The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a full-sized luxury saloon car made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Launched in 2003, it was the first Rolls-Royce developed and introduced after BMW purchased the right to use the Rolls-Royce name and logo in 1998. It was the seventh Rolls-Royce design to use the Phantom nameplate.

It is credited with successfully reviving the Rolls-Royce brand and restoring Rolls-Royce's reputation as a maker of luxury cars.

The Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé are two-door derivatives of the Phantom launched in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

From 2003 until the launch of the smaller Ghost in 2009, the Phantom was the only car produced by Rolls-Royce. The Phantom acted as the company's flagship model but was less exclusive than all previous Phantoms (none of which surpassed 600 per year).

Production of the car ceased in January 2017, with the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII launching later that year.

Initial release (2003–2012)

Construction

The Phantom uses a unique chassis platform, body, interior and retains traditional Rolls-Royce design cues. The body is mostly aluminium.

Final assembly, including all body, paint, wood, and leather work, is completed to each customer's individual specification at the Rolls-Royce plant in Goodwood, West Sussex. The plant is close to the historic Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.

The plant contains a paint shop, body shop, leather shop, woodworking shop, assembly line, and executive offices under one roof. There are only three robots in the factory. The robots paint the body; the paint is polished by hand after the robots spray each coat. The coach lines, which are exactly wide, are done, as well as all other work, by hand, in keeping with the Rolls-Royce tradition.

The aluminium extrusions that are used to construct the aluminium spaceframe are produced in Norway using hydroelectric power, shaped and machined in Denmark and finally hand-welded in Germany.

The Phantom is tall, wide, long, weighs, and can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds.

Customers can choose from 44,000 paint colours, and specify any leather colour. The vehicle's unique instrument panel has no tachometer. Instead, it has a power reserve dial that indicates how much of the engine's power is not being used and is available to the driver. The rear doors are rear-hinged, a style commonly referred to as suicide doors but called 'coach doors' by Rolls-Royce, a feature traditionally offered since the first Phantom was introduced in 1925. Because of the rear-seating position in relation to the rear inner-door handles, buttons are mounted on both C-pillars, which operate hydraulic motors in order to close the rear doors. An electronic lock prevents the doors from being accidentally opened when moving. The car will automatically brake to a walking speed if a coach door remains open when driving off. When the front or rear doors are opened, umbrella compartments built into the rear doors are accessible. The factory-supplied umbrellas are Teflon coated, so they and the compartment in which they are stored dry out faster. The traditional Spirit of Ecstasy ornament has an automatic electronic retraction mechanism to prevent theft and protect pedestrians in the event of an accident. It may also be retracted by the driver at the touch of a button or when the alarm is armed. The ornament base contains a sensor that detects movement and retracts if someone tampers with it. The "RR" logos on each of the wheel hubs are independent bezels in order to always remain upright while the wheel is rotating.

Luxury amenities Features (as of 2009) include a navigation system with voice recognition, power sunroof, upgraded leather upholstery, rear-view camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 15-speaker Lexicon Logic7 premium sound system, 8-disc CD changer, 18-way power front seats, 16-way power rear seats, heated and cooled cup holders, rear-seat tables, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, power tilt/telescopic heated wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio, climate, and navigation controls, power open/close boot lid, power closing doors, wireless headphones, iPod adapter, refrigerator, and air conditioning with 5-zone climate controls. There are extensive options available through the Rolls-Royce "Bespoke" programme through which the factory will create any reasonable option a customer asks for.

Safety recall In October 2010, the Phantom was included in a recall involving cars with a V8 or V12 engine from BMW because of the potential to develop a leak in the power braking system.

Phantom Extended Wheelbase (2005–2012)

An extended wheelbase Phantom was presented in March 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, which is 250 mm (9.8 in) longer than the standard Phantom. It is currently referred to as the Phantom Extended Wheelbase (or EWB).

Phantom Drophead Coupé (2007–2017)

The Phantom Drophead Coupé is a 2-door convertible version of the Phantom. It was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

The design of the Drophead was previewed by the 100EX design study, which Rolls-Royce revealed at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.

Production of the Drophead commenced in June 2007.

Armoured Rolls-Royce Phantom (2007–2017) This is an armoured version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom with a VR7 level ballistic rating. It includes fibre composites and special purpose steel body armour, thickened glass sheets in the glazed area, polycarbonate layer, strengthened aluminium spaceframe chassis and suspension components.

The vehicle went on sale initially in Europe and the Middle East.ARMOURED PHANTOM ANNOUNCED

Phantom Coupé (2008–2016)

The Phantom Coupé is a 2-door coupé derivative of the Phantom which was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

The design of the Coupé was previewed by the 101EX concept, which Rolls-Royce revealed at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.

Production of the Coupé commenced in summer 2008, with sales beginning in autumn of the same year.

