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  1. Want for MacSpicy Meal, assuming is new - SGD7. look at the chicken, so thin, 3-5mm I guess. So I am paying for 2 slices of loti, crispy flour? What is going on?
  2. Saw these types of slippers being sold at Metro Paragon. 1 pair costs $100+++ At the cashier, at least 3-4 ladies in a row queuing to buy! Who says economy is bad?
  3. Anyone here went for the launch last weekend? Already have 3 buyers for this 3.6 million car.
  4. We love cars! Or at least, I do. I assume you do too, since you’re on this platform. But as an aspiring car owner, I also grapple with the realities of living in Singapore. We have again been acclaimed as the “World’s Most Expensive City” together with New York City, our inflation is the highest it’s been in 15 years, and our homes start at hundred of thousands of dollars. In the face of such problems, a car seems like the least important of my worries. But let’s say in about 10 years time (can you tell I’m a young person yet?) I have enough money to get a car. Nothing special, a Toyota Corolla from Sgcarmart perhaps? How would I get there? And what are the costs that I’ll face afterwards? Join me and let’s see if buying a car is still worth it in Singapore. The many hidden costs of owning a car in SG To understand what it takes to buy a car I think a good place to start is to see the costs involved. As I’m sure you all know, we need to deal with COE (Certificate of Entitlement). It’s a metaphorical piece of paper that you buy in order to give you the right to own and use a car in the streets of Singapore. The COE lasts for 10 years. After 10 years, you have the option to refresh the COE and continue to use your car, or let it expire and be forced to de-register your car. Let’s say I’m a first time buyer, and that I’m getting a brand new Toyota Corolla Altis. The standard variant. This is what you’ll see in the official Toyota website. Now don’t worry, this is already taking into account COE for this year, as of April 2023. This specific model makes 96 brake horsepower with a 1,598cc engine. Therefore, this model would qualify for a Cat A COE. This category is for cars that have an engine less than or equal to 1600cc & make 130bhp or less. However, let’s take a look at how much this COE costs as of March 2023. You have spent almost 2 thirds of the entire car’s cost on the right to have gotten the car in the first place. Now let’s fast forward 10 years. The maths is going to get real complicated real quick. 10 years later.... I’ve had a wonderful time with my Corolla. It has served me well. It has seen me through so many things. My marriage. My first kids, my divorce, my wallowing loneliness. Ok, that got dark but you see what I mean. Some time has passed. I now need to make a decision to renew my COE or let it expire. To renew it, I will need to pay the PQP (Prevailing Quota Premium) of the COE. PQP is the moving average of the COE prices in the past 3 months. To calculate PQP, simply take the existing COE prices of the most recent three months and find its average. We can take the PQP from the above image and see that it is $85,845. I’ll let you decide whether it’s worth renewing the COE. In another scenario, let’s say I let it expire. And there’s actually a proper reason to do this called rebate. For any fellow Gen Z, this is our “cashback”. Upon de-registering a vehicle, we get a certain value by adding up our COE rebate and PARF (Preferential Additional Registration Fee ) rebate. Our COE rebate is based on the Quota Premium paid and the remaining COE left. Here’s a formula: Your COE rebate = [(Quota Premium Paid x Number of months left)/120 months]. Here’s an example: It is 2021. Adam has 12 months of COE left on his car. Assuming that his Quota Premium (QP) paid back in 2012 was $40,000, the COE rebate he will receive is ($40,000 x 12) / 120 = $4,000 PARF rebate is based on the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) value. Your PARF rebate = [ARF x % based on the age of your car] ARF is a tax imposed upon the registration of your vehicle, which depends on your car's Open Market Value (OMV). A car's OMV is the original cost of production of the vehicle before surcharges, taxes and the dealer's profit. Here’s a table to help you visualise the PARF rebate. According to Budget Direct Insurance, the Toyota’s OMV is $19,436. So the ARF for this car, as it is less than $20,000, will be 100% of its value at $19,436. However, as in this scenario I have spent over 10 years with my car, there will be no PARF rebate. I will also have no COE rebate because I have no months left on that either. I will get a tidy sum of... So if I'd like to continue using my vehicle after likely having paid for it in full, I'd need to once again pay for a permit worth several times over the actual cost of my car, even after taxes. Some people have clearly gotten sick of this, like this biker, who started a discussion on Facebook after showing why he doesn't use his motorycle anymore, calling it a ransom. It's clear that many people felt the same as him, calling the COE system a con or daylight robbery, that once their COE expires, they will likely stop using their vehicle. And yet, COE is at a record high this year. So I'd like to ask you all, what does owning a car mean to you? For more information about renewing COE, do head over to this guide on COE renewal. ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!
