N160m Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Unveiled

• N160m Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Unveiled

Rolls-Royce introduced its eight-generation Phantom at a red carpet launch event in London last Thursday. The British luxury automaker gave its flagship model an update after 14 years. The previous, seventh-generation Phantom was launched in 2003, which was the first model introduced after BMW took the ownership of the iconic brand. The Phantom VIII has been in development for six years and is an all-new model with an all-aluminium spaceframe chassis for the first time, which is set to underpin all of the company’s future models. Roll-Royce claims that this new architecture is lighter and 30 per cent stiffer than before to make the ride more comfortable.

The next generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom marks a shift within the ultra-luxury automaker.

All the special luxury touches are there. It’s a notable change that will mean the same underlying architecture will be used on Rolls-Royce vehicles of varying size and weight as well as with different propulsion, traction, and control systems.

The new model arrives with quite a few neat tricks.

There have been changes to the exterior as well, notably the front grille, which is raised higher than previous generations of the Phantom. The grille has also been integrated into the bodywork, which Rolls-Royce says produces a cleaner look.

There are numerous small changes throughout the vehicle and all the luxury touches one might expect to find in a Rolls-Royce. The seats are new and wood panelling across the back of the front seats are a nod to the Eames Lounge Chair of 1956.

Behind that wood panelling, the back seat occupants will discover theatre monitors. A centre console in the back has been upgraded and includes a drinks cabinet with whisky glasses and decanter, champagne flutes, and coolbox.

The luxury penthouse suite on wheels is powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 that churns out 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The power is put down to the tarmac through the rear wheels with the help of a ZF eight-speed transmission. The gearbox is linked to the car’s GPS to optimise shift points based on where the driver is going. Rolls-Royce also notes that the Phantom VIII is the quietest car in the world, which has been achieved with the help of 286 pounds of sound deadening material lining the cabin. It’s not only the quietest, but the rides like a flying carpet thanks to the new self-levelling air suspension that uses a camera to “proactively” make ride adjustments up to 62 mph.

Inside the car, the cabin is as amazing as one can imagine. Rolls-Royce says the interior is designed to “embrace” its occupants with the nicest leather, wood, and metal available. The car’s dashboard, which Rolls-Royce is now calling the “gallery,” is literally a price of artwork which customers and commission according to their taste.

Rolls-Royce chairman and BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer said: “we’re quite happy to have this wonderful brand and develop it in future. This is not just launching a car, but setting a new standard for luxury overall.”

The pricing is around $450,000 (N162,000,000.)