The mythical kingdom of Arcadia is a place depicted in ancient Greek mythology as “heaven on Earth”, a paradise of extraordinary natural beauty in perfect harmony. Like the ‘sanctuary’ that inspires its name, the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail was conceived – at the express wish of the client who commissioned it – as “a serene and tranquil space that would serve as a refuge from the complexities of his business life.” Given the final bill for the “whim” – which some media have placed at around 25 million euros – the business life of the owner of the vehicle in question must be very eventful (and successful) to have required such delicacies.
To respond to the preferences and demands of the person who commissioned this work of rolling art, presumably a resident of Singapore, since the vehicle was delivered there in an exclusive private ceremony, Coachbuild’s designers embarked on a process of exploration.
They reviewed the design, sculpture and architecture of the client’s favorite regions around the world in search of inspiration to capture the desired tranquility and reduction to minimalism of the exterior shapes of the body as well as the materials and textures to be used. inside.
This ‘journey’ included the precision and richness of modernist tropical gardens seen in Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as British “biomimetic” architecture, where organic forms and honesty of materials are celebrated.
In addition to these references, the car itself and the purity of the Droptail design concept were also taken into consideration. The client in charge insisted that his car must be absolutely faithful to the first hand-drawn sketch that was first presented to him in 2019. It was the profile of this contemporary projection of the roadster body that attracted him, especially the bold stance and low of the car, the cozy format of the cabin and the nautical inspiration of the spectacular shapes of its rear.
Anders Warming, design director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, says of the Arcadia Droptail that “its importance lies in its subtlety. It is the projection of an individual who values ??clarity and precision in all areas of his life, from his passion for good cuisine, his preferred personal and professional spaces and his affinity with contemporary design.
This car is one of the truest expressions of an individual’s personal style and sensibility that we have ever created in the company’s nearly 120-year history. I think we’ve managed to capture his spirit, and his appreciation for simplicity, serenity and beautifully restrained elegance, something I’m particularly pleased with; “It has been a privilege to have been a part.”
While the exterior of the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail celebrates the shape of the car, the interior is a deeply personal reflection of the client’s individual aesthetic, reflecting the style of their residences, with a color palette based on their personal signature.
The development of wood was essential in the interior to meet the owner’s specific expectations, which focused on the texture, grain, color and richness of the material itself. To achieve a perfect composition on a complex geometry, Rolls-Royce craftsmen used a total of 233 pieces of wood throughout the Arcadia Droptail, of which 76 pieces were applied to the rear deck alone.
Since Arcadia Droptail will be used internationally, including in some tropical climates, special attention was paid to the protection and coating system for the exterior wood surfaces. To validate this coating and its resistance, the Goodwood firm’s technicians required more than 8,000 hours of development and work on the wooden pieces.
Coachbuild designers spent many months examining and interrogating client tastes, from clothing and furniture to food and travel destinations. From this, they defined and codified an aesthetic rooted in the client’s life experience; an objective portrait of your internal world and your external environment. Other family members, particularly the client’s daughter, also become involved in the process. When the final design was ready, the client’s entire family was invited to review it until they agreed that it perfectly captured the homeowner’s aesthetic, identity, and character.
The project, which has surpassed four years in the making, reflects exquisitely minimalist execution and the unique ability of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild designers to capture the sensitivity and soul of an individual. Among the most complex elements made by the goldsmiths and artisans who make up the most talented team of experts in the luxury industry applied to the automotive sector is the watch. Paradoxically, it is one of the smallest components of the car and does not affect its driving, but in this case it was a high-precision instrument made to measure.
The Arcadia Droptail’s Santos Straight Grain veneered fascia incorporates a watch whose dial is the most complex ever created by Rolls Royce: assembly alone was a five-month process, preceded by more than two years of development. The watch features an exquisite guilloché geometric pattern in raw metal with 119 facets. This is a symbolic nod to the brand’s legacy. The hands have been partially polished and partially brushed with the 12 “crowns” (or hour markers), each just 0.1mm thick.