  5. Judging from the numerous threads of durian threads, I can see that most people like MSW. However, I do not prefer MSW as I think normal durians are enough for me. The main aim of the post is to see if anybody is like me(ie. likes to find budget durians) and if my statement of most people like MSW . PS.T his is not a thread for academic purposes.For general discussion only. Thanks with regards, Brass. There is apparently no poll on this kind of question, so I created this thread. If moderators feel that this thread is similar to other threads, please merge them to other durian related threads. Thanks
  6. Are prices in Singapore going up and what is the Government doing about it? https://www.gov.sg/article/singapore-is-it-really-the-most-expensive-place-to-live Singapore was ranked the second most expensive city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in its Worldwide Cost of Living 2021 survey. In its ranking published on 1 December 2021, Singapore was tied in second place with Paris, up from fourth position in the previous year. However, the EIU’s findings may not reflect the cost of living of Singaporean households and here are the reasons why. First, the composition of items in the EIU consumption basket is different from the typical consumption pattern of Singaporean households. The EIU survey is designed to enable Human Resource managers around the world to calculate cost-of-living allowances and put together compensation packages for expatriates and business travellers. The EIU consumption basket is not based on the typical consumption pattern of Singaporean households and is therefore not a good gauge of cost of living for Singaporean households. For instance, the EIU consumption basket includes items such as international foreign daily newspapers that tend to be more expensive than what Singaporean households typically consume like local newspapers. A more representative indicator of cost of living in Singapore is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change in the prices of a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by Singaporean households. Second, the EIU survey findings were compiled by comparing the prices of goods and services across countries and converting them from their local currencies to US dollars. This means that the rankings are sensitive to currency fluctuations. However, currency fluctuations have less impact on the cost of living of Singaporeans who earn their income in Singapore dollars. Are prices in Singapore going up? Nevertheless, like many economies around the world, Singapore is seeing higher inflation lately. Inflation in recent months has been driven by both external and domestic drivers. How have prices in Singapore changed over time? Based on the CPI, prices rose by 2.9% between July and November 2021, compared to 1.5% in the first half of 2021. This follows from a 0.2% decline in prices in 2020. You can access more information on the CPI from the Singapore Department of Statistics’ website here. How is the Government helping Singaporeans to manage rising costs? 1. Manage domestic supply-side constraints. This includes managing the supply of industrial and commercial space, to help moderate business cost increases and reduce the knock-on impact on consumer prices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has also disbursed rental relief and implemented schemes such as the Wage Credit Scheme, Jobs Support Scheme and Jobs Growth Incentive Scheme to help businesses cope with costs. 2. Promote competition in markets so that Singaporeans can enjoy competitive prices. This includes lowering barriers to entry, where possible. It also entails diversifying the sources of supply, including for food, to prevent sharp price increases in the event of disruptions. 3. Shift towards an appreciating path for the trade-weighted Singapore dollar (the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate or S$NEER). A stronger Singapore dollar helps to mitigate imported inflation and temper domestic cost, to ensure price stability over the medium term. 4. Implement community support programmes. The Government has worked with cooperatives such as NTUC FairPrice on programmes to help Singaporeans cope with higher prices for daily necessities. In addition, Singaporeans can tap on these support schemes: GST Voucher - For eligible Singaporeans aged 21 and above. This includes cash payouts, MediSave top-up and U-Save rebates for utilities. Grocery Voucher - For eligible Singaporeans aged 21 and above living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats. This is to support household expenses. ComCare Assistance - Targeted support for low-income households. This includes cash assistance for basic living expenses, assistance with household and medical bills, as well as employment assistance and referrals for other forms of support.
