Smallest Rolls-Royce delivers smiles to children

THE smallest Rolls-Royce motor car ever made will help bring a smile to the faces of children facing surgery, the carmaker has announced.

The Rolls-Royce SRH – the acronym stands for St Richard’s Hospital where it will ply the corridors – is a tiny, one-seat electric car crafted specially for children. It will ply the hospital’s corridors lined with street signs, helping to reduce child patient stress on the way to surgery, the carmaker said.

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The one-off car built as part of the carmaker’s “Bespoke Manufacturing” program, the electric Roller has a two-tone paint-scheme of Andalusian White and Salamanca Blue, and is finished with a hand-applied St James Red coachline.

As well, there’s a two-tone steering wheel, seats and self-righting wheel centres colour-matched to the St James Red coachline.

The SRH has a top speed of 16km/h, powered by a 24-volt gel battery. A more sedate setting of just over 6km/h is also available at the flick of a switch.

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Elements of the car, such as the grille-mounted Spirit of Ecstasy figurine and paddle controls, were designed using the same 3D printing methods used to develop the bits for road-going vehicles.

The car was presented to two children overnight at the Rolls-Royce production facility at Goodwood, where they were able to drive long the production line where the real cars are made.

“I am immensely proud of what the team has achieved,” Rolls-Royce SRH project leader Lawrie Mewse said.

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“This project showcases the amazing skills and technology that exist in the Bespoke Manufacturing team and across every area at the home of Rolls-Royce here at Goodwood.

“However, the most important thing is giving back to the local community and having a positive impact for children and their parents during their time in hospital.”