“Phantom has always been defined by the people who commission it, and the places in which they use it. As an exemplar of excellence, Phantom has inhabited and been influenced by locations worldwide, from the glamorous Côte d’Azur to the peaceful Sussex countryside, and from the bustling heart of London to the vast wilderness of the Australian Outback. Each stage in this 100-year odyssey has shaped Phantom’s character and helped secure its place in cultural history. As we mark Phantom’s centenary, we reflect on some of the most important places, events and people that have made our pinnacle motor car everything it is today, and informed a new and extraordinary Bespoke creation soon to be revealed.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The story of Phantom spans 100 years, and the entire world. Today, Phantom owners can be found in over 100 countries on six continents, with each individual motor car commissioned to satisfy both its owner’s personal tastes and codes of luxury, and the specific conditions and surroundings in which it operates.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars reflects on some of the key locations, moments and people that have shaped Phantom’s development and philosophy from its launch in 1925 to the present day.

LE RAYOL-CANADEL-SUR-MER: ENGINEERING AN ICON
From 1911 until his death in 1933, Sir Henry Royce spent the winter months in the South of France, at a secluded retreat on the Côte d’Azur. He initially stayed at Claude Johnson’s villa, until Villa Mimosa was completed in 1917; Royce used this location to test and refine many Rolls-Royces, including the first motor car to bear the Phantom nameplate.

The combination of high-speed cruising from England to France and the Riviera’s sweeping, cinematic corniches provided the ultimate environment for assessment and improvement. From Villa Mimosa, Royce obsessively refined Phantom to deliver an experience as singular then as it is today: the effortless command of immense power.

The influence of Sir Henry’s winter residence is enshrined in modern materials used by the marque, including Canadel interior wood panelling, and Duality Twill bamboo fabric inspired by the extensive groves in Le Jardin des Méditerranées, which adjoins Villa Mimosa.

WEST WITTERING: THE QUIET PURSUIT OF PERFECTION
In the warmer months, Sir Henry returned from France to Elmstead, his beloved home in the village of West Wittering on the Sussex coast. Just eight miles from the present-day Home of Rolls-Royce, Elmstead remains a place of pilgrimage for enthusiasts, providing a personal and emotional connection to one of the founders that resonates throughout the company today.

As he had done at Villa Mimosa, Royce set up a separate studio nearby for his team of designers and engineers. Although the Rolls-Royce factory was halfway across the country in Derby, Royce still insisted on signing off every new component personally, so motor cars arrived almost daily to be inspected, adjusted and approved before returning. Each journey was a round trip of over 400 miles, and some of these same roads are still used by the marque’s test and development specialists to this day.

Alongside Elmstead, Royce acquired 60 acres of land, where he devoted himself to agriculture and horticulture with characteristic zeal and almost obsessive attention to detail; qualities that extended even to his leisure pursuits. A skilled engineering draughtsman, Royce also became a highly accomplished watercolourist. His exquisite studies of scenes in West Wittering and Le Canadel still provide inspiration for Rolls-Royce designers seeking to immerse themselves in his world.

LONDON: A CENTURY OF INFLUENCE
For all its global reach, London remains Phantom’s spiritual home. For much of the twentieth century, Rolls-Royce was based at 14-15 Conduit Street, near Savile Row in London’s fashionable Mayfair, where Charles Rolls had established one of Britain’s first car showrooms in 1905. Here, Rolls conducted demonstration drives of early motor cars and met clients from London’s social elite. The building’s role in automotive history was commemorated by English Heritage in 2010 with a Blue Plaque, unveiled by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

London also played a pivotal role in Phantom’s renaissance. In the late 1990s, the marque’s designers established a secret studio in a former bank building on the north side of Hyde Park. In what was known simply as ‘The Bank’, a handpicked team, led by Chief Designer Ian Cameron, worked on a secret project codenamed RR01.

Cameron and his team’s brief was simple, but enormously ambitious: to create a new Rolls-Royce from a blank sheet of paper. They were given only three stipulations: the car should have very large wheels, the famous Pantheon Grille and, of course, the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.

Chief Exterior Designer Marek Djordjevic turned to designs from the past for inspiration. A coachbuilt Phantom II from the early 1930s would prove the most influential, providing the design elements that still inform every Goodwood-era Rolls-Royce – most notably the famous ‘waft line’, rising from rear to front along the lower edge of the body, reminiscent of a motor yacht at speed.

