Rolls-Royce Revamps Its Signature Hood Sculpture For Better Aerodynamics

To mark the 111th anniversary of Rolls-Royce’s iconic ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ hood ornament, the automaker has unveiled a redesigned mascot that will feature on its upcoming vehicles. 

The new version of the ornament will make its debut on the company’s first electric car, the Spectre.

According to CNET, while this isn’t the first time the figurine has gotten an update, it’s the only time when it has been done specifically to improve the aerodynamics. 

The new statue stands at 3.25 inches tall, 0.68 inches down from its previous iteration. Her redesigned form shows her standing with one leg forward and knees bent, as opposed to having both feet together and legs straight.

Additionally, the robes donned by the figure have been adjusted to look more realistic and aerodynamic, while the position of her arms have been extended farther back.

The company revealed that the update was sculpted digitally using a computer model, allowing for designers to tweak details, such as the figure’s facial features and clothes, up close. 

As a luxury brand, it spared no expense in making sure its iconic ornament would look relevant, going so far as to consult stylists about the statue’s clothing, hair, and posture to ensure a modern vibe. 

BMWBlog reports that the updated figurine will be an ideal accompaniment to the Spectre, seeing as the EV is the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce car ever made, with a coefficient of drag of only 0.26 g. 

“In her new form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before—the perfect emblem for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, and for gracing the prow of our bold electric future,” summed up the brand’s CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

[via CNET and BMWBlog, images via Rolls-Royce]