Rolls-Royce Phantom VII rolls off into the sunset

The last Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled off the line in Goodwood, West Sussex, bringing the curtain down a milestone chapter in the luxury car maker's history.

The seventh-generation Phantom had been relaunched under BMW ownership since January 2003 - and set the stage for modern models.

The last limo of this era was an extended-wheelbase limo and was styled on the pattern of 1930s ocean liner.

It sported powder blue leather trim, maritime-inspired clocks and also a special lambswool carpet with a hand-cut wake effect.

The new Phantom VIII will sport a new aluminium architecture that would power the next generation of Rolls-Royces, including a shock new SUV.

The Phantom VII was decommissioned at the end of last year and will be replaced by an eighth generation of the Rolls-Royce car by owner BMW.

The "New Phantom" or Phantom I which was launched in 1925 had such a secret design that lead engineer Ernest Hives had armoured plating around the factory to substantiate the project's codename "Eastern Armoured Car".

Production ran over six generations, and was only halted due to Second World War until 1991. The seventh version, the first iteration under owner BMW, was launched in 2003.

''From its introduction a little over 90 years ago, every motor car that has borne the title Phantom has reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged,'' said Torsten Muller-Otvos, chief executive officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, cityam.com reported.

In June last year Rolls-Royce revealed its driverless car concept, dispensed with the front seat and in its place included a sofa-style lounger. The six metre long vehicle featured a canopy-style roof allowing passengers to stand up before they get out of the car.

The Vision Next 100 would also sport covered wheels and a curved rear end but, according to Rolls-Royce it might take 25 years to hit the road.