Rolls-Royce to Unveil Limited-Edition Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII

Rolls-Royce to Unveil Limited-Edition Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the unveiling of its latest collection car, the Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VIII, on a limited offer.

To be launched at this year's Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como from May 24 to 26, the ultra-luxe marque noted that only 50 Wraith Eagle VIII will be released.

These highly-collectible motor cars will be created for discerning collectors at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex--a Centre of Global Luxury Manufacturing Excellence.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, "Wraith Eagle VIII is at once an object of desire; an homage to heroes and a protagonist to today’s visionaries. This Rolls-Royce Collection demonstrates the extraordinary skill of our Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex. Bespoke remains the jewel in the crown of the marque, creating luxury items that defy the trend of mass luxury manufacturers using ‘tick-box’ options to answer customer demand."

Each detail of the Wraith Eagle VIII motor cars is set to tell a tale of "one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century."

Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown braved uncharted skies to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June 1919. Contemporaries of Sir Henry Royce, Alcock and Brown flew non-stop from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber aircraft. The bi-plane was powered by twin 20.3-liter, 350 bhp, Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. It is from this remarkable engine that this Collection takes its name. Rolls-Royce marks the 100 year anniversary of this feat with a highly contemporary Collection that speaks to today's adventurers, while honoring those who changed the course of history.

"I do not know what we should most admire--their audacity, determination, skill, science, their aeroplane, their Rolls-Royce engines--or their good fortune," commented Sir Winston Churchill, following the perilous journey that brought unfathomable advancement to 20th-century society.

Specifications

The exterior of the Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Car is evocative of Alcock and Brown's compelling nighttime adventure. Swathed in Gunmetal with a Selby Grey upper two-tone, the colors are separated by a brass feature line, a hint at the detailing that lies within. The black grille vanes draw immediate reference to the Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine cowling on the Vickers Vimy aircraft, the wheels are part polished with a translucent shadow finish.

Within, the finely executed interior mirrors the exterior hue. Selby Grey and black leather are accented by brass, redolent of the brass sextant so integral to the success of the transatlantic journey. Executed in a contemporary fashion, the material populates key areas throughout the cockpit of the Collection. Brass speaker covers depict the estimated flight distance of 1,880 miles and 'RR' monograms are embroidered in brass-colored thread onto headrests. A flash of brass complements the navigator door paniers, whilst the door of the driver includes a brass plaque with Churchill's quote commending the duo's remarkable achievements.

Inspired by the night time flight of our intrepid heroes, the fascia represents a modern-day abstract interpretation of the view the pair would have enjoyed as finally, their craft cleared the thick fog and cloud. In a fusion of contemporary and traditional practices, Smoked Eucalyptus wood is vacuum metalized in gold before being inlaid with silver and copper, to depict the rich detail seen in night time images of the Earth from above. The scene extends to the center console providing both an emotive and immersive experience for today's occupants-the cockpit is in perspective with the headliner. Below, the brass-stitched quilted sides of the center tunnel provide a direct nod to the V12-engined Vickers Vimy.

 

The clock of a Rolls-Royce is frequently viewed as jewelry, with many patrons choosing this canvas to tell the story of their motor car in miniature. The Wraith Eagle VIII is no exception. Our intrepid pioneers recounted that their instrument panel was frozen from the high altitude and the poor conditions, referring to the only illumination coming from the green glow of the control panel lighting and the burst of flame from the starboard engine. In homage to this, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective has masterfully fabricated a clock with an iced background effect which glows a faint green in night time driving conditions. The red hour hand sits atop compass inspired lines on the clock's fascia, whilst the landing location coordinates are engraved below.

Perhaps the most alluring feature of the Collection is the extraordinary unique starlight headliner--1,183 starlight fibers show the celestial arrangement at the time of the flight in 1919, the flight path and constellations are embroidered in brass thread, while the exact moment the pair left the cloud to navigate by the stars is indicated by a red fiber optic light. Clouds are embroidered and a plaque reading, "The celestial arrangement at the halfway point 00:17am June 15th 1919, 50" 07' Latitude North – 31" Longitude West" shows the half-way point of the momentous journey.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Chery Auto PH now 23-dealer strong
    Chery Auto PH now 23-dealer strong
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Honda Cars PH breaks ground for 2 upcoming outlets
    Honda Cars PH breaks ground for 2 upcoming outlets
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Nissan, Mitsubishi ink partnership to explore societal solutions using EVs
    Nissan, Mitsubishi ink partnership to explore societal solutions using EVs
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • BAIC PH previews 5-car lineup prior to public launch
    BAIC PH previews 5-car lineup prior to public launch
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Bentley, PUBG Mobile team up to bring 'opulence to battleground'
    Bentley, PUBG Mobile team up to bring 'opulence to battleground'
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Cabin check: What’s inside the BYD Atto 3
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Midsize SUV battle: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Everest
    Midsize SUV battle: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Everest
    Paulo Papa . Mar 14, 2024
  • Hyundai Santa Fe: 6 seductive colors
    Hyundai Santa Fe: 6 seductive colors
    Paulo Papa . Mar 12, 2024
  • Hyundai Santa Fe vs. the competition
    Hyundai Santa Fe vs. the competition
    Paulo Papa . Mar 12, 2024
  • Luxury mover matchup: GAC M8 vs. Toyota Alphard
    Luxury mover matchup: GAC M8 vs. Toyota Alphard
    Paulo Papa . Feb 27, 2024
  • Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Here are some ideal destinations and safety tips for the upcoming Holy Week
    Paulo Papa . Mar 08, 2024
  • Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Here are some New Year’s resolutions for car owners
    Paulo Papa . Jan 03, 2024
  • PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    PH auto market: 2023 in retrospect
    Paulo Papa . Dec 15, 2023
  • Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Here’s a holiday gift guide for car enthusiasts
    Hazel Nicole Carreon . Dec 15, 2023
  • Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Oil players cut pump prices anew
    Paulo Papa . Nov 14, 2023
  • BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains
    Paulo Papa . Mar 18, 2024
  • Late bloomer: Hyundai Stargazer GLS Premium
    Late bloomer: Hyundai Stargazer GLS Premium
    Ruben Manahan IV . Mar 08, 2024
  • Adventure-ready: Subaru Crosstrek
    Adventure-ready: Subaru Crosstrek
    Paulo Papa . Mar 01, 2024
  • More doors, more fun: Suzuki Jimny 5-door
    More doors, more fun: Suzuki Jimny 5-door
    Paulo Papa . Feb 27, 2024
  • Refined ride: Volkswagen Tharu SEL
    Refined ride: Volkswagen Tharu SEL
    Paulo Papa . Feb 27, 2024