Rolls-Royce has unveiled the all-new 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom – the eighth generation of the iconic model. The 2018 Phantom has been around for almost 100 years, but for the eighth Phantom, Rolls-Royce has pulled out all the stops.
For starters, the Phantom is based on a new all-aluminium spaceframe architecture “Architecture of Luxury,” that will be used by all future Rolls-Royce models. The new spaceframe is 30 percent more rigid than the spaceframe architecture on which sat Phantom VII.
The 2018 Phantom gets a new double-wishbone front axle and 5-link rear axle, while the signature Magic Carpet Ride improves as a result of the new lighter architecture, and the latest generation of self-leveling air suspension. A stereo camera system integrated in the windshield constantly checks the road ahead to adjusts the suspension proactively rather than reactively up to 62 mph.
Rolls-Royce wants to make the Phantom, the “Most Silent Road Car in the World” and to do that its engineers added 6mm two-layer glazing all around the car, more than 130kg of sound insulation, the largest ever cast aluminum joints in a body-in-white and high absorption materials.
At the heart of the 2018 Phantom, there’s a new, 6.75-liter V12. The V12 features two turbochargers that help it generate 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft. of torque. The V12 is mated to a Satellite Aided eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Phantom will reach 62 mph in 5.3 seconds with the standard wheelbase and 5.4 seconds if you need the long-wheelbase version.
At first glance, you probably won’t even know it’s a new Phantom, since the new design retains the elegant, yet imposing nature as the last one. From the front, the new grille is raised higher and for the first time integrated into the surrounding bodywork. The higher grille also means that the Spirit of Ecstasy now rides a half inch higher.
Being a Rolls-Royce you can only expect the highest level of luxury, so of course Rolls-Royce has created “The Embrace” which is how Rolls-Royce describes the opening and closing of the Phantom’s doors.
“As the patron settles into the car, an 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 ‘The Embrace’ of the World’s Leading Luxury Item.”
Once inside, you’ll be greeted with “The Gallery”, a wholly contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s dashboard and instrument panel area. All of the elements within The Gallery are enclosed in an uninterrupted swathe of toughened glass that runs the full width of the dash area. A 12.3 inch TFT color display with LED back lighting now communicates all driver information from within the round chrome surrounds.
Lastly there’s the Art of Movement. “Art is at the heart of the conception of the New Phantom’s interior.”
Source: Rolls-Royce
