As the storied Rolls-Royce marque celebrated its 120th anniversary last year, a sea change was taking shape in its top office. After nearly 14 years as CEO, during which time the opulent automaker saw a 500 percent surge in sales, Torsten Müller-Ötvös announced he was stepping aside in favor of UK-born industry veteran Chris Brownridge—a return to the brand’s roots, you might say.

“To be invited to lead this great British brand, at such a pivotal moment in its long and remarkable story, is an extraordinary privilege,” Brownridge said of his ascension. “Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s most recognized, desirable, and influential brands, and I’m keenly aware of the enormous affection and esteem in which it’s held.” Earlier this year, he demonstrated his commitment to the evolution of the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy, presiding over the debut of Black Badge Spectre, the most powerful car in Rolls-Royce history, based on its $400,000-plus electric ultra-luxury grand tourer.

Just prior to that, he’d announced plans to invest around $375 million to expand the marque’s famed Goodwood, U.K. factory to focus more on the bespoke side of the business, a thriving division that has gained a reputation for ever-more-incredible custom creations. Some of its most notable bespoke commissions in 2024 included solid 18-karat gold sculptural elements, hand embroidery consisting of more than 869,500 stitches, veneers including 500 individually-shaped pieces of wood, and one-of-a-kind holographic paint finishes.

At the same time, the brand opened an impressive new Private Office in New York, catering to stateside clients wishing to order bespoke vehicles and collaborate directly with the marque’s designers. We recently spoke to Brownridge about his appointment, vision, and plans for the future.

What aspects of the brand’s direction are you most eager to develop or refine?

Every day, I gain a deeper appreciation for our ability to connect with clients through Bespoke. I am continually inspired by the talent and vision of our artisans in Goodwood and our teams around the world. Our ambition is to further expand personalization options, ensuring each motor car reflects the unique desires of its owner. This includes investing in the Goodwood facility to accommodate increasingly complex Bespoke projects—reinforcing our unwavering commitment to individualized luxury.

How does the Black Badge Spectre embody the pinnacle of the Black Badge ethos?

Black Badge is the alter ego of the Rolls-Royce brand— darker, bolder, and more visceral. Spectre, our electric super coupé, provides the ideal canvas for this expression. Its emotionally charged design and powerful stance made it the natural choice for our most performance-focused model to date. With 650 brake horsepower and exclusive features like “Infinity Mode” and “Spirited Mode,” Black Badge Spectre pushes the boundaries of bold design while maintaining the serene luxury expected of Rolls-Royce. In many ways, this is the motor car Black Badge was destined for.

How has the Black Badge program evolved over the past decade?

Black Badge was introduced to appeal to a younger, more dynamic clientele. It has since matured into a bold symbol of individuality— perfectly aligned with the expressive capabilities of our Bespoke division. Over time, we’ve introduced enhanced performance features, culminating in the Black Badge Spectre—the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever. Simultaneously, Black Badge has allowed us to innovate with new materials, further expanding the visual and tactile palette available to our clients.

What is the current state of the Black Badge program, and who are its clients?

The Black Badge collection continues to thrive, attracting those who seek a more daring and unconventional Rolls-Royce experience. Our client base for Black Badge is very diverse, but our Black Badge owners value bold design married with dynamic performance. They are seeking a truly personal connection to the image their motor car projects and deliberately move away from expected aesthetic codes.

What was involved in engineering the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history?

The development of Black Badge Spectre required a transformative approach to power and performance—executed the Rolls-Royce way. Teaching Spectre how to behave with increased torque and horsepower while remaining, first and foremost, a Rolls-Royce demanded precise calibration of the transmission, suspension, and steering systems. Our engineers also crafted a sound profile befitting this elevated performance. The result is a motor car that redefines power for the brand with-out any compromise regarding the refined character that defines Rolls-Royce.

How do you balance innovation and electrification with the heritage that defines Rolls-Royce?

At the start of the 20th century, our founder, Charles Rolls, declared that electric drive would be the technology of the future, ideally suited to the type of car he–together with Henry Royce–was destined to create. Traveling in a Rolls-Royce has always been defined by silence, effortless power and the unrivaled “magic carpet ride.” With our meticulously engineered Rolls-Royce electric drivetrain, that renowned feeling of “one endless gear” takes on a new quality: Even more powerful, silent and refined than our legendary V12, it delivers the ultimate Rolls-Royce experience.

