Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
2021-2023 · Rolls-Royce Boat Tail — Grand Tourer, V12 Twin-Turbo, designed by Jozef Kaban.
The Story
In 2021 Rolls-Royce revived true coachbuilding with the Boat Tail – three bespoke, hand-built cars, one per client, at a reported ~$28 million each, making it the most expensive new car in the world. Inspired by the boat-tailed Rolls-Royces of the 1920s-30s and the world of J-class racing yachts, its sweeping rear deck opens in a theatrical ‘butterfly’ gesture to reveal a full hosting suite.
More than a showpiece, the Boat Tail confirmed Coachbuild as a permanent division at Goodwood – the natural next step after the one-off Sweptail reawakened the idea. It is automotive haute couture: a commission you wait years for rather than a car you buy.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Jozef Kaban
Slovak RCA graduate who, aged ~25, penned the Bugatti Veyron. Later Chief of Exterior Design at Audi then Skoda (revolutionising its look), head of design at BMW (2017), then Rolls-Royce (2019-21, where the 2nd-gen Ghost and Boat Tail appeared); since 2024 global design VP at SAIC.
Studio Motors POV
The Boat Tail is automotive haute couture made permanent – not a car you buy but a commission you wait years for; its real significance is reviving coachbuilding as Rolls-Royce’s future-facing flex.
The Engine
BMW N73 / N74 V12
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Boat Tail
Worth Knowing About the Boat Tail
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) The rear deck opens butterfly-style into a 'hosting suite' – a parasol, two stools, a dining set and a double refrigerator stocked with the owners' favourite Armand de Brignac champagne. 2) The dashboard houses a pair of bespoke Bovet 1822 timepieces (a three-year collaboration) that can be removed and worn as wristwatches. 3) Only three were built, each for a different client, at a reported ~$28M apiece – among the most expensive new cars ever made.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 6.75L N74 twin-turbo V12 (shares the Phantom's running gear). 2) Three built (2021-2023). 3) ~$28M each (reported). 4) Inspired by 1920s-30s boat-tails and J-class yachts. 5) Confirmed RR Coachbuild as a permanent division.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Widely reported that one of the three Boat Tails belongs to Jay-Z and Beyonce, who are said to love hosting. FLAG: reported by multiple outlets, not officially confirmed by Rolls-Royce (which keeps Coachbuild clients anonymous).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Not applicable – a bespoke three-off, not a transactable model. Among the most valuable cars on earth; of collection significance only.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 2021-2023
- Units built
- 3 (Coachbuild commission for 3 patrons)
- Variants
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V12 Twin-Turbo
- Engine family
- BMW N73 / N74 V12
- Displacement
- 6.75L (6,749 cc)
- Power
- 563 hp
- Torque
- 664 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- s
- Top speed
- mph
- Power-to-weight
- hp/tonne · lb/hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic (ZF 8HP)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- lb
Questions
Boat Tail FAQ
How many Rolls-Royce Boat Tails were built?
Three Boat Tails were commissioned, first revealed in 2021 as part of a trio of Coachbuild commissions. They established Rolls-Royce Coachbuild as a permanent division.
How much does a Rolls-Royce Boat Tail cost?
Each Boat Tail was reported to cost approximately $28 million, placing it among the most expensive new cars ever made. Rolls-Royce does not publicly confirm Coachbuild pricing.
What is inside the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail hosting suite?
The Boat Tail’s rear deck opens butterfly-style to reveal a hosting suite with a deployable parasol, two stools, a dining table, a refrigerator, and a pair of bespoke Bovet 1822 timepieces.
What engine powers the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail?
The Boat Tail uses the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 from the Rolls-Royce Phantom, producing 563 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque.
What inspired the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail design?
Rolls-Royce drew on the boat-tailed coachbuilt tourers of the 1920s and 1930s and the world of J-class racing yachts for the Boat Tail’s sweeping open-top rear deck.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
Ghost (2nd Gen) ’20Boat Tail ’21Spectre ’23
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