DESIGNA MAGAZINE DESIGNA ISSUE III 2019 2 | Page 114

ROLLS ROYCE INTERVIEW SPECIAL
DEFINING
MODERN LUXURY
T
he concept of luxury has evolved to include a much
more complex set of values. Time, authenticity,
legacy, access, resource, journey, skills and memory –
these are just some of the concepts joining the more classic
terms associated with luxury. And going forward, when the
car becomes essentially a high-tech gadget in the age of
autonomous driving, what will de�ne true luxury?
In this interview �rst published in Design Talks, Giles Taylor,
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design director offers his thoughts
on the subject
Design Talks: How would you de�ne modern luxury?
Giles Taylor. e subject is very topical, especially for us.
Time, for instance, is of growing importance with the high
net worth clients, and we are assessing how Rolls-Royce �ts
into this. For us it is more about the car journey, where we
create a world that revolves a little slower, a world that is
more of a sanctuary. It has to be about offering splendid
isolation
However, it would never be [applied] in a backward way.
Rolls-Royce is very much about offering absolute
connectivity, where everything is at your �ngertips. e car
will almost act like the butler who is standing outside the
door at 4pm knowing his master would like his Earl Grey at
that time. We have to offer the best technology, but executed
in a way that is advanced. e technology needs to amplify
this.
DT. How do you see this being unique to the marque?
GT. For Rolls-Royce design means being timeless, classic,
authentic. When a client sits inside one of our cars they
could be six or sixty-�ve – that's how familiar the
surrounding should be. It is about time autonomy. e
interior has to be effortless, so the occupants can navigate the
technology on-board whilst carrying on with their
businesses. e car needs to offer this sanctuary… offer a
sense of escapism.
DT. It could be argued that Rolls-Royce cars have always
been driverless, given that they are predominantly
chauffeured. Yet how do you see the future of luxury in
the context of autonomous driving?
GT. e autonomous car of the future will mean creating
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space inside the vehicle… and we need to create more space for a
more luxurious interior. is means de-cluttering the interior,
taking out the extra furniture so you can appreciate the
beautifully crafted mahogany wooden panel on the dashboard,
for instance, or the exquisite hand stitching on the leather chairs,
and the most beautiful technological clock…
DT. How do you envisage the future?
GT. e future is extremely modern for us with craft solutions
are at the core.