This is our most comprehensive look yet at the eighth-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom, which goes on sale in 2018 after a reveal this summer.
The images, reportedly from an online brochure and leaked to Chinese media, show the extended-wheelbase version of the car's exterior styling and confirms the design we saw in spy shots of the car undergoing testing earlier in its development.
Its aesthetic is largely similar to the current-generation Phantom, although minor tweaks to the front end, such as a different headlight shape and altered bumper design, are present. The second, lower lights at the front are no more.
Inside, the interior appears as high-end as you would expect, with dark wood, textured panelling and cream leather among the materials used, and with Rolls-Royce's retro touches across the dashboard carried over.
The full design will be unveiled on 27 July, at an event celebrating the Phantom's history.
From previously released preview images, it's clear that the car will have Rolls-Royce's signature dominant grille and, although not a design revolution, a step-change in the car's aesthetic is also visible. The headlight areas are where the most notable changes will be.
Click here for the latest 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom spy pictures
The only other detail of the car Rolls-Royce has officially revealed is an interior trim panel, finished with an incut pattern on dark wood, with what appears to be an analogue clock in the centre of the panel.
We already know that the eighth-generation Phantom is likely to share aluminium architecture with its Cullinan-codenamed SUV sibling and feature either an evolved version of the brand's 6.75-litre V12 engine or the Dawn's 6.6-litre V12.
The Cullinan will be the brand's first all-wheel-drive model, meaning that, if the Phantom adopts four-wheel drive, it will be after the launch of the Cullinan. However, it is likely that Rolls-Royce will keep this exclusive to its ‘all-terrain, high-sided vehicle’ sibling.
Read more:
2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom: new spy pictures
2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV - new spy pictures
Rolls-Royce reveals bespoke 'Sweptail' one-off
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looks are very subjective in
looks are very subjective in any car and RRs of old were associated with the bygone years of RR. The new Phantom is smart looking, clean and crisp they've got the balance right between engineering a product and luxury but it's not got me thinking "wow, a Rolls Royce" as the only thing I have heard is that "at least it will work this time". They've got the inside look and feel right and outside it's quite dominating on the road but it still don't make me feel like pushing people out of the way to see one. Yes, its nice inside and out but not something that makes me smile. the look of it is very german and leaves me feeling cold when I first saw a Phantom. The nature of it's drivers drive it like BMWs on the motorway in the third lane. An old RR would be a majestic sight to see. An Alfa Romeo 8C is a thing of beauty. Could I call a Rolls Royce Phantom beautiful, I can call it smart but not beautiful or majestic.
Dignified?
Well, I suppose it must look dignified to some since more than one person has described it that way. To me, it looks very large, and on the road the current model is certainly imposing. But imposing is a verydifferent thing from dignified, and I don't think this minor re-style moves it even remotely towards becoming a truly dignified vehicle. But I do appreciate how subjective these things are. But a Rolls-Royce ought, in my opinion, not to have any suggestion of the vulgar or brash about it, and in my view, this model fails that first test, and therefore fails to be dignified.
Pierre wrote:
For me the Ghost is one of the very few good-looking cars in production. The Phantom faces the challenge of making a bigger Ghost, not essentially a different one. Admittedly the result is less satisfactory but it is still recognizably a bigger Ghost with similar design objectives and simple confident detailing.
I would describe Phantom & Ghost as different of degree, not different in kind. Neither is vulgar (as long as you don't choose the colour scheme as shown above!)
The Rolls Royce Clarence?
Looks a little cross-eyed to me.
I would still love one.