Rolls-Royce unveils 'La Rose Noire' droptail coachbuild commission

Rolls-Royce has unveiled its first droptail coachbuild commission dubbed La Rose Noir.

According to the British carmaker, the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire is inspired by the allure of the Black Baccara rose: an intense, velvet-like flower that originates in France and is beloved by the mother of the commissioning family.

“Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is a love story, thoughtfully captured and stunningly projected onto the canvas of a Rolls-Royce motor car. It is an expression of the deep and passionate partnership between a husband and wife who are the heads of a prominent international family — to be part of their remarkable story is a privilege,” Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös revealed.

“Furthermore, La Rose Noire Droptail stands as a testament to our brand’s relentless pursuit of perfection, where artistry and the vision of a single client truly harmonize. In every detail of this historic commission, there are echoes of both Rolls-Royce’s rich heritage and the commissioning clients’ character, from its captivating yet formidable form to its flawless and elegant romantic gestures. La Rose Noire Droptail, like the remarkable clients who dared to make such a potent and contemporary statement, will be written into Rolls-Royce history forever,” he added.

Unique to the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire is its primary palette, which is comprised of red and dark pomegranate, dubbed True Love and Mystery, respectively.

The exterior coachwork is finished in the lustrous and complex True Love red and as the Black Baccara rose, the motor car also appears to change color depending on the point it is examined from.

The duotone theme extends into La Rose Noire’s brightwork, or its shiny metal trimmings. And as special as the finish applied to its body, the said appliques are also swathed in paint specifically designed for the commission.

Additionally, a removable hard top has been designed to give the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire two distinct characters: a roadster and a coupe.

Behind the removable roof is an ingot with the motor car’s name — a first for Rolls-Royce. The completely bespoke roof also features an electrochromic glass section, which instantly transitions to a near-translucent shade at the touch of a button, inviting patrons to explore the world above.

The car’s Pantheon grille vanes also hide a small detail: True Love paint is hand-applied as an accent on the reverse surface of the vanes themselves.

Rounding up its exterior appointments are a set of bold 22-inch wheels painted in Mystery finish.

“Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is glamour distilled. The guiding inspiration for this dark, bold, and powerful commission was the Black Baccara rose, which was a significant point of affection for the client and a source of fascination for the design team. Its rich and complex character informed our creative exploration, influencing the palette, composition, and intricate detailing of the motor car. It led us to blend radically modern design concepts with age-old exquisite craft techniques while using materials that subtly reinforce the clients’ deep connection to France,” noted Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Head of Coachbuild Design Alex Innes.

Inside, the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire boasts a cocooning interior.

An intricate expression of parquetry represents falling rose petals, formed using 1,603 pieces of black wood veneer triangles. Rolls-Royce pointed out that the highly complex pattern is formed with 1,070 perfectly symmetrical elements forming the background, and 533 asymmetrically positioned red pieces representing the rose petals.

This intricately detailed and embracing piece envelopes the motor car’s occupants, stretching from the rear shawl panel through the doors and onto the expansive fascia.

Resolving the interior, the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail’s two seats are decorated at the edges with both dark red Mystery leather, and light red True Love leather, each finished with a subtle copper shimmer, evoking the pearlescent texture of the Black Baccara rose petals.

“Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail stands as one of the most progressive expressions of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild ever conceived. In capturing the romantic and glamorous spirit of the commissioning clients, our design team explored bold new artisanal processes and highly complex creative gestures in their pursuit of a deeply personal language of luxury. The remarkable execution of the wood elements of La Rose Noire Droptail, in particular, is a clear statement that time-honored exquisite crafts have a place at the pinnacle of modern design,” commented Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Design Director Anders Warming.

Another notable element found inside the car’s cabin is an integrated one-off timepiece by Audemars Piguet, which was specially commissioned by the client.

The 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date is powered by a unique self-winding Calibre 4407 movement, featuring a flyback chronograph and a split-seconds mechanism.

The timepiece on the dashboard can be removed, attached to a strap, and worn.

Finally, the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire comes with an exclusive vintage of Champagne de Lossy, one of the favorite wine properties of the family that commissioned the automobile. On that note, the family also requested a unique Rolls-Royce Champagne Chest.

“This bold and historic motor car is a romantic celebration of the couple who created it, characterized by passion and a restless desire for meaningful experiences. In commissioning this extraordinary expression of Droptail, this remarkable family has not only shaped their own legacy but also participated in the legend of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” Rolls-Royce wrote in a press release.

Photos from Rolls-Royce

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