We all know the luxury brand cars of Rolls Royce. Their classic models and quality have left a mark on the industry, allowing them to become an icon within it.
However, there is something you may not know, as this brand uses stainless steel as one of its raw materials for its iconic emblem, “The Spirit of Ecstasy”, which is one of the most famous in the history of motoring.
Importance of stainless steel in the automotive industry
The stainless steel has been a very important and constant player in many industries for decades. Its inherent beauty and high resistance to corrosion have made it an indispensable material for a large number of industrial applications. We could say that this type of metal already has a valid place as one of the most important materials ever created.
Speaking of car design and manufacturing matters; we can mention that stainless steel has long been considered a special "iconic" material by original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket manufacturers for our vehicles.
Furthermore, its application in this industry shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, more parts, new items, and above all, more lightweight bodies but attractive to consumers are increasingly required.
Most people might think that steel is mainly used in car accessories, but that is not the case. The applications of this alloy in the automotive industry are very varied.
Now, it is important to mention that stainless steel may be a bit more expensive than other materials; however, it greatly helps to preserve the beauty and integrity of the accessories for longer and with minimal maintenance, in other words, it is not easily damaged and is very resistant to all types of weather conditions.
These characteristics, such as its known resistance to corrosion place it at a higher level than chrome, specifically talking about materials for the automotive industry.
Stainless steel within the Rolls Royce brand emblem
Rolls-Royce Limited was founded in May 1904 when Henry Royce and Charles Rolls met. Henry Royce founded an electromechanical factory and introduced his first vehicle in 1904. Meanwhile, Charles Rolls, an aristocrat who loved cars, owned a French dealership importing luxury cars, but his idea was to create a 100% British model that could replace other brands on the market.
Upon meeting and combining their experience, the brand we know today emerged, providing a large number of extraordinary cars and being a constant in people with a higher purchasing power.
As the brand grew they began to need an emblem that was easy to recognize; A way to be represented in the minds of speed lovers, that's when “The Spirit of Ecstasy” came into the scene.
The Spirit of Ecstasy an iconic stainless steel emblem
Currently, theSpirit of Ecstasy has a height of 7.5 cm and is mounted on a special mechanism, which has a spring to fold directly into the hood. These emblems can be made in polished stainless steel, 925 silver and even 24 karat gold according to each client's preferences; however, silver and gold are available for an additional cost. Since 2003, the Rolls-Royce emblem is made of stainless steel and is standard on all brand vehicles.
Like all major automotive brands, Rolls Royce has had to adapt to new market requirements. The arrival of electric cars has marked a watershed in the industry, which a giant like this English brand could not stay behind.
Therefore, Rolls Royce has presented a new image for its emblem with the classic material of stainless steel. This with the purpose of making it more in line with its new line of cars of this new generation.
The new emblem design will be used in an exclusive Rolls Royce model, which will be fully electric and will be named SPECTRE. This car is expected to go on sale in November 2023.
This figure will be made of polished stainless steel to look and feel more aerodynamic than the previous model; in addition, it will be connected to an electric motor, which will show the next step of this iconic brand.
One of the big changes will be that, instead of standing, the decoration will have a more aesthetic and slim change to embrace the future and look forward.
