There are certain luxury items in life that signifies that you've 'arrived'. The Gulfstream parked at Seletar, a Vertu cellphone, an Hermes Bikin bag and, of course, a Rolls-Royce in the garage are just some of the objects that are often associated with the jetset crowd.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom was first launched with much fanfare back in 2003 and after nine years, it's time for a very mild refresh. The Phantom Series II was first shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and has since landed on our shores. In the time since its inception, China has become the biggest market for Rolls Royce, resulting in both a Coupe and Cabriolet spin-off and further proving that technology has made rapid inroads to our life and our cars.
After gathering feedback from customers and conducting market research, the original Phantom team back at Goodwood has made a series of small but significant changes to the grand old dame.
Exterior
To the untrained eye, the only visual difference is the replacement of the round lower light with a rectangular LED strip across it. This brings the exterior styling of the Phantom more in line with its smaller - and younger - brethren, Ghost. Other changes include a redesigned rear bumper - one-step versus a previous two-step and a new set of wheels.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom was first launched with much fanfare back in 2003 and after nine years, it's time for a very mild refresh. The Phantom Series II was first shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and has since landed on our shores. In the time since its inception, China has become the biggest market for Rolls Royce, resulting in both a Coupe and Cabriolet spin-off and further proving that technology has made rapid inroads to our life and our cars.
After gathering feedback from customers and conducting market research, the original Phantom team back at Goodwood has made a series of small but significant changes to the grand old dame.
Exterior
To the untrained eye, the only visual difference is the replacement of the round lower light with a rectangular LED strip across it. This brings the exterior styling of the Phantom more in line with its smaller - and younger - brethren, Ghost. Other changes include a redesigned rear bumper - one-step versus a previous two-step and a new set of wheels.
Yes, the changes are subtle but why mess with a good thing? Kiasu Singaporeans might put it as "Smart can liao, don't act smart…" but we reckon former Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Director of Design, Ian Cameron, puts it more succinctly, "We should think of Phantom design as a piece of popular, classical music. Over time this has the possibility of different interpretations without losing the essential melody that we know so well."
The Phantom essentially looks the same as before and your friends probably won't notice unless you casually mention it over the Krug at Sunday brunch. It simply looks like what people will think of when they mention Rolls-Royce…
The Phantom essentially looks the same as before and your friends probably won't notice unless you casually mention it over the Krug at Sunday brunch. It simply looks like what people will think of when they mention Rolls-Royce…
Interior
Each Phantom (or any other Roller for that matter) is lovingly hand built at Goodwood. One can make a case about how robots can do as good - or even better - a job. After spending some time in the Phantom Series II, one has to concur that the workmanship is flawless. From the lambswool carpet and the hand-stitched leather seats to the Teflon coated umbrellas located in the doors and top-notch fit and finish on the dash, the car is an eye candy.
Passengers cocooned in the rear of the Phantom are elevated by 18mm and enjoy every amenity they desire - provided their wallets are as thick as the plush carpets. Nearly everything is possible through the bespoked program and Rolls-Royce revealed that more than 80% of cars delivered had some bespoked elements.
Each Phantom (or any other Roller for that matter) is lovingly hand built at Goodwood. One can make a case about how robots can do as good - or even better - a job. After spending some time in the Phantom Series II, one has to concur that the workmanship is flawless. From the lambswool carpet and the hand-stitched leather seats to the Teflon coated umbrellas located in the doors and top-notch fit and finish on the dash, the car is an eye candy.
Passengers cocooned in the rear of the Phantom are elevated by 18mm and enjoy every amenity they desire - provided their wallets are as thick as the plush carpets. Nearly everything is possible through the bespoked program and Rolls-Royce revealed that more than 80% of cars delivered had some bespoked elements.
A new 8.8-inch display (up from 6.5-inch) takes centre stage together with a new rotary controller a la Ghost/BMW 7 Series. Front, rear and top view camera systems, further augment Phantom's ease of use particularly when driving in tight urban environments.
