Corporate Communications for Rolls Royce MENA Alaa Tarabay said that the redesigned showrooms were introduced after the launch of the Ghost. "With just the Phantom, the existing showrooms sufficed, but with the launch of its derivatives there was a need for dedicated space for them and we asked our dealers worldwide to increase space," he said.

The new showrooms reflected the modern values of Rolls Royce; simplicity, excellence and environment. The use of wood and natural materials together with reflected daylight resonates with the company's ultra-modern eco-friendly Goodwood assembly plant in the UK.

Still very much a Phantom, the centenary edition of the car incorporates the immaculate engineering and finish that makes the marque a benchmark for quality. Subtle differences set the centenary edition apart, most obvious external being the reversed RR logo color scheme and the engraved base of the Spirit sculpture. The familiar RR badge on this car has silver lettering on a black background with the badge duplicated low on the front wing panel.

The interior is as sumptuous as one would expect but the instrument panel far less busy than other Phantom models. The analogue instruments feature inlaid sterling silver numerals and markers while the dashboard is full width, clean and clutter free. The characteristic "organ stop" ventilator controls are reassuringly present. "Almost all the 100 cars have been sold," said Tarabay discreetly declining to say precisely how many were destined for the GCC market. "Some will be coming here," he said.

Tarabay commented that Rolls Royce was in a very healthy state with a 115 percent increase in global sales in Q1 of 2010. More locally there was a 90 percent growth in the same period in the Middle East market. It was 2010 that saw Rolls Royce, since it was bought by BMW, sell a record 2,711 cars world wide.

The largest market remains the US with China second and the UK third. The lady may be 100, but she wears it beautifully and simply gets better each year.