Click to Enlarge.
Literally bowing to the future, the Spirit of Ecstasy statuette in use at Rolls-Royce since 1911 is now 82.73mm tall, compared to her predecessor’s 100.01mm. Her robes, which flow behind in the slipstream, sometimes mistakenly characterized as ‘wings,’ have been reshaped to make them more “aerodynamic and realistic.” BMW-owned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today that the most visible change is her stance. Previously, the mascot stood with feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist. Now, she is fixed for the wind, one leg forward, body pushed low, eyes focused ahead.
These changes help to shape the upcoming Spectre EV’s aerodynamic numbers. The earliest Spectre prototypes have a drag coefficient -Cd- of just 0.26, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created. The figure is expected to improve during the Spectre’s testing protocols during 2022. (Rolls-Royce Announces First Full Electric Car)
“111 years ago today, the Spirit of Ecstasy became an official part of Rolls-Royce. Yet, she has come to represent a spiritual direction for our brand,” said Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
As Rolls sees it: “This new expression captures the essence of Charles Sykes’ original drawings, but rather than simply being ‘redrawn’ or ‘redesigned,’ her new shape has been digitally sculpted by a computer modeler working at the Home of Rolls-Royce, who has a passion for life drawing and sculpture. Their experience in this field was invaluable in developing the figurine’s elegant lifelike facial features as well as her expression, which deftly combines focus and serenity. The designers also consulted stylists at Goodwood for their perspective on her hair, clothes, posture, and expression, adding an authentically contemporary aura to her dynamism and commanding presence.
“While all figurines are made using one of the oldest known casting techniques, named ‘lost wax casting’ or ‘cire-perdue,’ each is individually finished by hand, so will be minutely different from figurine to figurine. As well as continuing a long Rolls-Royce tradition – until 1939, the mascots were made and polished by Charles Sykes himself – this subtle, ephemeral human element creates an intriguing contrast to the precise, highly engineered motor car she sits atop.
“Though relatively rare in the modern era, changes to the Spirit of Ecstasy have been made throughout her 111-year lifespan. She has been rendered in various sizes and materials and, briefly, in a kneeling position. The new version created for Spectre will appear on all future models: the current design will still be used on Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan and their Black Badge alter egos where applicable.”
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Spirit of Ecstasy is Redesigned for Rolls-Royce Spectre EV
Click to Enlarge.
Literally bowing to the future, the Spirit of Ecstasy statuette in use at Rolls-Royce since 1911 is now 82.73mm tall, compared to her predecessor’s 100.01mm. Her robes, which flow behind in the slipstream, sometimes mistakenly characterized as ‘wings,’ have been reshaped to make them more “aerodynamic and realistic.” BMW-owned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today that the most visible change is her stance. Previously, the mascot stood with feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist. Now, she is fixed for the wind, one leg forward, body pushed low, eyes focused ahead.
These changes help to shape the upcoming Spectre EV’s aerodynamic numbers. The earliest Spectre prototypes have a drag coefficient -Cd- of just 0.26, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created. The figure is expected to improve during the Spectre’s testing protocols during 2022. (Rolls-Royce Announces First Full Electric Car)
“111 years ago today, the Spirit of Ecstasy became an official part of Rolls-Royce. Yet, she has come to represent a spiritual direction for our brand,” said Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
As Rolls sees it: “This new expression captures the essence of Charles Sykes’ original drawings, but rather than simply being ‘redrawn’ or ‘redesigned,’ her new shape has been digitally sculpted by a computer modeler working at the Home of Rolls-Royce, who has a passion for life drawing and sculpture. Their experience in this field was invaluable in developing the figurine’s elegant lifelike facial features as well as her expression, which deftly combines focus and serenity. The designers also consulted stylists at Goodwood for their perspective on her hair, clothes, posture, and expression, adding an authentically contemporary aura to her dynamism and commanding presence.
“While all figurines are made using one of the oldest known casting techniques, named ‘lost wax casting’ or ‘cire-perdue,’ each is individually finished by hand, so will be minutely different from figurine to figurine. As well as continuing a long Rolls-Royce tradition – until 1939, the mascots were made and polished by Charles Sykes himself – this subtle, ephemeral human element creates an intriguing contrast to the precise, highly engineered motor car she sits atop.
“Though relatively rare in the modern era, changes to the Spirit of Ecstasy have been made throughout her 111-year lifespan. She has been rendered in various sizes and materials and, briefly, in a kneeling position. The new version created for Spectre will appear on all future models: the current design will still be used on Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan and their Black Badge alter egos where applicable.”
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