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3 Things To Know Before Your Next Park Place Oil Change

Receiving an oil change at a manufacturer certified service center has key advantages to maintaining your high-performance vehicle. While cost and service time are increased, we provide first-class quality, expertise, and additional services that clearly distinguish our premier level service experiences from a typical “oil change” job at a quick lube establishment.

At our Park Place Dealerships locations, we employ certified technicians who perform the routine services, such as your oil change, to ensure the entire process is completed to meet both manufacturer and Park Place standards of quality.

Here are three things our highly trained team of service experts want you to know before booking your next oil change:

1.An “Oil Change” service can take about 30-60 minutes depending on the manufacturer before any additional services or a courtesy car wash or additional services.

Park Place Motorcars Service Directors estimate that an oil change service that includes our complimentary services, including car washes and multi-point inspections, for our clients, can take 60-90  minutes to complete. 

At Park Place Porsche, the service can take up to 90 minutes pre-car wash. Porsche’s have a large oil capacity- up to 10 quarts on some engines. The old oil must be completely drained from the vehicle. To do this, our technicians must heat the engine up to operating temperature to thin out the oil and allow it to then drain for a minimum of 20 minutes. The next 20 minutes are spent filling the engine with oil to capacity. To do this the engine is brought up to operating temperature and filled with new room temperature oil.  Our technicians check the oil levels with a computer- a process that takes three minutes and is repeated until the engine registers full.

2. You receive more than an “oil change” when choosing to service with the manufacturer certified dealership. 

The term oil change has been used frequently in conjunction with quick lube establishments promising quick service and low cost. The dealership provides more value to the client’s experience by including car washes, loan cars, resetting computers, multi-point inspections, trained technicians, warranty repairs, a beautiful facility, and a client lounge for those who wish to wait for their service to be completed. Therefore, a Park Place dealership experience cannot be compared with a quick service only facility with the factors of time or money.

Example of Mercedes_Benz Visual Multi-Point Inspection Check List

 

3. An Oil Change is the easiest way to maintain (and save) your luxury vehicle’s high-performance capabilities.

Skimping out on routine oil changes (either by delaying your appointment or using components not recommended by your manufacturer) can be detrimental to the life of your vehicle. If you want to increase the longevity of your luxury auto, then making sure you’re on top of your oil changes should be priority number one. The oil is the life-blood and key ingredient in the engine which provides lubrication, cooling, and removal of particles and sludge.  With a squeaky clean and lubricated engine, you will also benefit from improved gas mileage. Park Place’s client lounges, loan cars, and Pick Up & Delivery programs help ease the hassle that can be associated with necessary maintenance. If you have questions regarding these offerings, contact your service advisor or coordinator and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have so that we can ensure your Park Place oil change experience is first class. 

For a once a year service, the cost and time related to an “oil change” experience at Park Place is more than worth it.   If it’s your dream to own a luxury vehicle, then protecting your investment is too important to our team to simply offer quick drain and fill service.

Have any questions or would like to start your next service booking? Click here.

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Why Luxury Featuring the 2017 Lexus RX 350 F Sport

Toyota Motor Corporation has mastered the art of offering the masses the bare minimum of exactly what they want to purchase and then finding a way to offer an “all that and more” in their amped-up, luxurious Lexus lineups. In this installment of our “Why Luxury” series, we compare two popular members of the mid-size SUV segment, the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, and the 2017 Lexus RX F Sport. 

If you did not know already, Lexus is a child brand of the Toyota Motor Corporation and it’s certainly no wonder. One of the most reliable and highly rated luxury brands in the market shares commonalities with arguably the best all-rounder economy brand in build, reliability, safety, and maintenance. In 2017, Lexus and Toyota individually earned top marks with KBB in resale value; Toyota as a brand, and the 2017 Lexus GS by make. Simply put, Toyota Motor Corporation has mastered the art of offering the masses the bare minimum of exactly what they want to purchase and then finding a way to offer an “all that and more” in their amped-up Lexus lineups.

