Debut of Rolls-Royce Boat Tail - Only Three Units Available for RM117 Million!

Recently unveiled was the first Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, curated by both clients and marque’s designers. With a starting price of RM117 million, the vehicle presents a refreshed aesthetic, with never seen sculpture with playful functionality.

This also marks the return of the Roll-Royce Coachbuild, with it being a permanent fixture at the Home of Rolls-Royce. Started in 2017 with introducing ‘Sweptail’, the Coachbuild empowers customers to express their personal taste resulting in a vehicle unique to them.

The vehicle shares the same basis as the Rolls-Royce Phantom with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which boasts a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine. This results in 563 hp at 5,000 rpm and 900 Nm at 1,700 rpm. Additionally, the vehicle is fitted with the Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) system which sends drive to the rear wheels.

At nearly 5.8 metres long, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail features a wrap-around windscreen, the iconic pantheon grille and lights - with an option to customize the grille under Coachbuild. The vehicle features 1,813 completely new parts inclusive of bespoke body panels, headlamps and tail lamps. 

Moving to the rear, nautical references can be seen such as the aft deck, which is an interpretation of the wooden rear decks of historical Boat Tail, incorporating large swathes of wood. Caleidolegno veneer is also seen on the exterior, which extends to the lower transom area. Deep-set lamps are fitted, resulting in a dramatically low reference point. 

Interior-wise, the vehicle features a minimalistic design, as per the clients’ requests. The owners of a 1932 Boat Tail designed the interior to deliberately hide modern technology, but the centerpiece showcases a bespoke clock fitting with two unique BOVET 1822 timepieces. Seen is also a cherished Montblac pen in a hand-crafted aluminum and leather case, in the glove compartment. The 15-speaker Bespoke Rolls-Royce Audio System has been redesigned to function flawlessly in the Boat Tail.

Mimicking the J-class yacht’s hull, the Boat Tail features a deck which opens in a sweeping butterfly gesture, all at the press of a button. A chest is also seen for dining, with one side dedicated to aperitifs and cuisine on the other. Presented at an angle of 15 degrees, it is seen as part of the quintessential British expression of service.

A double refrigerator is fitted, catering to the clients’ request to house their favorite vintages of Armand de Brignac champagne. Elegant cradles were designed to hold the specific bottle size in the refrigerator, with the surroundings finely polished and color-matched to the bottle.

Besides that, a unique parasol which pops out telescopically is beneath the rear center line with mini rotating cocktail tables that opens on either side of the deck. Slim-line interlocking stools are beneath the deck, which were formed from the same technical fibre found on the exterior. 

Boat Tail was only fully released by Rolls-Royce after 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 thus silent under power, as it is a fully homologated, road-legal motor car that was driven. Each client has stated that they want to drive their Boat Tail as soon as possible after receiving it.

“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.” stated Roll-Royce chief executive officer Torsten Müller-Ötvös.