The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Aviator recently shown at Pebble Beach is a limited edition model, inspired by the Rolls-Royce engined Supermarine aircraft of the 1930s; a precursor to the iconic Spitfire and from a time when cars and aircraft engines were actually made by the same company.
“Our founding forefather Charles Stewart Rolls was a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of motoring and aviation to the limit,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. “With our exclusive Phantom Coupé Aviator Collection we celebrate this great British hero, presenting a car which hints at experiments in early flight married to the best engineering, modern design and exquisitely crafted materials.”
The exterior grey metallic paint has been given a contrasting matte finish on the hood, windshield surround and grill surround. The interior is much more detailed, with a hand-crafted mahogany lower dash with Sapele contrasts underneath a matte grey stainless steel fascia with custom matte black dials, and an aviation standard mechanical clock.
The transmission tunnel cover is in anodized aluminum with exposed torx fixings and swage lines that echo the oil cooling veins on the Supermarine fuselage side. These highlights are also on the armrests. The tunnel incorporates two extraordinary polished aluminum cup holders.
The leather-lined glove compartment includes an embossed Charles Rolls quote following his first flight with the Wright Brothers in 1908: “The power of flight is as a fresh gift from the Creator, the greatest treasure yet given to man.” A center console chrome plaque describes Rolls – only the second man in Britain to hold a pilot’s license – simply as Pioneer Aviator, and below a representation of his signature. The floor mats are in leather with machined aluminum protective bullet rods.
Only 35 will be made.
Check out the video of the original version…
