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


Rolls-Royce has used the Phantom name on full-sized luxury cars and limousines since 1925, making it the longest used car model nameplate in automotive history. In the 20th century, the Rolls-Royce Phantom was a very low volume, hand-built limousine, which in its first four generations was custom coachbuilt to the customer's requests, and sometimes extravagant desires. Whilst automobile manufacturing over time became more mechanised and prolific, and vehicles from other manufacturers could be built in greater numbers and at lower prices, the Phantoms remained hand-built, and production of individual cars only began once the order was placed. The use of the name "Phantom" is a long tradition of naming Rolls-Royce models after ghosts or spirits.
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Rainer271

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2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom test mule spied for the first time

Will use the next-gen BMW 7-Series platform
A test mule of the next generation Rolls-Royce Phantom has been spied near BMW's technical center in southern Germany.

The current Rolls-Royce Phantom has been on sale since 2003 and received a facelift in 2012 so it's no wonder work has started on a successor which will likely be introduced in 2017 as a 2018 model. Seen here is a test mule with a significantly lowered ride height and two additional air intakes in the front bumper. In addition, the four exhaust pipes at the back are longer than usual and don't fit nicely within the rear bumper.

The vehicle seen here could feature a plug-in hybrid system sourced from the next generation BMW 7-Series upon which the new Phantom will likely be based. The flagship Bavarian model is expected to lose up to 200 kg as a result of an extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum which could also find its way in the next Phantom, thus shaving some considerably weight from today's hefty 2,550 kg model. Such a considerable diet would also offset the added hardware commanded by a possible plug-in hybrid variant.

The V12 engine will live on in the next generation Phantom while the design won't stray away too much from today's model as Rolls-Royce Design Director Giles Taylor recently said they will take an "evolutionary path" with "more charisma and more edge."

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http://www.worldcarfans.com/114081379568/2018-rolls-royce-phantom-test-mule-spied-for-the-first
 
The exhaust is interesting because as far as I can tell the Phantom models only have twin exhausts, not four pipes.

The Wraith has four though.
 
bimmerjph said:
The exhaust is interesting because as far as I can tell the Phantom models only have twin exhausts, not four pipes.
Click to expand...

Also mind the additional side air intakes in the front bumper! :)

My guess: Special Edition Phantom Series 2 (SWB Limo, Drophead, Drophead Coupe) with some extra zest. More power, sportier chassis, more aggressive brakes etc etc Some sort of Phantom "Red Label" . For the final round before new Mk Phantom arrives.

So, I don't think that's a Mk2 Phantom mule. More like Phantom "Red Label" prototype. "M Phantom", if you wish.
 
The next Phantom is going to get a bespoke platform, and will not share with the next gen 7er.

7er is for the Ghost.

EnI said:
So, I don't think that's a Mk2 Phantom mule. More like Phantom "Red Label" prototype. "M Phantom", if you wish.
Click to expand...

So finally with the 630 hp V12 of the Wraith?
 
Sorry it is the Bespoke chassis architecture for the Phantom , I thought it was for the SAV which is a huge f#cker.

Its basically the same proposal as the BMW Vision Future Luxury in which the whole structure is Carbon Fibre like the BMW i8 Of course you won't see that exposure in a Rolls my good man as that will remain hidden. We might see it on the 9er. As BMW see Carbon as not only an essential material but also a premium material in which it could be applied as a more decorative finish than just raw Carbon.

No ultimate Phantom planned at this time but the Wraith will get the V Specification.
 
Rolls-Royce Phantom successor test mule spied with heavily camouflaged interior
e629a359b7be68b83447ff556a15b005.webp

Central air vents sitting lower
Our spy photographers have managed to take a couple of interior shots with a next-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom test mule.

On the outside it looks virtually the same as the test mule seen about a month ago in another batch of spy images but now we can take a quick look at the interior. Far from being finalized, the cabin adopts a significantly different dashboard layout compared to the current model as the two central air vents have been moved lower. In addition, these two circular vents appear to be bigger and are no longer flanking the display since this has been moved upwards and has likely grown in size.

The visible buttons and knobs seem to be sourced from the 7-Series upon which the next-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom will likely be based. However, the touchscreen display along with other bits and pieces represent new designs.

