Rolls-Royce Unveils Phantom Arabesque with Laser-Engraved Bonnet

Rolls-Royce presents Phantom Arabesque, the first model with a laser-engraved bonnet inspired by Middle Eastern mashrabiya architecture. Learn the details.

Rolls-Royce has unveiled Phantom Arabesque, a unique Phantom Extended that becomes the first motor car in the marque’s history to feature a fully laser-engraved bonnet. The project took five years to develop and culminated in a patented technique created at the Exterior Surface Centre in Goodwood. Commissioned through Private Office Dubai, the motor car is a one-of-one creation.

At the heart of the concept lies the mashrabiya, the traditional wooden latticework characteristic of Middle Eastern architecture. Historically used in houses and palaces to shield interiors from direct sunlight, encourage airflow and preserve privacy, mashrabiya allowed occupants to look out without being seen. It is this balance of ornament and function that designers sought to reinterpret in Phantom Arabesque.

The bonnet is finished in a dark base colour, sealed beneath multiple layers of clear coat and topped with a lighter surface. The geometric mashrabiya pattern is engraved by laser to a depth of 145–190 microns, revealing the darker tone beneath and creating a textured, three-dimensional effect. Each engraved section is then hand-sanded to achieve a uniform sculptural finish. By integrating the pattern within the paint rather than applying it on top, Rolls-Royce states that the process delivers durability and refinement—qualities long associated with laser marking in the automotive industry.

The exterior is presented in a Bespoke two-tone scheme: Diamond Black for the main body and Silver for the upper surfaces. A single hand-painted Short Coachline carries a mashrabiya motif. Further details include an illuminated Pantheon grille with Dark Chrome surround, an uplit Spirit of Ecstasy and 22-inch part-polished wheels.

Inside, the architectural theme continues. The Gallery fascia spanning the width of the dashboard features intricate marquetry crafted from Blackwood and Black Bolivar, echoing the mashrabiya geometry. The interior is finished in Selby Grey and Black leather, with embroidered motifs on the headrests and illuminated treadplates bearing a cross-section of the bonnet engraving.

The Phantom nameplate has been in use since 1925 and marked its centenary in 2025. The Extended Wheelbase version is 220 mm longer than the standard model, offering a platform frequently chosen for complex Bespoke commissions. Rolls-Royce describes Phantom as a “blank canvas” for individual expression, and Phantom Arabesque turns that idea into a literal architectural statement.

Beyond its visual impact, the project signals an expansion of the marque’s craft vocabulary. With five years of development behind it and a patented process now established, laser engraving may open new possibilities for future Bespoke clients. For now, Phantom Arabesque remains a singular commission delivered to a Middle Eastern collector, honouring a regional design language through contemporary automotive craftsmanship.