Currently reading: Coachbuilder reveals Rolls-Royce Wraith-based shooting brake
Niels van Roij Design will build just seven rebodied Wraiths, each with its own unique finish

Dutch coachbuilder Niels van Roij Design has turned its hand to the Rolls-Royce Wraith to create an ultra-exclusive shooting brake inspired by 1930s grand tourers.

The firm, best known for its Range Rover-based Adventum two-door SUV and Tesla Model S estate, will build seven examples of the Silver Spectre Shooting Brake, each of which will be finished in a bespoke theme inside and out. 

From the front, the Silver Spectre resembles the Rolls-Royce on which it is based, but a side view shows how the roofline has been extended towards the rear and the original car’s conventional bootlid has made way for a hatchback-style upright tailgate. 

The new roof panel has been formed from carbonfibre - one of the largest single pieces available, claims the firm - to allow for its unique silhouette and the tailgate protrudes slightly from the main body of the car in homage to “vintage and stately Anglian limousines of the 1950s and 1960s”. 

Carat duchatelet rolls royce silver specter by niels van roij 12

The Silver Spectre takes its power from the BMW-derived 6.6-litre V12 as found in the Wraith but has been uprated to provide 690bhp - up from 624bhp - and 664lb ft of torque. 

Available options include two-tone exterior finishes, hand-applied pinstripes, embroidered headrests, polished wood interior trim, personalised tread plates and colour-coded leather or silk upholstery. 

A ‘starlight headliner’ made of fibre-optic strands is said to be “a true statement and showcase of the bespoke capabilities”. The lights fade away towards the rear of the car to give a realistic impression of a starlit sky. 

The enlarged boot area is upholstered in padded leather to match the cabin. The company said this is “an uncommon sight” because boot spaces are usually “rectilinear and carpeted”. 

Designer and company founder Niels van Roij said: "With this dramatically styled vehicle, we subtly link back to the heydays of shooting brakes in the 1930s, whilst embedding the iconic, soft and creamy visual cues from classic British automotive icons – all without being constrained by these motor cars in the execution of the modern styling. The outcome is not only a highly original design, but also a historically relevant car.”

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: News and features editor

Felix is Autocar's news editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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275not599 29 August 2020

It absolutely does not hark

It absolutely does not hark back to the shooting brakes of old which were decidedly utilitarian eg the luggage area was not clothed in white (!) leather and they had acres of window space.  Many were saloons converted after the war because such coachwork was deemed "commercial" and therefore enjoyed tax benefits.  This car harks back to the glamorous 2 door coupés which some coachbuilders put on various types of chassis.  Whether it does so successfully is a matter of taste.

XanderC 29 August 2020

Hideous

Who would spend 40'000£ on such a car. The front looks normal but the rear just doesn't fit. It would work perfect as a Hearse!

jonboy4969 29 August 2020

I am so glad that Bentley now

I am so glad that Bentley now have nothing to do with RR, they are by far the ugliest cars on the road, i will stick to my Bentley and know i have a beautiful car, thats just not so vulgar, this thing is by far the worst customised car i have seen for many a year, it should have been crushed at first viewing.

Citytiger 29 August 2020

jonboy4969 wrote:

jonboy4969 wrote:

I am so glad that Bentley now have nothing to do with RR, they are by far the ugliest cars on the road, i will stick to my Bentley and know i have a beautiful car, thats just not so vulgar, this thing is by far the worst customised car i have seen for many a year, it should have been crushed at first viewing.

I take you havent seen or own a Bentayga then, because they are not exactly blessed in looks department..