AUSTRALIA: A NEW ERA BEGINS
The first Goodwood Phantom made its global debut on 1 January 2003, where it was handed over to its new owner at exactly 00:01. The delighted client wished to immerse themselves in this grand and contemporary expression of the marque, and so began a 4,500-mile journey from Perth across the Australian continent. It was an audacious statement – and a bold demonstration that Phantom had not only returned, but was ready to define a new era of global luxury travel. In a fitting full-circle moment, that very same Phantom returned to the Home of Rolls-Royce in August 2025 – Phantom’s centenary year – to undergo a detailed inspection by the marque’s engineers.

102EX: AN ELECTRIC VISION
Following Phantom’s highly successful market introduction, engineers within Rolls-Royce began thinking about the marque’s longer-term future. Reflecting the Rolls-Royce’s visionary spirit, a small team considered a wide range of powertrains that would be suitable for the brand’s electric future and amplify the qualities clients celebrated about their Rolls-Royce.

In 2011, Rolls-Royce revealed 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE): a fully electric Phantom. Though never intended for production, this experimental motor car offered the first glimpse of how the brand might harness battery-electric technology to elevate the wider Rolls-Royce experience. It marked the beginning of a bold electric journey – one that would carry the marque into the present day, and beyond.

THE FUTURE OF PHANTOM, TOLD THROUGH ITS LEGACY
Phantom’s remarkable history remains a constant source of inspiration within Rolls-Royce. The centenary year of this nameplate, celebrated in 2025, offers a fitting moment to honour the individuals and ideas that have shaped Phantom’s first 100 years. From world-renowned artists to musical pioneers, Phantom has been chosen by those who truly shape our world. It has served monarchs, statesmen and captains of industry – and, above all, remains a tribute to the vision of the marque’s founders, Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce.

Across generations, Phantom has revealed its unique breadth and brilliance – as a studio, stage, state room and gallery. These stories will soon be brought together in a landmark Bespoke motor car that captures Phantom’s singular legacy, honours an extraordinary milestone, and represents the continuation of one of the most illustrious journeys in automotive history.

Click here to view Rolls-Royce I Phantom Returns Home.

For nearly 60 years, Santa Pod has been at the forefront of European drag racing, from grassroots competition to the FIA European Drag Racing Championship. This new collaboration with Millers Oils — a company with more than 135 years of expertise in pioneering advanced oil technology — strengthens the commitment to power, reliability, and excellence both on and off the track.

The collaboration will go far beyond logo placement, with Millers Oils becoming part of the fabric of Santa Pod events. From the roar of FIA dragsters to the thrill of “Run What Ya Brung”, fans can expect to see Millers Oils engaging trackside, celebrating horsepower, supporting competitors, and showcasing the very best in oil technology.

Caroline Holden, Commercial Manager at Santa Pod, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Millers Oils as Official Oil Sponsor of Santa Pod Raceway. Their heritage and expertise in high-performance lubricants make them a natural partner for us and brings together two names that live for performance.”

Tony Lowe, Managing Director at Millers Oils, said:
“Santa Pod Raceway is a true icon of global motorsport, and we are delighted to partner as Official Oil Sponsor. This is about more than visibility, it’s about standing side by side with the teams, drivers and fans who live and breathe performance. Motorsport is in our DNA, and this partnership gives us the perfect platform to showcase it.”

This exciting partnership signals a new chapter for both Millers Oils and Santa Pod Raceway, strengthening their commitment to innovation, community, and the relentless pursuit of performance.

About Santa Pod Raceway
Santa Pod Raceway, located in north Bedfordshire, is the premier drag racing venue in Europe. Santa Pod has earned a reputation as the ultimate destination for drag racing enthusiasts, offering world-class facilities and hosting some of the most prestigious and diverse events in the motorsport calendar.

www.santapod.com

About Millers Oils
Founded in 1887, Millers Oils is an independent blender of award-winning oils and lubricants, trusted across automotive, motorsport, commercial and industrial sectors worldwide.

www.millersoils.co.uk

Attachments:
Photo: Slick Tricks Racing Top Fuel Dragster + team (Photo: Santa Pod)

The brand is also announcing the opening of public registration and revealing six new artists joining the bill: Adèle Castillon, Busy P & Myd, Victor Solf, Saint DX, Chef & The Gang, Étienne de Crécy. Renault continues to break the mould with this original music festival. These free concerts, accessible through prior registration, will offer festival-goers a rich and diverse program.