What motivated the $375 million expansion of the Goodwood manufacturing facility?

This strategic investment is dedicated to expanding our Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities, not to increase annual production volumes. As client demand grows for increasingly complex and highly individualized commissions, the enhanced facility will support advanced paint techniques and intricate “one-off” interior treatments, reducing wait times for our clients. Our mission is not more volume, but more magnificent, meaningful commissions.

How has Rolls-Royce come to lead the industry in vehicle customization?

Bespoke is not an option at Rolls-Royce—it is the essence of what we do. From the initial consultation to the final handover, every touchpoint is tailored to transform each motor car into a singular expression of the client’s lifestyle. Our goal is to ensure that no two Rolls-Royces are alike—each is a one-of-one commission that reflects the individuality of its owner.

What is driving the increase in Bespoke and Coachbuild demand?

True luxury lies in individuality and exclusivity. Our clients are highly accomplished individuals who turn to Rolls-Royce to express and celebrate that success. They don’t want a car—they want a statement. A unique Bespoke commission is their way of making that statement.

What inspired the growth of the Private Office program? Doesn’t its invite-only nature create limitations?

Private Office was conceived to serve clients with highly ambitious bespoke visions—clients for whom time is their most precious resource. Not everyone can travel to Goodwood [UK], so we brought the experience closer to them. The Private Office allows direct access to our design team and creative resources, empowering our most visionary clients to bring their ideas to life in collaboration with our brand.

How does one receive an invitation to the Private Office?

Invitations are extended to clients who demonstrate a strong affinity with the brand, often through previous Bespoke commissions or a clear vision for a one-of-a-kind vehicle. At Private Office New York, for instance, access is granted via dealer-client advisors. While every Rolls-Royce dealership houses a Bespoke Lounge, clients whose requests are particularly elaborate are invited to the Private Office where they can work directly with a Rolls-Royce designer and dedicated client experience manager.

How does direct collaboration with Goodwood designers enhance the commissioning experience?

Working directly with our designers—whether at Goodwood [Rolls’ UK headquarters] or in Private Office locations—immerses clients in the creative journey. Their personal stories and preferences are deeply integrated into the final design, resulting in a motor car that is not only one-of-a-kind, but profoundly personal. These collaborations often inspire new techniques and innovations in design, material use, and craftsmanship.

Are there plans to open additional Private Office locations? What determines their placement?

Currently, our Private Offices in Goodwood, Dubai, Shanghai, Seoul, and New York are serving hundreds of clients on highly complex projects. Our focus remains on delivering world-class service at each location. While we have no immediate plans to expand, we will continue to evaluate based solely on one criterion: our ability to meet and exceed client expectations.

Are more ultra-limited Coachbuild commissions planned? What determines eligibility?

Wait and see! We continue to explore ultra-limited Coachbuild projects with clients who have a deep understanding of the brand and a compelling vision. These commissions are profoundly collaborative and ensure alignment with Rolls-Royce’s heritage and standards. While we can’t reveal specifics at this time, we are always seeking opportunities to evolve the Coachbuild concept in response to client demand.

This article originally appeared in Maxim’s September/October 2025 issue.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom, the longtime flagship in esteemed British luxury marque’s lineup, turns 100 this year, marking an opportunity for centennial celebrations that extend beyond just the automotive industry and, in the case of the Rolls-Royce’s latest announcement, the world of modern art.

Among the many 20th-century greats who preferred to travel in the classic coach cars include Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Christian Berard and Cecil Beaton. Dali and Warhol in particular were massive fans of luxobarges topped with the Spirit of Ecstasy—the ornament itself having been designed by prolific English sculptor Charles Robinson Sykes.

Dali produced an artwork for a 1934 illustrated book Les Chants de Maldoror featuring his interpretation of a Phantom stranded in a bleak, icy landscape. But more notably, the publicity-savvy Spanish surrealist involved the model in one of his infamously quirky stunts. Upon arriving at Paris-Sorbonne University to give a guest lecture for a crowd of 2,000 in the winter of 1955, he flung open the suicide doors of a yellow Phantom filled with with 1,100 pounds of cauliflower that naturally cascaded to the ground around the his feet. As an homage to the quintessentially absurd Dali moment, Rolls-Royce commissioned an original artwork inspired by the eccentric act.