  7. Everybody hates car accidents---- especially car owners. Usually accidents on the road are caused by the errant drivers themselves.... But what if they were caused by the passenger you just accepted? Had you known of what would soon take place to your precious vehicle, would you still have taken on this passenger? That's right; probably not--- and we bet this PHV driver thinks so too! This dash cam footage from a third-party vehicle showed the moment the passenger door swung open and right into the face of an oncoming taxi. 293443465_548259580365081_7550106539844055768_n.mp4 Oh Boy. Ouch! That, my friends, was just the sound of hearts shattering and wallets shriveling up everywhere... This shows the exact moment of impact: We can only imagine the utter horror of the driver as he heard the sickening thud of his precious Honda door, slamming into the unforgiving exterior of the Comfort Delgro taxi... Criticism incoming: Netizens took to the comment section, making their thoughts known: There were some who provided some valuable insight and advice: And one even asked the pressing question we all want to know the answer to: Naturally, we assume the passenger would be the one paying as it was their fault after all... But again, that is not always the case. One netizen made a rather aptly-worded statement: Expensive, yes, expensive indeed! The total bill for the damages appear to be as stated below: Ack! Oh my heart! How it aches for the wallet involved... What is the moral of this story, if you will? We can agree that such an incident was very unfortunate and the most gut-wrenching part? It could have been easily avoided! A little care and caution goes a long way. I am sure the passenger, taxi driver and the PHV driver would agree. I hope the PHV driver gets his repairs done soon so that he can continue to drive and pick up his passengers on the daily. After all, that is his main source of income. Isn't it astounding how one action can cause so many ripples in the course of life? Just as well, I really do hope the passenger exercises more caution in the future! Not just for their wallet's sake, but for the safety of others too! ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news, and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!
  8. Let not talk about its price first, but do you find it attractive, or practical? This is a coach built model by RR (not 3rd party) and only 3 unit were built, and all have been taken. Now, don't fall off the chair. Each unit cost US$28mil (~$$37mil), which can get you a decent GCB. And if you factor in all the vehicle taxes payable here, this Boat Tail is going to cost >S$100mil, just to put it on the road!!!
  9. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/budget-2022-buyers-of-luxury-cars-to-pay-even-higher-taxes so coming Wednesday COE up or down? 🤣🤣🤣 I think not much impact for above OMV $80,000 cars buyers 😭
  10. this one not expatriates or what. this one is general cost of living http://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-most-expensive-city-in-the-world-is-singapore-worldwide-cost-of-living-2014-report?ref=facebook-869
  11. Running Shoes - Are expensive running shoes a waste of money? 57 yr old Tarahumara runner ran the 100 km race with a pair of sandals made from old rubber tyres and came in first - so much for expensive high end running shoes :-) Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 9:35 PM The painful truth about trainers: Are running shoes a waste of money? Thrust enhancers, roll bars, mic rochips ... the $20 billion running - shoe industry wants us to believe that the latest technologies will cushion every stride. Yet in this extract from his controversial new book, Christopher McDougall claims that injury rates for runners are actually on the rise, that everything we've been told about running shoes is wrong - and that it might even be better to go barefoot. By CHRISTOPHER McDOUGALL Last updated at 8:01 PM on 19th April 2009 Every year, anywhere from 65 to 80 per cent of all runners suffer an injury. No matter who you are, no matter how much you run, your odds of getting hurt are the same At Stanford University , California , two sales representatives from Nike were watching the athletics team practise. Part of their job was to gather feedback from the company's sponsored runners about which shoes they preferred. Unfortunately, it was proving difficult that day as the runners all seemed to prefer... nothing.
  12. Routine dental work 'I was shocked when I was billed $94 nett.' MS NGIAM SENG MIN: 'I was shocked when I was billed $94 nett recently at NTUC Denticare for a routine check, scaling, polishing and fluoride application, all of which lasted only 12 minutes. And this was at membership rates too. How many people can afford this? NTUC Denticare's charges are as pricey as neighbourhood clinics.' would it be cheaper to go to neighbour friendly dental clinic or NTUC denticare? I am covered by insurance therefore not sure if Ms Ngiam issue is reflective of rising cost of dental care.
