Rolls-Royce Dragon Editions Unveiled for Lunar New Year: A Tribute to Chinese Heritage

Rolls-Royce celebrates the Dragon’s Year with four edging special editions, which are being unveiled ahead of the Lunar New Year. The range comprises a Cullinan and three Phantom Extended vehicles, billed as a “magnificent international celebration of Chinese cultural heritage.”

Brightly, the company won’t limit the special editions to China as the country’s “culture transcends national boundaries.”

Their unique nature catches the eye instantly, as every special edition rocks a two-toned design as well as a hand-painted coachline with a dragon motif. Each dragon is right-oriented, which “symbolically represents the east—the direction of the rising sun.”

Inside, colossal changes. Three of the special editions have a hand-painted dragon. Rolls-Royce says that dragons are red painted as this color represents prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture. The works of art took two weeks to finish, as the drawings have a tridimensional appearance. 

The distinguishable approach comes from artists using a variety of red shades, which were applied on top of each other in four different stages.

Thanks to the 3D-finished fascia, the artwork creates the illusion of being carved into the fascia. 

The panels aren’t the only unique touch, as red dragons took over the headrests as well. Each took around 20 hours to finish and about 5,500 stitches. 

Three of the models have piano black rear picnic tables with a fitted stainless steel version of the circular Chinese zodiac calendar. Moreover, Rolls-Royce inscribed in traditional Chinese calligraphy the names of the animals representing each year, with the dragon being bathed in gold. 

The fourth vehicle is more traditional, as it features a piano black veneer with an inlaid stainless steel dragon.

All Phantom Extended commissions feature unique gallery artworks that offer the vehicle a dynamic appearance and lambswool carpets.