Rolls-Royce Phantom: Which Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a Rolls-Royce Phantom from this catalogue depends less on the version badge—all listed powertrains are rear-wheel drive—and more on the generation. The decisive differences are the progression from early manual, carbureted cars to Automatic models, then to the naturally aspirated 6.8 AT Phantom VII and the turbocharged 6.8 AT Phantom VIII.
Choosing a Rolls-Royce Phantom from this catalogue depends less on the version badge—all listed powertrains are rear-wheel drive—and more on the generation. The decisive differences are the progression from early manual, carbureted cars to Automatic models, then to the naturally aspirated 6.8 AT Phantom VII and the turbocharged 6.8 AT Phantom VIII. The current eighth-generation restyling offers 571 hp, 900 Nm and 0–100 km/h in 5.3–5.4 seconds. The seventh generation has 460 hp and 720 Nm, while earlier cars range from 50 to 200 hp. No price or sale data is provided, so this comparison cannot determine what the extra purchase price buys; it can show exactly what each specification adds.
Rolls-Royce Phantom generations compared
The first generation, produced from 1925 to 1931, is represented by one Sedan version, the 7.7 MT. Its 7,668 cc Gasoline inline 6 produces 50 hp and drives the rear wheels through a 3-speed Manual gearbox. It is the choice for the earliest mechanical specification in the catalogue, not for measured performance: acceleration and top speed are not measured.
The second generation ran from 1929 to 1936 and also has one Sedan version named 7.7 MT. It retains the 7,668 cc Gasoline inline 6 but raises output to 122 hp at 3,000 rpm and uses a 4-speed Manual gearbox. Against the first-generation 7.7 MT, that is 72 hp more, or an increase from about 6.5 to 15.9 hp per litre.
The third generation, produced from 1936 to 1939, contains one Sedan version, the 7.3 MT. Its 7,338 cc Gasoline V-shaped 12 makes 165 hp and works with a 4-speed Manual gearbox. At approximately 22.5 hp per litre, it has a higher specific output than either earlier 7.7 MT. Acceleration and maximum speed remain not measured.
The fourth-generation Sedan was produced from 1950 to 1956 with two versions: 5.7 MT and 5.7 AT. Both use a 5,675 cc Gasoline inline 8 rated at 145 hp, giving approximately 25.6 hp per litre. Their important difference is transmission choice: the 5.7 MT has a 4-speed Manual, whereas the 5.7 AT has a 4-speed Automatic. Other recorded engine and chassis specifications are the same.
The fifth generation ran from 1959 to 1968 and provides one Sedan version, the 6.2 AT. Its 6,203 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8 produces 182 hp, or approximately 29.3 hp per litre, through a 4-speed Automatic gearbox. This version reaches 163 km/h, has a 2,591 kg kerb weight and offers 184 mm of ground clearance.
The sixth-generation Sedan covers 1968 to 1990 and has two Automatic versions. The 6.2 AT uses a 6,230 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8 with 182 hp and 460 Nm, while the 6.8 AT uses a 6,750 cc Gasoline V-shaped 8 with 200 hp and the same 460 Nm. The 6.8 AT adds 18 hp and 520 cc, raising maximum speed from 163 to 180 km/h. Both have a 2,123 kg kerb weight, so their weight-to-power ratios are approximately 11.7 kg/hp and 10.6 kg/hp respectively.
The seventh-generation Coupe was offered from 2003 to 2012 with five database entries, all named 6.8 AT. Every entry has a 6,749 cc Gasoline V-shaped 12 producing 460 hp and 720 Nm, a 6-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Entries differ in fuel system, tank capacity, kerb weight, clearance and measured performance. The 2012–2016 restyling remains part of the seventh generation and adds four more 6.8 AT entries with the same core 460 hp and 720 Nm specification. Depending on the entry, the restyled car reaches 240–250 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8–6.1 seconds.
The eighth-generation Sedan Long was offered from 2017 to 2022 with two entries named 6.8 AT. Both have a turbocharged 6,749 cc Gasoline V-shaped 12, 571 hp, 900 Nm, an 8-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. The 2022 restyling remains within the eighth generation and retains two 6.8 AT entries with the same main specification. Across these entries, 0–100 km/h takes 5.3–5.4 seconds and maximum speed is 250 km/h.
Rolls-Royce Phantom engine specs
Because several entries share the exact name 6.8 AT, the table identifies them by generation, power and relevant specification differences.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 7.7 MT | 50 hp | not measured | 7,668 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 7.7 MT | 122 hp | not measured | 7,668 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 7.3 MT | 165 hp | not measured | 7,338 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 5.7 MT | 145 hp | not measured | 5,675 cc | Gasoline | 8, Inline | No | 4-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 5.7 AT | 145 hp | not measured | 5,675 cc | Gasoline | 8, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth generation 6.2 AT | 182 hp | not measured | 6,203 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth generation 6.2 AT | 182 hp | 460 Nm | 6,230 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth generation 6.8 AT | 200 hp | 460 Nm | 6,750 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Seventh generation 6.8 AT, all entries | 460 hp | 720 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Seventh-generation restyling 6.8 AT, all entries | 460 hp | 720 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Eighth generation 6.8 AT, all entries | 571 hp | 900 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Eighth-generation restyling 6.8 AT, all entries | 571 hp | 900 Nm | 6,749 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
The main engine comparison is between Phantom VII and Phantom VIII. With the same recorded 6,749 cc displacement, the eighth-generation 6.8 AT adds 111 hp and 180 Nm. Specific output rises from approximately 68.2 hp per litre to 84.6 hp per litre, while peak torque arrives at 1,700 rpm instead of 3,500 rpm. The data lists no V16 Phantom engine.