Getting back to the exterior, the test mule featured a lowered ride height and two extra air intakes in the front bumper while at the back it had longer quad exhaust pipes. Likely to ride on the "35up" platform, the all-new Phantom could go on an extreme diet taking into account the next-gen 7-Series is bound to lose as much as 200 kg (441 lbs). It will be a more than welcomed weight loss taking into account the current Phantom tips the scales at 2,550 kg (5,622 lbs).

We already know the final design will take an "evolutionary path" with "more charisma and more edge" as described by the firm's design director Giles Taylor while under the hood the V12 will be retained. There are also talks about a plug-in hybrid system but details are scarce at the moment.

On sale since 2003 (facelifted in 2012), the Phantom's successor will be out in the next few years.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114091581243/rolls-royce-phantom-successor-test-mule-spied-with-heavily

P.S. The outside pictures in the article are identical with the pictures in my opening posting.
P.S.2: Will the next generation really lose the gear lever at the steering wheel or is it only because of the early prototype?
 
Here another report to the interior shot. This time on autoevolution.com:

For each Rolls-Royce you see on the street, the wonderful people over at the carmaker’s Goodwood factory spend 450 hours to put the car together. Well, the 60 pairs of hand that handle each Rolls-Royce are set to receive new instructions, as the Phantom will enter its second generation. We’ve recently shown you the first spyshots of the most luxurious of the two sedans Rolls-Royce currently makes and now we are back with the first interior shots.

Mind you, the vehicle is still in the early development phase, so we are dealing with a test mule. As far as the cabin is concerned, this means many elements on the prototype are Frankenstein bits taken out of the BMW part bin - yes, we are referring mostly to the 7 Series here.

Fret not Rolls-Royce aficionados, the BMW gear shifter won’t be present on the new Phantom. In fact, the gear lever will maintain its traditional steering column position. As for the iDrive controller, yes, Rolls-Royce does used a disguised version of BMW’s infotainment, but, as always, the design will be bespoke.

Most of the dash is covered, so we can’t tell how large the new infotainment screen will be or what the British designers will do for Rolls’ traditional analogue-style climate control setup. Oh well, at least the test driver is in proper shape and he’s wearing a polo shirt.

Compared to any other production car, the styling of Rolls-Royce cabins has changed the least over the years. It is the minimalism that defines the carmaker’s luxury and this isn’t going to change, plus minus certain inevitable digital details.

Mystery also surrounds the technical side of the next Phantom. While some state the 2016 BMW 7-Series platform will find its way under the luxurious British motorcar, others claim Rolls-Royce will be assisted in developing its own architecture.

Even though the first version may seem more likely financially speaking, we mustn’t forget Rolls-Royce is on track to launch its first SUV. Thus, a bespoke platform would be justified and since the current Phantom weighs over 5,600 lbs (2,550 kg), such a move would also be welcome.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/n...-interior-spied-for-the-first-time-86555.html
 
Its a work in progress as it still has BMW switchgear but from what I have seen the interior is evolutionary - wood and leather as you expect with the centre console raised higher. The driver/passenger interface could be one screen stretching the upper surface of the dash.
The exterior work sketches are showing a more edgier style with a brief to use an advanced design language for the worlds most advanced luxury car.... Which it will be after the 7er.
 
This car weighs already 2550kg with a full aluminium chassis, so to reduce a huge amount of weight off this is going to be tough. Even with carbon fibre I doubt they could reduce that much and also the addition of hybrid powertrain will add additional weight so it will probably land up been the same weight or if they lucky 100kg lighter
 
Rolf said:
This car weighs already 2550kg with a full aluminium chassis, so to reduce a huge amount of weight off this is going to be tough. Even with carbon fibre I doubt they could reduce that much and also the addition of hybrid powertrain will add additional weight so it will probably land up been the same weight or if they lucky 100kg lighter
Click to expand...

I really doubt the standard car will have a hybrid powertrain. I suspect many RR customers flat out wouldn't want it, and the ones that do want it would be willing to pay a lot more for it.
 
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Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is a British luxury automobile maker and a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG since 2003 - as the exclusive manufacturer of Rolls-Royce-branded motor cars. The company is headquartered in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom. BMW AG has no direct relationship with Rolls-Royce-branded vehicles produced before 2003, other than having briefly supplied components and engines. From 1906 to 2003, cars were manufactured and marketed under the Rolls-Royce brand by Rolls-Royce Motors. The Bentley Motors Limited subsidiary of Volkswagen AG is its direct successor.
Official website: Rolls-Royce

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