cyclical structure to product improvement also demonstrates the progress the company has made in recent years and its new levels of commercial maturity.”
Rolls-Royce Coachbuild to become a permanent fixture in future portfolio
Based on a true commission model, ‘Boat Tail’ represents a collaborative exploration of luxury, design and culture between the marque and commissioning clients
Coachbuild empowers clients to create potent evocative expressions of personal taste
Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is contemporary patronage in its truest form
Rolls-Royce prompted the contemporary coachbuilding movement in 2017 with the introduction of ‘Sweptail’
“Today marks a seminal moment for the House of Rolls-Royce. We are proud to unveil Rolls-Royce Boat Tail to the world, and with it, the confirmation of coachbuilding as a permanent fixture within our future portfolio.
“Historically, coachbuilding had been an integral part of the Rolls-Royce story. In the contemporary Rolls-Royce narrative, it has informed our guiding philosophy of Bespoke. But it is so much more. Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is a return to the very roots of our brand. It represents an opportunity for the select few to participate in the creation of utterly unique and truly personal commissions of future historical significance.
“Rolls-Royce has carefully listened to its closest clients, each of whom has expressed a desire to deepen their relationship with the brand by creating ambitious, personal statements of true luxury. Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is not a concept created to be retrospectively sold.
“Quite the contrary. Rolls-Royce believes in complete authenticity and Boat Tail is the culmination of a four-year collaboration with three of our most special clients.
“Rolls-Royce Coachbuild clients are intimately and personally involved at each step of the creative and engineering process. We work in harmony with the client to gain complete fluency in the nuances of their character and personality. We carefully translate these qualities into the elements with which they wish to imbue their commission.
“Only the House of Rolls-Royce can offer its Coachbuild clients the inimitable opportunity to commission a product of future historical significance, that is as fundamentally unique as they are – and then participate in every detail of its creation.
“This is authentic luxury. This is contemporary patronage in its truest form. This is Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.”
“Rolls-Royce Boat Tail challenges the notion of what a motor car is and creates a new definition of what a motor car means. Boat Tail exists far beyond a mere means of transport. It is not just the method to reach a destination, but the destination itself. It is an ambition realised with a remarkable cohort of women and men who empowered the marque to create a concept of extraordinary scope.
“Coachbuild provides freedom to move beyond the usual constraints. Normally, there is a natural ceiling to Rolls-Royce Bespoke by way of the canvas. At Rolls-Royce Coachbuild we break through that ceiling, embracing the freedom of expression afforded by coachbuilding to shape a concept directly with our commissioning patrons.
“With Boat Tail we have achieved this. We have created a trio of exceptional cars which, although they share a common body style, are each imbued with the unique, highly personal imprint of the commissioning patron, thereby telling differing stories. Boat Tail is unprecedented. Boat Tail is a distinct counterpoint to industrialised luxury.”
Alex Innes, Head of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design, Rolls-Royce
As a House of Luxury, Rolls-Royce imbues its products with meaning. A Rolls-Royce serves as a canvas onto which clients reflect their personal tastes, express ambitions and often, define legacies. The Bespoke treatment of a Rolls-Royce elegantly reflects its status as ‘the best car in the world’ while stylishly expressing the personality of its commissioning client.
Ever increasingly, clients appreciate and enjoy the marque’s Bespoke capabilities and Rolls-Royce is called upon, by its clients, to integrate itself into their lives in meaningful ways. The brand and its clients have become progressively closer and the designers, engineers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce, a Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence, have developed a unique fluency in interpreting the lifestyles of these remarkable women and men. This evolution of mutual confidence has resulted in ever more ambitious commissions, reaching well beyond the scope of Bespoke competencies and capacity, into the rarefied realm of coachbuilding. To fulfil these extraordinary client commissions Rolls-Royce has reached a decision to return to one of the historical roots of the marque and to initiate a distinct department within the company, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.
Coachbuilding is a highly distilled expression of Rolls-Royce Bespoke and is reserved for those who look to move beyond existing constraints. It is based on a true commission model and represents a collaborative exploration of meaningful luxury, design and culture between the marque and its commissioning client. The results become pivotal moments in time that create a future historical legacy, advancing designs which in turn define an era, extending influence far beyond the original intended purpose of a mere means of transportation.
Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is contemporary patronage in its truest form.
The discipline inherent in Rolls-Royce’s approach to coachbuilding requires elite artistic skills that do not exist elsewhere in the automotive industry. Commissioning clients demand an object that is truly transformative; an object that makes a permanent statement and sets itself apart from anything that has gone before.
In response, the marque must interrogate and deeply understand two worlds. The first is the intimately personal context of the client – their individual life-space, how they celebrate, what and who they surround themselves with, and the experiences that have defined the very best moments in these exceptional people’s lives. The second is the broader cultural context in which a Coachbuild car will exist. Here the marque explores the cultural nuances of the client, movements in architecture, couture, colour palettes, artistic tastes – even hospitality.
THE DAWN OF A MOVEMENT
In 2017, the celebrated Rolls-Royce Sweptail defined the dawn of the contemporary coachbuilding movement. It created a definitive moment that raised the awareness of a new watermark in luxury and automotive possibility, illustrating a new realm of exploitation owing to its hand-built nature. This remarkable product, which was instantly proclaimed as one of the finest intercontinental tourers in history, represented a major recalibration of possibility, and confirmed that the legacy of Rolls-Royce will be defined in collaboration with its clients.
Sweptail set a new waterline of potential and ignited a fascination among a rarefied cohort: collectors, patrons of the arts and commissioning clients of now-iconic architecture. A number of these women and men approached Rolls-Royce to discover if they too could collaborate on a unique commission, one that was even more profound – one that provided an elevated sense of curation. The marque agreed, signalling the genesis of a permanent contemporary Coachbuild department at the Home of Rolls-Royce.
Within this group, it emerged that three potential patrons shared a deep appreciation of contemporary nautical design. J-Class yachts were often referenced as points of inspiration, both for their purity of form and their requirement for hand craftsmanship at the highest level to will them into existence.
This client-led creative expression coincided with a long-held ambition of the design team at Rolls-Royce to create a contemporary expression of the Boat Tail typology, where coachbuilders would graft the hull forms of sailing boats onto the rolling chassis of a Rolls-Royce. When the idea of this design direction was proposed, the three patrons were unequivocal in their approval. And all three shared a single demand: “Show me something that I have never seen before.”
In consultation with the clients concerned, an agreement was reached whereby three cars would share a common body, but each would then be individually, highly personalised, reflecting the confluence between vision, capability and ambition of the marque and each of the individual commissioning patrons.
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail was conceived.
THE TRANSFERENCE OF SOUL
The manual techniques of coachbuilding offer new realms of design opportunity. Once the preliminary design proposal is penned by hand, the discovery of the form is enabled with a full-sized sculpture in clay, allowing hand-crafted manipulation of the expansive surfaces to perfect its shape. Throughout this process, the clients were invited to envisage the scope of the collaboration and influence its direction. Cutting-edge engineering technologies within Rolls-Royce are fused with the artistic practice of coachbuilding to exploit new possibilities. The clay sculpture is digitally remastered, from which the buck, is created on to which aluminium sheets are hammer-formed by hand.
Employing age-old individual hand skills and craft, a living canvas is created from metal –honing and optimising the aluminium body, creating a clarity of surface and continuation of line that is unable to be achieved by machine alone.
The process is akin to yacht building, easing the transference of soul into the creation. A process of hand refinement is repeated almost endlessly, without the pressure of time. Slowly, vast sheets of metal transform into the sculptural representation of Boat Tail. A truly pure form is created: uninterrupted by panel breaks, dramatic in its curvature, monolithic in scale and formed from one seemingly endless surface.
A CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS
The first Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, unveiled today, is a curation of exceptional thoughts, concepts and items, which culminate to form the clients’ perfect experience. The commissioning patrons, a globally successful couple who are highly proficient in the appointment of Rolls-Royces, truly personify connoisseurship; their luxury curation is an artform in itself. Their proposition was purposefully self-indulgent. Their desire was to create a response to a life of hard work, success achieved, and celebration required. Their Rolls-Royce Boat Tail should be joyful, a celebratory car to enjoy with their family.
