2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The Spirit of Luxury

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is an ultra-luxurious amalgam of elegance and engineering.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a posh and stately looking “saloon,” the British term for sedan, with elegant, broad-shouldered styling that might be too stodgy for some contemporary luxury car buyers. Wide-opening, rear-hinged, “suicide” doors make backseat access easier. An electronic lock prevents these doors from being opened while the car is moving.

As the car’s heritage warrants, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is capped at the front end by the traditional Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. However, in a high-tech nod to the realities of modern motoring, it can be retracted into the vehicle when the Phantom is parked, to discourage thieves.

• Rolls-Royce Phantom Vehicle Summary

Beneath the expansive hood of the Rolls-Royce Phantom sits a BMW-developed, 6.75-liter V12 engine that delivers just above 450 hp, which is “ample,” to use a typically understated Rolls-Royce term. (Until the last few years, Rolls refused to publish horsepower figures.) A six-speed automatic transmission is the only available gearbox; tradition dictates that it’s operated via a column-mounted shift lever.

The Phantom has an aluminum space-frame construction, which is both lightweight and durable. A sophisticated double wishbone suspension up front with a multi-link array at the rear produce a smooth ride and keep the bulky car flat through the curves. However, it’s far from a sport sedan in that respect. The Phantom rides on massive wheels and run-flat tires, with performance tires alternately available to afford sportier handling. Run-flat tires allow a driver with a flat to keep going at reduced speeds to reach a safe place to pull over, or potentially to reach a facility where the tire can be fixed or replaced.

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A cap at the center of each wheel is weighted at the bottom and engineered to rotate freely, so that the “R-R” logo remains upright at all times.

Stability control is present to prevent a loss of control in extreme handling situations, while oversized, ventilated antilock disc brakes at the front and rear help bring the car to a halt safely and securely.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom’s interior is the epitome of elegance, with separate leather finishes used for the seats and cabin trim, and six different wood veneers offered. The headliner is covered in a blend of wool and cashmere. A video monitor for various systems, including the navigation, resides behind a wood panel that houses an analog clock. Instead of a conventional tachometer, the dashboard sports a gauge that indicates how much of the engine’s power remains available.

Convenience features are plentiful, including auto-closing back doors that feature built-in umbrella holders. Front side and head-curtain airbags for the front and rear are included. A wide range of customization is available, with wealthy buyers able to have their Phantoms fitted with everything from a refrigerator to a cigar humidor.

Is the Rolls-Royce Phantom for You?

Buy the Phantom if	You want and can afford the modern embodiment of the classic British ultra-luxury “saloon."
Keep Looking if	For the money, you want something sportier and/or a car with more-expressive styling.
Who Fits?	The Phantom is built for comfort and affords ample accommodations for five adults of all sizes, with the extended-wheelbase version adding limo-like rear legroom.
Closest Competitors	Bentley Arnage Bentley Continental Flying Spur Maybach 57/62
Did You Know?	Fredrick Henry Royce built his first auto, the “Royce,” in 1904. He subsequently teamed up with Charles Stewart Rolls to market Royce’s vehicles, with the original Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost debuting in 1906. Demand for the luxury car would prove to be so great that the company actually built Silver Ghosts in the U.S., at a second factory located in Springfield, Mass., from 1921 to 1931. Rolls-Royce acquired fellow British automaker Bentley in 1931. While both car lines remained similar in execution for decades to come, the Bentleys gained a reputation as being “driver’s cars,” while the Rolls-Royces were thought of as for those who would prefer to be driven by others (i.e., their chauffeurs). The two companies were sold off to different companies in 1988, with Rolls-Royce being acquired by BMW, and Bentley going to Volkswagen. The two companies entered into an agreement whereby VW would produce both brands, with BMW supplying the engines and other components. This arrangement ended in January 2003.