rolls royce phantom back side

Rolls-Royce puts the Phantom back on its lofty pedestal

A mid-life refresh ensures the flagship Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II is at the top of its game, a last hurrah for traditional engines before an electrified future

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There are few places in the world as insulated from reality as the back seat of a Rolls-Royce  Phantom. For generations, the cossetting luxury of the Phantom’s interior has provided refuge from the travails of the real world, presumably giving its lucky owners the restorative fillip they need to carry on with their arduous wealth acquisition. For the rest of us, the imperious sight of a Phantom remains the most effective visual shorthand for a certain kind of success.

Just five years ago, Rolls-Royce introduced the eighth car to bear the Phantom name , a lineage that now stretches back almost a century. Now that model has been lightly refreshed, with tweaks inside and out to ensure it retains its rightful place at the pinnacle of luxury.

For the most part, the enhancements have been subtly executed, regardless of how complex it was behind-the-scenes. A good case in point is the new disc wheels, which add even more visual solidity to the already magisterial presence of the Phantom. They hark back to the solid wheel covers of yesteryear, while also looking forward to the new era of aerodynamic design arising out of electrification.

Not that the Phantom is electrified. Far from it. Notably, Rolls-Royce makes practically no reference to the powertrain at all, let alone tawdry details like acceleration or top speed. For the record, there’s a sizeable twin-turbocharged 6.75 litre V12 under that long, long bonnet, a unit that puts out over 560hp and can hustle it to 62mph in about five seconds. It will also chew through a gallon of fossil fuel every 17 miles or so in a worst-case scenario and puts out a hefty dose of CO2 (351g/km, as opposed to the 75g/km generated by Bentley’s hybridised Flying Spur).

The Phantom commits these environmental crimes with great stealth and discretion. You’d be hard pushed to hear the engine at all, even under hard acceleration, such is the level of refinement that the company’s engineers exert over the internal combustion process. 

No-one escapes legislation, however, and an all-electric Phantom is inevitable. The car’s silent engine and effortless power should ensure a seamless transition from ICE to EV; let’s face it, few Phantom owners actually park their own cars, let alone fuel them, so charging duty will simply be another task for the staff.

Other visual details are more subtle. The Pantheon grille can now be illuminated at night, and the Phantom’s headlights have been enhanced with laser-cut bezels that imitate a galactic swirl of ‘stars’.

Perched on the hillside terraces of the freshly finished Maybourne Riviera, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is in its element. In the winding streets down below, it’s a slightly different story. Everything has got too big for Monaco. The boats, the buildings, Formula 1 cars, the boutiques, the bars; while the tiny Principality has stayed pretty much the same size (save for the odd land reclamation project), the physical language of luxury has continued to grow, year on year.

For now, bigger is still better. Rolls has always been admirably restrained when it comes to indulging its customers’ most outlandish requests, maintaining that it is committed to their whims and desires above all else. The company’s designers are cagey on matters of taste, gently suggesting that different cultures have different criteria as to what exactly symbolises elegance, luxury, and social status.

In other words, whether something is good or not is entirely subjective. Criticism is therefore irrelevant, but the eight different editions created for the Series II launch ran the full gamut from timeless elegance to contemporary bling.

What will electrification bring to Rolls-Royce? And how do more outlandish design expressions like concept cars and one-offs embolden the brand? We spoke to Rolls-Royce’s head of exterior design, Felix Kilbertus, who has overseen the Phantom II project since he joined the company in 2017 following stints at Nissan, Renault, Fiat and Pininfarina.

The 2016 Rolls-Royce 103EX Concept

Wallpaper*: How does Rolls-Royce use concept cars?

Felix Kilbertus : RR has historically created a series of experimental cars, or EX cars. These vehicles are often prototypes with a clear objective, to prove an untested idea or to test a new concept. Some were strictly for internal use, and some were communicated publicly. Many EX cars have become production cars in due course, or certain key elements. Would I want to see 103EX on the road today? That surely would be exciting, but in this case, the concept’s mission was quite a radical proposition. It was intended to anticipate topics like pure autonomous driving, future materials and to provide a glimpse of the next one hundred years of Rolls-Royce. 

