2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Makes A Luxuriating Splash In Manila (With Video)

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manila, which is a brand under the Autohub Group, has finally launched the all-new, eighth generation Rolls-Royce Phantom. Being in production since 1925, the nameplate is celebrating its 93rd anniversary this year, which is the longest running nameplate in history.

David Kim, Asia Pacific Regional Sales Manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “New Phantom is an exceptional automobile that is truly one of one – it symbolizes the ultimate presence, manifests unmistakable power and showcases authentic hand-crafted quality as only Rolls-Royce can do.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII’s exterior is a careful evolution of the VII model’s design. A taller stainless steel grille is now mounted up front, and is now shaped together with the car’s body in order to give it a cleaner look. The Spirit Of Ecstasy hood ornament is still retractable, and sits over an inch higher than before, as the grille of this new Rolls-Royce is taller than its predecessor’s. Flanking the grille are laser headlights wrapped in LED daytime running lights that are capable of producing a beam of as much as 600 meters away. Moving away from the front, there is now a stainless steel garnish that flows from the grille, around the hood, and up the windshield. Round the back, and the rear C-pillar now flows towards the trunk, and the window surrounds of this car feature “the largest single-piece of hand-polished stainless steel on any motor car”. The Phantom that was displayed during the prestigious evening was a standard wheelbase Phantom coated in an exquisite Black Diamond exterior paint.

Underneath this beautifully designed exterior is Rolls-Royce’s new aluminum intensive “Architecture of Luxury”. This is a new, scalable architecture that will underpin all future Rolls-Royce vehicles. This architecture has made the Phantom 30% stiffer than its predecessor, enhancing the car’s ride and handling qualities.

The interior is also a careful evolution from the previous generation, but Rolls-Royce’s designers have gone all out in elevating the level of luxury. There are all-new seats, with the front seats having a “sweep of wood paneling across the back”, inspired from the famous Eames Lounge Chair of 1956. The wood isn’t there for show only, as it stores the electronically retractable rear screens and tables. New to this generation are different rear seat options, including an “intimate lounge seat, individual seats with an occasional armrest, individual seats with fixed center console (as shown), and the newly introduced sleeping seat.” The Phantom that was displayed during the prestigious evening was upholstered in Armagnac leather interior, and some of the bespoke highlights of this specific car include illuminated treadplates, rear massage seats, and a ‘Rivenslate’ gallery.

Up front, the drivers are greeted to a 12.3 inch TFT LCD screen that replaces the traditional gauges, including a 10.1 inch screen on the side for the BMW iDrive-based infotainment system, which is hidden by default under the decorative wood panelling.

These instruments are all covered by a single piece of hardened glass, and when the infotainment screen is closed, the whole front of the car looks like a three-dimensional piece of solid art encased in glass. Rolls-Royce calls this ‘The Gallery’, which Rolls-Royce says is “a notion that reinterprets the motor car’s dashboard for the first time in 100 years.” The artwork inside the large piece of hardened glass casing can range from a design inspiration from bauhaus, or perhaps your own personal sculpture. Whether its traditional art media, or material fascination with wood, fabrics, or metal, or even personal memorabilia like a vintage baseball card collection, the sky is the limit when it comes to the customers being able to create a personal custom artwork.

Likewise, the customization capabilities of a Rolls-Royce is only held by your imagination. There was even a time before when a Phantom customer requested Rolls-Royce to use the tree in his garden for the car’s interior wood panelling.

The interior receives well over 200 kg’s worth of sound insulation, enabling this Phantom VIII to be 10% quieter than the Phantom VII. Combined with sound insulating, foam filled tires, the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII easily proclaims the title of having the quietest interior ever.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII is powered by an all-new 6.75 liter twin turbo V12 engine, producing 563 hp and and 900 Nm of torque, enough to propel this heavy beast from 0-100 kph in around 5 seconds. It is mated to a GPS-guided 8-Speed Automatic Transmission.

Further enhancing the Phantom’s trademark magic carpet ride is its self-levelling air suspension. Calculations are made every second and reacts to steering, acceleration, and camera inputs. The car also has a new double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle which helps to deliver improved handling and ride comfort.

Autohub Group President Mr. Willy Tee Ten also added, “Rolls-Royce is luxury royalty, and Phantom is the jewel in Rolls-Royce’s crown. The Autohub Group is delighted to launch the all-new Phantom today, resetting the benchmark for ultimate luxury in the Philippines, confirming the importance of the Filipino market for Rolls-Royce and sustaining the company’s vision of providing exceptional customer experiences.”