Roberto is correct. The world is an entirely different place than it was when Rolls Royce was in its heyday. BMW has been very keen to play upon our prejudices and long-held beliefs about this Marque to turn it into something that's viable for the 21st centry.

Rolls Royce is now an anachronism, and the brand trades heavily upon that. It's the last brand standing to carry the flame of old-world craftsmanship and implied elitist values, but at the same time, everybody involved is very cognizant of this.

We like to imagine that the Phantom is a car for aristocracy, but nothing could be further from the truth. However, because the brand's pedigree is without peer, there is room to pour it on thick and snooty without looking the fool.