I believe it is fair to say that the technology to make such a vision a reality today doesn’t exist yet. Would we be happy to work with a client inspired by the vision of this concept car, or to build something beautiful and unique? Absolutely, and this is precisely what Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is all about!

The second of three Boat Tail models produced by Rolls-Royce Coachbuild

W*: Is Rolls-Royce about revolution or evolution?

FK : Evolution and revolution are two core principles in the creative process – one speaks about making an existing idea better and one to invent something new where nothing adequate exists yet. In design you need both principles – the art lies in choosing which principle to use when. I think Henry Royce put it perfectly: ‘Take the best and make it better.’ But he added immediately afterwards: ‘When it does not exist, design it.’ Often the initial approach is to make things better, to further an already acclaimed proposition. 

With Phantom, our continual dialogue with our clients tells us they are not yet yearning for revolution – rather the opposite – there was a common wish to preserve and protect a creation which is meeting their every need. I believe the key factors to pay attention to are changes in technology, taste and time. Technology is a very strong driver for design innovation, as change provides us with new possibilities in terms of shapes, materials and endurance. Form follows function after all, and new functions certainly give room for new form.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Extended Wheel Base

W*: How would you define good taste? 

FK : Tastes do change, but good taste usually remains long after the technology it was born from has become obsolete. In my view, good taste is what ultimately makes things timeless – assuming masterful execution and relevant product substance.

Time, or specifically the passing of time, in a sense of how long things remain fresh, relevant, ‘au goût du jour’ is both the easiest and hardest to deal with. It is clear that any significant idea must be of its time, but it is intriguing how sometimes time seems ‘stable’, i.e. a given paradigm is not overthrown for a long time, and sometimes times are ‘dynamic’ where every few years a newer idea emerges or an old one is discarded. 

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

W*: How does such an established brand like Rolls-Royce deal with the fast-moving modern world? 

FK : I’m fascinated with these moments of change and stability. The sheer speed of everything we experience today, thanks to instant access to information from the past and present, has reduced the half-life of ideas and flattened trends. The cycle spins so fast now that the older, deeper, and sometimes archaic ideas re-emerge more strongly. At Rolls-Royce we are fortunate that we can look back over more than a century, distinguish more clearly between the superficial and the essential, and make design decisions more deliberately.

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is completely hand made

W*: How important is coachbuilding to Rolls-Royce today? 

FK : When working very closely with our clients, particularly through Bespoke or our Rolls-Royce Coachbuild division , all of these questions must be addressed in depth with the client. Different collaborations require different approaches, and an important responsibility we have as designers is to help our clients discover the possible and invite them to go beyond their initial vision. In this exchange the mutual learnings can produce extraordinary results!

W*: What defines a Rolls-Royce?  

FK : We have the privilege of having iconic principles that we consciously continue to evolve. Perfect proportions, sheer monolithic volumes and essential surfacing, combined with the best materials and craftsmanship, allow us to create authentic and lasting solutions. On a more formal level, we have the presence, and familiarity, of the Pantheon grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy. Such brand pillars define the playing field that in turn, gives us great freedom to create new silhouettes, transitions, and extremely modern details for each new model. 

For example, every Rolls-Royce in history is recognisable by its front grille, which has only gradually evolved over time. However, if you focus on the front lights, you will irrefutably recognise the specific time and character of the individual model, their radical shifts in form and technology going hand-in-hand.

Our cars have a long life expectancy, we must aim to give them as much modernity at conception as possible, working tirelessly to keep them relevant during their life. This is what you can see with Phantom Series II, bringing in new ideas to make a difference, building upon the modernity of Phantom’s core character.

INFORMATION

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, price on application

Rolls-RoyceMotorCars.com

Wallpaper* Newsletter

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.

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• Rolls-Royce Phantom

2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom

2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom Review

• Peerless interior design and materials quality
• Massively powerful V12
• Seemingly infinite customization options
• At this size, tight parking lots are not the Phantom's friend
• Costs more than a house

What's new

• New illuminated front grille and optional dark exterior trim
• Interior updated with new available materials and a thicker steering wheel
• Part of the eighth Phantom generation introduced for 2018

Even in the rarefied air of ultra-luxury vehicles, the Rolls-Royce Phantom enjoys an even more elevated status given its perch atop the Rolls-Royce lineup. And for 2023, the apex predator of this class gets a slight refresh that tweaks its styling inside and out and gives it even more customization options that folks spending a cool half a million bucks on a mode of transportation have come to expect.

