In partnership with

Cut Through Noise with The Flyover!

The Flyover offers a refreshing alternative to traditional news.

We deliver quick-to-read, informative content across sports, business, tech, science, and more that cuts through the noise of mainstream media.

The Flyover's talented team of editors meticulously collects the day's most important news, ensuring you stay informed on top stories and equipped to win your day.

Join over 3 million savvy readers and leaders who trust The Flyover to provide unbiased insights, sourced from hundreds of outlets.

CAR OF THE WEEK:

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Intro

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has an unmistakable energy. It feels like it has always belonged to a certain world.

When I picture this car, I picture the English countryside.

A long gravel driveway leading to a stone manor. A convoy of Range Rovers followed by a Phantom. Quiet confidence. Family. Business handled over lunch instead of in a boardroom. A man who built his fortune one decision at a time and has finally reached the point where he doesn't need anyone else's approval. First-generation wealth, learning the quiet traditions of old money.

You can probably see it too. The Phantom parked outside the manor. The rear door opening. The kind of man who steps out with a leather portfolio under one arm and a phone in his hand. Always busy, always working. Maybe it's the car. Maybe it's the person who owns it. Either way, the entire picture represents quiet confidence, discipline, and intelligence. It sort of reminds me of The Gentlemen with Theo James.

That's the energy of the Phantom.

It is impressive all on its own.

The Rolls Royce Phantom
History Of The Rolls Royce Phantom

The Rolls Royce Phantom

Let's be clear about one thing.

The Phantom looks just as good outside a private airport terminal, a mansion in Los Angeles, or cruising through the streets of Dubai.

That's because it was built to be the standard every other luxury sedan would be measured against.

The story began in 1925 with the first-generation Phantom. It replaced the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and immediately became the flagship model. While everyone else was chasing speed, Rolls-Royce focused on something different. They wanted you to barely feel the road beneath you. Quiet. Smooth. Effortless.

Over the next hundred years, the Phantom became the car of choice for royalty, world leaders, business icons, and celebrities. Every new generation became quieter, smoother, and more advanced than the one before. No matter how much the Phantom evolved, the goal was always to build the world's best luxury sedan.

Today's eighth-generation Phantom, introduced in 2017, continues that tradition. It is built on a lightweight aluminum chassis designed exclusively for Rolls-Royce, giving the car a stronger foundation and an incredibly smooth ride.

Very few cars become timeless. There are plenty of luxury sedans. There is only one Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Design & Performance

The Rolls Royce Phantom Ft. Coach Doors

Before getting into the details, there are a few Rolls-Royce terms worth knowing.

Upright stance: A tall, formal design that makes the Phantom look powerful and important instead of low and aggressive like a sports car.

Spirit of Ecstasy: The small silver hood ornament found on every Rolls-Royce. Introduced in 1911, it represents elegance, beauty, and the spirit of the brand. Today, it is one of the most recognizable symbols in the automotive world.

Coach doors: Rear-hinged doors that open from the back instead of the front. Rolls-Royce chose this design because it makes entering the rear seats feel more like stepping into a private lounge.

Starlight Headliner: A custom ceiling option that uses hundreds of tiny fiber-optic lights to create the appearance of a night sky inside the cabin.

Now that we got that out of the way, you understand why the Phantom is unlike anything else on the road.

At nearly 19 feet long, the Phantom is much larger than the average sedan, which is around 15 feet long. That extra size gives it the long hood, massive grille, and unmistakable presence it is known for. Every part of the design is meant to feel important, from the Spirit of Ecstasy sitting above the grille to the coach doors that make entering the rear seats feel like an event.

Inside, Rolls-Royce turns the cabin into a personalized luxury space. Owners can choose from countless combinations of leather, wood, and custom materials, making almost every Phantom unique.

But don't mistake the Phantom for a car built only around luxury. Beneath all of the style is serious engineering.

The Phantom is powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 producing 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

The Phantom weighs around 5,600 pounds, which makes its performance even more impressive. Press the accelerator and the Phantom moves surprisingly quickly for a car of its size. The V12 provides smooth, quiet acceleration, while the suspension system works to make the road beneath you almost disappear.

Cameras scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension before the car reaches bumps or imperfections, keeping the ride as smooth as possible. Everything about the Phantom is designed around the idea of making every journey feel effortless.

