Dubai has scored another automotive first as Rolls-Royce opens its only dedicated client meeting space outside the UK.
The new venue, dubbed the "private office", is a place where customers can go and choose the exact specifications for their new vehicle, with a UAE-based expert team on hand to offer advice in the process.
Prior to this, those after a truly bespoke creation would have had to come to a decision about what they wanted virtually or fly to the manufacturer’s headquarters at Goodwood in the UK.
Customers can choose everything from a unique piece of dashboard artwork to seat upholstery and the colours of the vehicle both inside and out — there are 44,000 ready-to-wear hues available.
You can even choose what particular night sky constellation you want on the roof of the vehicle, a feature Rolls-Royce calls the "starlight headliner".
The idea of the private office is to create an environment where all parties are able to can bring their vision to life.
“This is yet another step in the evolution of the marque, rooting itself as a true house of luxury with effortlessly elevated design services that are on a par with our products,” Rolls-Royce chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos said.
The manufacturer says it plans more private offices in the near future, promising a return to its "Coachbuild programme", which refers to cars constructed entirely by hand.
The private office is now open and customers can book appointments through local showrooms across the UAE.
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail: latest version of world’s most expensive new car revealed — in pictures
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The Boat Tail looking suitably at home by Lake Como in Italy. All photos: Rolls-Royce -
The Boat Tail was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d-Este event in northern Italy. -
The rear deck is swathed in a walnut veneer. -
Possibly the world's poshest picnic set. -
The boat analogy stretches to a deck-like effect on the car's boot. -
The front of the Boat Tail features what Rolls-Royce calls a pantheon grille. -
The wood-veneer interior is matched with earth-tone accents. -
The colour of the new Boat Tail is a blend of "oyster and soft rose". -
The rear deck has a butterfly opening action. -
Roof up, ready to roll. -
The Spirit of Ecstasy figurine in rose gold. -
The Boat Tail is hand-built, with the body panels being crafted from single sheets of aluminium. -
Up close with the wood-veneer decking. -
An early design sketch. -
The Boat Tail's body shape was chiselled from wood before construction as a guide to the coachbuilders. -
Even the statue seems impressed. -
The Boat Tail has gold accents throughout. -
The Boat Tail features a clock with mother-of-pearl accents. -
Parasol only to be used when stationary. -
The Boat Tail at dusk.
