Rolls-Royce is anything but shy when it comes to
offering customized and exclusive special editions of the Phantom, and now it’s
got yet another limited run of it’s ultra-premium sedan, this time called the Limelight.
Featuring a unique paint and wheel combo, tailor-made storage compartments, and
rear seats posh enough to coddle a sultan, the Limelight is designed
specifically to fit the needs of “that select group of people who spend their
lives in the public eye and on the world stage.”
Rolls draped the Limelight in Gala Blue paint, while the
hood is finished in silver. Complementing this color scheme is a hand-painted
Seashell and Navy Blue coachline with a diamond motif, something Rolls claims
creates the “three dimensional illusion of a diamond bracelet draped over the
surface of the car.”
The Limelight uses passenger seatbacks that tilt to
a “recommended” 27-degree incline to help the VIP’s head rest against the rear
cushion. Meanwhile, the lower body enjoys a new calf rest that rises to 68
degrees, while a footrest lifts from the floor by up to 30 degrees.
There are two trim levels available, called simply
the “Light” and the “Dark.” The Light trim features contrasting Seashell with
Navy Blue leather with Seashell tone-on-tone stitching, while the Dark trim
features contrasting Navy Blue with Seashell leather and Navy tone-on-tone
stitching.
The storage spaces are arranged to help the
passengers prepare for the engagement, the seats help them relax, and the
upgraded exterior helps them arrive in style. It’s a classic Rolls-Royce theme
taken to another level of sophistication (and price bracket). Continue reading
to learn what Rolls-Royce thinks the world’s elite need from their cars.
The drivetrain for the Limelight is standard Phantom
spec, which means under the hood lies a 6.7-liter V-12 strapped with two turbochargers,
granting the hired chauffeur an enjoyable 453 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of
torque routed to the rear wheels. That might sound like quite a substantial bit
of muscle, but when motivating the 5,840-pound Phantom, 0-to-60 still takes 5.7
seconds.
Pricing for the Limelight has not been officially
announced, but is expected to fall somewhere in the US$ 650,000 range. That’s
roughly US$ 175,000 above the standard US$ 475,000 Phantom, but considering the
clientele for which this car is designed, that shouldn’t be an issue. Only 25
units will be produced worldwide, and Rolls is taking orders now.