  13. Hey guys, We all agree and concluded that Cars and running cost of Cars in Sg is expensive. So what's cheap and a good deal in Sg that we can do? I am sure there are some goodies in Singapore that we are cheaper than other countries right.. Instead of keep thinking of negative things can we enjoy the goodness or those "good deals" in sg. Property, liquor and cigs is also expensive.. So perhaps like TVs or Gadget is "good deals"?
  14. Price of wedding tables hits new high http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/price-of-wedding-tables-hits-new-high Wooohooooo! Most Expensive City rocks! I'm really worried for our future generations.
  15. i have seen most things go up...taxi fares, food and even tou sa pau. (actually food they quite smart, just give less, la) but that day ultimate... i went bowling... after me and my gf bowled 5 games, we were charged $41! so expensive!!! i didnt even have any skimply dressed gals serving me leh! can someone enlighten me is this the new pricing scheme? last time i remember i bowl only charge like $4.10 per game, now they charge me $4.10 per game for each person! so 1 game will cost us $8! if 1 game can put 10 people then is $42 per game?
  16. Asking out of curiosity only. Does anyone know what is the record for a private house sold in Singapore? I am talking about houses for private residence so please don't tell me Istana
  17. I think our politician here would not have considered such a cheap car (it is cheaper than a cat D COE!) for even for their servant... Even if that happen, the dealer might be praying hard that the buyer would not come back to sue him under lemon law... David Cameron buys used Nissan Micra for wife Samantha – in blue Car dealer Iain Harris says he thought ‘I’ve just sold a car to the prime minister’ after he bought secondhand car for £1,495. When car dealership boss Iain Harris got the call from David Cameron’s security team that the prime minister was about to call in to buy a used blue Nissan Micra, he thought it was his mates winding him up. Harris, owner of Witney Used Car Centre, said he was asked if he would mind staying open for an extra half an hour on Friday night so the prime minister could look over the secondhand car, which cost £1,495. He was in two minds, he told the Guardian, in case his friends turned up instead and thought he was gullible. “I thought, well I’ll stay here just in case, because the security guard said they’d arrive at 17.32 and I thought, well, that’s a bit precise,” he said. “Next thing I know, Mr Cameron and his security guards turned up, and I thought, this is actually happening.” The car dealership, based in Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, specialises in “quality pre-owned cars at affordable prices”. Harris said he believed Cameron was buying the blue Nissan Micra, which had 92,000 on the clock, for his wife Samantha. “He looked it over just like any bloke off the street, but not someone with mechanical knowledge,” he said. “I think he must have seen it on the internet, a British-made car, five-door hatchback, not too expensive, within 10 miles of his constituency. And he found this one.” Harris said he had even joked that the colour of the car was right for Cameron and said he was lucky it was not red, but that was as political as the conversation went. “I wouldn’t have asked him about politics,” he said. “You wouldn’t want to start a political argument with a customer asking them about their political beliefs and they say: ‘Hold on, I’d rather not buy the car from you’.” Cameron told Harris he would return the next morning to buy the car, and returned to pay just after 10am. “I didn’t give him a discount, he paid the screen price, got the log book, went to the post office to pay the tax and off he went,” he said. “And then I thought, I’ve just sold a car to the prime minister.” Harris said he did not give Cameron any special treatment. “I think his security team thought it was odd I was just treating him like a normal customer,” he said. “But it’s not like he was buying a £20,000 car, then it might have been different.”
  18. http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...084&DL=2318 418k for a used GT-R.. can anyone explain why 200k difference?
