It’s a touch mysterious, but that’s the whole point. The newest member of the Rolls-Royce Collection Cars lineup is the Wraith Kryptos Collection, which was born from a designer’s passion for cryptography.
The art of writing in codes has prevalence throughout the design of the model, a vehicle Rolls-Royce calls “a willing canvas for an intricate and clandestine design.” The collection will be limited to just 50 vehicles.
“The name Kryptos is derived from Ancient Greek, referring to something unseen, hidden and coded, mythical even,” said Rolls-Katrin Lehmann, Royce Bespoke Designer. “Ciphers can be traced through millennia, capturing the imagination of some of the world’s most brilliant minds.”
“As a designer,” continued Lehmann, “I’ve always been fascinated by the notion that you can communicate messages that are understood by only an elite few, using symbols, pictograms, and ciphers. Finding the key becomes integral to appreciating the full meaning of an item that can otherwise be viewed simply as a work of art.”
The Wraith Kryptos Collection features an encrypted cipher that evolves throughout the car, in a move purely for the clients’ pleasure and amusement. Though the ciphers appear to the untrained eye to just be a design, those who are willing to look closer will find themselves involved in a mystery.
“The brilliant and creative minds of our Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective have excelled once again, creating an extraordinarily contemporary and compelling iteration of Wraith,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “The Wraith Kryptos Collection, on first glance, is a statement of dynamism. On closer examination, a series of messages are hidden behind a unique Rolls-Royce cipher. I look forward to seeing whether any of our clients will crack the code!”
The code really is a secret. Only two people at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood know the full resolution of the sequence -Lehmann and Müller-Ötvös. A sealed envelope in the Chief Executive’s safe holds the key to the code. Rolls-Royce clients will be able to submit their efforts at cracking the code via the members-only Rolls-Royce app, Whispers.
To begin your cryptographic journey, once you’ve received your Wraith, you’ll start at the Spirit of Ecstasy where an engraving at the base starts the cipher. Below, there are redrafted bumper inserts, which change the posture of Wraith. The exterior of the car is Delphic Grey, a bespoke hue that is made from a solid Anthracite base color. In sunlight, blue and green mica flakes appear. A hand-painted double coachline in Kryptos Green is painted. Orbit Grey polished wheels feature a color pinstripe.
Step over the illuminated tread-lates and you’ll be greeted by Kryptos Green leather that has been developed to incorporate a metallic effect, set against either Selby Grey or Anthracite. Elements of the cipher are embroidered into the Wraith’s headrests in place of the customary double-R emblem. A screen print spans the width fo the interior in front of the driver.
Looking up, passengers will see a bi-colored headliner depicting an in-motion data-stream inspired motif. Illuminated door pockets are made woven leather with Kryptos Green threads.
Buyers interested in purchasing a model from the Wraith Kryptos Collection should contact their local Rolls-Royce retailer.
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection
Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars