Phantom [Official] Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)

[M.N.D]

I'd love to see Rolls-Royce just put a car on the market with a starting price of at least € 1 million and a fixed production run. I get the impression they've tried to move the Phantom up a notch this time round to take it a little further out of reach of the masses, but they're always hedging that against trying to shift volume. If they specified that only 100 units would be made it would remove the need to price them to sell them -- once they're gone, they're gone, and that assures exclusivity and maintains or increases the value of the product.. rather than whopping depreciation causing neglected older examples to fall into plebeian hands and lower the perception of the brand.

Sadly, this is the kind of thing I don't think BMW would ever sign-off on.

I've had the opportunity to be very close to two versions of the Phantom, the fourth generation (the most expensive and most exclusive RR) and the sixth generation. This got me to learn and know more about the Phantom line, and I think that it would be nice if Rolls Royce kept the Phantom nameplate as a limited run, hypercar-production-like model that is 100% bespoke instead of using it as the ultimate standard production offer.

I understand that times change and markets of today aren't like that of the past, but the name of Rolls Royce gives an impression so recognized even for people who aren't interested in cars and automobiles, so if they kept the continuing legacy of the old Phantoms, it would give the brand a higher perception and the car may even shoot up in value.

 

[SDNR]

It's just my opinion, but I think there are two types of Rolls-Royce owner, there is the one that sees it has a high value commodity, the kind of person that buys expensive brands without any knowledge of why they're expensive - I'd imagine they're the kind of people buying the cheaper, less bespoke showroom examples. And then, there are the people that buy into the experience, that spec lots of bespoke options, and don't make a big deal about it. I think Rolls-Royce markets the latter and is trying to build its brand on that, but the former helps pay the bills - and is essentially an inevitability.

I agree with that.

However, I do think it's undeniable that Rolls-Royce customers are not the same kinds of people who bought them decades ago (and I don't just mean they are younger).

Without wanting to be pretentious, my sensibilities are closer to the old-world Rolls-Royces from the past.

I note klier is using his favourite emoji again

 

[75KoDe]

View attachment 436198
I really don't like those seats at all. They look a lot like the ones in a Maybach 62. Like a reclining lounge chair from a discount furniture store.

I have long thought the finest upholstery from Rolls-Royce can still be found in the models from the late 1990s.
These were beautifully tailored.
View attachment 436197

Good eye. What if I tell you that these seats are actually based on Maybach 62 seats?

 

[Matski]

I agree with that.

However, I do think it's undeniable that Rolls-Royce customers are not the same kinds of people who bought them decades ago (and I don't just mean they are younger).

Without wanting to be pretentious, my sensibilities are closer to the old-world Rolls-Royces from the past.

I think Rolls-Royce is doing a good job adapting to modern wealth. I feel there's been a shift from opulence to decadence with Rolls-Royce, where Bentley has remained somewhat old-school.

As I've mentioned before my father used to be involved with the some of the special commission work around the time of the VW buyout and BMW sale, and from the bits I was lucky enough to see, I would personally draw the conclusion that taste doesn't follow new money, or old money, quite the way you think it would.

 

[Serpens]

I really don't like those seats at all. They look a lot like the ones in a Maybach 62. Like a reclining lounge chair from a discount furniture store.

Those seats have a very BMW flair to me personally. They vaguely (emphasis on vaguely) remind me of the BMW E38 7-series rear seats.

 

[SDNR]

I would personally draw the conclusion that taste doesn't follow new money, or old money, quite the way you think it would.

Oh yes, I am well aware of that.

I don't necessarily see this as an "old money/new money" thing. You are right about how high-end taste has changed.

The days of refined taste and discreet good manners have been replaced by shameless attention seeking and brash attitudes. It seems that making sure everyone notices you have lots of money is of primary importance.

 

[Deleted member 25]

L0L you are actually not kidding.

 

[SDNR]

L0L you are actually not kidding.

I appreciate we all have different tastes Raby ....I have always been very certain about what I like

 

[Matski]

Oh yes, I am well aware of that.

I don't necessarily see this as an "old money/new money" thing. You are right about how high-end taste has changed.
We live in a world where paintings like this (see attachment) sell for over US$20million. The days of refined taste and discreet good manners have been replaced by shameless attention seeking and brash attitudes. It seems that making sure everyone notices you have lots of money is of primary importance.

Well art is highly subjective

The thing is you don't know about how well mannered or refined the silent part of the super-rich population is, because they're silent. They're still out there, they're just not on Instagram or YouTube whoring for likes.

 

[SDNR]

Well art is highly subjective

The thing is you don't know about how well mannered or refined the silent part of the super-rich population is, because they're silent. They're still out there, they're just not on Instagram or YouTube whoring for likes.

I guess my point is more about a cultural shift than anything ...Rolls-Royce is obviously catering to the market zeitgeist.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

The days of refined taste and discreet good manners have been replaced by shameless attention seeking and brash attitudes. It seems that making sure everyone notices you have lots of money is of primary importance.

Those who are more discrete, you wouldn't notice as much. But those who like to toot their own horns may be increasing in numbers. With social media, we are definitely exposed to more of them.

EDIT: Haha, thought this was the last post, but Matski pretty much echoed what I was saying.

 

[SDNR]

Those who are more discrete, you wouldn't notice as much. But those who like to toot their own horns may be increasing in numbers. With social media, we are definitely exposed to more of them.

EDIT: Haha, thought this was the last post, but Matski pretty much echoed what I was saying.

That’s okay, you made a good point.

Actually, this conversation got a little bit sidetracked, I originally only commented that I didn’t much like the rear seats in the picture posted by @Merc1 and compared them with ones in a late-model Silver Spur. However, I have seen other seats in the Phantom that look much nicer.

It has been interesting to see how the market for Rolls-Royce has been expanded and transformed over the past decade.

Those seats have a very BMW flair to me personally. They vaguely (emphasis on vaguely) remind me of the BMW E38 7-series rear seats.

View attachment 436532

yes, I really dislike that loose leather look - I didn’t like it in the Mercedes W220 either. I really like leather upholstery that is very tailored.

 

[EnI]

Unique has no rival

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[sako97]

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[Monster]

So Mansory got their hands on the latest Phantom, I will spare you guys from the photos, I do wonder though, how do they stay in business?

 

[Deleted member 25]

The choco bana phantom you mean ? Yeah looks shit. I do wonder though how they work on such a car, do they take a fully built phantom and then rip off wood and leather and replace them ? Do they ask the rolls factory to deliver unfinished cars ?

 

[hovabongZA]

Great review of thee ultimate luxury vehicle ever made....even calling it a “vehicle” sounds wrong.

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[Deleted member 25]

He's a good reviewer, but i cannot stand the way he speaks.

 

[sako97]

He's a good reviewer, but i cannot stand the way he speaks.

Pennsylvania accent.

 

[Merc1]

He's annoying and nerdy AF, but if you can't stand it he does give a good review.

M