For a hundred years, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the most luxurious car in the world, a sign of elegance, power, and custom craftsmanship. The Phantom nameplate has been a symbol of excellence since it first came out in 1925. It has changed over eight generations to stay the ultimate symbol of prestige and individuality. In 2025, Rolls-Royce will celebrate the Phantom’s 100th birthday. The famous model is still the standard for aspiration, with its timeless design and unmatched refinement.
A History of Greatness
The story of the Phantom started in 1925 with the “New Phantom,” which came after the famous Silver Ghost, which made Rolls-Royce the “best car in the world.” The Phantom was made to reflect the needs of the world’s elite, from royalty to celebrities to global influencers. It got its name from its ethereal poise and quietness. Over the years, it has been a part of many important events in history, from state ceremonies to cultural milestones. This has solidified its status as an icon of icons.
Every new version of the Phantom has pushed the limits of design and engineering. The model has changed over time, from the hand-built, coachbuilt limousines of the early 20th century to the high-tech Phantom VIII of today. However, the core ideas of effortless luxury and commanding presence have stayed the same.
Craftsmanship and design
The Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, the famous Parthenon grille, and the sleek LED headlights all make the Rolls-Royce Phantom instantly recognizable. The Phantom VIII came out in 2017 and was updated with the Series II in 2022. It has a mix of classic and modern styles. The short front overhang, long bonnet, and flowing rear tail give it a look of power, while the built-in grille and lit pantheon give it a modern touch.
The inside of the Phantom is a work of art that is one of a kind. The back cabin, especially in the Extended Wheelbase (EWB) model, is a peaceful place to be. It has limousine-like legroom, power-adjustable seats with massage functions, and a “Starlight Headliner” with more than 1,500 fiber-optic lights that look like a night sky. The Gallery is a glass enclosure that runs across the dashboard. Owners can hire artists to make custom works of art that turn the inside into a personal gallery.
With Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke program, you can make changes to any Phantom. Clients can choose from 44,000 paint colors, choose their own leather colors, or work with artisans to make one-of-a-kind works of art like the Phantom Goldfinger, which is based on the 1964 James Bond movie, or the Phantom Syntopia, which was made with fashion house Iris van Herpen.
Engineering and Performance
The Phantom VIII has a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that makes 563 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque at just 1,700 rpm. With an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. But its real strength is in how smoothly and easily it glides.
The Phantom’s “Magic Carpet Ride” is made possible by a complex suspension system that includes self-leveling air springs, adaptive dampers, and active anti-roll bars. A stereo camera scans the road ahead and makes adjustments in real time to account for any bumps or dips. AutoTrader UK says that the result is a driving experience so smooth that it feels like “floating a hair’s breadth above the road.”
The car’s aluminum spaceframe, which is part of Rolls-Royce’s modular “Architecture of Luxury” platform, makes it more rigid and soundproof. The cabin is so quiet that it sounds like a library. Four-wheel steering and Continental tires with sound-absorbing material are just two of the features that make the experience even better by balancing agility with unmatched comfort.
Cultural Effects and 100th Anniversary Parties
The Phantom’s legacy is a part of culture all over the world. The model has been the setting for famous moments in music, movies, and politics, from John Lennon’s psychedelic Phantom V to the Phantom III in the James Bond movie Goldfinger. Its ties to royalty, like Queen Elizabeth II’s Phantom IV, and famous people from history, like Field Marshal Montgomery, show how powerful and influential it is.
Rolls-Royce will celebrate the Phantom’s 100th anniversary in 2025 with special events, such as putting a centenary chassis plaque on every Phantom made this year. The brand has also made eight original works of art that honor the cultural impact of each generation, from the aristocratic style of the 1920s to the modern custom pieces inspired by haute couture and global heritage. The Phantom Scintilla, which honors the Spirit of Ecstasy, and the Phantom Cherry Blossom, which is based on Japanese Sakura blooms, are two special editions that show how the model can be changed to fit different ideas.
The Most Luxurious Statement
The Phantom is more than just a car; it’s a sign of success. In India, it costs at least Rs. 9.50 crore (about $1.1 million USD). The Bentley Flying Spur and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, its closest competitors, don’t even come close to its size and one-of-a-kind luxury. As Top Gear put it, the Phantom is “the Rolls-Royce of Rolls-Royces,” meaning it sets the standard for luxury goods all over the world.
The Phantom is the best way to show off your wealth, taste, and individuality, whether you’re gliding through city streets or making a big entrance. It still inspires greatness after a hundred years, showing that real luxury never goes out of style.