2009 model year update (2009–2017) Beginning with the 2009 model year, the Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase incorporated the following changes:

to harmonise the front appearance of the car with that of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé, the front bumper was designed and integrated with a shallower grille, finished in stainless steel LED door handle illumination 21-inch cast forged aluminium alloy wheels, in either painted or part polished finishes, as standard. new RCA component input for auxiliary audio and visual connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables new front and rear door cappings with integrated grab handles new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar climate control, volume control and electric window switches are relocated to a wood veneer panel in the door

Production began at Goodwood in the spring 2009.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II (2012–2017)

In May 2012, Rolls-Royce announced the Series II car, to be available from the 2013 model year. Series II, exterior design updates by Andreas Thurner and interior design updates by Alan Sheppard, has a number of updated and improved features, including:

Replacement of round lower light with complementary rectangular LED light One-piece stamped radiator grille New single-piece wheels New side-badge design Extended chrome detailing around the side window Highlighting capture strip on the bottom of the boot lid Redesigned rear bumper, now one-step over a two-step Integrated exhaust detailing, mirroring those on the coupé Simplified dashboard, including enlarged LCD screen Improved systems rotary controller, through the use of the system used on the Ghost Simplified seat designs Improved audio, telecoms and connectivity systems New 8-speed gearbox

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok (Millionaire Auto).ROLLS-ROYCE ART DECO COLLECTION CAR DEBUTS AT BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

A version of Phantom Saloon Series II (in blue velvet sparkle body colour) was unveiled at the 2012 Moving Motor Show as a test drive vehicle for selected members of media and VIP.ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST EXTENDED WHEELBASE TO LEAD THE WAY AT GOODWOOD

Phantom Extended Wheelbase (2012–2017)

The vehicle was unveiled at Auto China 2012, followed by Auto Expo Macau 2012 (in Infinity Black body colour, gold Spirit of Ecstasy, drinks cabinet and coolbox for individual seats, starlight headlining),ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES LARGEST REGIONAL ORDER OF PHANTOM SERIES II CARS TO SANDS CHINA LTD Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok (Millionaire Auto). The Phantom EWB also has power reclining rear seats and

Phantom Series II Coupé (2012–2016)

This is the coupé version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II. It was unveiled in Auto Expo Macau 2012. The car has new features such as the

Infinity Black body colour illuminated gold Spirit of Ecstasy brushed steel bonnet illuminated bespoke tread plates starlight headlining ( Some of these features are also apparent on the Drophead coupé as well)

Phantom Series II Drophead Coupe (2012–2016)

The Phantom Series II Drophead is the 2×2 seater Convertible version of the Phantom Series II. It is based on the chassis of the Series I drophead and the exterior design is virtually unchanged except for the new headlights, identical to the ones equipped on the Series II Phantom Coupé.

Specifications and performance

Series I

Engines +Petrol enginesModelYearsType/codePower@rpm, Torque@rpmCO2 emission (g/km)Phantom2003–2012 V12 (N73B68) @5350, @3500355Phantom Extended Wheelbase2005–2012 V12 (N73B68) @5350, @3500355Drophead Coupé2007–2012 V12 (N73B68) @5350, @3500355Coupé2008–2012 V12 (N73B68) @5350, @3500355

BMW originally intended to use a 9-litre V16 engine in the Phantom but switched to a more economical V12 engine after the Rolls-Royce owners who were invited to the clinic evaluation opined that V16 was much too powerful for their need. The V16 engine was fitted to the concept Rolls-Royce 100EX. A Phantom Coupé with V16 engine was used in the film Johnny English Reborn at a specific request of Rowan Atkinson.

BMW increased the displacement of its 6-litre V12 used in its E65 7-Series to 6,749 cc (6.75 litres), matching the same displacement of Rolls-Royce‘s own classical L-Series V8 engine in production from 1959 to 2002.

Transmission All models include ZF 6-speed automatic transmission.

Series II

Engines +Petrol enginesModelYearsType/codePower@rpm, Torque@rpmCO2 emission (g/km)Phantom2012–2017 V12 (N73B67) @5350, @3500343Phantom Extended Wheelbase2012–2017 V12 (N73B67) @5350, @3500343Drophead Coupé2012–2016 V12 (N73B67) @5350, @3500343Coupé2012–2016 V12 (N73B67) @5350, @3500343 Transmission All models include ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

Special editions Series I (2003–2012)

Centenary Edition (2004)

In 2004, to celebrate the company's one-hundredth anniversary, Rolls-Royce introduced the "Phantom Centenary Edition". This model was limited to only 35 units worldwide and was specifically commissioned by Rolls-Royce. Most special edition cars are not commissioned by the factory, or are brought out to boost sales. This is not the case with the Centenary Edition. The car was debuted on 4 May 2004 at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. It was the meeting place of Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce.

The Centenary Phantom can be distinguished from the standard car by several key features. All of the cars' "RR" emblems are red instead of black. This is reminiscent of the original Rolls-Royce cars that bore red badges for the first twenty-five years of the company until it was later changed due to customer requests. Each car is painted in a special "Dark Curzon" colour used only for the thirty-five Centenary cars and the 100 EX prototype, which was also debuted for the company's centenary celebration.

Exterior