  19. WC is over so I'm quite boliao.. Recently see around my neighbourhood and on the roads got quite a few bmw / mercs or SUVs with P-plate. Just wondering if this is unique in SG given our car prices. In US and UK new drivers can easily get an old beat up used car for <$1k to practise with. For mcfers who started out with b&b cars and have upgraded to contis/SUVs or performance cars over the years, do you feel that driving b&b at the start made you a better and more confident driver in your bigger/faster car today? If you could go back in time with unlimited money, would you have jumped straight into a performance car once you got your licence? For those who have been lucky enough to drive a 'big' or 'powerful' car once you got your licence, upon reflection, would you have preferred to gain more experience first with something smaller and less powerful? Just for discussion..
  20. My friend just sent his car for servicing at S**R. They changed Denso Iridium for him FXE20 HE11. Cost $220 for four pcs. So expensive ? Can Lation use other types of plug ?
  21. Was quite surprised that 2 small portion of vege and a small pc of fish, coz..4.20
  22. Sign taken from Sydney NSW. I think its a lot cheaper in our town.
  23. Do you all find more and more couples holding their wedding dinner at posh hotels ? I have 3 invitations to wedding dinners coming up, in Marriot Hotel, Grand Hyatt Hotel and Oriental Mandarin Hotel. First half of the year already went to one in Sentosa and another in M Hotel. Goodness me these hotels dont charge cheap hor, per table easily $1300 nett. Why nowadays couples tying the knot are so well off, or do they not mind if they cannot break even ? Is wedding dinner so important in determining how blissful a marriage is ?
  24. ROLLS-ROYCE ‘SWEPTAIL’ – THE REALISATION OF ONE CUSTOMER’S COACHBUILT DREAM https://www.press.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/rolls-royce-motor-cars-pressclub/article/detail/T0271286EN/rolls-royce-sweptail%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-the-realisation-of-one-customer%E2%80%99s-coachbuilt-dream $12.8 million!!! When, approximately one year ago, Rolls-Royce presented 103EX to the world, it invoked its coachbuilding heritage to inspire its future clientele. This Vision Vehicle envisaged a world of completely personal luxury mobility where new technologies would allow every Rolls-Royce to be designed in their owners’ image, should they wish.When, approximately one year ago, Rolls-Royce presented 103EX to the world, it invoked its coachbuilding heritage to inspire its future clientele. This Vision Vehicle envisaged a world of completely personal luxury mobility where new technologies would allow every Rolls-Royce to be designed in their owners’ image, should they wish. Such a Rolls-Royce would represent the truest meaning of luxury – a personal, Bespoke motor car like no other for each individual commissioning patron. The mere idea of a modern coachbuilt Rolls-Royce was not enough for one Rolls-Royce connoisseur however. This individual approached the marque with his own idea of a two-seat Rolls-Royce that he wanted to be created in the here and now. That motor car is here, now and is christened ‘Sweptail’. In a nod to the swept-tail of certain Rolls-Royces from the 1920s, admired by the client so much, he asked Rolls-Royce to reimagine this feature on his one-off motor car. Presenting the car to the media at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este on Saturday 27th May 2017, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “Sweptail is a truly magnificent car. It exudes the romance of travel for its own sake, and immediately places ‘Sweptail’ in the pantheon of the world’s great intercontinental tourers. Rolls-Royce’s history as the world’s leading coachbuilder is at the very core of its identity as the world’s leading luxury brand. The arrival of 103EX shone a light on the future of Rolls-Royce in this field, and ‘Sweptail’ is proof, today, that Rolls-Royce is at the pinnacle of coachbuilding. We are listening carefully to our most special customers and assessing their interest in investing in similar, completely exclusive coachbuilt masterpieces. At the same time we are looking into the resources which will allow us to offer this unique service to these discerning patrons of luxury.” Through this commission, Rolls-Royce has proven once again to be the world’s leading luxury goods provider. ‘Sweptail’ – how the vision became the reality “Sweptail is the automotive equivalent of Haute Couture,” comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It is a Rolls-Royce designed and hand-tailored to fit a specific customer. 