Rolls-Royce reveals design of Project Nightingale

Project Nightingale is a convertible two-seat EV that introduces a new design direction for Rolls-Royce. Drawing upon the principles of Streamline Moderne design from the late Art Deco era, the new vehicle embraces sheer, monolithic volumes combined with the torpedo-shaped forms and enveloping interiors of the 16EX and 17EX models from the 1920s.

According to the luxury marque, the design of Project Nightingale is distilled into three principles. The first is ‘Upright to flowing’ which refers to the Pantheon Grille’s vertical gesture that transitions into a long rear. ‘Central fuselage’ is next, defined by a single unbroken hull line running from front to rear and lastly, ‘Flying wings’ which is the sculptural volume that creates overall tension and pulls the eye towards the rear.

Director of design at Rolls-Royce Domagoj Dukec 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.” 

Only 100 of these vehicles will be created, with each built at Rolls-Royce's Goodwood factory.

Sitting at the front of the 5.76-metre-long vehicle, the dominant grille with 24 deep-set vanes appears as if it’s presented on a structural plinth due to the carbon fibre apron that projects forward underneath, outlined by a chrome belt.

The vertical headlights are slender, with polished stainless-steel bands running from the bottom of the headlights to the taillights.

Inspired by the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé, the windscreen is framed by a stainless-steel form housing a quarterlight window. Behind this is a deeply set compact cabin, which contrasts with the expansive bonnet and tail. 

The torpedo silhouette of the Project Nightingale is revealed in profile view, as well as a super-yacht inspired single hull line that runs from front to rear and sits high to create a cocooning feel.

A second lower polished stainless-steel band is introduced just behind the centre of the rear wheels as another nautical nod, referencing the water that beats against a yacht. 

24-inch wheels – the biggest fitted to a Rolls-Royce – add to the nautical feel with a directional design inspired by the propellers of a yacht viewed from beneath the waterline.

Towards the rear of the vehicle, a muscular stance is created through the surface swelling around the rear wheel arches. Two rear lights fall from the upper surface to the lower at a right-angle. A dramatic addition is the “Piano Boot”, which opens sideways on a cantilever.

The main event in the cabin is the Starlight Breeze suite which rises behind the seats and frames the occupants. This suite is made up of 10,500 illuminated individual stars in three sizes, with the lighting pattern taken from the soundwave formed from the nightingale’s song. 

Once the door is opened, the armrest automatically glides towards the rear to reveal the Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller, made up of a stainless-steel collar with four faceted and glass-blasted grooves. Then, at a touch of a button, the armrest moves further to unveil a compartment for personal items. Aluminium cupholders and a hidden shelf behind the seats also acts as extra storage.

Leather is deployed liberally throughout the cabin, overlaid as a raised section in the door card as well as through the centre console via a saddle armrest.

A new colour and material palette has been developed for Project Nightingale, and these developments will remain exclusive for this specific Coachbuild Collection.