The Rolls-Royce Phantom, widely regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious and expensive cars, has reached its centenary milestone. To mark 100 years since the launch of the first Phantom in 1925, Rolls-Royce released the limited-edition Phantom Centenary Edition, featuring numerous bespoke elements. Only 25 of these highly customized vehicles have been made worldwide, each unique. Among the elite owners, Dr. B. Ravi Pillai, the NRI industrialist and chairman of the RP Group, is the only individual from India to acquire one.
After being transported from London via Dubai to Bahrain, the ultra-luxury car was recently handed over to Dr. Ravi Pillai. The car is priced at approximately $3 million, roughly ₹30 crore, with each vehicle personalized in color, design, and luxury features to reflect the owner’s preferences.
The Phantom Centenary Edition combines ultimate luxury, artistic design, and cutting-edge technology. The iconic Rolls-Royce emblem at the front is crafted in 24-carat gold, while the interior also showcases touches of gold. The seats feature 77 micro-embroidered panels that narrate the history of both the Phantom and Rolls-Royce, painstakingly stitched over 440,000 threads to create this visual storytelling.
As the seventh-generation Phantom, the Centenary Edition offers a driving experience likened to a silent, gliding flight, with an engine capable of reaching 60 mph in just five seconds. When taking delivery, Rolls-Royce requested that the car remain with Dr. Ravi Pillai for life, ensuring its place in the history of the Phantom. Reflecting on the moment, Dr. Ravi Pillai expressed his joy at becoming part of the iconic Phantom legacy.
Dr. Ravi Pillai’s association with Rolls-Royce began in 2010, when he first visited Singapore at the company’s invitation. Captivated at first sight by the Ghost model, he immediately signed an agreement to purchase four cars in a single day—the first individual in Rolls-Royce history to do so. The prepayments for all four vehicles were made on the spot, cementing a long-standing relationship between the industrialist and the brand.
This longstanding partnership is what led to the Centenary Edition finding a place in Dr. Ravi Pillai’s exclusive car collection. Beyond his passion for luxury automobiles, he recently purchased a Gulfstream G600 private jet last year for approximately ₹650 crore, further highlighting his affinity for exceptional, high-end vehicles.
The Phantom Centenary Edition remains a pinnacle of automotive luxury, blending heritage, bespoke craftsmanship, and modern technology, and Dr. Ravi Pillai’s acquisition reinforces his status as a connoisseur of the world’s finest vehicles.