While Warhol didn’t incorporate a Phantom directly into his work (though he did silkscreen print a pre-WWII Mercedes grand prix car), he, unlike Dali, actually owned one. The Pop Art legend spotted a 1937 model that had been converted into a shooting brake at an antique shop in Zurich, where it was on sale. Warhol bought it on the spot and shipped it to New York. He owned the car until 1978, when he sold it to his friend and manager, Fred Hughes. As a tribute to both Warhol and the genre he helped spearhead, Rolls-Royce has commissioned a contemporary artist to reimagine the Phantom in Warhol’s inimitable style.

In addition to the Phantom, Warhol also famously owned a milk chocolate brown a 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, which was previously featured in a Petersen Automotive Museum eshibit Andy Warhol: CARS from the Mercedes Benz Art Collection, the first showcase of Andy Warhol’s Cars series in North America since its 1988 debut at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Given this rich history, expect the Phantom to serve as artists’ catalysts, subjects and canvases many more times in the coming decades.

Purchase of a high-end automobile typically comes with at a perk or two, be it a bespoke watch, a track-ready racing suit or designer luggage. Lifestyle brand Debauchery is flipping the script by offering a vintage Rolls-Royce to the buyer of its latest perfume collection.

Granted, this is less of a customer-acquiring promotion and more of a PR stunt. The lifetime supply-style package comprises 100 bottles of DB01 Eau de Parfum, 2,000 bottles of DB01 Body & Hand Wash, 2,000 bars of DB01 Beef Tallow Bar Soap, and a “complimentary” 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. Debauchery’s products are all scented with its flagship DB01 fragrance, which “evokes the hedonism of a velvet-roped afterparty—layered with elegant animalic musks, citrusy herbs, smoky woods, and touches of leather, tobacco, and castoreum,” according to the brand.

As for the ride, Car and Driver confirmed that the brand only has a single example to offer. The particular Rolls-Royce Silver Spur was purchased from Charlie Agapiou, a Los Angeles–based Rolls and Bentley expert, after being displayed alongside a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa at Monterey Car Week. According to a Debauchery rep speaking to C&D, the car was chosen because vintage Rolls-Royces smell “like leather, wood and money”—olfactory notes that certain perfume fans will appreciate.

It’s worth noting that Hagerty lists a $22,000 valuation for a 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur in pristine condition. However, the retail value of the truckload of Debauchery product—100 bottles of fragrance at $170 each, 2,000 bottles of body wash at $24 each, and 2,000 bars of soap at $18 each—amounts to $101,000, bringing the estimated value of the Debauchery x Rolls-Royce Package to $123,000. So if you want to smell like a hedonistic afterparty for the rest of your days and drive a moderately impressive classic car for part of them, then this just might be the deal of a lifetime.

Rolls-Royce doesn’t often stray from luxury automaking and stamp its logo on accessories, but the few items that do carry the overlapping “RR” badge are just as over-the-top as the marque’s opulent rides.

The Rolls-Royce Chess Set follows this $61,000 Cellarette whisky and cigar chest as the latest in a sparse line of ultimate RR accessories, each of which is a presentation-worthy furnishing for either a home or coach car. Designed to “capture the same sense of occasion as the arrival of a Rolls-Royce motorcar,” the playing board opens in a smooth, single theatrical motion to that elevates an elegant drawer of magnetically secured pieces—the motion is meant to evoke the buttery smooth opening of a Rolls-Royce car door.

A polished aluminum Spirit of Ecstasy emblem is also discreetly affixed to the front and back, the board’s base is made from milled aluminum, and the veneer squares are laser-cut and hand-placed. More hidden magnets keep the pieces perfectly aligned during play, while a pair of secret drawers on either end of the board each contain a second queen, lest the opponent promotes their pawn to the most powerful piece.

Speaking of those pieces, they are something like abstract, monolithic interpretations of traditional chess pieces, each crafted from ceramic-coated aluminum, containing a hidden magnet, and crowned with a jewel-like polished stainless-steel head. The black chess pieces are given a satin finish, while the white pieces feature a subtle iridescent treatment.