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 2013, Rolls-Royce was approached by one of its most valued customers with a very particular request. A connoisseur and collector of distinctive, one-off items including super-yachts and private aircraft, this gentleman came to Rolls-Royce to realise his vision of a one-off luxury motor car like no other. The client immediately established a close rapport with the design department led by Taylor, who set about bringing the idea to life. Inspired by the beautiful coachbuilt Rolls-Royces of the 1920s and 1930s, the client’s desire was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof. As a connoisseur of Rolls-Royces, he was inspired by many of his favourite cars from the marque’s golden era of the early 20th Century, as well as many classic and modern yachts. The grandeur, scale, flamboyance and drama of the 1925 Phantom I Round Door built by Jonckheere; the svelte tapering glasshouse, dramatic dash to axle proportion and up-sweep of the rear departure angle of the 1934 Phantom II Streamline Saloon by Park Ward; the elegantly falling waist-rail, swept tail coachwork of the 1934 Gurney Nutting Phantom II Two Door Light Saloon, and the flowing roofline, rising departure angle, and again the swept tail coachwork of the 1934 Park Ward 20/25 Limousine Coupé were all considered by today’s Rolls-Royce designers in the creation of this very distinctive motor car. Over the course of a number of years, Taylor and his team of designers engaged with the client in a wonderfully intellectual journey as they worked together to realise the customer’s distinct vision and bring it to life. “Our job was to guide, edit and finely hone the lines that would ultimately give our client this most perfect of Rolls-Royces,” comments Taylor. The result of this one-off coachbuild project is the completely unique Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’. ‘Sweptail’ – A distinct vision The ‘Sweptail’ is without question a Rolls-Royce that fits to the marque’s DNA. Its initial formality when seen from the front signals that this is one very different and distinct Rolls-Royce. One’s attention is first attracted by the confident and solid character of the front profile, centred on a new treatment of the iconic Rolls-Royce Pantheon grille. The largest of any modern era Rolls-Royce, the grille is milled from solid aluminium before being painstakingly polished by hand to a mirror finish. The periphery of the front face of ‘Sweptail’ is framed in brushed aluminium. As one moves around to the side of ‘Sweptail’ one finds that it is the striking silhouette that defines its unique character. Flowing as they do from upright and formal frontal aspect, the lines of ‘Sweptail’ resolve into a sveltely elegant form. The scale and grandeur of this regal looking coupé is evident. From the leading edge of the windscreen, the roofline accelerates as it fires backwards towards the rear of the motor car, overshooting the boot lid edge to emphasise its length. The longer side window graphic and wide C-pillar finisher underscore the length and proportions of this more wondrous of conveyances. The coup de gras of the rear is the ultimate homage to the world of racing yachts that inspired the client, with its raked stern. Seen directly from behind, the rear taper contrasts strongly with the front of the motor car, shaping a completely new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce Coupé. Both the roof line as it tapers towards the centre line of the car, concluding in a ‘bullet-tip’ that houses the centre brake light, and the sweeping lower bumper area of the motor car, combine to create a greater feeling of elegance in motion. The cleanliness of the surface of ‘Sweptail’ is maintained as the bodywork wraps under the car with no visible boundary to the surfaces, a treatment that is akin to the hull of a yacht. The underside of the motor car was designed to deliver the visual of a progressive upward sweep at the rear departure angle of the car, culminating in the swept-tail that gives ‘Sweptail’ it name. And finishing off the uncluttered rear of this one-off motor car, is its identifier and registration number, 08. Two individual digits milled from ingots of aluminium and hand polished. The panoramic glass roof invites one into the magnificent interior, along with the natural light The highlight feature of ‘Sweptail’ however is that specifically asked for by the client. An uninterrupted glass roof, one of the largest and most complex ever seen on a motor car of any marque, allows the cabin to be flooded with natural light, animating a host of beautifully handcrafted materials and componentry. The size, scale and complexity of the glass roof’s curvature is a marvel to behold, and from above again accentuates the speed and elegance of ‘Sweptail’. Creating the ambience of the interior of the motor car, the glass of the roof is framed by polished aluminium rails that channel it into a vanishing point at the rearmost extremity of the cabin. Regal but modern interior The cleanliness and grandeur of the bodywork from the side view, the lengthened side windows and the panoramic glass roof combine to illuminate the two singular occupants of this most singular Rolls-Royce and its modern, minimalistic handcrafted interior. The