The untold story behind the world's most unique and expensive Rolls-Royce Sweptail

In the world of luxury cars, few brands have the reputation and legacy that Rolls-Royce has built since its founding in 1906.

Throughout its history, Rolls-Royce has continued to set new standards in luxury, with each design carrying a uniqueness that no other car can match. Whether it is a production version or a one-off bespoke model, the “Spirit of Ecstasy” bonnet emblem is always recognizable when a Rolls-Royce passes by.

Sweptail is the car that ushered in the modern era of the lost art of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.

The special thing or rather the secret of luxury on each Rolls-Royce is formed from the brand's Coachbuild department. With the slogan "The Pinnacle of Bespoke art", the artisans at Coachbuild work closely with the owners to create a unique Rolls-Royce.

One of the most famous Rolls-Royce Coachbuilt models today is the Sweptail, a beautiful symbol of elegance and luxury.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail, launched in 2017, is one of the most special cars ever made, but it's not the only Rolls-Royce to be created with such unimaginable detail.

Back in the 1920s, Rolls-Royce's Coachbuild industry was already famous for the 1926 Phantom I Brougham De Ville. Like the architecture of the Palace of Versailles, this car set the standard for what Rolls-Royce would achieve later, a testament to Rolls-Royce's place in the list of the greatest brands of all time.

More than 80 years later, the Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a revival of the Coachbuild spirit. Maintaining the mindset of working closely with the owner, the Sweptail reminds us that Rolls-Royce remains the name at the top of the ultra-luxury segment.

Since the announcement of the Sweptail, there have been other Rolls-Royce Coachbuilt models such as the Droptail and Boat Tail, but the Sweptail is the name that opens a new era for the world's most personalized super luxury cars.

Many of the Sweptail's details are inspired by classic cars and yachts.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail’s bespoke designs, inspired by classic and modern yachts, are jaw-dropping, including the seamless panoramic glass roof, a request from the owner, Ebony and Dark Spice leather interiors, handcrafted wine coolers, and more.

One of the unique elements of the Sweptail, is the inspiration from the classic period of the early 20th century with a touch of modernity that can be seen in the interior and exterior of the Sweptail, with strong chrome trim details combined with blue and perfectly finished with a tan interior.

The smooth curves of the exterior surfaces all lead to a sweeping angle at the rear of the car, which mimics the design of a boat’s stern deck, creating a unique and unprecedented visual effect. The name ‘Sweptail’ is derived from this decisive aspect of the car, creating a unique, beautiful and completely new presence in the signature Rolls-Royce style.

When viewed from the inside, the panoramic glass roof starts from the front windshield and extends all the way to the rear of the car. This helps to bring in natural light and enhances the poetic space.

The use of contrasting materials is what makes this car’s interior special, with Macassar Ebony and Paldao wood perfectly matched to Moccasin and Dark Spice leathers used for the seats and armrests. Once again, the luxury yacht inspiration is fully expressed, with a high-end linear design.

The small details that make a big difference inside the Sweptail are the unique elements designed specifically for this car. Behind the cockpit is the Passarelle (bridge) design, a combination of all the exquisite materials that create a teardrop shape with the overall exterior of the car.

Replacing the familiar rear seats is a wooden shelf space with a glass cover, providing the necessary storage space for a grand tourer without sacrificing interior aesthetics. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Sweptail is the design structure of the center console, which will provide an attractive pre-chilled bottle of champagne.

Developed on the basis of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, the Sweptail is equipped with a 6.75L V12 engine, producing a maximum capacity of 460 horsepower and a maximum torque of 720 Nm. This engine comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Weighing about 2,560 kg, the car can accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in 5.8 seconds, before reaching a maximum speed of 250 km/h.

Rolls-Royce has always been associated with the famous V12 engines, but the car company has announced that they will completely switch to using electric motors by 2030. Since future Rolls-Royce models will not use V12 engines, the Sweptail will certainly become a lasting symbol in the history of the British luxury car brand.

Additionally, using the same 8-speed automatic transmission as the Phantom, the Sweptail can easily glide over any road. The purpose of this unique car is to demonstrate the quality of Rolls-Royce craftsmanship. However, the performance of the Sweptail cannot be underestimated.

The Sweptail is a unique Coachbuilt design, so the “huge” price tag that comes with this Rolls-Royce is not too surprising. The car sold to its owner for $13 million, 29 times more than the latest Phantom, and the value of the car fully reflects the importance and history of this brand.

Price aside, the Sweptail was a return to form for the British brand, and its long-dormant Coachbuild division was enough to make the Sweptail one of the most important and memorable cars of the decade.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail shows the evolution of the ultra-luxury segment in the modern age, not only are other brands raising the bar to match Rolls-Royce, but Rolls-Royce itself continues to produce unique Coachbuilt models that take the meaning of luxury in cars to a new level.