The all-new Rolls-Royce Phantom

From the moment Sir Henry Royce introduced the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 1925 it was judged ‘The Best Car in the World’ by the cognoscenti.

It’s been 14 years since Rolls Royce updated its flagship chariot, and the result is worth the wait – what with it being it’s most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce ever.

Not satisfied with simply launching a motor car that is a wholly contemporary design interpretation of Phantom DNA and a technological force, Rolls-Royce has revolutionised the luxury car industry itself by shifting away from the status quo of shared platforms to an entirely new luxury business model.

It has an “all-new” 563bhp 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine that can do 0-60mph in 5.3secs; an all-new all-aluminium spaceframe architecture bringing a new level of comfort evident in its Magic Carpet Ride (generous cabin space, driver and occupant comfort, perfect acoustics – qualities that customers have come to expect) thanks to being lighter and stiffer (30 per cent more rigid than the previous iteration); a new Gallery dashboard and a new contemporary design.

“The Gallery” is a novel idea. Spanning the width of the dashboard, it offers customers the chance to curate their own exhibition – it is a stage for self-expression. The glass is a standard on all models and sits on the fascia behind which you can commission what you wish – from a painting, to sculptures made of feathers, jewels, all of which are meticulously tested to make sure they are compliant with automotive standards.

The completely new engine is the result of the marque’s mission to create the quietest motor car in the world. To do so, a silent engine was required and that meant more low-end output at lower revs to ensure that silence.

The interior environment is refined with all elements crafted from the finest materials. The seats are newly sculpted and hand-crafted to deliver extra comfort, the famous Eames Lounge Chair, a symbol of mid-century modern, informs the sweep of wood panelling across the back of the front seats and the J-Class sailing yacht was referenced as a design inspiration for the armrest. Other features include high-gloss, tactile wood panelling that can be commissioned for the door interiors, center consoles, dashboard and picnic tables, as well as the largest ‘starlight headliner’ ever witnessed in a Rolls-Royce.