A client’s roadmap to upgrading their daily driver (say a Toyota) to a statement luxury auto (a Lexus) has never been so straightforward and thus begs the question “why should I upgrade?” In today’s “Why Luxury” we will be comparing stats of two dominating bodies in the mid-size SUV segment the top of the line 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2017 Lexus RX F to provide some insight into why the luxury option is a solid investment.

A few notes on mid-size SUVs:

Since 2015, the midsize SUV segment continues to attract buyers of all ages who desire to indulge in a more space and cargo capacity, without entering the realms of “too much.” The midsize SUV is a medium sized SUV, providing less cargo space and seating than a full-size SUV similar to a Range Rover. Consistently low gas prices (think below $3.00 a gallon on average) have also added enticement for prospective buyers to choose the larger vehicle.

It’s a consistently dominating body style in both affordable and luxury segments since 2016, with global sales projected to increase by 5.65% (or over 23 million units) in 2020 per a 2016 Market Trend Analysis. In the month of October 2017, the RX saw a 4% gain in U.S. Sales– helping make October the sixth straight “best-ever month” for Lexus utility vehicles, according to Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Bracken.

Baseline Specs:

The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum SUV is the top of the line, fully-loaded model with an MSRP of $49,534 and an average price paid of around $46,000 according to Edmunds.  Admittedly, that high price tag for a Toyota brand car raises some eyebrows, but it does have some advantages surrounding one specific detail: space.

All models have an extra third row (total seven seats available), a longer roof, and roughly 140 more cubic feet of space than its in-house competitor which comes standard.  The interior of this supped up Highlander offers Toyota’s finest leather, woods, and aluminum to make the time spent inside the vehicle a bit more aesthetically pleasing than other variances of the SUV.

The 2017Lexus RX 350 F Sport comes in at an MSRP of around $54,423, with the average price paid of $50,403- less than $1,000 more than the MSRP of the Highlander.  A third row is a non-existent option in this model and it dotes a bit less interior room at 108 cubic feet. This difference, though, is nominal if you aren’t toting teams of children or mounds of grocery sacks on a regular basis.

If that extra cargo room and the extra seats are a deal breaker, the 2018 Lexus RXL, which includes a third row of seats, has been confirmed to debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

Under the hood, you’ll see that the Highlander and Lexus RX F share similar specs including a 3.5 liter V6 engine similar fuel economy. The Highlander provides a combined fuel economy of about 28 mpg, but has a lower fuel capacity by a couple gallons. The RX shares an almost similar fuel economy of 22 mpg, but a larger tank capacity by two gallons.

The Luxury Difference:

Lexus provides clients with a better warranty than that of its Toyota counterpart- a four year, 50,000-mile basic warranty and a six-year, 70,000 drivetrain warranty. Additionally, Lexus includes a 4-year/ unlimited mile, roadside assistance versus the Highlander’s 2 years of roadside assistance.

The RX F Sport sends 295 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque for a more powerful driving experience. The F-Sport series also provides clients with a revised suspension, cross-hatched spindle grille, and darker trim bits to add a touch more horsepower to this mid-size luxury SUV.  

The aesthetics of your Lexus can be more personalized, with 10 interior and 10 exterior colors available versus the Highlander Hybrid’s four and eight respectively.  When choosing to venture into the world of Lexus Luxury, you can certainly be confident that your vehicle will reflect your striking and unique style with meticulous detail that begins on the factory line; the Lexus final product takes longer to produce per task on the assembly line due to master precision, build quality, and higher-end interior choices that are difficult to match at the economy class segment.

Although you can purchase an ultra-reliable vehicle with some amenities, the dealership experience at Lexus aims to be that of a luxury hotel with first class client lounges complete with Wifi, group and individual workstations, a calm, quiet environment, and exceptional client service so that even the on-the-go professional can have their Lexus serviced with peace of mind.

