Remember last year when a member of this forum took great delight in the fact that Maybach had out-ranked Rolls-Royce as the top luxury vehicle in a survey carried out by the "luxury Institute" (which I personally find most amusing that such an institute even exists).....there was much gloating and snide comments about the "truck-like" grille of the Phantom and how old fashioned it was etc.
Well those Maybach fans have gone very quiet all of a sudden -- their silence is deafening as this year the Phantom has proved itself to be the true winner in this class ...as I knew it always really was -- finally people have woken up to the fact that you can't just pluck a name out of history, regardless how prestigious it is, and expect the world's wealthiest people to go nuts over it. Currently, I note that some Russian business people are hoping to revive the once great Russian House of Fabergé, Jeweler to the Czar -- somehow I doubt Cartier, Tiffany, or Harry Winston, are too concerned.

13.07.2006. Luxury Institute Survey: Ultra-High Net Worth Consumers Rate Rolls Royce, Maybach and Bentley Top Ultra-Luxury Autos in 2006
When you spend over $100K on a car, it better deliver a great deal more than luxurious transportation. In the latest Luxury Brand Status Index survey from the Luxury Institute ( - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, Rolls Royce turned the tables on Maybach in 2006 to become the top-rated ultra-luxury automobile. Ultra-high net worth consumers rated Rolls Royce highest in consistently superior quality, uniqueness and exclusivity, and making the buyer feel special across the full customer experience. Social status is the only key metric in which Maybach outranked Rolls. There are significant gender differences, however, with women rating some brands much lower than did men. Overall, Rolls Royce was the brand that ultra-wealthy consumers would recommend to people they care about, followed by Bentley.
Brands rated (alphabetical order) are: Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes, Porsche, and Rolls Royce. A national sample of 500 wealthy consumers was surveyed online. Respondents must have a minimum gross annual household income of $200,000 and net worth (incl. equity in home) of $5,000,000. Survey results are weighted to match the demographic and net worth profile of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from the Federal Reserve.
Ultra-high net worth consumer survey comments on Rolls Royce include:
-- "Historically, the Rolls is probably at, or near, the top of the luxury automobiles, making the statement that "I have arrived!"
-- "I feel the Rolls Royce is the most well built and prestigious vehicle in the world today."
-- "I have NEVER heard a complaint from the MANY owners I know. That is not true of ANY of the other brands."
"There is absolutely no better marketing tool for companies and consumers than objective and independent, empirical, peer-based reviews of luxury goods and services brands," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "In our best practices surveys, the wealthy tell us that what they want most is for luxury firms to 'Wow' them with the fundamentals of a great experience in areas such as problem resolution policies that favor the customer, allowing calling customers to speak to a person, and empowering front-line employees to make decisions that help serve their customers."
"Too many luxury firms are looking to 'Wow' the client with extraordinary, but fleeting, gimmicks. First and foremost, the wealthy want these firms to simply execute the fundamentals of each customer experience extraordinarily well. Consumers have spoken and Rolls Royce is the ultra-luxury brand they recommend to their peers most often. No amount of advertising or marketing can compete with the voice of the independent ratings of high net worth consumers," said Pedraza.
About the Luxury Institute
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and objective research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. Publications include the monthly Wealth Report, the Luxury Brand Status Index surveys, the Luxury Best Practices surveys and the Luxury Consumer Experience Index surveys.

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as an Audi fan, i wasn't happy when i knew a VW spokesman said Bentley (in the same group) would be a bit lower than RR in the future, but when i see the Phantom, i somehow realise why. it's just awesome and i think nothing in VW AG can achieve this level in the near future.

Bentley might be a bit cheaper but so is Mercedes-Benz .....I don't think this makes their brands less prestigious. To the people who can afford any car they desire, I don't think price is so much of an issue, they will buy what they prefer .....so if they prefer a Bentley or Mercedes S class to the Phantom, then that is what they will buy .....the huge cost of the Phantom or Maybach does not necessarily mean the owners of these vehicles are wealthier than many 7er or S class buyers -- not every super rich person wants such a conspicuous car as the Phantom.

The Arnage is on the same level as the Phantom and so will the next Arnage. Yes the Phantom has much more presence and is more up to date. But you guys have to bare in mind that although some people have great wealth they don't feel comfortable and don't need a chauffeur to drive them around and here is where the Arnage comes in.
It offer top notch British quality just like the Phantom but is more of a drivers car for the ones who likes it a bit more low key and don't want the attention gained when a Phantom rolls up in front of a super market.

Here are the new 12" screens for the Phantom. They have now been integrated into the picnic tables. That is neat.

Damm, that's one nice monitor.

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This grey colour leather is new for 2007.

Looks amazing Roberto.

Very nice set of pics, man, thanks for sharing!