Phantom [Spy Shots] 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)

[klier]

Oh come on klier, this was ridiculous even for you.

I agree.

 

[gdm]

This is the Best car in the world?,marketing bullshit.
This is one of the most expensive mass produced car,absolutely yes.

 

[klier]

Mass produced? We might have a different idea of the definition of mass produced. VAG makes more cars in half an hour than RR produces in an entire year.

 

[gdm]

Mass means unlimited,About 10K copies of the current generation Phantom were produced in 14 years since 2003, it's not a small number. I saw a used 2005 rolls roycee Phantom with 120K km mileages in the market last year,its asking price was basically equal to a 2005 LEXUS LX470 but with more mileages.

 

[mercpassion]

The new phantom is looking nice indeed..as expected it will sport an evolutionary approach which is fine considering the market segment it sits at..

 

[Matski]

"Start from scratch"?

Rolls-Royce has existed since 1906, and whilst the Rolls-Royce that BMW transformed and invested in since 1998 has been a success, to claim BMW "started from scratch" is clearly nonsense.

I know I'm probably being pedantic as usual, but If we're being honest, even ignoring Rolls-Royces chequered history up until Vickers' ownership, BMW's Rolls-Royce is not actually the same Rolls-Royce from 1906... it's a new entity born out of trademarks bought from Rolls-Royce PLC and design rights wrangled from VW's evil grasp. In 1998 BMW had the Rolls-Royce name and badge, that was it, as far as product and production facility - they basically did start from scratch.

Comparatively, VW's Bentley carried on with existing products and platforms, and still operated out of Crewe, they even continued to sell Rolls-Royces while BMW were developing all new product, and building Goodwood, albeit with BMW supplying engines for both marques.

I do find it amusing that VW paid over £400 million for Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, and then spent half a Billion on upgrading the factory at Crewe... when BMW only paid £40 million for Rolls-Royce name, and built a new factory from the ground up for less than £100 million.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I know I'm probably being pedantic as usual, but If we're being honest, even ignoring Rolls-Royces chequered history up until Vickers' ownership, BMW's Rolls-Royce is not actually the same Rolls-Royce from 1906... it's a new entity born out of trademarks bought from Rolls-Royce PLC and design rights wrangled from VW's evil grasp. In 1998 BMW had the Rolls-Royce name and badge, that was it, as far as product and production facility - they basically did start from scratch.

I agree with everything you've said. But Scott said BMW "started from scratch". Starting from scratch does not include buying the name and the badge, probably one of the most iconic and illustrious out there. Had BMW started a completely new brand then that would be "starting from scratch".

 

[SDNR]

I know I'm probably being pedantic as usual, but If we're being honest, even ignoring Rolls-Royces chequered history up until Vickers' ownership, BMW's Rolls-Royce is not actually the same Rolls-Royce from 1906... it's a new entity born out of trademarks bought from Rolls-Royce PLC and design rights wrangled from VW's evil grasp. In 1998 BMW had the Rolls-Royce name and badge, that was it, as far as product and production facility - they basically did start from scratch.

Comparatively, VW's Bentley carried on with existing products and platforms, and still operated out of Crewe, they even continued to sell Rolls-Royces while BMW were developing all new product, and building Goodwood, albeit with BMW supplying engines for both marques.

I do find it amusing that VW paid over £400 million for Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars, and then spent half a Billion on upgrading the factory at Crewe... when BMW only paid £40 million for Rolls-Royce name, and built a new factory from the ground up for less than £100 million.

This is why I have always had a small bias for the Crewe cars ....they just feel more connected to the past.

BMW-era Rolls-Royce is thoroughly modern. For all the talk of "royalty" and "nobility" from the motoring press, there is nothing particularly aristocratic about it. 21st century Rolls-Royces are built for Beckhams ....not Windsors.

Still, as I have said many times before, BMW did a wonderful job reinventing a dying marque.

 

[martinbo]

Historically, BMW did not start from scratch; technologically, they did. Difficult point to debate.

 

[slicknick]

Looks like a facelift.. inside out.

I'm with @LaArtist on this one...Granted, Rolls can never really go radical with the changes but this one is almost too subtle to be considered a brand new generation

 

[Matski]

BMW-era Rolls-Royce is thoroughly modern. For all the talk of "royalty" and "nobility" from the motoring press, there is nothing particularly aristocratic about it. 21st century Rolls-Royces are built for Beckhams ....not Windsors.