Being a Rolls-Royce product, several customizations featuring fine materials and textiles are available. The playing board is available in a choice of four veneer combinations, each arranged to create a diamond pattern when viewed from above. High-gloss finishes include Blackwood with Ceramic White and Macassar Ebony with Royal Walnut, but Open Pore veneer treatments in Smoked Eucalyptus with Paldao and Obsidian Ayous with Blackwood are also available. The chess piece drawer can also be clad in one of 13 leather hues running the gamut from primary colors to more esoteric options like “Scivaro Grey” and “Havana.”

There’s no word on price—an educated guess would be in the mid-five figures, like the Cellarette–but the Rolls-Royce Chess Set is available for commission in showrooms and Private Office boutiques now.

A mesmerizing interpretation of Chinese iconography and stunning serpentine motifs were conceived by creatives based in Rolls-Royce’s Shanghai offices to help a VIP client celebrate the Year of the Snake in a way that even outdoes Hubot’s efforts on the luxury watch brand’s Spirit of Big Bang. But beyond the Lunar New Year connection, the “Phantom Dragon” holds a special significance to Rolls-Royce, being the first in a series of special-edition Phantoms celebrating the iconic model’s centenary.

In 1925, the Phantom’s debut year, The Autocar magazine wrote in a review of the new model: “Few are the firms engaged in the manufacture of motor cars who enjoy quite such a reputation as Rolls-Royce Ltd. Almost the conjoined names have become the household word for luxury, and every novelist worthy of the name imparts a distinguished air to any character by crediting him or her with the possession of one of the firm’s cars.” As the flagship vehicle in Rolls-Royce’s fleet, the Phantom has helped RR maintain that reputation indefatigably for the past 100 years, serving as arguably the ultimate automotive canvas for the most luxurious type of customization.

The Phantom Dragon, based on the burly Extended version of the coach car, exemplifies Rolls’s opulent brand of customization capability. Designers started with an informed perspective, taking inspiration from “an ancient legend, dating back over 3,000 years, that tells of two dragons, protectors of the human realm, who were gifted a divine pearl by the gods for their good deeds,” the brand said.

“Rather than greedily claiming the treasure for themselves, the dragons deferred to one another—a scene that came to symbolize kindness and generosity of spirit. Moved by the dragons’ loyalty, the gods then bestowed upon them a second pearl, which the creatures absorbed before ascending as deities themselves. While the dragons symbolize power and good fortune, the pearl is a symbol of purity and perfection. As these two elements are captured together, the interplay of the dragons signifies the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang—two complementary forces united in the pursuit of enlightenment and a fulfilling life.”

The client elected to keep the exterior simple, opting for a nearly blacked-out scheme occasionally interrupted by shimmers of chrome. The interior is where the mythical magical happens, beginning with the gallery running the full width of the fascia, which features a 297-piece marquetry pattern that was created by a single artisan using four species of wood—smoked eucalyptus, sycamore, ash, and black bolivar—over the course of three months. The artwork represents the two dragons, enclosed within swirling clouds, guarding the pearl contained in a Bespoke clock.

A red and white dragon also appear in a more abstract form on the Bespoke Starlight Headliner. This majestic celestial composition comprises 768 red and 576 white fiber-optic lights, each individually hand-fitted and surrounded 24 shooting star-inspired elements. Elsewhere, more woodcraft continues with smoked eucalyptus accents and door panels crafted by high-end Canadian furniture company Canadel. Meanwhile, red and black leathers clad the front and rear reclining seats respectively, which are topped with headrests featuring the client’s embroidered family name in traditional Chinese calligraphy.

While the Phantom Dragon is a bespoke creation, we’ll be we’ll be eagerly awaiting the other centenary-celebrating Rolls-Royce Phantoms slated to roll out in 2025.

In addition to being one of the most elaborate creations ever to roll out of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective—a group of craftspeople and engineers responsible for bringing highly personalized client requests to fruition—the one-of-one “Goldfinger” Phantom is a rolling treasure trove of James Bond references and discoverable Easter eggs that are sure to tickle 007 superfans.

