Image: © Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ltd.
While the majority of us are combing couch cushions for spare change and living on a diet of ramen and peanut butter, things are different in the United Arab Emirates. Sure, they’re feeling the pinch of global belt tightening, but it’s a slightly different reality in the oil rich nation. Hard times mean that you buy a used Pagani Zonda instead of that new Bugatti Veyron SuperSport you had your heart set on. Need proof? The region accounts for 15% of Rolls Royce sales worldwide, so it stands to reason that the uber-luxury manufacturer would open a flagship store in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The showroom alone is nearly 10,000 square feet, which is room enough to display five Rolls-Royce models, house a coffee bar and a customer configuration lounge. It’s also linked to an equally impressive state-of-the-art service facility, supporting customers throughout the Middle East.
To celebrate the opening of the largest Rolls-Royce showroom in the world, the company unveiled the Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection Phantom Drophead Coupe. Only 100 will be built, so I doubt that I’ll be seeing one in the Florida press fleet any time soon. The special edition cars come with white on black RR badging, an illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy figurine and interior appointments inspired by the world’s most famous hood ornament. Pricing isn’t listed, but those who are serious about adding a Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection Phantom Drophead Coupe to their collection have people to handle details like that for them.
Source: NY Times Wheels
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
