What's the news?
This new Rolls-Royce might be tiny, but it nevertheless serves a very important purpose - it's called the St Richard's Hospital (SRH), after the British institution in which it will be used on the Paediatric Day Surgery Unit (PDSU).
And the car will be used for a lovely purpose: children who are going to surgery in the hospital, in Rolls-Royce's home town of Chichester, in the UK, can now drive themselves to theatre in the SRH - as the corridors of the PDSU are lined with traffic signs. The experience of self-driving to theatre is aimed primarily at reducing child patient stress.
Two 'test drivers' from the PDSU at St Richard's - Molly Matthews and Hari Rajyaguru - were invited to the Rolls-Royce Goodwood HQ, along with their families, for a full VIP unveiling of the SRH. And, in a rare treat, the pair got to drive the car on the Rolls-Royce production lines, a privilege usually reserved for the chief executive of R-R during the validation process for new models.
After their exciting day at Goodwood and their run in the SRH, Molly, Hari and their families were all chauffeured home in Rolls-Royce Ghosts.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Cars, said: "We are a proud member of the community here in West Sussex. The Paediatric Unit at St Richard's Hospital does such vital work in providing essential care to young people and their families. We hope that the Rolls Royce SRH will serve to make the experience for young people during treatment a little less stressful."
Marianne Griffiths, chief executive of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Just like the joy it will bring to our young patients, the Rolls-Royce SRH is simply priceless. It is a very special gift and one of the most wonderful donations ever received by Love Your Hospital, our trust's dedicated charity. On behalf of everyone at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Rolls-Royce and especially the small team who volunteered so much of their own time in support of St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and the children we care for."
Anything else?
The SRH was built from the ground up by the Bespoke Manufacturing team, as a study in making to-order luxury. As with all the commissions the Bespoke team receives for full-size Rollers, the SRH was made to exacting standards and features an Andalusian White/Salamanca Blue body with a hand-applied St James Red coachline. Inside is a two-tone steering wheel and seats and yes, those R-R-branded wheel centres remain upright when the SRH is in motion.
It has a 24-volt gel battery that can power the Rolls to a top speed of 16km/h, although the car can be limited to 6.5km/h for those wanting a gentler journey. The Bespoke team put more than 400 hours of their own time into developing and hand-crafting this ultra-rare Rolls-Royce, with 3D printing techniques used for the Spirit of Ecstasy on the grille and the bespoke paddle controls in the cabin.
Lawrie Mewse, project leader of the Rolls-Royce SRH, said: "I am immensely proud of what the team has achieved. 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."