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Rolls-Royce from 2003 onwards, the Phantom models

 

Phantom
Phantom Series II
Phantom VIII

Phantom Extended wheelbase
Phantom Series II EWB
Phantom VIII EWB

(2003/9-12)
(2013-17)
(2018-)

Phantom Drophead coupé
Phantom Series II DHC
-

Phantom coupé
Phantom Series II coupé
-

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Rolls-Royce Phantom
2004 - 2012



Dimensions, kerb weight, performance

Length
width
height

583 cm
199 cm
163 cm

Wheel base

357 cm

Turning circle

13,8 m

Boot

460 litre

Kerb weight

2485 kg

Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h

5,9 seconds

Top speed

149 mph, 240 km/h
130 mph, 208 km/h (USA)

Characteristics and peculiarities

Backgrounds of this model
- ‘Project Rolls-Royce’ began on 28 July 1998, when BMW Group became custodians of the marque. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom was the result of an intense four year design and engineering programme that not only produced a new motor car, but also established a manufacturing plant and a new company.
- The Phantom was unveiled in January 2003.
- The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the first Rolls-Royce that is manufactured by the BMW Group. Yet it can be considered as the successor of the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
- Many decades Rolls-Royce could deliver Long wheelbase editions that were 4 inch longer than the standard saloon. There is no Long wheelbase edition of the Phantom. For model year 2006 Rolls-Royce launched the Rolls-Royce Extended wheelbase that was 25 cm / 10 inch longer than the Phantom standard saloon.

Original characteristics
- The Phantom has authentic Rolls-Royce design proportions combined with 21st century engineering integrity. Exterior authenticity embraces a long bonnet and wheelbase, short front and long rear overhangs, a strong C-post and discreet rear window.
- The engine is a naturally aspirated 60 degree 6749 cc V12. It is connected to a 'shift-by-wire' six-speed automatic transmission from ZF.
- At 1,000 tpm it is already producing 560 Nm (413 lb ft) – 75 per cent of its peak figure of 720 Nm (531 lb ft) reached at 3,500 tpm. The power unit is rated at 453 bhp (338 kW, 453 hp SAE) peak power at 5,350 tpm.
- A PAX run-flat tyre system. The run-flat capability is at least 100 miles at 50 mph (80 km/h) when the car is fully loaded. A spare wheel is not carried. Tyre size: PAX 265 x 790 R540 A 111W (metrically sized: 540 mm is about 21 inch).
- A retractable Spirit of Ecstasy that can be lowered out of sight at the touch of a button.
- Purpose-designed Teflon coated umbrellas stowed in the rear doors.
- Synchronised wheel centres that keep the interlinked RR badges on all four wheels in an upright position at all times.
- A column-mounted electronically-controlled gear selection lever.
- Controls for the telephone, audio and navigation systems on the steering wheel. The wheel also has a button to access a Low mode setting for the gearbox.
- A unique power reserve gauge on the dashboard which communicates the 'adequacy' of available power.
- A veneered panel housing the analogue clock can swivel to reveal a monitor for vehicle settings, satellite navigation, on-board television and telephone system. These functions can be accessed by a controller, discreetly stowed in the centre console when not required.
- 'Suicide doors' at the rear (rear-hinged doors). The doors can be closed by pressing a button on the C-post. Closing of all doors is assisted by automatic soft closing; automatic soft closing is also available at the boot lid.
- 'Lounge seats' in the rear that have room for three passengers and that are curved at the outer sides. Available as an option is the 'theatre seating' concept which provides twin individual seats separated by a centre console that can house personal entertainment equipment, a drinks cabinet or other items.
- Two types of hide finishes are used in the Phantom – a natural grain leather for seating and a textured ‘tipped’ leather for door paniers and centre consoles.
- Six different veneers are available for the woodwork: Figured Mahogany from West Africa; Burr Walnut, Bird's eye Maple and Black Tulip from North America; and Oak Burr and Elm Cluster from Europe.
- There are 18 exterior colours available either on their own or with a dual-tone colour for the lower body area. In addition, two two-tone paint schemes are available. One version has the flanks of the car in a second tone to the other panels, while the other scheme features the contrast tone on the bonnet, roof and boot lid. All personal preferences on colours, veneers, two-tone treatments and single or twin hand-painted coachlines can be ordered.
- There are 15 different interior colours creating a total of 19 standard interior combinations.
- Until a speed of 40 mph / 60 km/h the ride height can be raised by 1 inch (25 mm) to provide extra clearance for ramps.
- A Lexicon Logic7 surround sound system. There are nine amplifiers with a total maximum output of 420 watts, powering 15 Metal Matrix (MMX) speaker tranducers. There are six 25 mm tweeters (one in each door and two in the hat shelf), seven conical 100 mm mid-range speakers (one in each door, two in the hat shelf and a centre speaker on top of the instrument panel) plus two large 217 mm central bass speakers mounted under the front seats, each with its own 16-litre under-floor resonating chamber.
- Sophisticated satellite navigation is matched by a fully integrated telecommunications system and supplemented by voice recognition. The 6.5 inch full colour monitor for the satellite navigation also doubles as the screen for the on-board television, in markets where permitted.
- Hands-free operation of the telephone is controlled from the steering wheel, with a phone keypad located in a drawer within the dashboard.
- The Rolls-Royce Bespoke programme can accommodate individual requests ranging from cabinetry and marquetry to different interior and exterior design themes.

