3 Minutes
Rolls-Royce unveils the Phantom Arabesque — a laser‑engraved bespoke masterpiece
Rolls‑Royce has revealed the Phantom Arabesque, a one‑of‑a‑kind Phantom that transforms the car's hood into a canvas of traditional Middle Eastern mashrabiya patterns executed by ultra‑precise laser engraving. Commissioned through Rolls‑Royce's Private Office in Dubai, this bespoke Phantom took five years of development to perfect the engraving process — a union of fine art and advanced automotive surface engineering.
Design and the laser technique
From a distance the hood appears to wear an intricate paint finish; up close it’s a technical tour de force. The Surface Centre team at Rolls‑Royce drew inspiration from a classical Italian ceramic method called sgraffito. The hood is first coated in a black diamond base, then several clear coats and a silver layer are applied on top.
How the engraving works
A microscopic laser then carves the silver layer to a depth of roughly 145–190 microns — thinner than a human hair — exposing the dark substrate beneath. The result is a three‑dimensional play of light and shadow that mimics the historical latticework used in palaces and traditional homes. After laser ablation the surface is hand‑sanded to achieve a perfectly uniform finish.
- Development time: five years
- Engraving depth: ~145–190 microns
- Wheels: 22‑inch semi‑gloss rims
- Exterior highlights: illuminated Pantheon grille, dark chrome surround, illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy
Interior: mashrabiya translated into luxury craft
The Eastern geometric theme continues inside the cabin. Rolls‑Royce’s ‘Gallery’ dashboard showcases bespoke marquetry in rare Blackwood and Black Bolivar veneers, echoing the mashrabiya motif. Cabin trim pairs grey and black leathers with the engraved pattern stitched or inlaid on headrests and panels. Even the famed Starlight headliner extends the theme, while illuminated treadplates replicate elements of the hood artwork.
Where this sits in the market
The Phantom Arabesque underlines how personalization in the ultra‑luxury segment is evolving from unique paint colors and options into genuine automotive art. It’s not about performance upgrades — the focus is craftsmanship, exclusivity and cultural storytelling. For collectors and high‑net‑worth clients, bespoke commissions such as this are a way to own a mobile work of art rather than just a car.
Rolls‑Royce has released only a handful of images, keeping many details deliberately veiled; a typical move to preserve mystique around one‑off Bespoke projects. The Phantom Arabesque demonstrates that in the world of Rolls‑Royce personalization, the limits are artistic imagination and the client’s budget.
"A technical and artistic milestone—turning the bonnet into a laser‑engraved artwork took five years to refine," the marque notes.
For automotive collectors and design enthusiasts, the Phantom Arabesque is a statement: customization at the very top end of the market now blends centuries‑old architectural motifs with cutting‑edge manufacturing and finishing techniques.
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