Rolls-Royce has officially unveiled the all-new
Phantom which seeks to reclaim its title as the most luxurious vehicle in the
world. Looking instantly recognizable, the redesigned flagship has been created
to deliver "new levels of iconic presence and an increased elegance."
Starting with the front, designers installed a
taller grille which sees the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament sit approximately
a half inch higher than on its predecessor. Besides being larger, the grille
has been integrated into the surrounding bodywork for the first time which
results in a cleaner and more modern appearance.
The grille is flanked by new laserlight headlights
which are surrounded by an "expressive ring of daytime driving
lights." Rolls-Royce says the headlights are the most advanced in the
world and will cast light well over 600 meters down the road.
Moving further back, the Phantom has been equipped
with polished stainless steel strips which curve along the upper edges of the
hood and around the windshield. The model also features the "largest
single-piece of hand-polished stainless steel on any motor car" around the
windows and C-pillar.
The rear of the ultra-luxury sedan features a more
steeply raked window which is surrounded by a stainless steel frame. The model
also has 22-inches wheels and "jewel-like" taillights. Of course, the
best part about a Rolls-Royce is its interior and the company pulled out all
the stops to make it one of the most luxurious ever created.
The overall design echoes the previous Phantom but
the model has all-new front seats which are more comfortable and have a
"sweep of wood paneling across the back" that is inspired by the
famous Eames Lounge Chair of 1956. The wood isn't there for just decoration as
its hides the rear picnic tables and rear entertainment system which can be
electrically deployed and retracted at the push of a button.
Speaking of seats, Rolls-Royce offers several
different rear seat configurations including an "intimate lounge seat,
individual seats with [an] occasional armrest, individual seats with fixed
center console, and the newly introduced sleeping seat."
Drivers will also find two 12.3-inch TFT displays,
an analogue clock, and an assortment of handcrafted wood trim. A variety of
different options will be available including a starlight headliner and a rear
drinking package which includes whisky glasses and a decanter.
The interior changes are more than skin deep as
engineers wanted the eighth-generation Phantom to be the most silent motor car
in the world. As a result, they installed more than 130 kg of sound
insulation, large cast aluminum joints, and "6mm two-layer glazing all
around the car." The company also added unique "Silent-Seal"
tires which have a layer of foam located inside them to reduce tire noise by 9
decibels.
Rolls-Royce says these changes make the Phantom
approximately ten percent quieter than its predecessor at 100 km/h.
The company's press team noted the sound levels are so low, engineers had to
check their instruments to make sure they were calibrated correctly.
Power is provided by an all-new twin-turbo
6.75-liter V12 engine that produces 563 hp and 900 Nm of
torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which uses
"satellite aided" technology to ensure it's always in the right gear.
The model rides on the so-called "Architecture
of Luxury" which is an all-new aluminum spaceframe platform designed
specifically for Rolls-Royce. The platform is scalable and highly-flexible so
it can accommodate various size and weight requirements as well as different
propulsion and traction systems.
The platform is 30 percent more rigid than its
predecessor and will be used on all future models including the next-generation
Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn. Of course, it will soon make an appearance on Project
Cullinan which is the company's first crossover.
To ensure the Phantom has a magic carpet ride, the
model has been equipped with a self-leveling air suspension which makes
millions of calculations every second and reacts to steering, acceleration, and
camera inputs. The car also has a new double-wishbone front axle and a
five-link rear axle which helps to deliver "astounding levels of
control."
On the safety front, the Phantom features an
assortment of driver assistance systems include alertness assistant, active
cruise control, cross-traffic warning, collision warning, and lane change
warning. Other highlights include a head-up display and a surround vision
system which uses four different cameras.