The first nod to Goldfinger, the beloved Bond movie celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024, is seen from afar. Paint specialists precisely matched the exterior yellow hue to the original 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville that supervillain bullion dealer Auric Goldfinger uses to smuggle his precious metal out the UK. Like the antique movie car, it wears a “long-side” two-tone design featuring black finish, except on the new Phantom it wraps around the coachwork as a single, uninterrupted graphic. The 21-inch disc wheels are finished in Black with silver “floating” hubcaps, while the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament is rendered in a mixed-metal finish that references both the movie’s title sequence and plot. Since it’s impossible to silver-plate gold, Rolls-Royce specialists partially gold-plated a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy figurine to achieve what’s been a dubbed a “gold reveal” effect.

That’s merely the start of the many golden Bond-approved details. The center console hides a “vault” containing a solid 18-carat gold Phantom model. Gold finishes adorn the air vents, speaker frets, treadplates, front and rear center consoles’ bases, and the inside of the glovebox, the inner lid of which features the antagonist’s quote, “This is Gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I have been in love with its color, its brilliance, its divine heaviness.” The 24-carat gold-plated VIN plaque is engraved with a specially obtained vehicle identification number ending in 007.

This wouldn’t be a proper automotive tribute to Goldfinger without an homage to the famed chase scene set in Switzerland’s switchback-laden Furka Pass, and this special-edition Phantom features two. A 3D design running the full width of the front dashboard shows a precise map of the legendary roads’ contours—according to Rolls-Royce, “the stainless steel used to construct the piece was darkened using a method named physical vapor deposition. Contour lines and elevation figures are engraved into the dark substrate, exposing the bright metal beneath. The Furka Pass is cut out from the stainless-steel layer, revealing a gilded surface underneath.” Meanwhile, the central clock in the middle of the dash’s design harks to the franchise’s famous introductory “gun-barrel” sequence. The Furka Pass scene is more subtly referenced a second time by the golden Starlight Headliner, which recreates the constellations as they were positioned over the location on July 11, 1964, the last day of filming the scene in Switzerland.

The Goldfinger Easter eggs continue with the Royal Walnut picnic tables, which feature a 22-carat gold inlay of a fictional map of Fort Knox, and the trunk. Because Goldfinger first faced Bond with a golden putter in game of golf, Rolls-Royce recreated the blingy club and mounted it in the underside of the trunk lid. Additionally, a projection of the “007” logo is emitted onto the carpet of the luggage compartment whenever the lid is opened.

“Witnessing how our Bespoke Collective seized upon the idea of celebrating 60 years of the film has been truly remarkable; this fantastic story has been masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger’s exquisite design,” said Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “The creativity extended far beyond the making of the motor car, as we curated extraordinary experiences for the client and their family, all while staying true to the spirit of the Goldfinger theme. It is this exceptional ability to engage our clients and create lasting impressions that defines us as a true House of Luxury.”

The appointment-only location in New York City’s Meatpacking District is the first bespoke Rolls studio in North America, following spaces in Shanghai and Dubai (and a Seoul location set to follow later this year). There’s much to love about the opulent setting, which provides a stylish way for Rolls-Royce owners to customize their best-in-class ride.

Meeting the “wishes, desires and dreams” of its clientele is a chief focus of the Private Office program, which also boasts a location in the Rolls-Royce home base of Goodwood, all the while only opening its doors to a select few.

“The luxurious studio houses a vast array of samples: fabrics, paints, leathers, and textiles in diverse colors and finishes as well as locally-sourced artworks and artifacts, curated to inspire the creative process,” the company said. “During this process, designers and clients work together to create a unique Rolls-Royce which reflects the individual’s tastes and personality.”

Every step of the way is carefully curated to result in, well, arguably the car of one’s dreams, the automaker said.

“Once the initial design is agreed upon, they will together follow the progress of the commission and communicate directly with the artisans in Goodwood, who are entrusted with transforming the visions into a one-of-one masterpiece,” the company noted. Going behind the curtain into the universe of Rolls-Royce just became even more exclusive, enviable and stylish.

