Rolls-Royce has unveiled what may be its most outrageous creation yet: Project Nightingale, an ultra-bespoke two-seat convertible that pushes the boundaries of luxury and design. Limited to just 100 examples, this dramatic drop-top is built on an electric powertrain derived from the Spectre, offering a silent and smooth driving experience.
Design Inspiration from the Past
Styling cues are drawn from classic Rolls-Royce vehicles, particularly the high-speed experimental 'EX' cars of the 1920s. The car's name, Project Nightingale, comes from Le Rossignol, the French word for nightingale, which was also the name of a designer's house near Henry Royce's winter home on the Côte d'Azur. The Art Deco aesthetic is evident in every line, from the ultra-slim vertical LED headlights to the polished stainless-steel band that runs the full length of the car.
Bold Proportions and Modern Powertrain
At 5.76 metres long, Project Nightingale matches the length of the flagship Phantom saloon. The iconic Pantheon Grille has been reimagined for the electric era: nearly a metre wide and seemingly carved from a solid block of aluminium, it is topped by a Spirit of Ecstasy that appears to glide through water. The 24-inch alloy wheels, the largest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce, are designed to resemble yacht propellers when viewed from below.
Opulent Interior with Starlight Breeze
Inside, the cabin features 'Starlight Breeze' ambient lighting with 10,500 individual LEDs arranged in soundwave patterns inspired by nightingale song. The rear-hinged coach door opens to reveal an armrest that slides back to expose a Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller made from polished aluminium. Hidden cupholders and a storage shelf behind the seats add practicality without compromising luxury.
Customisation and Production
Each of the 100 buyers will work closely with Rolls-Royce designers to personalise their vehicle. The solid blue paint of the show car is inspired by the experimental 17EX of 1928, with subtle red flakes nodding to the EX models' badges. Production begins in 2028 at the Goodwood headquarters, with each car hand-built. The price remains undisclosed but is expected to reach seven figures.
Domagoj Dukec, director of design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “Project Nightingale is built on the design principles that define this marque at its most compelling: grand proportions, absolute surface discipline, and a clarity of line that rewards the closest attention. And yet, it takes them somewhere entirely new. For me, this landmark motor car feels both inevitable and completely unexpected, and it will shape everything that follows.”
