Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection, or how to include an encrypted message in a vehicle

Any Rolls-Royce vehicle could be considered a work of art, but once we enter the world of Rolls-Royce Collection Cars we are talking on a whole other level. These are vehicles with a special motif, created from the most exclusive materials and crafted by hand by the brand’s master artisans. In other words, genuine collector’s pieces, such as the model we are looking at today, the Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection.

The Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection takes its name, Kryptos, from an ancient Greek word that refers to something hidden, invisible and coded, and even something mythical. This is because the designer behind the project is a true enthusiast of cryptography, and chose to combine his passion with his work in this Wraith Kryptos Collection, resulting in a vehicle that contains an encrypted message which the most astute may be able to solve.

At first glance, the Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection is a genuine work of art, and for anyone unfamiliar with the world of ciphers it may simply look like a design exercise, yes, by Rolls-Royce, but “just” a new design from the English house. However, those who look a little closer may discover a pattern that will guide them in revealing the message the Wraith Kryptos Collection hides. In fact, only two people know the answer, the designer himself and the CEO of Rolls-Royce, and its solution is kept safely at the company’s plant and headquarters in Goodwood. The brand has also made available to owners of this vehicle the Whispers app, through which they can submit their findings in an effort to solve the encrypted message.

To do so, we must head to the front of the Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection and, more specifically, to its “Spirit of Ecstasy” emblem, which features an engraving with green enamel details, a colour also used on the front bumper, giving the Wraith a new look and image. This detail blends perfectly with the Delphic Grey body colour, a bespoke shade that includes an effect whereby, in sunlight, flakes of blue and green appear. This effect is accentuated by a hand-painted waistline in Kryptos Green, shaded with Dark Grey, both of which also form part of the clues to the message.

Inside, too, we find modifications that guide us along this path toward discovering the message. By touching a series of panels, we find a cipher that illuminates in the headliner fabric. It is also accompanied by aesthetic touches such as the green leather upholstery in Kryptos, which adds a metallic effect and can be combined with Selby Grey or Anthracite. Another embroidered clue can be found on the seat headrests, where the double “R” would normally be, replaced by a code from the message. On top of all this come the contrasting stitching on the centre tunnel, the seats and the door panels, plus special lighting in the door storage recesses that gradually fades out toward their base.

Only 50 people will be fortunate enough to discover what the message says, matching the number of units to be built of the Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection. The price has not been revealed but, as you can imagine, it will not be within everyone’s reach.