Model year 2005
- A new set of 21" aluminum wheels.
- 255/50R21W tyres at the front (8x21 rims), and 285/45R21W at the rear (9,5x21 rims).
- A wood finish to match the feature grain selected for the dashboard (Bird's Eye Maple, Burr Walnut, Elm Cluster, Figured Mahogany and Oak Burr) can now be specified for steering wheel spokes, intrument panel and rear air vent surround.
- The headliner (presently a wool and cashmere fabric) can now be ordered in leather. Finished with a subtle perforation, the leather panel maintains a snese of light and space in the cabin.
- An optional tilt and slide sunroof is controlled with signature "violin key" controls situated in the overhead lighting panel. When closed the sunroof can be used to allow natural ambient lighting into the cabin or be screened off completely.
- Rear vanity mirrors, housed in the headlining, can also be specified as part of the package. - A number of new exterior colours and interior trim options. Previously available only via the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke Programma, three further exterior colours have been added to the palette: Silver mono, Platinum mono and Arctic White. Interior trims can now be ordered in Seashell mono, Tan mono, Light Grey mono, Blue Grey mono and Seashell and Black.

Model year 2009
- A new streamlined front bumper, integrated with a shallower grille, finished in stainless steel, to harmonise the front appearance of the car with that of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé.
- LED door handle illumination.
- 21-inch cast aluminum wheels as standard.
- Two further wheel options exist, both manufactured in forged alloy and available in either painted or part polished finishes.
- Inside, rear passengers will benefit from a new RCA component input which provides 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 and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar provide additional illumination inside.
- Rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches are repositioned, housed in a wood veneer panel in the door.

The Bespoke programme
- While the Phantom has an extensive options list, the Bespoke programme allows customers to create a car that is completely personal to them by specifying features that are not usually available. Examples include a one-off colour for the paint or leather, or the use of an unusual wood to complement the interior.
- Customers may choose to specify embroidery on the interior leather: from simple initials to embroidered images.
- Customised tread plates incorporating text or pictures like an owner’s name or celebrating an event or limited edition.
- The Phantom’s glovebox may adapt Bespoke possibilities like the fitting of a set of fountain pens or a humidor, perhaps complemented by a leather writing surface in the rear picnic tables or a Bespoke ashtray.
- Through modifications to the Phantom’s body, the already spacious boot can be extended still further, giving additional room for an 85-litre suitcase. This allows a total of four large suitcases to be stowed.
- "Whether the request is a 24-carat gold Spirit of Ecstasy or visible exhaust pipes, anything is possible. The Bespoke programme is limited only by the customer’s imagination."

Production and chassis numbers

- The Phantom was unveiled in January 2003, but all 2003 cars have a model year 2004 VIN.
- The Phantom has a series of numbers of its own. The derivatives have separate series of numbers.
- From 1965 onwards the lowest chassis number was 1001. The chassis numbers of the Phantom broke through this habit and started with 00001.
- The Phantoms for the American market had a separate series of numbers. The numbers of these cars started with 07001.


Details of the Phantom, model year 2004.











Rolls-Royce Phantom, model year 2004, press photos.














Rolls-Royce Phantom, model year 2005, press pictures:






Rolls-Royce Phantom, model year 2007, press pictures:













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