The grandest Rolls-Royce – perhaps the grandest new car, period – is getting an update.
Rolls-Royce has revealed its Phantom Series II, an updated version of its flagship sedan launched in 2017, which features a range of aesthetic tweaks and new materials.
The company says the timeframe of the Phantom Series II’s arrival in Australia is to be confirmed.
An illuminated Pantheon Grille, like that of the smaller Ghost, is now standard on the Phantom.
Blink and you’ll miss it, but there’s also a new polished horizontal line across the top of the grille, aligning with the daytime running lights.
Rolls-Royce also says it has made a “subtle geometric change” to the grille to make both the Rolls-Royce badge and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot more prominent.
The headlights also feature laser-cut bezel starlights, resembling the Starlight Headliner found inside the cabin.
In short, the Phantom’s front end tweaks are most noticeable at night time.
There’s a range of new wheels, including a 3D milled stainless steel wheel with triangular facets, available with either fully or partially-polished finishes.
Rolls-Royce is also offering a disc wheel, “recalling the romance of 1920s Rolls-Royce motor cars”. It’s available in either polished stainless steel or black lacquer.
There’s no Black Badge Phantom yet, but Rolls-Royce will allow you to commission a darkened chrome grille surround and black bonnet reins, windscreen surround and side frame finishers.
Inside, changes are limited to a thicker steering wheel.
Coinciding with the Series II update is a new Bespoke model called the Phantom Platino, named for the finish of platinum.
While leather remains on the front seats, those in the rear are upholstered in fabric.
There are two different fabrics used in the cabin: one created in an Italian mill, chosen for its “durable yet luxurious appearance”, the other derived from bamboo fibres and featuring a lustrous finish.
The repeating pattern found on both fabrics is said to be based on an abstract interpretation of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
One of the fabrics features a smaller, woven version of the design, while the bamboo fabric has larger icons and more of a tufted look. You’ll also find the design on the 3D-printed ceramic surround for the analogue clock on the dashboard.
Rolls-Royce has used fabric liberally in the cabin, including on touch points like the armrest and centre console.
It’s the latest Rolls-Royce to feature a fabric interior following the 2015 Phantom Serenity with its hand-painted, hand-embroidered silk interior.
Rolls-Royce is also debuting its new Rolls-Royce Connected system with the Phantom Series II.
This allows owners to send an address to the car’s navigation system via the Whispers smartphone app, which will also display the vehicle’s location, security status, and other details.
There are no mechanical changes to the Phantom Series II, which continues to use a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine with 420kW of power and 900Nm of torque.
The Series II continues to offer both standard and extended-length body styles.
“The subtle changes we have made for the new Phantom Series II have all been minutely considered and meticulously executed,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös
“As Sir Henry Royce himself said: ‘Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing’.”
