Reviews by Andrew Ling
Volume 15 Issue 1 » 45
2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
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The first Rolls-Royce Phantom was produced in 1925, and therefore
the Phantom nameplate is the longest serving in the automotive
industry.
Now in its eighth generation, the Phantom VIII is the first car to
sit on Rolls-Royce’s new aluminum space frame platform, officially
known as the “Architecture of Luxury,” which will underpin all
future models. The “Architecture of Luxury” will be shared with the
upcoming high-body - or SUV - Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Rolls-Royce
invested deeply in the platform’s development, and it has been
designed to accommodate future electrification efforts.
The Phantom’s decadent design rides atop an air suspension for
euphoric comfort. Prodigious power is provided by a 563-hp twin-
turbo V12 paired with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel
drive.
This latest Phantom is the quietest car in the world thanks to the
triple glazing on all windows and around 300 pounds of sound
insulation. While the new body shell is both lighter and 30 percent
stiffer than previous models, the 5,840-pound base curb weight
is higher than that of the previous model due to much more
equipment.
The highlight of the Phantom’s new interior is a custom-artwork
dash known as “The Gallery.” This striking new feature allows
owners to individually commission artwork that can be positioned
in the hermetically sealed compartment behind the glass dashboard.
Research has shown that Rolls-Royce drivers need expression, so
what better way to reward artistic and creative desires than to relay a
message that “this space is for you.”