Rolls-Royce
The Best Car in the World: A Benchmark of Uncompromising Luxury and Silence
Introduction
Rolls-Royce’s story is the ultimate narrative of automotive perfection. The partnership between engineer Henry Royce and entrepreneur Charles Rolls had a simple, lofty goal: to create ‘the best car in the world.’ From the beginning, Rolls-Royce cars were not defined by flamboyant power or speed, but by peerless engineering, whisper-quiet operation, and an almost supernatural smoothness. A Rolls-Royce is a moving sanctuary, a symbol of ultimate achievement where every detail is executed to an impeccable standard, making it the undisputed standard-bearer of luxury for over a century.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1904 (Partnership of Rolls & Royce) |
| Founders | Charles Rolls & Henry Royce |
| HeadQuarters | Goodwood, West Sussex, UK |
| First Car | Rolls-Royce 10 hp (1904) |
| Founding Motto | “Take the best that exists and make it better” |
| Parent Company | BMW AG |
Iconic Rolls-Royce Engines
- Silver Ghost 7.0L I6 (1907-1925): The engine that built the legend. A incredibly smooth and silent inline-six that earned the car the nickname “The Best Car in the World.”
- Phantom I / II / III I6 & V12 (1925-1939): The classic-era powerplants. Large, smooth, and powerful engines that powered the interwar Phantoms, with the Phantom III featuring a V12.
- L-Series V8 (1959-2023): The workhorse of luxury. An aluminum 6.2L and later 6.75L V8 used for over 60 years in the Silver Cloud, Shadow, and every Phantom until the VII.
- BMW N73/N74 V12 (2003-Present): The modern masterpiece. A 6.75L twin-turbo V12 developed by BMW, providing immense, silent power for the modern Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan.
Legendary Rolls-Royce Models
- Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (1907-1926): The car that earned the title. Renowned for its incredible refinement and reliability, it established the brand’s “Best Car in the World” reputation.
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I-III (1925-1939): The pre-war classics. The ultimate chassis for the world’s finest coachbuilders to create breathtaking bodies upon.
- Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966): The post-war icon. A symbol of 1950s and 60s elegance, often bodied by Mulliner Park Ward and James Young.
- Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (1965-1980): The modern revolution. The first Rolls-Royce with a monocoque chassis and self-leveling suspension, becoming the best-selling model in the company’s history.
- Rolls-Royce Corniche (1971-1995): The ultimate convertible. A luxurious two-door convertible and coupe based on the Silver Shadow, defining open-top luxury for decades.
- Rolls-Royce Phantom VII (2003-2017): The modern revival. The first Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership, it successfully recaptured the brand’s majesty and set a new global standard for luxury.
- Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013-2023): The most powerful Rolls-Royce. A grand tourer and the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever at its launch, offering a more dynamic driving experience.
The Pursuit of Silence
The core of the Rolls-Royce experience is not horsepower or speed; it is silence. Henry Royce famously said, ‘Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.’ This pursuit of ‘waftability’—the sensation of effortless, silent, and serene progress—is what truly defines the brand. From the double-wishbone suspension on the Silver Ghost to the mass-damped Spirit of Ecstasy figurine on the latest Phantom, every engineering decision for over a century has been made in the name of quelling noise, vibration, and harshness to create a moving sensory sanctuary.