Lamborghini Temerario

About a year and a half after Lamborghini revealed Aventador-succeeding Revuelto, the Italian marque has finally pulled the cover off the Huracan’s wedge-shaped replacement. With a name that roughly translates to “daredevil,” the hybrid Temerario somewhat controversially runs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 instead of a redesigned version of the Huracan’s naturally aspirated V10. However, as Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer Rouven Morh explained to Road and Track, this flat-plane crank power unit is distinguished from all other eight-pots in that it redlines at a shrieking 10,000 rpm—very few production V8s have even cracked 9,000 rpm. The engine and three electric motors together produce 920 horsepower, good for a 60-mph time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed exceeding 212 mph.

Bugatti Tourbillon

To loosely employ that trite adage about the power of a picture, the collection of positively transfixed faces surrounding the Bugatti Tourbillon in the image above says much more than this blurb ever could. The marque’s successor to the also-incomparable Chiron is thoroughly its own species—from the 1,800-hp hybrid V16 powertrain that Bugatti designed from the ground up to the skeletonized, Swiss watch-inspired analog gauges, not a single component was carried over from the Chiron. As Bugatti director of design Frank Heyl told us, “If it is comparable, then it is no longer a Bugatti.”

Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla

Rolls-Royce is going Greek for its latest exercise in automotive opulence. Based on the large-and-in-charge Phantom Extended and limited to 10 units, the Phantom Scintilla draws inspiration from The Winged Victory of Samothrace, a classical Greek statue that lives in the Louvre. Upon viewing the sculpted work on a trip to Paris in 1910, a Rolls-Royce exec was reportedly inspired to commission the very Spirit of Ecstasy ornament that famously adorns the British luxobarges. The Phantom Scintilla’s Spirit of Ecstasy figurine thusly received a Parian marble-mimicking ceramic finish, while the body’s blue and white paint coat channels the colors of the Aegean Sea surrounding the island of Samothrace.

McMurty Spéirling Pure

On a quest to create the “ultimate track weapon,” British billionaire Sir David McMurty assembled a team brimming with F1 expertise to engineer the Spéirling Pure, a 2,200-pound, dual-electric-motor track car that boasts 1,000 hp, a 190-mph top speed, and an organ-rearranging 60-mph time of 1.5 seconds. You could say that the electro-rocket’s U.S. debut at Monterey Car Week was a business trip—the Spéirling Pure obliterated two hill-climb records at Laguna Seca, shaving six seconds off the Lotus Type 77 F1 car’s 34.69-second time on the old layout and posting a 21.958-second record on the brand new 2024 layout.

Cadillac Opulent Velocity

Though it’s closer to the sci-fi side of the concept car continuum, the Cadillac Opulent Velocity is just too damn stunning to leave off this list. The Gilded Pearl paint coat, uninterrupted sloping A-line, artsy fluting, and generously proportioned butterfly doors make for a gaze-drawing design. If technology allowed, the futuristic Caddy would feature completely autonomous Level 4 driving capability, a heads-up display equipped with augmented reality tech, and a namesake “Velocity” mode that deploys a steering wheel and pedals for a fun-filled day of track driving.

Touring Superleggera Veloce12

Looking to channel the “golden era of grand tourers,” the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 is largely based on the Ferrari 550, the V12-powered two-seater that effectively replaced the Testarossa. C&D points out that while the OG styling has been largely retained, the hood scoop is enlarged, the headlight shapes are softer, and the rear shoulders are more pronounced—the resulting shape is actually somewhat reminiscent of the latest Ferrari Roma’s. That thoughtfully sculpted carbon fiber hood hides an original F133 engine that’s been overhauled with modern components to achieve 503 hp, a 25-hp increase of the original 5.5-liter V12’s output. Between the cost of the donor car and Touring Superleggera’s meticulous work, you’ll pay nearly $1 million to commission a Veloce12.

Rezvani Vengeance

The term “super-SUV” is typically reserved for high-end utility vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus or Ferrari Purosangue, so we’ll have to coin “mega-SUV” for the Rezvani Vengeance. Equipped with VIP-protecting bulletproof glass, body armor, underside explosion protection, ram bumpers, magnetic dead bolts, night vision, smoke screen, run-flat tires and several other security features, you’d never guess that there’s a Cadillac Escalade-V’s chassis and 690-hp V8 hiding beneath the brutish body.

