Simply The Quietest Car In The World

Henry Royce introduced the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 1925 and it was judged ‘The Best Car in the World’ and has as such been the preferred mode of transport by the world’s most influential and powerful men and women.

A new benchmark is now set as the new 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII – the eighth generation of this great nameplate – has arrived. Using an all-aluminium spaceframe architecture designed by Rolls-Royce engineers that will underpin every future Rolls-Royce beginning with the New Phantom. As such, no future Rolls-Royce will be of monocoque construction typically used by mass-manufacturers and some mass-luxury brands. It has been designed and engineered from the ground up in such a way as to be scalable to the size and weight requirements of different future Rolls-Royce models, including those with different propulsion, traction and control systems, thus underpinning the long-term future product road-map.

The car is approximately 30 per cent more rigid than the spaceframe architecture on the old Phantom VII, providing an impeccable experience in terms of ride comfort, acoustic comfort, seat comfort, exterior presence and interior space. This is achieved with a best-in-class high comfort chassis with air suspension and state-of-the-art chassis control systems, delivering  effortless ride and handling. A new double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle deliver control over lateral roll and at the same time incredible agility and stability. Four-wheel steering, provides for undisturbed passengers whatever the driving conditions.

The latest generation of self-leveling air suspension, makes millions of calculations every second as it continuously varies the electronically controlled shock absorber adjustment system – reacting to body and wheel acceleration, steering inputs and camera information.

The most silent motor car in the world

Rolls Royce put in a huge amount of effort to create ‘the most silent motor car in the world’,  including 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car, more than 130kg of sound insulation, the largest ever cast aluminium joints in a body-in-white for better sound insulation, and use of high absorption materials. Acoustic insulation from road noise has been helped by the employment of double skin alloy on areas within the floor and bulkhead of the spaceframe. This is a feature unique to New Phantom. Further noise insulation by inserting dense foam and felt layers are between these skins to provide sound insulation not witnessed before in the car industry. 

The heart of a Rolls-Royce – the magnificent V12 reinvented

With the focus on creating the most silent motor car in the world, a completely silent engine was also required, and that meant more low-end output at lower revs to ensure that silence. Hence a completely new, 6.75-liter V12 powertrain has been engineered for New Phantom, in place of the previous naturally aspirated V12 engine.

The new V12 Phantom engine employs two turbo chargers that contribute to a low-end torque output of 663 ft-lb @1,700 rpm while also delivering 563 hp, mated to a ZF 8-Speed transmission.

Some of the new tech available on-board the New Phantom include: Alertness Assistant, a 4-camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility including helicopter view, Night Vision and Vision Assist, Active Cruise Control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning, an industry leading 7×3 high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot, and of course the latest navigation and entertainment systems.

Inside The Phantom: The World’s Leading Luxury Item

Stepping aboard the New Phantom is an occasion in itself. The coach doors stand open. The only choice is whether one drives or is driven. As you settle into the car, your assistant or valet steps forward and lightly touches the sensor on the door handle. The door automatically whispers closed of its own accord, enveloping the occupant in luxury. Once seated on the beautifully enhanced rear seats, the occupant is wafted along as if on a pillow of air. Look around and reflect  on the high gloss, exquisitely tactile wood paneling that can be commissioned for the door interiors. Cleverly secreted behind the wood paneling on the rear of the front seats are the Rear Picnic tables and Rear Theater Monitors, which are electrically deployed and retracted at the touch of a button. Rolls-Royce’s customary attention to detail even dictates that the seat controls are re-positioned from the center armrest to a more intuitive position for the user. Phantom owners will be able to commission different seating choices best suited to their requirements. Choices include the more intimate lounge seat, individual seats with occasional armrest, individual seats with fixed center console and the newly introduced sleeping seat. The new fixed rear center console receives significant enhancement, by incorporating a drinks cabinet with whisky glasses and decanter, champagne flutes and cool-box.

Conclusion

Few of us will ever be able to afford one of these, especially since the outgoing model started at a $417,825, and I expect this new one to be more expensive…….a lot more.
For this price you could get a 2017 Porsche Turbo S, a 2017 Mercedes AMG C63, and 6 2017 Golf GTIs, one for  every day of the week except Sunday when you would alternate between the C63 and the Porsche.