In all fairness, there are as many chavvy footballers buying Bentleys, it's all about personal perception... as it happens one of the RR&BMC projects I remember my Dad talking about was bespoke Arnage for Mr. Beckham.

but you are not wrong... Suppliers to the Royal Family claim royal warrants, currently...

Aston Martin Lagonda, by appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales
Bentley Motor Cars, by appointment to HM The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales
Jaguar Land Rover, by appointment to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales
Vauxhall Motors, by appointment to HM The Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales

No, BMW, no Rolls Royce.

 

[sako97]

Take note, Range Rover.

Curious to know why you mentioned this.

 

[SKY]

Curious to know why you mentioned this.

I just think the previous RR, when it came out, was a way more impressive design than the current one.

 

[Giannis]

Historically, BMW did not start from scratch; technologically, they did. Difficult point to debate.

For me, speaking as an engineer, that's as much of a scratch as it can get.

You either refine an existing product or create something totally new. The fact that the badge exists since 1906 doesn't mean a thing!

 

[SCOTT27]

I just think the previous RR, when it came out, was a way more impressive design than the current one.

Do you mean the BMW developed series? Traditionally it was created using the genes from the original Range Rover visually hence the semi-retro details. However the new one visually has a more upmarket presence in fact the current Land Rover range has actually one the more consistent design languages across its portfolio, however the Evoque is beginning to look a little dated. Range Rover are actually using the BMW strategy developed for the brand especially with the two wheelbases of Range Rover and its more upmarket presence. All it needs is a V12.
I remember a long time ago in a galaxy far,far away that we imagined the future of a BMW Group powerhouse of MINI,BMW,Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. This was before the Rover mess but even then nobody could see a future for it(Rover).

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The fact that the badge exists since 1906 doesn't mean a thing!

It does when (speaking entirely subjectively here) the brand has one of the most loyal customer bases of any manufacturer. BMW obviously improved Rolls-Royce massively when they bought the brand, but that's the reason you can't say BMW "started from scratch". They didn't start from scratch. They had a near 100 year name from which to build.

Toyota creating Lexus is "starting from scratch".

 

[LaArtist]

I don't think it's fair to say that you can't do more. Externally its fine. It has a epic presence and all that. It will get more futuristic lights and what not. But that interior left a lot to.bd worked on.. especially given how fast technology is.moving these days and this car is made for at least 10 years into the future.
2027 that interior will not cut it at all.
Still reserve judgement.. maybe it has hidden talents

 

[klier]

I just think the previous RR, when it came out, was a way more impressive design than the current one.

The previous design is a BMW made design......

And with that being said, hell no. The current is far superior on every front. You must be one of those biased BMW fanboys who always vote for the BMW product no matter what

I don't think it's fair to say that you can't do more. Externally its fine. It has a epic presence and all that. It will get more futuristic lights and what not. But that interior left a lot to.bd worked on.. especially given how fast technology is.moving these days and this car is made for at least 10 years into the future.
2027 that interior will not cut it at all.
Still reserve judgement.. maybe it has hidden talents

LMAO.
One very poor magazine scan and all the amazing conclusions start pouring in. I love it. Particularly when the MB gang starts agreeing. Absolutely lovely.

BMW-era Rolls-Royce is thoroughly modern. For all the talk of "royalty" and "nobility" from the motoring press, there is nothing particularly aristocratic about it. 21st century Rolls-Royces are built for Beckhams ....not Windsors.

And a Bentley is built for the Windsors? Or any other brand for that matter?

 

[klier]

The fact that the badge exists since 1906 doesn't mean a thing

What??? It means everything. BMW bought the brand, created a factory, made a dealership network and pretty much spent millions upon millions just for a NAME. Because that name means everything. It's the most iconic name in the automotive world together with Ferrari. Priceless history and world famous.

So yeah, the fact that the badge exists since 1906 means everything. Or at least, it was the single most important reason why BMW wanted them so badly.

No, BMW, no Rolls Royce.

Uhn, no BMW would have meant RR owned by VAG.

Mass means unlimited,About 10K copies of the current generation Phantom were produced in 14 years since 2003, it's not a small number.

Firstly, mass doesn't mean unlimited, I have no idea where this is coming from.
Secondly, little less than two Phantoms a day is a small number, period.

 

[Sunny]

especially given how fast technology is.moving these days and this car is made for at least 10 years into the future.
2027 that interior will not cut it at all.

There is no better guaranteed way to make sure the interior won't cut it in 2027 than stuffing some 2017 technology in there - like a in your face LCD screen that will look like an Atari display in a decade and some color changing LED lights that will look like neon sign from the 80s.