Rolls-Royce has unveiled its first all-electric two-seater convertible concept called Project Nightingale. Project Nightingale is a part of the carmaker's coachbuild collection, which is an exclusive, invite-only program producing unique models designed by the brand's Coachbuild department. Only 100 units of the convertible will be made, with deliveries beginning from 2028.
- Project Nightingale is limited to only 100 units worldwide.
- Has the widest Pantheon grille with the largest number of slats out of any Rolls-Royce.
The concept is named after 'La Rosseignol', which means 'the nightingale', the name of the designers’ house at Rolls-Royce founder Henry Royce’s French Riviera Estate. It takes inspiration from the 'EX' Rolls-Royce models, which are landmark cars in the carmakers illustrous history. Henry Royce developed the experiential EX models in 1928 to compete with Bentley in terms of top speed superiority. Recently, a 17 EX model from Yohan Poonawalla's seven-Phantom line-up collection was on display in India to celebrate 100 years of the Phantom.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale exterior details
Features unique vertical headlamps and 24-inch alloy wheels
Though being an EV, Rolls-Royce has retained design details like a V-shaped bonnet, a smooth finish for the bumper, and a Pantheon grille, which is the widest among any Rolls-Royce cars. Moreover, vertical headlamps are a departure from typical Rolls-Royce models with horizontal units. Lower down the front bumper is a carbon fibre apron with a chrome outline.
From the side, the design of the stainless steel frame for the front quarter window is inspired by the Phantom Drophead Coupe. A single ‘hull’ line runs from the front to the rear on both sides, and a carbon fibre finish for the door sills. The 24-inch alloy wheels are the largest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce, and adopt a yacht propeller design. Two strips finished in stainless steel run on both sides of the car, giving it an elegant look.
The roof of the Project Nightingale consists of sound-deadening high-performance composite materials that are combined with cashmere and fabric. The rear section gets an elongated sloping tail design, which is inspired by the Rolls-Royce EX. The sideways-opening boot mimics that of a grand piano lid and features a vertical brake light mounted upon it. There are also two slim vertical tail-lamps on both sides and a carbon fibre diffuser that Rolls-Royce says ensures high speed stability without the need for a spoiler.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale interior details
French Riviera-themed interior gets a motorised armrest
The interior of the Project Nightingale is inspired by the French Riviera, with seats finished in blue and white with navy blue inserts and pink contrast stitching. The dashboard features an open-pore black wood trim in a V-shape, with physical buttons for the centre console. It also gets a motorised centre armrest that moves back automatically to reveal a Spirit of Ecstacy rotary dial on opening the door.
At the push of a button, the armrest moves back further to reveal a storage compartment. The ambient lighting, which extends from the doors and around the seats, is inspired by the sound-wave patterns produced by nightingale calls. Called the Starlight Breeze suite, it consists of 10,500 individual LED lighting elements.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale powertrain details
Project Nightingale comes solely with an all-electric powertrain. Power figures and battery capacity details have not been confirmed yet. However, the Spectre, being the only electric Rolls-Royce, gets a 102kWh battery pack with a dual-motor setup that delivers 584hp and 900Nm in standard guise and 659hp and 1075Nm in the Black Badge version.