2025 marks 100 years of the magnificent Rolls Royce Phantom, possibly the finest car in the world. It has progressed in its stately fashion through eight generations of this prestige model, most recently receiving upgrades as the Phantom II. It is more than a car, it is an automotive statement and far from being a relic of the past: With effortless power and luxurious comfort, the Phantom II is as modern and connected as any vehicle of the 21st Century should be. Each car is unique as the options for personalisation and individuality are beyond counting.
The Impressive Exterior
The most obvious and important feature to be retained is Phantom’s commanding presence. This has been further enhanced by a new polished horizontal line between the daytime running lights above the ‘Pantheon’ grille. A subtle geometric change to the grille from the previous version makes the ‘RR’ ‘Badge and the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot more prominent when viewed from the front. The grille itself is now illuminated, a feature debuted and popularised in the British car maker’s Ghost model (see our review here). The headlights are graced with intricate laser-cut bezel starlights, creating a visual connection with the ‘Starlight Headliner’ inside, and adding further surprise and delight to Phantom's night-time presence.
Phantom’s side profile retains Rolls-Royce’s signature short front and long rear overhang, long wheelbase and broad c-pillar, the latter giving greater privacy for occupants. The silhouette preserves the elegant key lines running from the Spirit of Ecstasy to the tapering rear tail. The ‘split-belt’ line begins at the front bumper (fender) and curves gently towards the rear door, emphasising the car's long proportions, before falling gently towards the lantern-like rear lamps. The heavily undercut 'waft line' creates a strong shadow, visually signalling the marque's unequalled ‘Magic Carpet Ride’. No car rides better than this, with even the worst roads being ironed out as if newly surfaced.
The side profile is further enhanced with a suite of new wheels. A 3D, milled, stainless steel wheel with triangular facets is available to commission in a fully or part-polished finish. Alternatively, Phantom may be graced with a truly elegant disc wheel, recalling the romance of 1920’s Rolls-Royce motor cars. This disc wheel is produced in both polished stainless steel and black lacquer.
As mentioned, options are endless and as a result each car is unique. Popular choices include the darkened chrome grille surround, black bonnet reins, windscreen surround and side frame finishers, for example. This aesthetic now enables Rolls-Royce to transform the Phantom into the lightest of light or the darkest of dark appearances.
The most obvious and important feature to be retained is Phantom’s commanding presence. This has been further enhanced by a new polished horizontal line between the daytime running lights above the ‘Pantheon’ grille. There’s a Black Badge version too, by the way; a subversive alter ego with more torque, control and power.
The Luxurious Interior
Gone are the days when a chauffeur was obligatory; this is a car that an owner will want to drive personally. Entry and exit are by vast rear-hinged doors. For passengers, being inside this extraordinary vehicle is a wonderful experience, even before it moves away from rest. There are many prestige cars available today but few are adorned with such fine leather, wool carpets and real wooden tables that would grace any garden party, which pop down for rear passengers. That may seem old-fashioned but what isn’t are the high-resolution screens in the seat backs for access to our connected world.
The seats are beyond merely comfortable and have plenty of adjustment and the headrests are soft and relaxing. In the back, the rear seats are vast and cosseting. There’s tons of leg and head room for all too. One thing that doesn’t change however is the jewel-like clock on the dashboard, giving just a hint of the past. In charge of technology is an ‘iDrive’ system with a large 10.25 inch central screen controlled by a rotary dial mounted between the front seats.
The current model Phantom II includes the debut of ‘Rolls-Royce Connected’. This enables the owner to send an address directly to the motor car from ‘Whispers’, the Rolls-Royce private-members’ Application, providing seamless navigation to an event, restaurant, dealership or even the Home of Rolls-Royce itself. ‘Rolls-Royce Connected’ also displays the car’s location, security status and current 'health' condition. At the touch of a button, the owner can contact a preferred dealership for any servicing requirements or information about the car.
In short, there is nothing better than the craftsman-built interior of a Rolls Royce. Each Rolls Royce is unique and our stock list has a page dedicated to these fine vehicles. Take a look at the VAT qualifying Rolls Royces currently for sale in the UK and enjoy deciding which might be yours. Then talk to our expert team to find out more about exporting to your country with UK VAT savings and we'll be delighted to help import your car with the greatest care..
The Magic Carpet Ride
That’s what this prestige brand like to call the experience of riding in their cars and the Phantom II is the epitome of that. Big adaptive air springs simply absorb the lumps and bumps of many roads while clever active anti-roll bars disengage when not needed to improve body control. For a car of this size, handling is impressively modern and the steering is light and precise, aided by four-wheel-steering.
Obviously the Phantom can’t be thrown about with abandon as if it were a sports car, but anyway, why would you, unless you were being hunted down by enemies? Under the long bonnet (hood) lies a whisper-quiet twin-turbo 6.75-litre V12 engine that delivers effortless propulsion and a true sensation of vast reserves of power just waiting to be called upon. This is a big car, so to help with parking and the like there’s a 360°camera system.
This is a car that can only be described in superlatives. It is elegant, supremely comfortable and pretty quick too, taking just five seconds to reach 62mph (100kph). The motor car as investment. Travel simply doesn’t get any better than this.
