现行版莱斯莱斯幻影是在04年上市的，历经10年一直没有进行全面更新，面对奔驰即将发布的S级迈巴赫和Pullman车型，劳斯莱斯也开始研发新一代幻影。最近车厂开始对新车进行道路测试,它将作为2018款车型于2017年发布。谍照记者在德国宝马技术中心附近拍到了这辆测试车，它采用了多项与现行版不同的外装。更重要的是在它的外表下面隐藏着全新的内部结构，不过由于距离发布时间还有好几年，因此该车只是早期测试版本。在前保险杠两侧可以看到两个新的进气口，这表明新车动力系统获得升级，而车尾临时安装的四出式排气尾管进一步证实了这个猜测，这四个排气管从后保险杠向外多延伸了几厘米。而车辆的行驶高度也比现行版更低。从照片看，新车预计仍将采用劳斯莱斯传统设计风格，不过它采用了多项从未在任何一辆劳斯莱斯车型上运用的新技术，新车不仅将提供碳纤维和铝制底盘，甚至将推出插电混动版本。新车将利用改进后的宝马后驱平台，而宝马新一代7系也将采用该平台。不过，也有传闻说，劳斯莱斯会为新一代幻影提供自己开发的平台，在它的两端分别采用中置碳纤维管和铝制副车架。轻量化材料的使用不仅有助于降低车重，也可以抵消掉插电混动系统所带来的重量增加。莱斯莱斯已经彻底排除了纯电动车，而插电混动版在尾气排放限制比较严格的城市将受到欢迎。除了插电版外，标准版仍将提供V12引擎。
2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom Spy Shots
It appears engineers have started the first public road trials of a test mule for the next-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom, which we’re expecting to be launched on the market during 2017, as a 2018 model. This test mule was spotted outside a BMW technical center in Germany and is wearing a few distinguishing features that give away its identity. A test mule hides a new car's mechanicals beneath the body of a current vehicle and is used at the earliest stages of development.
At the front of the vehicle are two new intakes, which suggest a new or upgraded powerplant. This is backed up by the makeshift exhaust system fitted to the car, whose exit pipes extend a couple of centimeters out from the rear bumper. The ride height is also somewhat lower than usual.
The current Phantom has been on the market since the 2004 model year, making it long overdue for a replacement. This is especially true now that Mercedes-Benz plans to encroach on the ultra-luxury segment with its upcoming S-Class Maybach and Pullman models.
The new Phantom is expected to continue with Rolls-Royce's familiar design language, while offering technology not yet seen on any production Rolls-Royce—including an optional plug-in hybrid drivetrain and the potential for a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis. Some reports have suggested the new Phantom will ride on a modified version of BMW Group’s new rear-wheel-drive platform debuting in the 2016 BMW 7-Series. However, we’ve also heard that Rolls-Royce may get its own platform for the new Phantom combining a central carbon tub with aluminum subframes at either end.
Lightweight carbon fiber construction would help offset the weight of the plug-in hybrid model, which will feature a large battery. Rolls-Royce has ruled out a purely electric model, following feedback on its Phantom 102EX concept, but a plug-in hybrid option could prove popular for buyers in emission-restricted cities. It would also technologically rival Bentley's upcoming hybrid vehicles. In addition to the plug-in model, a traditional V-12-powered version should remain.