Synonymous with ‘Big Style Success’, owning a Rolls Royce car is still considered one of the world’s classiest status symbols whether you’re a wealthy businessperson, a world-famous celebrity, or a member of the Royal Family. From the graceful lady mascot on the car’s bonnet – ‘The Spirit of Ecstasy’ – to its beautifully luxurious interior, a Rolls Royce car is one of the most recognisable icons on the planet and was once voted second to Coca-Cola as the world’s most famous brand name. And it’s still going strong, having been in existence for around 120 years.
Though Henry Rolls and Charles Royce didn’t officially form their partnership to create the world-famous brand till 1906, they started collaborating in the years before that – their first car, designed and engineered together, saw the light of day in 1904. It only had a horsepower of just 10hp, but such was the significance of this first product of their collaboration, one surviving example of the model brought a price of $7.3 million at auction in 2007.
Rolls Royce continued to manufacture relatively luxurious cars in the early days of the automobile when the kind of owner they had in mind was esteemed professional men like doctors. An early model, ‘The Silver Ghost’, was hailed as the best car in the world, the first of their many models named after the supernatural with ‘The Spectre’ and, most significantly, ‘The Phantom’ following on.
The outbreak of the First World War in 1914, saw production for Rolls Royce turn towards aero engines for the war effort, beginning a manufacturing history in aviation that would often eclipse the production of motor cars. Yet, even now, the first thing the public tends to think of when hearing the name ‘Rolls Royce’ is luxury cars. The company increased its production in both areas between the World Wars, with The Phantom being the car that got most attention, as the vehicle of choice for the wealthier members of the aristocracy.
However, the post-1945 period of Rolls Royce Motor production reveals a chequered history where ownership of that division of the company changed hands many times, even being nationalised during the 1970’s. But a major highlight for the company undoubtedly came in 1950 when Princess Elizabeth – the future Queen – ordered a Rolls Royce Phantom for official duties; of course, the Royal Family have used these regal limousines ever since.
Under the sole ownership of the BMW Group since 2003, Rolls Royce Motors have continued to go from strength to strength. In the company’s own words, their cars are still “inspiring greatness”. And furthermore, they refer to ‘The Phantom’ as ‘the pinnacle Rolls Royce’. So, when the company brought out their new Phantom Series II in 2023, the excitement among auto-fanatics was palpable. It’s very easy to see why.
History of The Phantom
In over a century of manufacturing vehicles of classy elegance and ultimate style, Rolls Royce have produced 10 Phantom models within eight developing generations of the ‘basic’ design that first saw the light of day in 1925. Like all of the Phantoms produced since the luxury limousine was hand-built, craftsmanship has always been a big factor in the model’s appeal. Three generations of The Phantom were produced between 1925 and 1939 at the start of World War Two. A further five generations have followed from 1950, culminating with the Phantom VIII model in 2017, and the Series II of that celebrated model in 2023.
Vital Statistics
The dimensions of the Series II Phantom are what you’d expect of a modern, classy, British limousine, and then some. With a length of 5.76 metres, a height of 1.64 metres, and a width of just over two metres, parking might be something of a problem – probably best to get the chauffeur to handle that. A hefty 2780 kg in weight, should come as no surprise when you find out about the current-edge engineering components that go into making the latest Phantom the smoothest ride you’ll probably ever have in your life. And with that comes the most vital statistic of all, the cost. In 2024, a standard Phantom – not that any of them are actually ‘standard’ in any way – will cost a lucky buyer something in the region of $500,000.
Performance
Precision engineering in any luxury car is a given feature but the engineering in the latest Phantom is something else. The car is said to be as good as silent even when going at an advanced speed; the engine – a 6.7-liter V12 – and a state-of-the-art suspension system are just the tip of the cutting technology that makes The Phantom experience unique. For such a big vehicle, it has terrific power when required, boasting a top speed of 155 mph. An acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and 0 to 100 mph in less than 12 seconds shows that with 560 horsepower, the latest Phantom is no slouch.
The Gold Phantom
If the Phantom VIII is, as they say, the ‘pinnacle’ of Rolls Royce cars, then the Gold Phantom is the pinnacle of the pinnacle, with the body covered in 120 kg of 18-carat gold plate. It may sound like it belongs in a James Bond movie – especially because it’s completely protected against sniper shots and even hand grenades – but it was a Middle Eastern businessman who spent $8.1 million to purchase the Gold Phantom in 2011 and it is unsurprisingly one of the most expensive classic Rolls-Royce cars ever sold.
With an interior of pure luxurious comfort that you’d expect of an elite car costing at least half a million dollars, the eighth generation Phantom Series II is beyond a dream car for most people for half a million reasons. But as a thing of beauty, in terms of design and technology, you don’t have to be a ‘petrolhead’ to admire The Phantom, and it helps that it’s the product of over a century of endeavour and expertise at Rolls Royce, a true British institution.
