One-off Rolls-Royce Sweptail unveiled

If you look at the Rolls-Royce Sweptail and see something that resembles a luxury yacht, that means it worked.

In 2013, one of Rolls-Royce’s “most valued customers” approached the company with a request.

He wanted a custom car that reflected his affinity for private luxury yachts and aircraft, and Rolls-Royce accepted the challenge.

Almost five years later, the Sweptail is the result of that request.

The reason the Sweptail is so exclusive is that it’s not just a modified Wraith, or a Dawn with extra shiny bits. It’s a completely unique car.

The most obvious unique element of the Sweptail is its namesake, the tail of the car which mimics the sweeping rears of early Rolls such as the Phantoms of the ‘20s and ‘30s, as well as evoking imagery of luxury yachts.

Estimates of the cost of such a car have surfaced, ranging from $15m-$20m AUD, though Rolls-Royce won’t tell anyone how much the owner paid to have the Sweptail made.

CAR Magazine in the UK did, however ask Rolls CEO who said, “it was substantially expensive. Substantially expensive.

“You can easily say that this is probably the most expensive new car in ages… ever.”

Also under wraps are specs for the vehicle, though it wouldn’t be surprising to find that it’s a V12 from one of Rolls’ other models.

Even if the engine’s tweaked, it’s clear this car isn’t going to be driven hard, if much at all.

Director of design at RR has called the car, “the automotive equivalent of Haute Couture”.

“This customer came to the House of Rolls-Royce with an idea, shared in the creative process where we advised him on his cloth, and then we tailored that cloth to him.”

You might say we cut the cloth for the suit of clothes that he will be judged by.”

In a car this outlandish, there’s likely to be plenty of judgement indeed.