Cost to Drive Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.52 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Rolls-Royce doesn't call these changes a refresh like other automakers; instead it calls the update "a new expression'' for the Phantom. That means a tweaked face with new headlights and daytime running lights, while the Pantheon grille gets some illuminated details. Instead of bright chrome around the vehicle, there's now an option for darkened trim pieces for the windshield, side windows, and grille surround that better match dark paint. Two new wheel designs also debut: a seven-spoke wheel with a milled stainless steel finish and a disc wheel inspired by Rolls-Royce vehicles from the 1920s.

Inside, the steering wheel has been thickened slightly to increase its connection to the driver (though we guess many owners don't do the driving), and the back seat now offers fabric options. The dashboard clock also gets a new surrounding ceramic trim piece that is 3D-printed.

Power still comes from a twin-turbo V12 that makes 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, plenty of power to easily move this luxury sedan behemoth.

Which Phantom does Edmunds recommend?

Rolls-royce phantom models.

The standard Phantom and EWB models are appointed with the same features. These include:

• 21-inch wheels
• Adaptive air suspension that adjusts to road conditions
• Power-closing doors with concealed umbrellas
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Leather headliner with starlight-like illumination
• Heated and ventilated front seats with massage functions
• Rear bench seat
• 10.25-inch central display
• Digital instrument cluster
• Navigation system
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• 16-speaker audio system
• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Phantom and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• A suite of advanced driver aids:
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Blind-spot warning system (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

Packaged options include:

• Driver Assistance Systems package (standard on the EWB model)
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Night vision (displays an infrared image of the area in front of the vehicle to assist while driving at night)
• Rear Theatre Configuration
• Two rear electronically deployable 12-inch screens
• Phantom package includes the Driver Assistance Systems package, plus:
• 22-inch wheels
• Rear elevating footrests
• Rear seat curtains
• Wider outboard seats
• Rolls-Royce monograms on all headrests

The Phantom also offers several types of wood for veneer and Canadel paneling. Veneers can be extended to other parts of the interior. There is also a choice of Gallery (dashboard) design, clock design, doorsill engraving and trunk interior color.

Besides the bespoke options offered, the many stand-alone options include:

• Solid silver, gold-plated or carbon-fiber Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament
• Ventilated and massaging rear seats
• Two rear fold-out tables
• Lambswool floor mats
• Embossed headrests
• Rear cooler with two Champagne flutes
• 18-speaker audio system
• Rear headrest cushions
• Shooting star headliner
• Phantom Suite (limousine-like separate rear cabin with electrochromic privacy glass and an intercom system)

Compare dealer price quotes

2023 rolls-royce phantom pricing, edmunds suggests you pay.

• Base Most Popular Suggested price:  $480,350 What should I pay  for Base trim
• EWB Suggested price:  $560,350 What should I pay  for EWB trim

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2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom Features Specs

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Rolls-Royce Phantom vs. Bentley Flying Spur

The Flying Spur is a fantastic Phantom alternative for those who don't need the most expensive and most customizable mega luxury sedan there is. Like the Phantom, it packs a powerful turbocharged 12-cylinder engine and is adorned with some of the most luxurious features on the market. The Flying Spur is also very exclusive and highly customizable. A new hybrid engine is now offered for owners who want to visit the gas pump less frequently.

Rolls-Royce Phantom vs. Mercedes-Benz Maybach

The Maybach S-Class doesn't quite have the opulence of the Phantom, but it's still remarkably lavish and will impress just about anyone who sees it. Though it's less exclusive than the Phantom, it will still turn plenty of heads wherever it drives and is loaded with more luxury and comfort than 99% of vehicles on the road.

