Car News

Rolls-Royce gives Spirit of Ecstasy an aerodynamic makeover

  • New mascot has a new ‘lower, more dynamic stance’
  • Figurine will be first used on pure-electric Spectre
  • Revealed 111 years to the day Spirit of Ecstasy was trademarked

Time 11:36 am, February 7, 2022

Rolls-Royce has given its iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot an aerodynamic makeover.

The figurine has been remodelled with a ‘lower, more dynamic stance’, says the British luxury marque, as it readies its first pure-electric model.

The most mutable change is the stance. Previously, she has stood with her feet together, legs straight and tilting at the waist.


Now, says Rolls-Royce, ‘she is a true goddess of speed, braced for the wind, one leg forward, body tucked low, her eyes focused eagerly ahead’.

The mascot now stands 82.73mm tall – before it measured 100.01mm in height – and it’s now a closer representation to the original drawings made by illustrator and sculptor Charles Sykes, said the brand.

The announcement was made on February 6 – 111 years to the day that the Spirit of Ecstasy was registered as Rolls-Royce’s intellectual property.


For now, the new Spirit of Ecstasy will be reserved for the forthcoming Spectre pure-electric model, while the current mascot will continued to be used on Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan.

Speaking on the day of the announcement, Anders Warming, director of design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: ‘111 years ago today, the Spirit of Ecstasy became an official part of Rolls-Royce. Yet, she has come to represent a spiritual direction for our brand.

‘Her form perfectly captures the marque – she leans forward, expressing our relentless pursuit of progress, and her dress gracefully flows in the wind, echoing the serenity of our products in motion.

‘For Spectre and beyond, she becomes lower and more focussed; braced for unprecedented speed and the exciting future her presence will define.’

James Batchelor's avatar

James – or Batch as he’s known – started at Car Dealer in 2010, first as the work experience boy, eventually becoming editor in 2013. He worked for Auto Express as editor-at-large from 2014 and was the face of Carbuyer’s YouTube reviews. In 2020, he went freelance and now writes for a number of national titles and contributes regularly to Car Dealer. In October 2021 he became Car Dealer's associate editor.



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