Pininfarina B95 Gotham

Someone must’ve flashed the Bat Signal in the coastal skies above Carmel, California, because the first electric hypercar from Automobili Pininfarina’s heroic collab with Wayne Enterprises flew in for Monterey Car Week. The B95 Gotham, said to reflect “the gentle, civilian sophistication of Bruce Wayne,” gets silvery Argento Vittorio gloss paint, classic tan leather upholstery, and a Wayne Enterprises-inspired HMI display featuring voiceover instructions from Wayne’s loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth. It’s a fun take on a car with a very serious, Rimac-supplied 1,900-hp powertrain. Speaking of…

Rimac Nevera R

A decade ago, 1,000 hp was almost impossible to fathom in a road car. Well, say hello to the Rimac Nevera R, which just broke the 2,000-hp barrier. Mind you, the Nevera was arguably already the cutting-edge king of hypercars, a title earned through world-record speed and acceleration. This 2,107-hp(!) R variant maintains a 1.74-second 60-mph time but gaps its predecessor at higher speeds. According to R&T, the “Nevera R’s 0–124 mph time is down to 4.38 seconds from 4.42, the 62–124 mph run is down to 2.46 seconds from 2.59, and the 0–186 mph run is down to 8.66 seconds from 9.22.”

Gordon Murray T.50S Nikki Lauda

Normally, the promise of “a track day experience like no other car in history” would raise skeptical eyebrows, given that the statement is both superlative and vague. But this is a creation from Gordon Murray, the man who built one of history’s most successful F1 cars and then used that race-bred prowess to make the McLaren F1 and start a supercar revolution. Now Murray is turning his attention back to the track with the T.50S “Nikki Lauda,” named affectionately for the late three-time F1 champ. This non-roadgoing version of the T50 creates an ungodly 2,646 pounds of downforce, pulls nearly 3G under braking, tips the scales at a feathery 1,878 pounds, and develops 772 hp in a 3.9-liter V12. You can’t buy an F1 car, but you can buy this for $4.4 million.

RUF Rodeo

Low-volume German shop RUF has been cranking out Porsche-inspired exotics since the 1970s and the off-roading “Rodeo” variant since 2020. This particularly photogenic orange example from the 2025 model-year lineup will cost a staggering $1.25 million when it enters production later this year, according to Car and Driver. While the ’80s-style body, turbocharged flat-six engine and six-speed manual transmission exude classic 911 vibes, the Rodeo brings restomod performance with 610 hp, carbon ceramic brakes, electronically adjustable suspension, and a carbon monocoque chassis that helps keep total weight under 3,000 pounds.

The Rolls-Royce Droptails from the marque’s custom Coachbuild division are truly in a class of their own, thanks to lavish design elements and exorbitant price tags in the tens of millions.

The first of these four rolling automotive artworks, La Rose Noire, set the record for the world’s most expensive new car at $30 million in 2023. The otherworldly ride featured positively astounding bespoke details, including its own Champagne vintage and a dash-mounted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak concept that can be removed and worn.

The price of the second Droptail, Amethyst, wasn’t revealed, but its form was no less stunning, with an aerodynamic deck featuring the world’s only downforce-producing raw wood surface and a Vacheron Constantin tourbillon that, like La Rose Noire’s Royal Oak, can be detached from the dash and worn.

Rolls-Royce has seemingly done the impossible in one-upping the first two Droptails with the third version, named Arcadia. Boasting a reported price tag of $31 million paid for by its anonymous owner who received it at a private function in Singapore, it has usurped the La Rose Noire as the world’s most expensive new car.

“The significance of Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail lies in its subtlety,” said Alex Innes, Head of Coachbuild Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It is a projection of an individual who values clarity and precision in all areas of their life—from their passion for fine cuisine, their highly curated personal and professional spaces and affinity with contemporary design.”

“This motor car is one of the most faithful expressions of an individual’s personal style and sensibilities we have ever created within the Coachbuild department. In capturing their spirit, we reveal a unique appreciation for simplicity, serenity and beautifully restrained elegance—one that was a privilege for me to have been a part of.”