Together, with the marque’s designers, they embarked on an intellectual journey, founded on a long-standing and creative relationship with the brand. Indeed, the clients’ fascination of the Boat Tail form was furthered by a motor car in their private collection; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, lovingly restored, by them, in time for their modern Boat Tail’s completion.
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail presents a wonderful new aesthetic for the marque, balancing previously unseen levels of sculpture with discrete, sometimes playful functionality. The creation tells the romantic tale of Rolls-Royce’s history, echoing a Boat Tail design but not explicitly mimicking it, fusing an historical body type with a thoroughly contemporary design.
At nearly 5.8m long, its generosity of proportion and clarity of surface present a graceful and relaxed stance. The front profile is centred on a new treatment of Rolls-Royce’s iconic pantheon grille and lights. The grille becomes an integral part of the front end, not an applique; a freedom of design bestowed only upon models within the Coachbuild portfolio. This progressive treatment softens Rolls-Royce’s familiar formality while retaining the marque’s undeniable presence. A strong horizontal graphic with deep-set daytime running lights forms Boat Tail’s intense brow line and frames classical round headlamps, a design feature recalled from the design archives of Rolls-Royce.
In profile, nautical references are very suggestive. The wrap-around windscreen recalls the visor on motor launches, while the gentle rearward lean of the A-pillar, the large, crisp volumes at the front and the tapered rear create a gesture that recalls a motor launch rising out of water under power. A progressive negative sculpture in the lower bodyside creates a lithe impression, while making an historical reference to the running boards of prominent heritage Rolls-Royce designs.
Viewed from dead rear, the body resolves in a gentle sharpening of the form. As with the front, a horizontal emphasis is established at the rear with wide, deep-set lamps – a break from the expected vertical Rolls-Royce lamp iconography.
Indeed, it is at the rear where the nautical references become more apparent. The aft deck, a modern interpretation of the wooden rear decks of historical Boat Tails, incorporates large swathes of wood. Caleidolegno veneer is applied in a feat of Rolls-Royce engineering; the grey and black material which is typically housed in the interior, has been specially adapted to be used on the exterior, with no compromise to the aesthetic.
The open pore material features a linear wood grain which is visually elongated by brushed stainless steel pinstripe inlays, serving as an optical nod to the typical wooden construction of yachts – both old and new. The honed skills of Rolls-Royce’s wood specialists have manipulated and book-matched the grain so as to contract with the geometry of the car. The veneer treatment extends to the lower transom area resolving the taper and overall volume astern. This bold truncation is a subtle reference to the hull lines of classic Boat Tail bodies.
From the rear, one perceives a strong graphical composition marked by further horizontal emphasis, accentuating Boat Tail’s great width. Deep-set lamps establish a dramatically low reference point, evoking the dipped stern and proud bow of a motor launch under power and on plane.
An explicit architectural influence is discovered in Boat Tail’s unconventional fixed-canopy roof. Adding to the sculptural form, the sweeping roofline concludes in delicate structural elements that touch down on the rear, redolent of flying buttresses. Of course, if inclement weather is encountered while the roof is removed, a temporary tonneau is stowed for static transitory shelter.
A MUSE IN BLUE
The exterior of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is swathed in a rich and complex tone of the client’s favourite colour – blue. The hue, with an overt nautical connotation, is subtle when in shadows but in sunlight, embedded metallic and crystal flakes bring a vibrant and energetic aura to the finish. To ensure the smoothest possible application when rendering the exterior, a finger was run over the definitive body line before the paint had fully dried to soften its edges. The wheels are finished in bright blue, highly polished and clear coated to add to Boat Tail’s celebratory character.
A hand-painted, gradated bonnet, a first for Rolls-Royce, rises from a comparatively subdued deeper blue which cascades onto the grille, providing a progressive but informal aesthetic and a solidity of overall volume when viewed from the front.
The interior leather reflects the bonnet’s colour tone transition with the front seats swathed in the darker blue hue, recognising Boat Tail’s driver focused intent, while the rear seats are finished in the lighter tone. A soft metallic sheen is applied to the leather to accentuate its pairing with the painted exterior while detailed stitching and piping is applied in a more intense blue inspired by the hands of the car’s timepieces. A brilliant blue is also found woven at a 55 degree angle into the technical fibre elements to be seen on the lower bodywork, precisely orientated to emulate the spill of a water’s wake.