The Verdict:

The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 350 F Series, are both fantastic options for anyone vying for the SUV market- as proved through their various high ranking achievements among other competitors. But, when both economy and luxury price tags hover in the realm of $45,000- $50,000, choosing Lexus style, comfort, performance, and dealership experience, all while retaining the value and fuel efficiency already offered promised by Toyota Motor Corporation, makes the most sense.

Check out our Intro to Luxury and Why Luxury: Featuring Mercedes-Benz for our other installments of this series.

 

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Mercedes-Benz Cast as High Performance Side-kick for “Justice League”

Mercedes-Benz will officially join alongside the league of the high-performance superheroes as their super-car of choice. Set to hit theaters globally on November 17, 2017, Cyborg, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Batman race to save the planet form a possible catastrophic alien assault, and the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo and its trusty side-kick Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet play an epic role in the newest superhero feature flick of the fall.

The AMG Vision Gran Turismo’s extreme proportions, sensual contours, and impressive technology first premiered in 2013 at the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Center in Sunnyvale, California in November 2013. The car is highlighted with gullwing doors is the first of the “Vision Gran Turismo” series of vehicles and is the concept car that completely embodies the design philosophy of “sensual purity.”  While it has yet to be committed to production,  the unique design provides a sneak peek into the future of Mercedes-Benz.

A completely redesigned interior and precisely engineered technical specifications seamlessly compliment the unmistakable exterior, making this concept car (and its E Class sidekick) perfectly cast to help save the world. Does Wonder Woman, or any other members of the Justice League need a new vehicle to get around? Not necessarily, but the Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet and the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo are just too tempting to turn down.

 

https://youtu.be/9qF4pcq7RCU

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Debuting the Volvo XC40- The Newest Compact SUV

A small SUV that is big on innovation, space, and luxurious design. The Volvo XC40 is the new type of Volvo that’s designed around you. Make your life more enjoyable and less complicated, and relive the live reveal of the newest compact SUV from the Volvo Studio in Milan. The XC40 is now available for order at Park Place Volvo Cars- reserve Your XC40 with one of our Park Place Volvo experts.

For the first time in its history, Volvo Cars has three new, globally available SUV’s in what’s been dubbed the fastest growing segment of the automotive market.  The Volvo XC40 is the first model of a new modular vehicle architecture, which will serve as a basis for upcoming cars in the 40 Series- including fully electric vehicles, and will be the first Volvo model to be available with Volvo Cars’ new 3-cylinder engine.

According to Hakan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive, the Volvo XC40 “represent a fresh, creative, and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up.”  The newest small premium SUV offers Volvo’s award-winning safety features, connectivity, and infotainment technologies in the new 90 and 60 Series cars.  The XC40’s full repertoire of technology highlight the transformational effect in-house developed technologies have had on brand and profitability. 

Volvo Cars’ Pilot Assist system, City Safety, Run-off-Road protection and mitigation, Cross Traffic alert with brake support and a 360 degree Camera all work in harmony to help the driver manueuver effortlessly on the road and into tight parking spaces. 

Although smaller in size, the XC40 offers a new approach to storage with an ingenious interior design.  The drivers will have more functional storage spaces in the doors, under the seats, a special space for phones including inductive charging, a fold out hook for small bags, and a removable waste bin in the tunnel console. 

For more information on the newest Volvo addition to the small premium SUV segment, visit here.

 

The XC40 is now available for order at Park Place Volvo Cars. Reserve Your XC40 Today.

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Engines 101: The Combustion Cycle

In the second installment of our Engines 101 series, a deep-dive into the technical side of automobiles, we’ll cover the big bang that moves nearly every vehicle down the road. We discussed several types of internal combustion engine configurations available in Park Place cars in our last Engines 101 article, and this time we’ll cover the Combustion Cycle that makes each of them work.

The internal combustion engine involves several major systems that work together to transfer potential energy from gasoline, to kinetic energy to move a vehicle. These systems include the fuel injection system, cylinders and pistons, intake and exhaust valves, and the ignition system. Let’s walk through the 4-step combustion process and discuss how each system works together to produce power.

