Rolls-Royce has always had a way of appealing to a broader spectrum of buyers with their cars, and for the seventh generation Phantom (Phantom VII), they made the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, which came after the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Both cars, however, have similar histories and underpinnings, having been built based on the Rolls-Royce 100EX using the aluminum platform from the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII sedan. Sharing the same engine as other Rolls-Royce models during its tenure, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe has a naturally aspirated 453 horsepower V12 under the hood and shares the same transmission. Its styling was also similar, but anyone can notice the absence of two doors and a slightly different rear-end curvature. Inside, the Phantom Coupe reflects Rolls-Royce's persistent commitment to enduring luxury. But why make a coupe? In an endeavour to broaden its appeal to a broader audience, Rolls-Royce introduced various iterations of their cars, exemplified by the Phantom Coupe in this instance. Yet none came with a discounted price tag as you couldn't get a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe for less than $400,000 when new, a price that went up yearly through its production. Today, the Phantom Coupe has become surprisingly attainable. While still a significant investment, a $100,000 to $250,000 budget could put you behind the wheel of one. This is a fraction of the cost of the current Rolls-Royce models. Affordability is relative, but does its cost make the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe the most affordable modern Rolls-Royce?
During the Rolls-Royce Phantom II's production, Henry Royce commissioned an independent body designer to design him a one-off short-wheelbase Phantom II, later known as the Rolls-Royce Phantom Continental Sports Saloon. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe's designer, Ian Cameron, designed it to be a modern successor to the Phantom Continental Sports Saloon but without the four-door layout since the Phantom II Continental retained the four-door layout from the standard Phantom II. A similarity shared between the Phantom Continental Sports Saloon and the modern Phantom Coupe is that both were built based on concept vehicles. After commissioning, there were no specifications of how the Phantom Continental was to be made, although there was a clear specification in mind, it had to have a shorter wheelbase and five leaf springs. It might be for this reason that Rolls-Royce only built a few of them, with production numbers estimated at 281 examples. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. It was based on the Rolls-Royce 100EX concept car that also inspired the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe that had debuted the previous year. While the Phantom Drophead Coupe is indeed categorized as a coupe, the fact it's a convertible made the Phantom Coupe the first coupe that Rolls-Royce had made in 22 years and the first coupe under BMW AG's leadership. Rolls-Royce is estimated to have made roughly 500 examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe between 2008 and 2016 at Rolls-Royce's Goodwood assembly plant in Sussex, England. Following its success, Rolls-Royce introduced the Rolls-Royce Wraith in 2014 and continued its production following the retirement of the Phantom Coupe. Consequently, the Wraith assumed the role of the Phantom Coupe's successor.
The force behind the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe's smooth ride is a 6.75-liter naturally aspirated V12, sending all its 453 horsepower and 530 lb. ft to the rear wheels via a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed automatic transmission was only used in early production units as Rolls-Royce switched to the 8-speed in 2010 for improved fuel efficiency, smoother shifts and driving comfort. Additionally, the 8-speed enhanced the Phantom Coupe's performance even though its clientele is not the type who would enquire about its acceleration times and top speed. But if it brings comfort, 0-60 mph in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe is achieved in around 5.8 seconds with a capped top speed of 155 mph. For a car that weighs 5,710 pounds, these performance figures are impressive, but the ride comfort is even more impressive. As with other Rolls-Royce models during its time, Rolls-Royce used an adaptive suspension on the Phantom. The star feature of the suspension? Automatic four-corner leveling turns any bumpy road into a smooth, gliding ride, keeping the car perfectly level at all times and offering excellent ride comfort and handling. A true exemplification of Rolls-Royce's magic carpet ride.
Elegance and style converge in the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe's interior. The first thing that greets you once you open the door is the mostly wooden dashboard that adds an exquisite touch to the interior's overall design. Once you step inside, the plush, full-grain leather seats feel firm but comfortable. But before you sink into the seats, you can't fail to notice the stitching, which is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship that went into creating other elements in the interior, as they also display exceptional artistry in how they are put together. From the door handles and switches to the dashboard's details, the careful incorporation of chrome highlights in the cabin adds a touch of classic elegance, which you'll only find in a Rolls-Royce. Being a 2+2 coupe, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe gets second-row seating, with the rear seats being made from the same leather and offering the same level of comfort as the front seats. However, legroom and headroom aren't outstanding due to the shortened wheelbase and sloping roofline.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe exterior design is a seamless fusion of artistry and engineering, a visual symphony that captivates at first glance. The iconic Pantheon grille will be the first thing you'll see stepping up to the car, its polished chrome bars exuding grandeur and allowing the grille to stand out as the front end's centerpiece. On top of the grille, like with other Rolls-Royce models since 1911, a Spirit of Ecstasy emblem, often described as a winged goddess, adorns the hood not only as an ornament but as a symbol of Rolls-Royce heritage. Moving along the side reveals a harmonious play of proportions, and it would be exciting to see the subtle differences between the Phantom Coupe and Sedan. The Phantom Coupe's lower stance and shorter wheelbase give it an athletic look that surprisingly doesn't take away from the sweeping aesthetic of the body lines flowing from the front to the rear. Even with the windows closed, you can't fair to notice the lack of a B-pillar that creates a seamless flow from the bottom of the windshield to the bottom of the rear windshield. The pillarless design also adds a touch of sporting flair and gives the cabin an expansive feel.
Being an older model, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe isn't as heavily adorned with tech features as newer Rolls-Royce models. However, every tech feature utilized in it is assured to fulfill its intended purpose effectively. Take for instance, the laser headlights, which will still illuminate the road with piercing clarity despite being old. The daytime running lights complementing the headlights also provide excellent illumination, but their design's core objective was to enhance the front end's visual appeal. A symphony on wheels, the 15-speaker 420-watt premium sound system in the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe delivers an immersive auditory experience with deep and crystal clear audio. There's no infotainment display, and in place of it, you get a dual-channel radio console with CD capabilities and a miniature Rolls-Royce analog clock above it. Still in the interior, Rolls-Royce made the starlight headliner optional for the Phantom Coupe's buyers. It transforms the interior into a celestial masterpiece, imbuing the cabin with an enchanting ambience from its thousands of fiber optic lights handwoven into the fabric of the headliner.
Valued at a relatively lower price point than most modern Rolls-Royce models, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe is a popular choice amongst buyers seeking the ownership pride that comes with owning a Rolls-Royce without emptying their wallets. But don't let its affordability deceive you into believing that it doesn't offer a high level of luxury and hushed driving experience. If the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe is on your to-buy list, look no further than Exotic Car Trader. Browse our wide array of Rolls-Royce Phantom listings, and in case your preferences shift, our inventory boasts additional Rolls-Royce listings for your consideration.
The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe's style remains undeniable. Its sleek, two-door silhouette stands apart from the boxy Phantoms and the Drophead Coupe's convertible form. It's a head-turner, a statement piece that exudes refined confidence. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! If you're looking for a car that turns heads, pampers you in unprecedented comfort, and connects you to a legacy of automotive excellence, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe might just be the car for you.
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