Thu, Feb 9, 2017


Motoring
End of an era as final Phantom VII sets sail


The final seventh-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom, sporting a bespoke nautical theme, has rolled off the assembly line in Goodwood, UK.

“As Phantom VII gracefully leaves the stage, having defined the first chapter in the renaissance of Rolls-Royce, we look forward to building on its remarkable success with the imminent arrival of its successor,” said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “A bold, new statement built on an all-new architecture promises to light the future of the world’s most celebrated name in luxury.”

The current generation of the Phantom debuted 13 years ago, but the nameplate has been around for more than 90 years, from the creation of ‘New Phantom’ in 1925.

The final Phantom VII, a beautifully appointed extended wheelbase limousine, was commissioned by renowned Rolls-Royce collector, and created to celebrate the golden age of travel that Phantom defined.

This nautical themed car illustrates the extraordinary attention-to-detail and deftness of touch that has defined the first chapter at the marque’s home in Goodwood.

The art of marquetry depicts a stylised 1930s ocean liner, reflecting the patron’s fascination with the design and iconography of this grand era. The nautical theme continues with the application of tone-on-tone embroidery evoking the movement of the sea, exquisitely applied to the interior’s Powder Blue leather.

In true Phantom style, every possible detail has been considered. The clocks, featured in both the front cabin and the partition wall have been designed to echo the style of the radio clocks that adorned grand ocean liners. The bezel, expressing 24 time zones, sits proud of the main clock, and reminiscent of HG Well’s time machine, allows the owner to rotate it in either direction depending on where they find themselves in the world.

The maritime theme even extends to Phantom’s indulgent lambswool carpets which feature a hand-cut wake effect elegantly created by the marque’s master craftspeople – perhaps a nod to the fact that this final Phantom has passed, leaving the world in its own wake.

The exterior is finished in a stunning Blue Velvet, completed with a twin coachline with ocean liner motif to the shoulder, and offset beautifully by pinstripe tyres and a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy. This carefully tended hand-crafted scheme completes a stunning final expression for the last Phantom of its kind.

The completion of this very final motor car, and the decommissioning of the Phantom production line after 13 years, sets the stage for the introduction of Phantom VIII, underpinned by an all-new aluminium architecture of luxury.

Like its predecessor it will advance the standards set by its illustrious forbears, says Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, adding that its arrival will herald the beginning of yet another great chapter in the history of the world’s most compelling and celebrated name in luxury.





© Al Hilal Group all rights reserved. Designed & Developed by North Star.