The combustion cycle begins as the piston moves downward in its cylinder. This creates a vacuum, which draws in air and fuel from the fuel injection system as the intake valve opens.

Intake Stroke Photo Source: Wikipedia – Four-stroke engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

When the piston reaches the bottom of the cylinder, the crankshaft begins pushing it upwards again. At this point, the intake valve closes, and the piston begins compressing the air/fuel mixture.

Compression Stroke
Photo Source: Wikipedia – Four-stroke engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

As the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the ignition system creates a spark to ignite the compressed fuel. As the fuel burns, the gasses expand against the piston, pushing it downward and turning the crankshaft.

Combustion Stroke
Photo Source: Wikipedia – Four-stroke engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

When the piston reaches the bottom of the cylinder again, the expansion of the burning fuel is complete, and the exhaust valve opens to allow the gases to escape. The piston moves back up, pushing the remaining exhaust out, and clearing the cylinder to repeat the cycle with a new intake stroke.

Exhaust Stroke
Photo Source: Wikipedia – Four-stroke engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

These 4 steps in the combustion process are the origin of the term “4-stroke engine” which is used in nearly all gasoline-powered modern vehicles. You will find that a similar process powers diesel engines, differing simply in their fuel type and source of ignition.

This combustion cycle repeats thousands of times a minute, in each of the engine’s cylinders, to provide the horsepower that we all enjoy. We hope this information helps you better understand and enjoy the mechanical masterpiece that your vehicle is.

To shop for your next luxury vehicle from Park Place, click here to search our vast inventory of new and used luxury cars in DFW.

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Jaguar Charges Up I-PACE with all Electric Race Series

The Jaguar I-PACE, set to hit the road late 2018, represents the manufacturer’s evolution to include battery-powered vehicles in their lineup…but the innovation didn’t stop with just an every day, electric car.  As the first premium manufacturer to enter FIA Formula E Championship in 2016, Jaguar expertly merges (and charges up) their I-PACE concept ingenuity with FIA Formula E power to reveal the world’s first production battery electric vehicle race series.

The Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy racecars are another step to Jaguar Land Rover’s electrified future- taking their zero emissions commitment to the world of motorsport.  Supporting a 100% electric future, Jaguar has announced the new support series for the FIA Formula E Championship starting in late 2018, featuring their new all-electric racecars in a series of 10 races across the globe in cities such as Hong Kong, Paris, giving future FIA Formula E Championship stars the chance to participate in this first of its kind series.

 

Gerd Mäuser, Chairman, Jaguar Racing, said: “Jaguar returned to racing in 2016 with the mission ‘Race to Innovate’. With the launch of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, we have strengthened our commitment to battery electric vehicles, international motorsport, and FIA Formula E Championship. As a British team, we are proud to announce today the launch of the world’s first production battery electric vehicle championship.”

Technical specs, race calendar, and costs for the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will be released in late 2018.

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Park Place Volvo Supports The Children’s Trust to Enhance Child Life Services

For the past 17 years, Park Place Dealerships and Children’s Health have united together to serve and provide a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. We strongly support the Children’s Health mission, vision, and multiple programs that are dedicated to serving children and families across the region. Park Place has contributed more than $418,000 to Children’s Health over the past 17 years, and Park Place Volvo Cars has contributed as presenting sponsor of The Children’s Trust membership drive and hosted the annual reception. In 2017, Park Place Volvo Cars will once again be the presenting sponsor for The Children’s Trust membership drive.

 

Park Place’s support continues as we proudly highlight the life-changing Child Life services and patient resources offered by Children’s Health to help patients and their families cope with hospitalization and improve physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Representatives from Children’s Health Child Life services, a member of the Children’s Trust board and her son, and two pet therapy dogs had the opportunity to view the new Volvo XC60 (and experience the roomy interior perfect for dogs on-the-go), as we discussed their life-changing Therapeutic Arts program.