The fascia is distilled in its appearance, purposefully reduced to provide a modern aesthetic. This minimalist canvas accentuates the jewel like features of the completely unique BOVET 1822 timepieces specifically commissioned by the client for Boat Tail (see below). Collecting pens is another of the clients’ great passions. A particularly cherished Montblanc pen will reside in a discretely placed, hand-crafted, case of aluminium and leather, in Boat Tail’s glove box.
The instrument panel dials are adorned with a decorative technique named Guilloché, more commonly perfected in the workshops of fine jewellers and watchmakers. An elegant, thin rimmed two-tone steering wheel then bears the colours of the commission.
The tactility of the open pore Caleidolegno is brought into the cabin. Anthracite in colour, the veneer brings modern strength and depth to offset the softness of the light blue and metallic sheen. The wood is applied to the lower cabin and floor area, reminiscent of wooden hull forms, again, at 55 degrees, perfectly book matched on centre line providing a uniform appearance when viewed from either side.
A SENSE OF OCCASION
“This car should mark a sense of occasion and serve that occasion like nothing else”.
Such was the brief of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail’s commissioning patrons. In response and in reflection of their character, the rear deck inconspicuously houses a highly ambitious concept never seen before in the automotive world. At the press of a button, the deck opens in a sweeping butterfly gesture, to reveal an intricate and generous hosting suite. Its complex movement was inspired by cantilever concepts explored by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.
The hosting suite creates a celebratory focal point for a shared occasion and affords ample opportunity to reveal the individuality of the clients’ tastes and desires. It harbours an abundance of surprises executed to the highest quality. Expressed in a celebratory fashion, subverting the very notion of the motor car, the hosting suite surprises and delights all who come to experience it.
Hinged towards the centre line, the synchronised balletic opening movement reveals a treasure chest of moving parts that offer themselves to the host at a precise angle of 15 degrees. This subtle gesture of presentation reflects a genteel and quintessentially British expression of service.
The chest is appointed with the perfect accoutrements for a true Rolls-Royce al fresco dining experience; one side dedicated to aperitifs, the other, cuisine, complete with cutlery engraved with the name ‘Boat Tail’, made by Christofle in Paris.
A double refrigerator has been developed to house the clients’ favourite vintages of Armand de Brignac champagne. Elegant cradles were created to stow the specific bottle size within the refrigerator, the surrounds are highly polished and colour matched to the bottle.
While champagne is a familiar trope in the luxury world, Boat Tail’s client had a particular affinity with fine wine. The husband of this couple recalled a story from his humble beginnings. A great friend of his was a sommelier in his hometown and educated him in the taste profiles of various Grandes Marques de Champagne. This became a life-long education that turned into one of the most informed collections of rare Grand Cru champagnes in the world. The requirement for this knowledge and passion to be shared through the client’s Boat Tail was paramount – as was the need for this champagne to be rapid-cooled to precisely six degrees – the optimum serving temperature of the preferred vintage.
A classic design element of contemporary Rolls-Royce motor cars is the stowage of Rolls-Royce umbrellas in the doors, in anticipation of possible poor weather. In a delightful twist and to heighten the languid experience of Boat Tail, a unique parasol is housed beneath the rear centre line in anticipation of fine weather. A telescopic movement opens this beautiful and whimsical canopy inversely, ensuring effortless deployment.
Cocktail tables, which elegantly rotate to mimic the offering of an attendant, open on either side of the hosting suite providing access to two highly contemporary minimalist stools, which are discretely stowed below. Designed by Rolls-Royce and created by Italian furniture maker Promemoria, the slim-line interlocking stools are formed from the same technical fibre found on the exterior of the car. The interior blue Rolls-Royce leather provides the stools’ suitably comfortable seating materials.
