Driving away in a Phantom Coup?©

Baby boomers around the world drive for many reasons but as retirement edges closer, many of them are looking for a more pleasurable set of wheels.

Discerning drivers will be happy to be reminded that Rolls-Royce, the venerable British car maker, has a new toy in store for them, it’s the six-speed automatic and extensively featured Phantom Drophead Coup?©.

The design team drew part of its inspiration for this “maritime themed” car from the classic 1930s J-class racing yachts which happened to be the fastest of their time. Like the Drophead Coup?©, these vessels possesed a combination of ability, versatility and fitness for purpose, not to mention downright beautiful.

If you like listening to the rain pattering on a cloth hood, you’ll like the idea behind Rolls Royce’s decision to opt for a soft-top instead of a more widely offered folding metal roof. The goals of honesty and integrity in the design process were paramount so this particular decision came naturally as the car stands to be a true coup?© and not “yet another” convertible.

The design team also found it important for the styling to give a clear hint at the Phantom Drophead Coup?©’s performance. That’s why the front of the car is more rakish and the radiator grille bears a rather streamlined shape.

Of course, it’s instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce but this new face embodies a modern, dynamic spirit while retaining the confidence and grandeur that has characterised the car maker for more than a century.

Another striking feature on this luxurious car’s face are its headlights which incorporate LED technology. These slim line sidelights add drama and expression to the Drophead Coup?©‚Äôs face.

Passengers can enter and exit the car in style, thanks to the unique and spectacular rear-hinged doors, which were pioneered in the Phantom. It takes a while to get used to these doors but, once you get used to them, they’re just as functional as “regular” doors, especially when using the automatic door-closing mechanism.

As you’d expect from the latest member of the Phantom family, the heart of this car is an all-aluminium 6749 cc V12 engine. Using some the most sophisticated engine technology available, including direct petrol injection, variable valve control and variable camshaft timing, it produces a maximum power output of 453 bhp at 5350 rpm and torquewise, 531 lb ft at 3500 rpm, all Rolls-Royce’s peerless refinement and unmatched drivability.

Tuned to deliver Rolls-Royce’s legendary ‘waftability’, this powerful engine gives 75% of its maximum torque at just 1000rpm while the remaining 25% arrives in one (sustained) linear stream, as the driver squeezes the throttle.

At just over 400,000$, the 2008 the Phantom Drophead Coup?© is different but in all fairness, it a good kind of different.

Tags: rolls-royce, phantom coupe, luxury car, waftability, powerful engine

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One Response to “Driving away in a Phantom Coup?©”

1. cgelinas says:

   June 8, 2007 at 4:47 pm

   This car is a gem, in so many direct and indirect ways!

   For instance, roughly 200 Drophead Coup?©s are expected to be built every year and of that number, about 40% of them are headed for the American luxe market.

   For anyone looking to buy this 2.5-ton Rolls-Royce, it may be useful to remind that they’re sold out through 2008.