The Therapeutic Arts program provides patients and families the unique opportunity to engage in expressive interventions to improve the quality of life experienced during a normally difficult time in a child’s life. With the ability to serve from either bedside or in a group setting, the families and children are provided a healing environment to approach treatment holistically by acknowledging their emotional needs.

 

 

Children’s Health first offered music therapy in the 1990s, and now has the largest music therapy program in the region. Music therapists speak a universal language, helping them reach and communicate with patients in ways other therapists cannot, such as calming fear and anxiety, allowing patients to express their feelings, and easing their distress. Children’s Health’s board-certified music therapists use musical experiences to support a therapeutic relationship with patients and family members throughout the child’s hospitalization.

The Paws for Hope Pet-Assisted Therapy Program delivered by PetSmart Charities delivers the comfort of home and loving support of a fur-ever friend in what can be a stressful setting. Animals have the power to transform the unfamiliar and scary experience of being hospitalized to a positive coping environment.

Park Place is honored to continue partnering with the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas and to support the betterment of the lives of children across the community. The new 2018 Volvo XC60 is now available at Park Place Volvo Cars Dallas. 

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Preview the Most Refined & Capable Midsize SUV: The 2018 Range Rover Velar

Park Place is your place for Land Rover Range Rover vehicles that meet your daily needs and demands from a rugged SUV. With several customizable options, packages, and features, the Range Rover Velar was designed with you in mind. Park Place is proud to offer the new 2018 Range Rover Velar, the mid-size luxury SUV from Land Rover, the industry authority for setting the standards in what drivers expect from a sports utility vehicle. The Velar will captivate your imagination and stimulate your senses with its’ standard AWD and 8-speed transmission, spacious cargo and cabin room, merged seamlessly with the latest in automotive technological advancements.

Land Rover provides plenty of engine options to choose from when you purchase the new Range Rover Velar. Start small with a 180 horsepower 2.0 Liter diesel Ingenium four, or take the next step in available power with 247 horsepower turbocharged inline four, or leverage the maximum amount of engine torque and proficiency with the 380 hp 3.0 liter V6.

Range Rover Velar packages and model editions include the S, SE and R-Dynamic HSE, the customizable Land Rover that puts performance first with its bounty of driving and performance upgrades, representing the ultimate Range Rover Velar experience. Available exterior colors are extensive, including the sleek Flux Silver, Corris Grey, and Silicon Silver. Let the Sales Experience Managers at Park Place Land Rover DFW assist you in finding the perfect exterior and interior colors to match your personality, and help you drive off with a vehicle that truly represents your unique high-performance lifestyle. 

Visit the new Land Rover Range Rover dealership in Dallas Fort Worth at 1300 East State Highway 114, DFW Airport TX 75261. We are excited to serve drivers from Grapevine, Arlington, and Plano with new used and certified pre-owned Land Rover sales. Contact us today to discover Range Rover Lease Specials, Land Rover offers and incentives, and first class service technicians that truly care about the long-term performance and durability of your vehicle.

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Father and Son Share Their Luxury & Showcase Story

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase attracted 2,750 car and luxury lifestyle enthusiasts from around the country. From the Kid Concours featuring a show case of mini, battery powered McLarens and Bentleys, luxurious bites and drink, to the rows of collector’s showcasing their vintage, classic, modern, and exotic vehicles, the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase was an event for all ages to enjoy.

PC: Michael Ainsworth

The inaugural event was also an opportunity for the various generations of car enthusiasts to converse and exchange ideas, stories, tips, and of course, luxury car ownership dreams. For some, this was an opportunity to see a bounty of pretty awesome vehicles in one location, for others- especially our pint-sized car enthusiasts- the Luxury & Supercar showcase was an opportunity to interact with cars they’ve only seen on TV, featured in a movie, or written about in an article, and further rev their inspiration to one day purchase and drive their very own.