TIMELESS PASSION – A COLLABORATION WITH BOVET 1822
In a move that further demonstrates the clients’ visionary approach to contemporary patronage, two great luxury Houses with a common pursuit of perfection have been brought together at the clients’ behest. World-class craftspeople from the House of BOVET 1822, which was founded on the philosophy of ingenuity and engineering, were called upon to work hand-in-hand with Rolls-Royce’s own masters in their field.
The mechanically minded clients sought to break new ground in horology. As esteemed and passionate collectors of both the Swiss-based House of BOVET and Rolls-Royce, their vision was to create exquisite, ground-breaking timepieces for their Boat Tail. In an act of tireless endeavour and genuine collaboration, the Houses have come together to re-imagine Rolls-Royce’s iconic centrepiece, the dashboard clock.
The result is an accomplishment never before realised in either industry. Two fine reversable timepieces, one for the lady and one for the gentleman, have been designed to be worn on the wrist, or, placed front and centre within Boat Tail’s fascia as the motor car’s clock.
The two-sided timepieces required Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 to work side by side over the course of three years to develop a ground-up remastering of the Amadeo convertible system, the most complex undertaken to date. The result is a true reflection of BOVET’s mastery, allowing for the bespoke tourbillon timepieces’ inclusion in the motor car.
Pascal Raffy, owner, BOVET 1822, commented, “I am so proud of the BOVET 1822 team, who worked in tandem with the elite design team at Rolls-Royce to produce something spectacular. These two pieces, and the mounting system, are completely unique and unlike anything we have ever done before.”
The story behind the creation of these remarkable works of art, and a detailed exploration of their mechanisms, together with information on the precious materials, unique micro-sculptures and the vast complexity of the watch carrier will be shared via a press release on 8 June, 2021 at 1pm BST.
AN ENGINEERING MARVEL
To fulfil the clients’ extraordinary ambitions, significant engineering challenges were overcome in the development of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. Indeed, 1813 completely new parts were created specifically for the cars. Time, patience, dedication and passion were the project’s hallmarks. To complete the preliminary engineering phase, prior to the commencement of production, a total of over 20 collective years were expended.
While designs were being finalised with the clients, the marque’s body-in-white, with its scalable aluminium spaceframe architecture, was completely reconfigured to support Boat Tail’s generous proportions, a process that took eight months in itself. As ever, the 15-speaker Bespoke Rolls-Royce Audio System was intended from the motor car’s inception, but the spaceframe architecture was exploited differently. Rolls-Royce’s existing product portfolio use a specially designed sill section of the architecture as the resonance chambers for the sound system’s bass speakers. In Boat Tail, the entire floor structure is utilised, creating an exceptional audio experience for the client.
To support the complex requirements of the hosting suite to the rear of Boat Tail, a unique electronic treatment was required. Five electronic control units (ECUs) were created for the rear of the car alone – a process that required a completely redesigned, dedicated wiring harness, which was the product of nine months of intensive research and development. Only then was it possible for the aft deck lids to open to an appropriate 67-degree angle, incorporate a highly secure locking mechanism and integrate a total climate control system to the rear hosting suite to preserve any cuisine stowed on board.
Indeed, the inside temperature of the hosting suite was a specific consideration. Boat Tail was created in anticipation of fair weather, so measures needed to be taken to ensure that heat absorption did not adversely affect the contents of the suite, which could include food, liquids and of course champagne. To that end, two fans are mounted in the lower section of the hosting suite to dissipate heat. To confirm this and to ensure that Boat Tail’s hosting suite will acquit itself in all climates, it has been rigorously and successfully tested to 80 degrees Celsius and -20 degrees Celsius.
As Boat Tail is a fully homologated, road-legal motor car that was created to be driven, it was only fully released by the marque once it had undergone the same rigorous dynamic testing as all other Rolls-Royces, including high speed analysis to ensure the contents of the rear hosting suite are sufficiently fastened and therefore silent under power. Indeed, each client has stipulated that they wish to drive their Boat Tail immediately upon receipt.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, concluded, “Boat Tail is the culmination of collaboration, ambition, endeavour, and time.It was born from a desire to celebrate success and create a lasting legacy. In its remarkable realisation, Rolls-Royce Boat Tail forges a pivotal moment in our marque’s history and in the contemporary luxury landscape.”
