Rolls-Royce raises bar of luxury with 8th-generation Phantom
When it comes to the world of luxury cars, there’s arguably no higher level of opulence than the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The British company has now taken the wraps off of its eighth generation of the famed limousine, with the focus on luxury right from the ground up — literally.
It’s based on what Rolls calls its “Architecture of Luxury,” an all-aluminum spaceframe chassis that it says will underpin all of its cars in the future, including the upcoming SUV. The new chassis is lighter and 30 per cent more rigid than the previous Phantom, and will ride on a revised, self-levelling air suspension with fourwheel steering.
To help with the coddling ride, the new Phantom also employs a Flagbearer system — so named for the men required to wave a red flag in front of a motor car in the early 20th century — that uses a camera to “see” the road and prepare the suspension for upcoming bumps.
Powering the new Phantom will be an all-new, twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 with 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, coupled to an eight-speed, automatic Satellite Aided Transmission (it uses GPS to anticipate curves and downshifts appropriately). The combination gives a top speed (governed) of 250 km/h and acceleration to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. This is remarkable because the car tips the scales at a rather portly 2,659 kilograms.
While performance has always been a hallmark of the Phantom, right from the first one in 1925, it’s certainly not why the world’s wellheeled have made it their de facto choice for indulgent motoring.
Rolls-Royce says this will be the quietest Phantom in history — in fact, the most quiet car on the road — with double glazing on the windows, 130 kg of sound deadening, and even special “Silent-Seal” tires that have a layer of foam inside the tire space. This new Phantom is 10 per cent quieter than its predecessor.
It also now offers its riders an “Embrace.” As Rolls-Royce says, the “patron” steps into the car, and an “assistant or valet” touches a sensor on the door to automatically close it. Once inside, the “patron” is ensconced in the highest grade of materials — of course.
In the front, the dash becomes “the gallery,” highlighted by a 12.3inch TFT screen coupled with a central infotainment screen, all behind the same glass that spreads across most of the dashboard. The remaining space is open to personalization for every owner on what would normally be just plain wood or metal, and there’s an opportunity to work with artists to create something truly unique.
Another touch of over-the-topness: not only are the seats heated, but other surfaces are too, such as door armrests, centre console lids and even the lower C-pillar. In the rear, the seats are angled slightly inward to aid in conversation — no straining of necks — and a drinks cabinet hides in the rear centre console.
The starlight headliner remains, while video screens and “picnic tables” fold out from the back of the front seats for rear passengers. Don’t worry, the hidden umbrellas in the doors have been retained.
Outside, the Phantom still has the presence of old, but with a modern twist. The polished stainless steel grill still looms large but it’s now integrated into the surrounding fenders, while the rear end slopes down, reminiscent of the original Phantoms.
Neon-look LEDs surround the headlights and tail lights, while the longest piece of stainless steel on any car forms the side-window finisher. In all, the new Phantom conveys the elegance and opulence we’ve come to expect from the nameplate.
The new Phantom was presented in a special exhibit in London, along with models representing each of the previous generations of the car. If you want to watch the reveal, visit www.greatphantoms.com.