Prior to the showcase, Park Place Dealerships requested clients and others who have had a Park Place experience to share why Park Place was their place, for an opportunity to attend the inaugural event.  The winning story, shared by Robert Green of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, read:

“My son loves cars. We drove down for his birthday just to see your cars. He loved every minute of it and thank you for making his day.”  

Robert’s son, Gavin, could not have been more excited for the chance to see an even larger lineup of exotic vehicles first hand, choosing to sacrifice his first soccer game of the season to claim his ticket. Even his soccer coach was ecstatic for Cade to have this opportunity, providing his blessing to miss the first game of the season for what he declared a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”                                                    

After consulting with the Park Place team, Robert even took Cade shopping to find the perfect “concours casual” outfit, which was expertly fashioned head to toe.  The morning of the event, this father and son pair arrived promptly to get the first look- and Cade’s enthusiasm was contagious. “He loves exotic cars, and dreams of owning one someday,” said Robert, “My favorite part of this whole experience was watching him smile and listening to him talk about all the cars how rare some of them are.”

The highlights of the show? Robert’s favorite feature vehicle was the Bugatti Veyron, which sat adjacent to a 1938 vintage Bugatti. As an added bonus, he was able to snap with Richard Rawlings, founder of Gas Monkey Garage and personality on the show Fast N’ Loud. 

                                                 

For Cade, his favorite memory was to see the McLaren 720 S up close and personal. As we look to the future of this event, it is no doubt this is not the last we have seen of Cade Green. Thanks to his passion for exotic autos, his father’s support,  and fervent determination to fulfill his dream of owning his very own McLaren, there’s a good chance we might see Cade on the conours as a collector in the future.

Do you have a story from the Supercar Showcase you’d like to share? Visit us at www.YourParkPlace.com, and scroll to the bottom of the home page. Fill out the Your Story form and submit a photo for an opportunity to be featured on the website.

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The New 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom Makes an Appearance at the Luxury & Supercar Showcase

With over a century of automotive heritage, Rolls-Royce and the brand’s owners BMW, have provided the world with some of the most opulent and iconic symbols of luxury on the market.  In 1925, the Phantom was dubbed the “the Best Car in the World” and since its grand introduction, every single new Phantom that has debuted has unquestionably retained that very same title.  The 2018 model sets a new precedence for supreme perfection and visionary engineering, undoubtedly pointing Rolls-Royce Motors forward into a new age for the global luxury industry.

The New Phantom benefits from a wholly new business model employed by the BMW Group, which includes the Architecture of Luxury- a brand new all-aluminum space frame architecture designed by Rolls-Royce engineers.  The VIII is the first edition- but not the last- to sport this new architecture, reducing its weight and creating a lighter and stiffer framework, which will contribute to creating a more comfortable riding experience. In fact, the new Phantom is 30% more rigid than its predecessor, foreshadowing how this new architecture is at the core of how the next generation of Rolls-Royce will deliver enhanced experiences without compromise.

In addition to its new architecture, the new Phantom also benefits from a re-imagined V12 engine…a completely silent v12 engine. The new engine includes two turbo charges that contribute to a low-end torque output of 900Nm at a low 1,700 rpm, while still delivering 563bhp of power.  This provides a low, calm speed progress associated with state occasions and an un-affected surge of power when deemed necessary. Thanks to the addition of Satellite Aided Transmission and a ZF *-Speed gearbox, the driver is fully prepared for anything the road may have in store.

 
The design remains elegant and preserves the iconic 2:1 proportions featured in every generation of Phantom, accentuating a short, upright front, and long, flowing rear overhang.  The side frame finisher of the New Phantom is the largest single piece of hand-polished stainless steel on any motor car. Another single polished stainless steel strip embellishes the sill of the Phantom Extended wheelbase for clear differentiation.

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Attendees received a rare and exclusive look this next generation Rolls-Royce, as the inaugural show received the vehicle straight from Pebble Beach. Keep your eye out for more information on the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom, the world’s newest leading luxury item, and the next chapter in  Rolls-Royce’s automotive story.