Rolls-Royce Phantom II receives slight design tweaks, connected tech

MANILA: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announces a new expression for Phantom Series II.

Revisions to the eighth-generation Phantom include "light-touch" visual and aesthetic enhancements in line with client requests and feedback. A new Rolls-Royce Connected feature seamlessly links Phantom with the marque's private members' Application, Whispers. Launch of the 2022 Phantom Series II is commemorated with a new Bespoke masterpiece, Phantom Platino. 

The eighth-generation of Phantom was presented in 2017. In creating the new expression, Rolls-Royce designers and engineers have been guided by the requests of clients, who have implored Rolls-Royce not to make any major changes to an already iconic motor car.

In answer to these client demands, only the lightest of design touches, embellishments, and adaptations have been incorporated. 

The most obvious and important feature to be retained is Phantom II’s commanding presence. This has been further enhanced by a new polished horizontal line between the daytime running lights above the Pantheon Grille. This gives Phantom II a new and assertive modernity, reflecting its driver-focused character.

A subtle geometric change to the Pantheon Grille makes the "RR" Badge of Honour and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot more prominent when viewed from the front. The grille itself is now illuminated, a feature debuted and popularized in Ghost. 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 fender and curves gently towards the rear door, emphasizing the car's long dash-to-axle proportions, before falling gently towards the lantern-like rear lamps. The heavily undercut "waft line" creates a strong shadow, visually signaling the marque's unequalled "Magic Carpet Ride."

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, perfectly encapsulating the sense of flight on land.

Responding to Phantom clients who have previously requested a darkened chrome grille surround, black bonnet reins, windscreen surround and side frame finishers, these may now be commissioned. This aesthetic now enables Rolls-Royce to transform Phantom into the lightest of light or the darkest of dark appearances.

Phantom II’s sumptuous interior remains almost unaltered: the steering wheel has been made slightly thicker, providing a more connected and immediate point of contact for the owner-driver.

Phantom and Phantom Extended have distinct characters of their own. Phantom is now predominantly favored by the ever-increasing number of clients wishing to be in the driving seat themselves. For those preferring to command the road from the rear seat, Phantom Extended offers the definitive super-luxurious chauffeur-driven experience.

Now, the 2022 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 motor car’s location, security status and current "health" condition on Whispers. At the touch of a button, the owner can contact a preferred dealership for any servicing requirements or information about the car. 

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective accommodates the vast expanse of client characteristics and desires in one pinnacle product. The eighth-generation Phantom has thus been deliberately designed to offer a blank canvas for Bespoke personalization, capable of becoming whatever the client wishes it to be, and a true reflection of their individual style and character. 

To mark the introduction of Phantom Series II and to illustrate Rolls-Royce's Bespoke capability, the marque has created a new Bespoke masterpiece, Phantom Platino, named after the silver-white finish of the coveted and precious metal, platinum.

Inside, the Phantom Platino uses two differing fabrics; one created in an Italian mill for its durable yet luxurious appearance, the other derived from bamboo fibers, selected for its lustrous finish. Both materials share an original repeating pattern based on an abstract interpretation of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Photos from Rolls-Royce

Also read: Rolls-Royce marks 118th anniversary, recalls Phantom lineage