Named after the ancient Greek mythological region known as “Heaven on Earth,” the roadster is presented in a duotone color scheme—the main body’s coat is a white paint infused with aluminum and glass particles, its carbon fiber lower sections are painted in a bespoke silver shade, and the 22-inch wheels and grille’s kinked vertical vane pieces are fully mirror-polished.

Wood development was central to the vision of the client, who insisted that Arcadia stay as true to its earliest 2019 conception as a hand-drawn sketch. Santos Straight Grain was ultimately chosen, which is particularly vulnerable to tearing under machining.

The yacht-like wooden rear deck, comprised of 76 hand-applied pieces, is laid at a perfect 55-degree angle. And given that the car will be driven internationally in tropical climates, Rolls-Royce spent over 1,000 hours just testing the wood’s lacquer before settling on a single protective coat that will never need to be reapplied.

The inside features a version of the exterior’s bespoke white hue and a contrasting tan color designed to complement the Santos Straight Grain wood that also makes up Arcadia’s 40-piece shawl panel—the longest continuous wood section ever featured in a Rolls-Royce. Each piece was digitally mapped using CAD tools and laid, like the rear deck, at a perfect 55-degree angle.

The same wood also houses Rolls’ most complex clock face, assembled in the dash over five months and developed over two years. The timepiece incorporates a geometric guilloche pattern in raw metal with 119 facets—a nod to Rolls-Royce’s 119th anniversary in 2023, when the car was first unveiled for the client.

Its hands and indices are partly polished, partly brushed and 0.1mm thick—Rolls-Royce claims that this particular timepiece was held to higher standards than those of even the world’s finest watchmakers. The clock’s guilloche pattern is also referenced in the instrument dials.

Though Arcadia has set the bar extremely high, don’t be surprised if Rolls-Royce somehow creates something even more magnificent for the fourth and final Coachbuild Droptail commission.

Spring Green, Wisconsin’s Ringbrothers are best known for customizing retro American rides, from Plymouth GTXs to Ford Mustangs and F100s, not to mention this heavily resto-modded 1948 Chevrolet Loadmaster super-truck that nearly broke SEMA in 2022.

The Ringbrothers’ 2023 SEMA showing didn’t disappoint fans of their distinctly badass interpretations of classic American muscle, with the 1,000-horsepower Hellephant V8-powered 1969 Dodge Challenger “TUSK” rendered in black and gold and a beautiful burgundy 1965 Mustang convertible “UNCAGED.” But presented alongside those ponies was a somewhat surprising and restrained Ringbrothers build: this Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II “PARAMOUNT.”

“Unlike many of our builds, we chose to retain the original bodywork and lines of the Rolls, so at first glance, there are only hints to what lies beneath,” says Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “That all changes when the door opens to show the completely custom interior or a press of the go pedal emits a telltale supercharger whine. This truly is the ultimate luxury sleeper.”

The outfit stripped the shell to bare metal and corrected any perfections by hand before applying a “White as Fluff” finish and custom-machining a few badges. Otherwise, the timeless 50s-era bodywork was left as is.

But to piggyback on Ring’s characterization of the PARAMOUNT as the “ultimate luxury sleeper,” this may very well be the most potent retro Rolls ever. Underneath the hood is a GM LT4 V8 from a modern Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing that pushes 640 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission and custom carbon fiber driveshaft.

Everything rides on a custom Roadster Shop chassis featuring Ringbrothers-fabricated two-piece clamshell control arms and a number of the other upgraded components. The interior is also properly restomodded, with Dakota Digital instruments, custom-built floor plans, a machined billet switchgear, and the Ringbrothers’ own take on Rolls’ Starlight headliner, featuring 1,000 LEDS.

“Every part of this build is brimming with detail and character,” Ring adds. “The exterior keeps to the allure of traditional British luxury while the engine, chassis and interior all embrace a modern luxury sedan. We invested over 3,400 hours in fabricating, painting and engineering this project and are grateful to our partners for working with us to further our craft and allowing us to explore an entirely new realm of art form.”

In press photos, the vehicle is staged next to a single-engined aircraft, perhaps a reference to Rolls-Royce’s rich aviation history—the brand remains the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines to this day. Whatever the reason, Ringbrothers Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II “PARAMOUNT” is definitely reaching for the skies.