Rolls-Royce Sweptail

Rolls-Royce Sweptail
Rolls-Royce Sweptail on display
Overview
ManufacturerRolls-Royce Motor Cars
Production2017
Model years2018[1]
AssemblyGoodwood plant, Chichester, West Sussex, England
DesignerAlex Innes[2]
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size luxury car/grand tourer (GT)
Body style2-door coupé[1]
LayoutFR layout
DoorsSuicide doors
RelatedRolls-Royce Phantom VII
Powertrain
Engine6.75 L V12[1]
Power output338 kW (453 bhp)[1]
TransmissionZF 8-speed automatic

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a one-off large luxury car made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Overview

The Sweptail is based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé and hand-built over four years.[3] Inspired by coachbuilding of the 1920s and 1930s, the car was commissioned in 2013, by a super-yacht and aircraft specialist.[4]

At the time of its May 2017 debut at the yearly Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, it was the most expensive new automobile in the world, costing around £10 million.[5]

The Sweptail is owned by Hong Kong–based customer Sam Li, son of billionaire real estate mogul Samuel Tak Lee.[6]

Giles Taylor, former director of design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars described the vehicle as "the automotive equivalent of Haute couture".[7]

In 2019, it was overtaken as the most expensive new car by the Bugatti La Voiture Noire which sold for US$18.7 million (US$12.3 million pretax).[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Kirby Garlitos (30 May 2017). "2018 Rolls-Royce Sweptail Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  2. ^ Nair, Shatricia (3 December 2018). "Q&A: Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce's Head of Coachbuild Design takes us inside the bespoke process". Lifestyle Asia. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  3. ^ "$13 Million Rolls-Royce Sweptail Could be Most Expensive New Car Ever Made". 27 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Rolls Royce Sweptail Is The Most Expensive Brand New Rolls You Can Buy". ColumnM. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  5. ^ Harvey, Michael (27 May 2017). "Rolls-Royce debuts its stunning £10 million Sweptail - the most expensive new car ever sold". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  6. ^ Peter. "SAMUEL TAK LEE • Net Worth $4 billion • House • Yacht • Private Jet • Car Collection". SuperYachtFan. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Why outlandish one-off could be the future of Rolls-Royce". Autocar. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  8. ^ Chang, Brittany (13 August 2019). "Bugatti's new $ 18.7 million hypercar was purchased by an anonymous buyer, making it the most expensive new car ever sold". Business Insider. Retrieved 8 June 2020.