Ross Royce Phantom 2018 review

 We can’t  imagine the automobile world without Rolls-Royce. For over a century, it has been the unapologetic automotive signifier of wealth, success, celebrity and status. And while the company has experienced as many ups and downs as any other manufacturer -- if not a few more -- The Spirit of Ecstasy has remained a shining beacon of luxury.

But even within Rolls-Royce, there is a hierarchy, and firmly at the top for over 90 years, the Phantom has earned adoration the world over as simply the best car money can buy.

Now it is time for the current Phantom to make way for Goodwood's finest new endeavor, the Phantom VIII.

The styling on the 2018 Phantom is imposing, to say the least. The front has a new monolithic appearance that immediately sets it apart from its predecessor without throwing away its lineage. No one could ever accuse a Phantom of looking subtle, but the front end on the new generation uses a modern look to create a face that's hard to miss. The Pantheon grille is larger than ever, but it fits more naturally into the surrounding bodywork. It also sits higher on the car, lifting the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament up higher still. It may not be initially to everyone's taste, but the sheer modernity of this design should make it feel fresh for years to come.

The Phantom's profile is a more minimal, reductionist affair that gives it a more understated feel than the front. The lines that pull from the front all the way to the rear do a great job of disguising the mass and breaking up the body panels just enough to keep it from appearing bulky. It may be the size of a boat, but small additions to the profile prevent it from looking like a building on wheels.

The front wheel arches lack the slight flaring of its predecessor and the rear haunch feels much more substantial and aggressive. The roof line has been simplified, too, making the lines of the car from front to back feel like one long continuation of a single idea. All in all, the cleanliness of the design makes the Phantom VII look fussy by comparison.

It's fair to say that the new exterior styling won't be to everyone's taste, but it's great to see Rolls-Royce making strides to take a modern approach to design.

Source: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/2018-rolls-royce-phantom/preview/