New Delhi: Rolls-Royce have revealed its first all-electric two-seater convertible concept called the Project Nightingale. Project Nightingale comes as part of the brand’s coachbuild collection, which is an exclusive, invite-only program making unique models designed by the brand’s Coachbuild department. Just 100 units of the convertible will be produced, and the deliveries will start from 2028.
The concept has been named after ‘La Rosseignol’, which means ‘the nightingale’, the name of the designer’s house at Rolls-Royce founder Henry Royce’s French Riviera Estate. It takes cues from the ‘EX’ Rolls-Royce models, which are landmark cars in the carmaker’s illustrious history.
Henry Royce made the experiential EX models in 1928, which were to compete with Bentley for superiority in top speed.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale exterior and interior design
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale Concept single ‘hull’ line runs from front to back on both sides
Even though it might be an EV, the Rolls-Royce has still given the Project Nightingale details like a V-shaped bonnet, the smooth finish for the bumper and Pantheon grille, which is the widest of any Rolls-Royce cars. The vertical headlamps mark a departure from the usual Rolls-Royce models, which have horizontal units. Lower down of the front jumper also has a carbon fibre apron along with a chrome outline.
From the side, the design of the stainless steel frame for the front quarter window takes cues from the Phantom Drophead Coupe. A single ‘hull’ line runs from front to back on both sides, with carbon fibre finish for the door sills. There are also 24-inch alloy wheels that are the biggest ones 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, making it look quite elegant.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale Concept exterior
The roof of the Project Nightingale comes with sound-deadening, high-performance composite material that is mixed with fabric and cashmere. The back section comes with 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 comes with vertical brake lights mounted over it. There are also two thin vertical tail-lamps on both sides and a carbon fibre diffuser that Rolls-Royce ensures high-speed stability without needing a spoiler.
The inside takes inspiration from the French Riviera, with seats finished in blue and white and has a navy blue insert and pink contrasting stitching as well. The dashboard gets an open-pore black wood trim in a V-shape, with physical buttons for the centre console. Further, it gets a motorised centre armrest that moves back automatically to reveal a Spirit of Ecstasy rotary dial on opening the door.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale Concept interior
Pressing the button moves the armrest back further to showcase the storage compartment. The ambient lighting, which extends from the door and around the seats, takes inspiration from the sound-wave patterns made by nightingale calls. Named the Starlight Breeze suite, it comes with 10,500 individual LED lighting elements.
Rolls-Royce Project Nightingale powertrains
Rolls-Royce haven’t given details on the powertrain, range or battery capacity of the Project Nightingale. However, with Spectre being basis of the Nightingale, it is likely to get a 102 kWh battery pack with a dual-motor configuration.
In the standard element, the motor makes 584 bhp and 900 Nm of torque, while the Black Badge version makes 659 bhp and 1075 Nm of torque.