Rolls-Royce Phantom to keep halo role

The upcoming Rolls-Royce 'Cullinan' SUV is unlikely to overtake the Rolls-Royce Phantom as the halo car in the luxury marque’s range when it’s launched in around 2018, according to sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson.

“In my opinion, the halo will remain as the Phantom, because history has always pointed at large sedans as the most desirable cars,” said Robertson. “We live in a changing world, of course, and this may be the shifting point, but I expect the traditional Rolls-Royce order to remain.” Robertson remained tight-lipped on whether the next-generation Phantom limo or the SUV, which has yet to have its name confirmed, will arrive first. Both will sit on an all-new architecture that will underpin all future Rolls-Royces.

Bentley revealed in March that customers had placed 10,000 pre-orders for the Bentley Bentayga, deliveries of which are due to begin this month. The SUV is set to be the Crewe car maker's best-selling model.