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Nov 08, 2023

Blue Shadow: A Bespoke Journey to the Edge of Space

Bespoke Luxury Andre Rowell Imagine for a moment, the earliest of prehistoric times, when our ancestors sat around the glow of a campfire and stared up at the mesmerising dance of stars in the night

Bespoke Luxury

Andre Rowell

Imagine for a moment, the earliest of prehistoric times, when our ancestors sat around the glow of a campfire and stared up at the mesmerising dance of stars in the night sky. As they sat huddled together, eyes fixed on the celestial canvas above, a question echoed through the ages: What lies beyond those distant pinpricks of light? This primal curiosity ignited the timeless human fascination with the stars, a passion that has endured through millennia and continues to inspire us to this day.

From the earliest astronomers who mapped the constellations to the modern-day space explorers who journey to the furthest reaches of the universe, the human spirit of exploration endures. It drives us to build magnificent observatories, launch space missions, and design celestial-inspired masterpieces like the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow.’

Inspired by the Kármán Line, that magical invisible boundary 62 miles above Earth’s surface, where the expanse of space begins, the ‘Blue Shadow’ encapsulates the essence of cosmic wonder.Stepping into the ‘Blue Shadow,’ you are immediately greeted by a spellbinding interior that captures the very essence of space exploration. The unique painted fascia and door panels showcase a stunning blend of six layers of paint, harmonising five different shades of blue with a deep black hue, creating a mesmerising three-dimensional effect. The finish, which incorporates blue and clear glass particles, lends an otherworldly depth and shine – a ratio so precise, it’s like measuring the gravitational pull of a black hole to a fraction of a percent (0.05% to be exact).

Of course, a celestial journey is incomplete without stars, and the ‘Blue Shadow’ ensures you don’t miss a thing. The elevated ‘Edge of Space’ headliner elevates Rolls-Royce’s famed Starlight Headliner to celestial heights. It features an intricate Moon embroidery surrounded by a constellation of ‘stars’ that transports you to the very edge of our galaxy. Picture 250,000 stitches and 1,183 fibre-optic ‘stars,’ each individually placed in the leather canvas, glowing softly like distant galaxies.

Underneath the celestial sheet metal lies the formidable heart of the Black Badge Cullinan in the form of a potent V12 engine. The vehicle’s NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission is 343 g/km, while its fuel consumption stands at an impressive 18.7 mpg (15.1 l/100km). The WLTP (combined) CO2 emission ranges from 377 to 370 g/km, with a fuel consumption of 17.0 to 17.3 mpg (16.6 to 16.3 l/100km).

To complement the celestial experience, the seats feature a first-ever perforated leather artwork inspired by Earth’s view from space. Over 75,000 perforations conjure the impression of ever-shifting clouds swirling above the continents and oceans, while the picnic table backs mirror the view into the boundless darkness of space.

Of course, as with any exclusive journey, only a select few will have the opportunity to embark on this celestial odyssey with the Blue Shadow limited to just 62 examples in the universe.

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