provision of only two seats in a motor car of this size exudes the romance of travel for its own sake, and immediately places ‘Sweptail’ in the pantheon of the world’s great intercontinental tourers. This is furthered by the overall design of the interior, which has been conceived in a classic two-seat GT configuration, echoing the touring nature of its exterior body lines. And what a place to be as one watches the world slip by through the vast windows and roof, detached from the outside world in a cocoon of luxury whilst feeling one is part of that passing landscape. The interior is ruled by a philosophy of simplicity and minimalism leading to a distillation of componentry and a purification of clutter. The value of beautiful materials takes precedence here, resulting in a fastidious suppression of switchgear to the absolute minimum to make way for the richest of materials applied in the most honest of fashions. An uninterrupted and harmonious visual experience of every surface inside the cabin is ensured. Generous quantities of polished Macassar Ebony and open-pore Paldao adorn the interior, creating visual and tactile contrasts for the owner, both classical and contemporary. All their forms however are thoroughly modern as they echo the exterior lines of ‘Sweptail’, hand-formed to encircle the occupants with some of the most beautiful natural materials in the world. This choice of dark and light, Ebony and Paldao, is set off by contrasting light Moccasin and Dark Spice leathers that adorn the seats, armrests and dashboard top. But it is what those materials have been made to do that is the most fascinating aspect of this one-off cabin. True to the spirit of a transcontinental GT that Rolls-Royce established in the 20s and 30s, in place of the rear seats is a vast expanse of wood creating a mid-shelf with an illuminated glass lip, and a hat shelf which flows to the outer limits of the interior volume. Sitting under the rear opening backlight through which it can be accessed, the hat shelf is in itself a thing of beauty, highly polished and inset with luggage rails. Behind the occupants, a feature named the Passarelle flows from the rear edge of the windscreen to resolve in a teardrop as it connects to the hat shelf to join all interior volumes. This element also includes the only visible presence of this singular motor car’s name as ‘Sweptail’ is discreetly debossed into the surface, exactly on the centre line. Other modern materials and modern uses of those materials feature. The Macassar Ebony veneer seen around the cabin has been handcrafted to adorn the dashboard in the most modern way. The cleanest Rolls-Royce dashboard to date, the minimalist ethic not only dictates that only one control now appears on it whilst all other switchgear is discreetly relocated, but that the clock blends seamlessly too. In a world first, the face of this singular Rolls-Royce clock is also handmade of the thinnest Macassar veneer, visually embedding the clock into the fascia. The delicacy of this particular piece of veneer allows for its rear illumination to pass through to show the hour marks, meaning the only physical elements on the clock are its hands that are precision machined from titanium. This use of titanium then extends to the faces, numbers and hands on all three hand-assembled instrument dials. Two final surprise and delight features have been secreted inside ‘Sweptail’ to the stringent standards of the client. Concealed in the outboard walls on either side of the motor car, behind the opening of the coach doors, are two identical panniers. Each pannier, when activated, deploys forward to present the owner’s bespoke made attaché case which has been carefully packaged to exactly house his personal laptop device. The cases themselves have been hand-constructed from lightweight carbon fibre, wrapped in the finest leather that matches the interior of ‘Sweptail’ and detailed with machined aluminium and titanium clasps and locks. These attaché cases are twinned with the full set of luggage also developed by Rolls-Royce Bespoke for ‘Sweptail’. The luggage resides in the trunk of the motor car, a trunk beautifully clad in the same wood as the hat shelf and inset with polished aluminium luggage rails. The coup de gras of this one-off masterpiece is as personal to the owner as every other feature of ‘Sweptail’. The entire centre console now houses a one-off hand-built mechanism that, at the touch of a button, will deploy a bottle of the client’s favourite vintage champagne – the year of his birth – and two crystal champagne flutes. As the lid of the chiller opens, the mechanical action articulates the bottle to the perfect position for the owner to pick up. A most personal, coachbuilt Rolls-Royce for a specific customer, every aspect of the material treatment of ‘Sweptail’ exudes handcrafted quality and exacting attention to detail. In short, it is a Rolls-Royce – but like no other before.
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