Other technological conveniences include a smart phone cradle, eight programmable touch sensitive buttons on the centre console for key functions and an updated SatNav system with 3D mapping.
Other technological conveniences include a smart phone cradle, eight programmable touch sensitive buttons on the centre console for key functions and an updated SatNav system with 3D mapping.
The Drive
Whilst the Phantom is usually enjoyed from the rear seat, it is become increasingly common for the owner to take a spin behind the wheel. After all, why should your chauffeur be the one enjoying the 6.7-litre V12 with 453bhp at 5,350rpm and 720Nm of torque at 3500rpm?
In case you need to make a quick getaway from the paparazzi, the Phantom can teleport you to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. And it does that with nary a fuss. The apparent lack of speed/power is simply deceptive. Coupled with a very progressive accelerator pedal, the Phantom feels neither fast nor slow. So at the risk of sounding cliché, we have to concur with a Rolls-Royce folklore when a customer asked how many horses the engine made, a salesperson simply told him that "it was sufficient".
A new eight-speed automatic replaces the old six-speed unit. This immediately translates to a 10% improvement in fuel economy. Shifts were already super smooth before so the extra two cogs are moot in that respect.
And the term magic carpet ride is never better used than when one is in a Phantom. Yes, it can feel a bit underdamped if you go too fast over humps but in all other occasions, the ride is smoother than a baby's buttocks. And we didn't attempt any enthusiastic cornering in this 2.5 tonne house on wheels, as the spindly steering wheel was designed to be steered 'by the fingertips' and it didn't provide much feedback at the helm.
Whilst the Phantom is usually enjoyed from the rear seat, it is become increasingly common for the owner to take a spin behind the wheel. After all, why should your chauffeur be the one enjoying the 6.7-litre V12 with 453bhp at 5,350rpm and 720Nm of torque at 3500rpm?
In case you need to make a quick getaway from the paparazzi, the Phantom can teleport you to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. And it does that with nary a fuss. The apparent lack of speed/power is simply deceptive. Coupled with a very progressive accelerator pedal, the Phantom feels neither fast nor slow. So at the risk of sounding cliché, we have to concur with a Rolls-Royce folklore when a customer asked how many horses the engine made, a salesperson simply told him that "it was sufficient".
A new eight-speed automatic replaces the old six-speed unit. This immediately translates to a 10% improvement in fuel economy. Shifts were already super smooth before so the extra two cogs are moot in that respect.
And the term magic carpet ride is never better used than when one is in a Phantom. Yes, it can feel a bit underdamped if you go too fast over humps but in all other occasions, the ride is smoother than a baby's buttocks. And we didn't attempt any enthusiastic cornering in this 2.5 tonne house on wheels, as the spindly steering wheel was designed to be steered 'by the fingertips' and it didn't provide much feedback at the helm.
Whilst not fitted to our test car, there's an enhanced Phantom Saloon dynamic package featuring stiffer suspension, visible exhausts, thicker steering wheel, alternative gearbox tuning and linear braking characteristics.
Conclusion
Made by some of the most skilled craftsman in the world, the Phantom II that you see here has a state of the art aluminium spaceframe with a V12 engine wrapped in a shell that ages well.
Let's face it. The Phantom was already a symbol of prestige and luxury. The improved in-cabin technological creature comforts in the Series II just makes it a smite easier to justify to your wife why you need a 'new' Phantom.
Well, there are just some things money can't buy…
Conclusion
Made by some of the most skilled craftsman in the world, the Phantom II that you see here has a state of the art aluminium spaceframe with a V12 engine wrapped in a shell that ages well.
Let's face it. The Phantom was already a symbol of prestige and luxury. The improved in-cabin technological creature comforts in the Series II just makes it a smite easier to justify to your wife why you need a 'new' Phantom.
Well, there are just some things money can't buy…
