The next-generation of arguably, the world’s greatest automobile, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been revealed! Here are some key things you should know about the 8th generation super-luxury vehicle…
Its got a whole new, contemporary design interpretation of Rolls-Royce Phantom DNA, starting with a reimagined Pantheon portrait grille – hand-polished stainless steel – and for the first time it’s integrated into the bodywork and is raised higher than that of Phantom VII. Also new, is a headlamp graphic with an expressive ring of daytime driving lights and the most advanced laserlight system of any motor car with a 600 metre range. From the side, the new Phantom has the iconic 2:1 proportions like every generation of Phantom before it, featuring a short front and long rear overhang, an upright front and a flowing rear. The largest single-piece of hand-polished stainless steel side frame finisher is also seen here. The rear of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is reminiscent of beautiful flowing rears of the 1950’s and 1960’s Phantoms. The rear glass, also has a stainless steel frame, is more raked and the rear lines sleeker than the previously, whilst a subtle scallop on the rear roof line over the rear occupant preserves head room. The tapered tail is constructed from super formed aluminium and the more pronounced boots has jewel-like rear light cluster with the famous Double-R badges etched in. Beautiful as it is, it does look a bit like the last generation in pictures, don’t you think so?
It has the largest high-value alloy wheel ever employed on a Rolls-Royce is offered. 22-inch diameter is large but we were expecting 23 inches.
The all-new aluminium ‘Architecture of Luxury’ underpinning – approximately 30 per cent more rigid than the spaceframe – architecture ensures the architectural and proportional lineage while delivering that ‘Magic Carpet Ride’.
All new, silent but powerful 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine powers the New Phantom. The new V12 employs two turbo chargers that contribute to an output of 900Nm at an incredibly low 1,700rpm whilst also delivering 563bhp or 420kW of power. It is matched to a Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), married to a ZF 8-Speed gearbox.
‘The Embrace’ is a new function, that allows the doors to close on its own accord, after a valet steps touches the sensor on the door handle.
‘The Gallery’ is a new concept in luxury. As a Bespoke Commission, customers will be able to choose a favoured artist or designer to work with Rolls-Royce to create a truly individual work of art that spans the width of ‘The Gallery’ i.e. dashboard in their New Phantom. Rolls-Royce has already worked with a number of artists and designers to demonstrate the possibilities and some examples include, the South Downs of England in Autumn by renowned Chinese fine artist Liang Yuanwei, a gold-plated 3D-printed map of an owners DNA created by the enfant terrible of German product design Thorsten Franck, a hand-made stem of the finest porcelain roses handmade by world renowned porcelain manufacturer Nymphenberg and an abstract design in silk by young British artist Helen Amy Murray.
Also behind the glass of ‘The Gallery’ are housed the analogue clock – a nod the fact that it is “the loudest sound you can hear in a Rolls-Royce …” and the central information screen which can be retracted behind the centre stack when not in use. The standard clock features a dark face and the surround is finished in black leather. However, each Bespoke Clock features a more intricate design, including a lighter backlit face with crystal effect details and counterweighted hands, and is finished to match the material selected within ‘The Gallery’.
To create ‘the most silent motor car in the world’ they used 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car, more than 130kg of sound insulation, the largest ever cast aluminium joints in a body-in-white, double skin alloy on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the spaceframe. You also have high absorption materials in the headliner, doors and boot. Rolls-Royce also worked closely with its tyre supplier to invent ‘Silent-Seal’ tires – which feature a specific foam layer placed inside the tyre to wipe out tyre cavity noise and reduce overall tyre noise by 9db
The new Phantom is the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce ever, unlike previously where it was a bit of a dinosaur compared to the Ghost even. Some assistance systems on-board New Phantom include: Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, an industry leading 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot, and the latest navigation and entertainment systems.
‘The Suite’ re-defines Rolls-Royce comfort and refinement inside. The newly sculpted seats feature a strong horizontal elements and the sweep of wood panelling across the back of the front seats have clearly been influenced by the famous Eames Lounge Chair of 1956, a design so regarded by patrons of luxury that it is part of the New York Museum of Modern Art’s permanent display. Phantom patrons will be able to commission different seating choices. Choices include the more intimate lounge seat, individual seats with occasional armrest, individual seats with fixed centre console and the newly introduced sleeping seat. The new fixed rear centre console receives significant enhancement, by incorporating a drinks cabinet with whisky glasses and decanter, champagne flutes and coolbox. Cleverly secreted behind the wood panelling on the rear of the front seats are the Rear Picnic tables and Rear Theatre Monitors, which are electrically deployed and retracted at the effortless touch of a button.
Every item of switchgear is made from metal – such as the iconic eyeball vents and organ stop controllers, seat and light switches, violin key window switches – glass or wrapped in the finest leather as dials including the new front and rear Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controllers.
Behind the physical chrome surrounds of the instrument dials, is a large 12.3 inch TFT colour displays with LED backlighting now communicate all driver information from within the round chrome surrounds, with the displays themselves designed with clear and beautiful virtual needles, Rolls-Royce jewellery-like chaplets and clear lettering.
This may seem like a lot of detail to take in, but this is only a prelude to the luxury and exceptionalism that the all-new 8th generation Rolls-Royce Phantom offers.
All hail! The new Rolls-Royce Phantom VII…
