The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe went on sale back in 2008 and, after four years on the market, the company is now preparing its first facelift version for it. In fact, it seems the company is starting to work their way through the lineup, with news of a facelift version for the Phantom limousine released just a few days ago.
Just as with the Phantom sedan, don’t expect to see any major changes to the Coupe model because Rolls Royce is keeping them at a minimum to maintain the essence of the Phantom. The "major" changes will include new headlights, as well as the same minor changes to the interior and infotainment system as in the sedan version.
Minor changes will also be made under the hood, but only to the tune of a few more horsepower and a little less CO2. The power source will still be the usual 6.75 liter V12 engine, but with some 10-20 extra HP.
The new Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe should be ready for the 2013 model year.
Rolls Royce announced its bespoke personalization program at the beginning of 2010 and by August 2011, the company had to expand their operations to meet growing demand. Out of all the Ghost models sold in 2011, 56% were bespoke models, so Rolls Royce doubled the number of bespoke experts working at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.
As if they needed the extra push to market the bespoke program, Rolls Royce has released two customized Ghost models to illustrate what the program can do with their unique paint colors, coach lines, and tread plates. The customized Ghost models come in Rose Quartz with a Gunmetal metallic hood and Matte Black. Both of them are combined with unique features on the interior, like full natural leather, black carbon fiber veneers, a cupholder lid, and steering wheel spokes.
"It is always our goal to exceed our clients’ highest expectations and fulfill their innermost desires," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. "With highly bespoke Phantom and Ghost models, we are able to achieve this. The passion with which our bespoke craftspeople create these beautiful cars is reflected in some truly outstanding examples delivered across the globe last year."
Now that Maybach is officially dead, Rolls Royce will have to do their best to take on as many of Maybach’s clients as possible, before Bentley snags them for themselves. Fortunately, Rolls Royce has seen their opportunity and have started to work on their new Phantom limousine.
The first spy shots for the luxury vehicle reveal that the limousine is about to receive a mild facelift, marking its first change since 2003. Of course, the changes won’t be major considering most of the Phantom clients are pleased with the car just the way it is. Expect to see small changes on the exterior and interior, plus the addition of an updated sat-nav and infotainment system. Important changes will be made under the hood, where parent company, BMW, will work to increase power and improve fuel economy.
Expect to see the new Rolls Royce Phantom launched by the end of 2012.
We get the whole idea of dressing up a car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe with a comprehensive bodykit, but given what the Rolls already stands for, it does seem like a little too much, doesn’t it?
The people over at Wald International beg to disagree because they’ve just released a pretty daft package for the British luxury car. No matter the consternation we have for such a program, you can’t deny the skills of Wald International, especially when it comes to dressing up cars that are as exclusive as the Phantom Drophead Coupe. To their credit, the Japanese tuner fitted the Rolls with a comprehensive body kit, complete with a new front bumper that comes with a set of vertical LED running lights. The kit also has new air vents that have been cut into the fenders. There’s also a new front lip, mesh air intake inserts, new side skirts, and a new rear bumper that comes with a small rear diffuser with dual exhaust pipes.
All in all, it’s pretty extensive. Maybe even a little too extensive. But give Wald International credit; these guys know how to catch attention with their projects, especially when they use one of the most luxurious cars on the face of the planet.
Almost a year ago at the 2010 LA Auto Show, world-renowned designer Bijan Pakzad struck a partnership with British luxury brand Rolls-Royce to design a limited number of rare Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupes that would be appropriately called the ‘Bijan Edition.’
Unfortunately, the designer was not able to see his work come to life after his unexpected death last April due to a heart attack. Despite his passing on, the Rolls-Royce project continued on and recently, the first of these special edition models was unveiled in front of Bijan’s luxury boutique in Beverly Hills, California.
The luxury Phantom Drophead Coupe, in so many words, has Bijan’s imprint all over it. From the unmistakable bright yellow color of the luxury sedan all the way to the touches of white diamonds embedded in the wood veneer dashboard and the set of crystal glasses tucked in a picnic set in the trunk, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Bijan Edition speaks to the taste and lifestyle of the late, great designer.
While its easy to get mesmerized by the car, it’s also worth noting that this particular Phantom also carries a 6.75-liter V12 engine that produces in excess of 450 horsepower. According to Bijan executives, the plan for the ultra rare Phantom Bijan Edition is to have at least a dozen of them built with each set to be priced from anywhere between $850,000 all the way up to $1.6 million.
Knowing the man and his impeccable taste in cars, there’s a good chance that Bijan Pakzad, wherever he is, is looking down on this car with that million-dollar smile on his face.
Photos courtesy of Dirk A. Photography