Rolls-Royce Phantom vs. Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The Cullinan is Rolls-Royce's only SUV and a high-riding alternative to the Phantom, and it offers many of the same features and customization found in the sedan. There isn't an extended-wheelbase version of the Cullinan, however, meaning you can't get it with the rear legroom and executive feeling offered in the Phantom. But since it's an SUV, the Cullinan has the ability to tow a trailer and do some light off-roading that the Phantom would sneer at.

Our experts’ favorite Phantom safety features:

People who viewed this also viewed, 2023 rolls-royce phantom first impressions.

Ah, the Phantom. If you were to ask Rolls-Royce to describe its flagship luxury sedan, it'd be reluctant to even admit it's a car. To it, the Phantom "occupies an unrivaled position at the very apex of the luxury world." To Rolls, it is the ultimate expression of opulence in the pantheon of all things resplendent, powerful, awe-inspiring and breathtaking. Its Phantom is a totem of luxury to help deliver oligarchs to their mega yachts and ride high through the plebeian crowds in pure sumptuous grandeur. We appreciate the automaker's commitment to humility and objectivity. To the rest of us, however, the Phantom is just a really, really nice car.

For 2023, the Phantom is getting what most automakers refer to as a refresh. But, Rolls-Royce being what it is, says the Phantom is getting "a new expression" and that it wasn't so much a question of changing the Phantom as it was about keeping it perfect. Right. Anyway, the refresh brings with it a number of small changes to the exterior looks and adds some new interior materials.

Let's start with the exterior. The headlights get a redo and the daytime running lights now feature a starlight pattern, and the pantheon grille is now illuminated — a very BMW characteristic that's been carried over to its luxury sub-brand. There is now the option for darkened exterior trim around the windshield, side windows and grille surround. Phantom buyers, rejoice: You no longer have to settle for chintzy chrome. There are also two new wheel designs. The first one is a seven-spoke unit with a milled stainless steel finish and the other is a disc wheel that's been inspired by Rollers of the 1920s.

Inside there is a slightly thicker steering wheel and the passenger area can now be had in something other than bull hide. One new choice for the rear seat material is a combination of bamboo fibers and cotton, with real leather up front. Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce clock in the dashboard is now surrounded by a 3D-printed ceramic finish.

There are no mechanical changes to the Phantom for 2023, so the twin-turbo V12 under the hood still makes 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It's also probably still so silky smooth you can stand a penny up on it as it fires into life, and the coin won't fall over.

For all its pretense, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is a fantastic motorcar. It really is the pinnacle of luxury cars, and if you can afford the $460,000 asking price and need a truly luxurious way to waft about, why would you consider anything else?

Is the Rolls-Royce Phantom a good car?

What's new in the 2023 rolls-royce phantom.

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom:

Is the Rolls-Royce Phantom reliable?

Is the 2023 rolls-royce phantom a good car, how much should i pay for a 2023 rolls-royce phantom.

The least-expensive 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom is the 2023 Rolls-Royce Phantom 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $475,000.

Other versions include:

• 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $475,000
• EWB 4dr Sedan (6.7L 12cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $555,000

What are the different models of Rolls-Royce Phantom?

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12 Most Expensive Rolls-Royce Cars Of All Time, Ranked

Few, if any, other luxury marques command such prestige among the world's richest as Rolls-Royce . The brand's cars are a global symbol of wealth, both old money and new money, often commanding price tags an order of magnitude above what the rest of us could ever justify spending on a car. They're built to accommodate the whims of the most demanding customers, and as a result, they're usually highly personalized to their original buyers.

When it comes to resale, this has a polarizing effect — lesser Rolls-Royce models often depreciate hugely in value since their eye-watering high running costs and custom finishes make them less attractive to used buyers. However, those considered to be the best examples of the brand's output often do the opposite, appreciating in value to figures way beyond what many people could ever expect to earn in their lifetimes.

In recent years, Rolls-Royce has made sure that its wealthiest buyers don't just have to spend their cash on classics either — the most loyal among them get access to the brand's VIP program and, therefore, the chance to commission a custom-made, coach-built car. Whether they're sought-after classics or modern bespoke creations, these 12 Rolls-Royces are among the most expensive ever sold.