Performance and fuel economy
The strongest measured performance belongs to the eighth-generation 6.8 AT entries. They reach 250 km/h and complete 0–100 km/h in either 5.3 or 5.4 seconds. Their recorded consumption is 19.6 L/100 km in the city, 11.7 L/100 km on the highway and 16.8 L/100 km combined.
The seventh-generation 6.8 AT entries produce 460 hp. Pre-restyling acceleration is 5.8–5.9 seconds, maximum speed is 240–250 km/h, and combined consumption is 15.7–15.9 L/100 km. The restyled entries record 5.8–6.1 seconds, 240–250 km/h and 14.8–14.9 L/100 km combined. Thus, the quickest eighth-generation entry is 0.5 seconds faster to 100 km/h than the quickest seventh-generation entry, but its combined figure is 0.9 L/100 km higher than the highest pre-restyling seventh-generation figure.
The sixth-generation 6.2 AT reaches 163 km/h, while the 6.8 AT reaches 180 km/h. Acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured for either. The fifth-generation 6.2 AT also reaches 163 km/h, but acceleration and consumption are not measured. Acceleration, maximum speed and consumption are not measured for the first-, second-, third- and fourth-generation versions.
Rolls-Royce Phantom weight, dimensions and chassis specs
Overall length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data, so Phantom length in feet or metres and complete exterior dimensions cannot be stated. The available size-related specifications are weight, clearance, fuel-tank capacity and, for some Phantom VII entries, wheel sizes.
| Generation and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 7.7 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 7.7 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 7.3 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Fourth generation 5.7 MT / 5.7 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | 104 L | not measured |
| Fifth generation 6.2 AT | 2,591 kg | not measured | 184 mm | 104 L | not measured |
| Sixth generation 6.2 AT / 6.8 AT | 2,123 kg | not measured | 221 mm | 150 L | not measured |
| Seventh generation 6.8 AT | 2,480–2,620 kg | 3,030–3,050 kg | 135–140 mm | 80–100 L | not measured or 255/50 R21 front and 285/45 R21 rear |
| Seventh-generation restyling 6.8 AT | 2,560–2,670 kg | 3,050–3,170 kg | 140 mm | 80–100 L | 255/50 R21 front and 285/45 R21 rear |
| Eighth generation 6.8 AT | 2,610–2,625 kg | not measured | not measured or 180 mm | 108 L | not measured |
| Eighth-generation restyling 6.8 AT | 2,610 kg | not measured | not measured | 108 L | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the sixth-generation 6.8 AT is the lightest at 2,123 kg. The lightest seventh-generation 6.8 AT is 2,480 kg, while the eighth-generation and restyled eighth-generation entries are 2,610–2,625 kg. The quickest eighth-generation entry therefore carries about 4.6 kg per horsepower; the 2,480 kg seventh-generation 6.8 AT carries about 5.4 kg per horsepower.
Which Rolls-Royce Phantom version should you choose?
Choose the eighth-generation or restyled eighth-generation 6.8 AT if power and acceleration matter most. Its 571 hp and 900 Nm exceed the seventh-generation 6.8 AT by 111 hp and 180 Nm, and its best 5.3-second run to 100 km/h improves on the seventh generation’s best 5.8-second result by 0.5 seconds. The 8-speed Automatic also has two more ratios than the Phantom VII’s 6-speed Automatic.
Choose a seventh-generation 6.8 AT if you prefer the Coupe body and want lower recorded combined consumption. The most economical listed Phantom VII entry records 14.8 L/100 km combined, which is 2.0 L/100 km below the Phantom VIII’s 16.8 L/100 km. All Phantom VII entries still provide 460 hp and 720 Nm, but buyers must distinguish entries by year and specification because the shared 6.8 AT name covers different fuel systems, tanks, weights and performance figures.
Within the sixth generation, choose the 6.8 AT over the 6.2 AT when maximum speed and power take priority. It provides 18 hp more and raises top speed by 17 km/h with no recorded change in kerb weight or torque. Choose the 6.2 AT only when its smaller 6,230 cc displacement is itself preferable.
For the fourth generation, the decision is entirely about transmission in the supplied specifications: the 5.7 MT is Manual and the 5.7 AT is Automatic, while both have 145 hp from 5,675 cc. For the earliest generations, the second-generation 7.7 MT substantially improves output over the first-generation car, and the third-generation 7.3 MT adds another 43 hp while changing from an Inline 6 to a V-shaped 12.
No price figures or vehicles-for-sale records are included. Consequently, the data supports a performance, economy and specification choice, but not a value-for-money recommendation or a Rolls-Royce Phantom price comparison.