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Ownership, Value & Demand

The Rolls Royce Phantom

Owning a Rolls-Royce Phantom is about owning something that delivers an experience nothing else can match. For buyers with the budget, this cars one-of-one ownership experience and nearly endless options set it apart from almost every other luxury car.

A new Phantom starts around $500,000 before customization. Once owners begin adding personal options, that number can quickly climb much higher. Rolls-Royce offers nearly endless customization, allowing buyers to choose unique materials, colors, and details that make each Phantom feel like it was built specifically for them.

Rolls-Royce keeps production limited, which helps maintain exclusivity.

Like most luxury cars, the Phantom does depreciate after leaving the dealership. However, well-kept examples remain desirable because there will always be buyers searching for one of the most unique luxury experiences in the world.

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Cultural Presence

The Rolls Royce Phantom Custom Interior

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has spent decades as the car of choice for people at the very top. It has carried royalty, heads of state, business leaders, musicians, athletes, and celebrities from nearly every generation.

The Phantom has also made countless appearances in film and television, often used to establish wealth, influence, or power before a character even says a word. It has appeared in productions like The Gentlemen, Succession, The Dark Knight, and Johnny English, where the car helps reinforce the status of the people who own it.

Outside of Hollywood, the Phantom has become a staple in the collections of well-known figures including Jay-Z, David Beckham, Simon Cowell, and the British Royal Family.

For more than a century, the Phantom has occupied a very small corner of the automotive world, yet become one of its most universally recognized symbols of success.

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Car score

The Rolls Royce Phantom Custom Interior

Note: These scores reflect the Rolls-Royce Phantom as the world's flagship luxury sedan, not as a performance-focused car.

Performance: V12 power designed for support and refinement, not outright speed.

Acceleration: Relatively quick for a luxury sedan weighing around 5,600 pounds.

Design / Aesthetics: One of the most elegant and instantly recognizable automotive designs ever created.

Engineering Innovation: Advanced technology and world-class design working together to create something special.

Steering / Driving Feel: Exceptionally smooth, quiet, and comfortable in almost every driving situation.

Exclusivity: Limited production and nearly endless Bespoke customization make every Phantom feel special.

Daily Usability: Large in size, but surprisingly easy and comfortable to live with for its purpose.

Scores

Performance — 8.8/10

Acceleration — 8.2/10

Design / Aesthetics — 10/10

Engineering Innovation — 9.8/10

Steering / Driving Feel — 9.7/10

Exclusivity — 10/10

Daily Usability — 8.9/10

Overall Score — 64.4/70

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Estimated Global Ownership Markets

Estimated Global Ownership Markets

Market

Estimated Units Sold

Special Notes

United States

4,000+

The largest market for the Phantom, driven by collectors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth buyers.

China

2,500+

One of Rolls-Royce's most important markets with strong luxury demand. (places like Shanghai)

Middle East

1,500+

Known for high demand for ultra-luxury vehicles and custom specifications.

United Kingdom

1,000+

The birthplace of Rolls-Royce with a strong connection to heritage.

Europe

1,500+

A major market for luxury collectors and executives.

Asia-Pacific

1,000+

Growing demand from wealthy buyers across developing luxury markets.

Total estimated units sold across these markets:

Phantom I–VI (1925–1990): ~4,000 units combined

Phantom VII (2003–2017): 10,327 units

Phantom VIII (2017–present): estimated 3,000–5,000 units

The Rolls Royce Phantom
Final Thoughts

The Rolls Royce Phantom Spirit Of Ecstasy Retractable Ornament (By Charles Sykes in 1911)

There is a difference between having money and having taste.

The Phantom is for the person who understands that distinction. If you are only trying to show the world what you have, you've missed the point. The real achievement is reaching a place where you have options and your choices reflect the person you have become.

The best things in life are often built through patience, discipline, and delayed gratification. The Phantom feels less like a purchase and more like a milestone, a reminder of the years spent becoming the person you always wanted to be.

That is why the Phantom has remained timeless for more than a century. There is a maturity to this brand that is understood by the people who appreciate it.

The Rolls Royce Phantom Spirit Of Ecstasy

If you want to own a car like this someday, I’m rooting for you!

-The FastLaneFleet Newsletter

Keep Reading