Read more: Every Major Luxury Car Brand Ranked Worst To Best

Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Skiff – $1.12 Million

With any vintage car, there are two key things that collectors always look for: originality and uniqueness. The skiff-bodied Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP sold at a Bonhams auction in 2015 delivered both of those things in spades, being in mostly unrestored condition despite being over 100 years old. This was partly because it spent a significant portion of its existence in Egypt, where the hot, dry climate kept it better preserved. Although it wasn't the company's first model, the 40/50 HP Silver Ghost is considered to be the car that cemented its automaker's reputation as one of the world's finest.

Over 7,800 examples of the 40/50 HP Silver Ghost were produced in total, but it's thought that very few, if any, examples survive with a wooden skiff body. It's not known exactly when the current body was fitted to the car — Bonhams states it's likely to have been somewhere between 1919 and 1923 — but the chassis was first delivered in 1914. After plenty of buyer interest, the car eventually crossed the block at auction for 7.475 million Danish Krone, or roughly $1.12 million.

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé Adaptation – $1.14 Million

Rolls-Royces have long been the rides of choice for Hollywood's biggest names, but very few stars have appeared in movies alongside their beloved cars. The Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé Adaptation auctioned by RM Sotheby's in 2021 can count itself among that elite club, having featured alongside its owner Sophia Loren in 1963's "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." Bought new for Loren by her husband, the car served as her personal vehicle alongside its onscreen role and is one of just 25 left-hand drive examples made.

It was originally finished in Steel Blue but was subject to a restoration in 2004 and repainted the much darker shade that it presented with at auction. However, the engine remained original, and it still wore its original license plate. The auction, held in the tiny European principality of Liechtenstein, saw bidding reach 1,045,625 Swiss Francs, around $1.14 million at the time.

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster – $1.33 Million

The Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster sold at Bonhams in 2022 was nearly destroyed so many times that its chassis was nicknamed "The Lucky Dog." The chassis was built in Rolls-Royce's American factory and its bodywork was completed by Merrimac. It was first delivered in 1926, but only a few years into its existence, it had its first set of misfortunes. In 1932, it was stolen in New York but later recovered. Then, the following year, it was involved in a traffic collision but escaped mostly unharmed.

It then remained in New York for several decades before ending up in a parts yard and nearly scrapped. It was saved by a noted Rolls-Royce collector, but its body was then transferred onto the chassis of a Phantom I, where it remained for another few decades. The original chassis and drivetrain were also kept by the collector, then bounced around owners for another few years after he passed in 2003. By 2015, a new owner had managed to buy both the bodywork and the original chassis back from separate owners and set to work reuniting them. The work took years, but finally, the car was put back together as it was originally built and then sold at auction. This most unlikely of survivors eventually fetched $1.325 million.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Berline – $1.76 Million

The Phantom II was already a rare model, with only 1,767 examples built, but the Phantom II Continental Berline sold by Gooding & Company in 2016 is even rarer. In fact, it's believed to be completely unique, being the only Phantom II to be bodied by coachbuilders Figoni et Falaschi. It was built in 1932 and appeared at the prestigious Deauville Concours d'Elegance seven years later, winning the first of its many concours awards.

It was originally commissioned by the Prince of Nepal, who had been exiled from his country at the time. Under its long hood was a 7.7L six-cylinder engine, making 120 horsepower, a highly impressive figure for its day. Although it's one of the most expensive Rolls-Royces ever sold, it didn't actually meet its auction estimate on the day. The hammer went down at $1.76 million, while it was estimated to fetch anywhere between $1.8 million and $2.2 million.

[Featured image by Rex Gray via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0 ]

Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sports Coupé By Freestone & Webb – $2.42 Million

The original owner of this 1933 one-off coupe, Sir John Leigh, was one of Rolls-Royce's most loyal customers of the era. Like most Rolls-Royces of its era, the chassis and drivetrain were built by the automaker itself, and then the car was sent off to a coachbuilder for bodywork. In this case, that coachbuilder was Freestone & Webb, of which Leigh was also a regular client.

After more than a decade of ownership, the car was sold off so Leigh could purchase a new Phantom III. Over the decades, it changed hands several times and was remarkably purchased twice by new owners who stopped the existing owner at the side of the road and simply asked to buy it there and then. After 80 years of careful owners keeping the car in pristine condition, it appeared at an RM Sotheby's auction in 2013, where it fetched $2.42 million.

Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Limousine Princess Margaret – $2.47 Million

The Phantom IV is the rarest generation of Rolls-Royce's flagship line — only 18 examples were ever produced, all built for royalty or heads of state. The most valuable of those to appear at auction was the personal car of Princess Margaret of the British royal family , with the car fetching 2.255 million Swiss Francs (around $2.47 million) at RM Sotheby's in 2021. Its coachwork was completed by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder, H.J. Mulliner, and featured several unique modifications made at the request of the Princess.

Electrically operated fabric blinds were fitted for privacy, while a police siren and flagpole were fitted for royal duties. It remained in official service until 1967 when it was sold to a dealer in London. It's unknown exactly why it was sold — most British state cars are kept under royal ownership. Strangely enough, its new private owners hired it out to film shoots and weddings, all while unaware of its previous owner, as the selling dealer had been sworn to secrecy. It was eventually bought by a noted Rolls-Royce collector in 2003 and has been kept in private collections since then, although it's been occasionally shown in that time.

Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Pullman Limousine – $2.54 Million

One of the most expensive examples of the 40/50 HP Silver Ghost ever sold at auction, the Pullman Limousine fetched $2.535 million through Gooding & Co. in 2021. Its high price was primarily down to its originality — its upholstery, despite being 111 years old at the time of sale, was all original and had never been restored.

Its bodywork was also original, as was, of course, the chassis and engine. The engine in question was a 7.5-liter six-cylinder making, as the car's name suggests, 50 horsepower. The value collectors place on originality can be clearly seen when comparing a similar car also offered by Gooding & Co. in 2023.

Despite being the same chassis, year, and overall condition, the latter car had been subject to a restoration and so wasn't original. As a result, it was estimated to fetch between $500,000 and $600,000. However, even at just a fifth the value of the all-original car, it failed to attract a high enough bid and didn't sell.

Rolls-Royce 10 HP – $7.04 Million

There are few vintage Rolls-Royces more special than chassis 20154, a 10-horsepower model sold at Bonhams in 2007. It's the oldest known surviving Rolls-Royce and only the fourth ever made. It was displayed at shows in Paris and London to attract customers to the then-fledgling company before being eventually sold to private ownership. It remained in use until 1930 with various owners when it was parked and reportedly used as a movable barrier during wartime to prevent enemy forces from landing in a nearby field.

It was eventually bought and restored in 1950 by Oliver Langton, a well-known motorcycle racer, and remained in his ownership until 1978. From then on, it was kept by another owner until its appearance at the auction. It sold for £3,521,500 (roughly $7.04 million at the time), becoming the most expensive Rolls-Royce 10 HP to ever cross the block in the process.

Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine The Corgi – $7.48 Million

The Corgi earned its nickname as it was the car chosen by the makers of the Corgi diecast line to be the model on which its toy cars were based. A 1912 40/50HP Double Pullman Limousine, it was originally bought by a London-based client who already boasted another 40/50 HP in his collection. Its coachwork was completed by Barker, and it's thought to be the only surviving example featuring the coachbuilder's design.

Unlike many other cars of its era, the Corgi was never rebuilt with a different chassis or bodywork, staying in complete form since its inception. Even during a restoration carried out around the turn of the century, it was not disassembled, as its condition was so good that it didn't need to be. The car that shaped millions of toy vehicles commanded a suitably exceptional premium when it sold at Bonhams in 2012, fetching £4,705,500, or around $7.48 million.

Rolls-Royce Sweptail – $12.9 Million

While there may well have been more expensive classic Rolls-Royces sold in private deals, the Corgi remains the most expensive to hit public auctions. However, it's not the most expensive Rolls-Royce ever sold — in fact, the automaker itself has created cars that cost considerably more. One of those cars is the one-off Sweptail , which was built to the wishes of a VIP client. It takes styling inspiration from the great Rolls-Royces of the '20s and '30s and became the first in a line of ultra-exclusive coachbuilt cars when it was finished in 2017.