A TRENDSETTING ARTISTIC LINEUP FOR A BOLD AND LIBERATING EVENT
Set to become the musical rendezvous of early summer, festiv4L features a 100% French stage blending legendary icons and emerging talents for an enchanting live show.

Today, Renault adds six new names to the lineup: Adèle Castillon, Busy P & Myd, Victor Solf, Saint DX, Chef & The Gang, Étienne de Crécy.

They join an already iconic roster including: The Blaze (DJ set), Isaac Delusion, Hervé, Adé, Cerrone, Cassius.

To stay updated on upcoming announcements, follow Renault on social media or download the wt4 app! More headline acts will be revealed soon.

AN ICONIC VENUE: CHALET DES ÎLES – BOIS DE BOULOGNE – PARIS
This unique experience will unfold in the bucolic and slightly hidden Chalet des Îles, located at the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. Just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, this iconic spot is set to become the epicenter of cool and freedom for three unforgettable days.

FESTIV4L TICKETING IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Registrations for festiv4L are now officially open! To attend this one-of-a-kind event — a blend of music, culture, and experiences centered around the world of the R4 — simply book your free ticket online at: https://shotgun.live/fr/events/festiv-4-l

Spaces are limited, so future festival-goers are encouraged to register quickly to secure access to the concerts and immersive experiences happening June 20–22, 2025, at the Chalet des Îles in Paris.

AN IMMERSIVE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE AROUND THE RENAULT 4 E-TECH ELECTRIC
festiv4L also offers the opportunity to dive into the world of the Renault 4 E-Tech electric — a modern tribute to a symbol of freedom. Three immersive spaces will showcase the Renault 4 universe:

• The Vill4ge, the heart of festiv4L, captures the authentic, adventurous spirit of the Renault 4. The R4 Exhibition will delight enthusiasts and newcomers alike by showcasing various R4 versions and customization possibilities. An immersive scenography will connect past and present, highlighting the tech innovations of the Renault 4 E-Tech electric alongside iconic R4 models. The space will also feature unique mobility objects born from French collaborations, a pop-up The Originals Renault store, and many more engaging experiences bridging heritage and modernity.
• La Cl4irière, the open-air main stage, will pulse with a 100% French lineup blending electro, pop, and disco. The Blaze (DJ set), Adé, Isaac Delusion, Hervé, Cerrone, and Cassius will perform alongside the newly announced acts: Adèle Castillon, Busy P & Myd, Victor Solf, Saint DX, Chef & The Gang, Étienne de Crécy. Set in an enchanting natural space, the experience will be enhanced with shaded chill zones and DJ sets played from customized R4 vehicles.
• Le J4rdin, a peaceful, bucolic haven, will offer a relaxing break between shows with gourmet food trucks and pop-up bars — an ideal space to unwind with friends or family.

Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to test drive the Renault 4 E-Tech electric near the festival venue — a unique chance to discover this contemporary take on an iconic car. 

RENAULT 4 E-TECH ELECTRIC: A TRUE EVERYDAY ADVENTURER
With its retro-futuristic design, the Renault 4 E-Tech electric reimagines the legendary 4L in a bold, highly customizable form. Featuring a luminous grille, full LED tail lights inspired by the original model, and a Plein Sud canvas sunroof, every detail celebrates the spirit of freedom.

Designed for both city adventures and escapes, this 21st-century blue jean car combines agility, tech, and comfort:

• 420 L modular trunk
• OpenR Link multimedia system with integrated Google
• Voice assistant Reno
• 26 advanced driver assistance systems
• Up to 409 km range
• 100% electric AmpR Small platform for smooth, dynamic driving
• One pedal function

With innovative 3D-printed accessories — from the e-pop shifter to clever storage solutions — and the iconic wicker basket, the Renault 4 E-Tech electric is a lifestyle statement.

Produced in France at the Ampere Manufacture in Maubeuge, it represents responsible and desirable mobility, blending design, technology, and ecological commitment — all within reach.
By democratizing electric mobility with such an iconic yet visionary model, Renault underscores its ambition to accelerate the adoption of EVs across Europe, making them more accessible and suited to everyone’s needs.