New Rolls-Royce Phantom - official!

New engine, new platform and an onboard art gallery - everything you need to know about the Phantom VIII

As was discussed when the old Rolls-Royce Phantom went out of production, this latest car has a jolly tough task ahead of it. There's an argument to say it's one of the most important cars the company has produced - at least until the Cullinan, that is - by having to replace the very popular old car and take the company forward at a time where luxury cars are set to change drastically.

Not a Fiat 500, not a Fiat 500, not a Fiat 500...

Therefore while it may looks similar to the old car - more on that to follow - this Phantom is a wholly new vehicle. It is underpinned by a new 'Architecture of Luxury' platform, an all aluminium monocoque that's lighter and stiffer than before, as well as being unique to Rolls-Royce - this is not a 7 Series dressed up. Indeed Rolls-Royce is at pains to make that point in typically confident style: "Whilst the majority of so-called luxury manufacturers are limited to sharing individual platforms in a specific sector with mass brands for say their SUV or GT offerings, thereby introducing unacceptable compromise, Rolls-Royce will be uncompromising in only using its own architecture across all its motor cars".

Moreover, it's a scalable platform, meaning this 'Architecture of Luxury' will also be used for the Cullinan and, presumably, any other future cars as well. It's designed with different propulsion, traction and control systems in mind, too. The increased torsional rigidity - up 30 per cent on the last platform - is said to improve ride comfort, with air suspension standard and, interestingly, four-wheel steer fitted as well.

How huge is this car? Those wheels are 22s...

Now it wouldn't be a Rolls Royce without some bold claims and outrageous numbers, and the Phantom VIII is no exception. Despite using a conventional combustion engine, Rolls says this is the "most silent motor car in the world"; it's aided in this endeavour by 6mm of glazing all the way around, 130kg of sound insulation (!) and 'Silent-Seal' tyres, with a foam layer inside the tyre that's said to reduce noise from the rubber by 9db.

Turning - or burning, depending on your aim - those tyres is a new 6.75-litre V12. Yes, the old one was a 6.75-litre V12 also, so perhaps the 'all-new' claim is a little disingenuous, though it does now have two turbos. Peak figures, if you must be so vulgar, are 571hp and 664lb ft, the latter from just 1,700rpm. Once more the eight-speed ZF auto is used. And the result? "Calm low speed progress associated with state occasions and an unfussed surge of power when one needs to press on." Marvellous.

Described as "a wholly new and contemporary interpretation of the Phantom DNA", this car is said to be inspired by the 103EX concept seen last year and, well, you're not going to mistake it for anything else, are you? Highlights include a Spirit of Ecstasy now half an inch higher, the 'Pantheon' grille integrated into the bodywork for the first time, standard 22-inch wheels and "the largest single piece of hand polished stainless steel on any motor car" as the side frame finisher. And no, the rear lights aren't from a Fiat 500...

Welcome aboard

The inside - or rather, 'The Suite' - of this eighth-gen Phantom is perhaps more exciting; for a start one does not simply get in a Phantom - oh no. The automatic doors envelope the occupant in 'The Embrace' as they close, said to immerse those in the rear seats in a detoxifying environment of the finest materials. As before, the technology that's on offer - and there's a considerable amount - is hidden away until required. Keeps it calm and tranquil, you see? Those in the rear benefit from the largest Starlight Headliner yet seen in a Rolls Royce too but, really, you want to be in the front of this Phantom. No, really. Why? The Gallery. Basically Rolls Royce have noticed that a lot of their buyers like art, so thought it might be nice for those customers to have a gallery in their car. Seriously. So as part of a Bespoke Commission, Phantom buyers will "be able to choose a favoured artist or designer to work with Rolls-Royce to create truly individual work of art" that goes the whole length of the dash. Fabulous. Should you not want to do that, a range of regular gallery treatments - you know, silk, leather, that sort of thing - are available.

So yes, this Phantom promises to be quite some car. 'The world's leading luxury item' as well as the best car in the world, according to Rolls-Royce. The official unveil is this evening, and no doubt those who are in the position to buy one will already know what it costs and when they might get it. Updates to follow when we're told!

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AppleJuice

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