Exotic · 3 models
The pinnacle of British luxury. Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Cullinan, and Spectre carry the most refined, most quiet, most coachbuilt-feeling production cars in the world.
ExoticRolls-Royce is the most refined luxury brand in the global automotive industry. Founded in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, the company built its reputation on the original Silver Ghost, which Autocar magazine famously called "the best car in the world" in 1907. The brand has spent the subsequent 120 years defending that reputation with progressively more refined and more bespoke vehicles. The modern Rolls-Royce was relaunched by BMW Group in 2003 with the Phantom VII. BMW had acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce name (while Volkswagen got the Bentley name) in the 1998 split. The 2003 Phantom established the modern era: 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12 (later twin-turbo V12 in subsequent generations), aluminum spaceframe chassis, hand-built interior with bespoke options for nearly any specification. The current lineup includes the Phantom (the flagship sedan, now in 8th generation), the Ghost (the sport sedan, smaller and slightly more accessible), the Wraith (a fastback coupe, recently discontinued), the Dawn (a Wraith-based convertible, recently discontinued), the Cullinan (the brand SUV, launched in 2018 and an immediate sales success), and the Spectre (the brand first electric vehicle, launched in 2023). Bespoke is the brand defining trait. Rolls-Royce will build essentially any specification a buyer requests. Examples include Phantoms with starlit headliners (LED stars in the headliner), Cullinans with hidden champagne refrigerators, and one-of-one coachbuild cars like the Boat Tail (less than five built). The Mulliner-equivalent at Rolls-Royce is called Bespoke Collective. On WhipJury, Rolls-Royce submissions are rare but always carry significant weight in voting. Wraith and Ghost examples are the most common. Phantom submissions are rarer. Classic Silver Cloud and Silver Shadow cars in restored or modified form (especially American chrome-and-vinyl modifications) appear occasionally and reliably do well.
The Phantom is the brand flagship and traditionally the most expensive non-coachbuild Rolls-Royce. Phantom VII (2003-2017) used a 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12. Phantom VIII (2017-present) uses a 6.75 liter twin-turbo V12 making 563 horsepower. Hand-built interior, around 18 to 19 feet long, suspension tuned for absolute refinement (the goal is that occupants do not feel road imperfections at all). The Extended Wheelbase variant adds approximately 10 inches of rear legroom.
The Cullinan launched in 2018 as Rolls-Royce first SUV. Initial reaction was mixed: traditionalists felt the brand should not produce an SUV, while pragmatists noted it was an inevitable response to the Bentley Bentayga. Sales have been strong. The Cullinan uses the same Architecture of Luxury aluminum spaceframe as the Phantom and Ghost. The Cullinan Black Badge is the more performance-focused variant.
Modern Rolls-Royce submissions are rare but always do well in voting. Wraith and Ghost are the most accessible used examples. Cullinan submissions have been increasing. Classic Silver Shadow and earlier cars in restored form represent the older Rolls-Royce era. The brand commands respect on the platform regardless of generation.