Almost every element on the car is bespoke, even down to the "O8" license plate, which was milled from solid pieces of aluminum. Rolls-Royce never officially revealed how much the car cost, although reports at the time suggested a price tag of around £10 million (roughly $12.9 million). The brand's CEO refused to confirm this figure to Autocar  but said, "You can easily write [that] this is probably the most expensive new car ever." Of course, that's no longer true, as Rolls-Royce has since unveiled more coachbuilt specials with even more eye-watering price tags.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail – $28 Million

In a 2021 announcement detailing the official revival of its coachbuilding division, Rolls-Royce also announced its most expensive car up to that point, the Boat Tail. Like the Sweptail before it, it was based on the platform of the Phantom but featured all-new bodywork, a canopy roof, and yacht-inspired design touches. All in all, 1,813 new parts were created for the Boat Tail, with many of those created for the "hosting suite" at the rear, complete with a parasol.

Just developing the rear suite reportedly took nine months, with the whole car taking years to go from idea to reality. Only three examples of the Boat Tail were made, each with heavy input from their respective owners. Alongside the car, owners also got a matching watch designed to compliment the colors and finish of each example. Unsurprisingly, Rolls-Royce didn't disclose a price tag for the car but reports peg its cost close to $30 million.

Rolls-Royce Droptail – $30 Million

Unveiled earlier in 2023, the Droptail is Rolls-Royce's latest and greatest coach-built car , and if reports are anything to go by, the most expensive. Four examples of the car are set to be built, with each one different from the next. Developing it reportedly took four years, with Rolls-Royce working closely with its VIP clients to design a car exactly to their tastes. The first of the four to be revealed, La Rose Noire, sports a custom Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch valued at $200,000 and a custom mount in the dash in which to place it.

The exterior is finished in a shade called "True Love," which reportedly comprises 150 layers of paint. Unlike previous coachbuilt cars, the Droptail's performance has also been upgraded slightly over the standard Phantom. An extra 30 horsepower has been coaxed out of the twin-turbo V12 engine, although statistics as vulgar as 0–60 mph time or top speed have been left out of the brand's press release. Focusing on performance is missing the point of the car anyway — this is purely about creating something as opulent as possible and heralding a new golden era of Rolls-Royce coachbuilding in the process.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

Rolls-Royce Ghost gets the best luxury car award at the Moscow International Motor Show

Rolls Royce Phantom had bagged the award of the Best Luxury Car of the Year 2009 . And this year, Rolls-Royce Ghost has been crowned as the best luxury car at the Moscow International Motor Show. 150 journalists voted in favor of this majestic car during press exhibition days and it was officially announced a couple of days back at Crocus Expo. James Crichton, Regional Director Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for Europe and South Africa stated, “The award comes as Rolls-Royce makes its debut at the Moscow Motor Show and I am thrilled that our Ghost, the Phantom Coupé Aviator Collection and the Russian debut of Phantom Series II have been so warmly received. Rolls-Royce represents luxury like no other brand and our Russian clients appreciate that cars carrying the famous Spirit of Ecstasy figurine represent the pinnacle of luxury, the ultimate in refinement and the embodiment of success.” This comes as no surprise since Moscow as recently been honored as the Billionaire capital where most of world’s wealthiest reside.

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The Privacy Suite marries the exceptional rear seat comfort of Phantom Extended with the indulgence of an entirely isolated rear cabin. The effect is a secluded haven that cossets you in a perfectly appointed environment, free from disturbance.

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Your retreat is ready at the touch of a button. Crafted from electrochromic glass, the Privacy Division instantly switches from transparent to fully opaque, separating front and rear cabins to create a truly private sanctuary.

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For when you desire complete seclusion, Rear Privacy Curtains allow full concealment of the side and rear windows, while Rear Privacy Glass extends your privacy if you choose to have the curtains open.

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PHANTOM EXTENDED SERIES II

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. is a separate legal entity from Rolls-Royce PLC and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group. Based at Goodwood near Chichester in West Sussex, it commenced business on 1st January 2003 as its new global production facility. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars manufactures and sells the worlds pinnacle super-luxury automobiles, including the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan models. 

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2022 Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedan Features and Specs

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