Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe unveiled
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Drophead Coupe at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS) beginning Sunday 7 January 2007. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2007. A few features from the previous Rolls-Royce 100EX concept convertible has been adopted for the new Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. The two most apparent aesthetics design features include the brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar and the teak decking for the rear hood cover. The brushed steel is machine finished to give a uniform grain before undergoing extensive hand polishing to achieve a perfect sheen. At the rear, the teak decking is treated with a mix of oils to preserve a natural finish.
The doors are front opening, rear hinged coach doors designed for ease of access to the rear seats. A split tail compartment gives access to a 315 liter boot, not too shabby in actual storage space and very usable but it seems a small number in relative to the size of the car. Bootspace is unaffected even if the soft top is down. The fabric hood is the largest of any modern convertible car. The hood is made of 5 layers of material and is lined with cashmere. The hood was designed for maximum acoustic insulation for cloth top standards.
Of course with every convertible car, the chassis is very important as you’re missing some of the rigidity provided by a hard roof. The chassis is an advanced all aluminum chassis with a 50:50 weight balance, hand made at BMW’s centre for aluminium competence in Dingolï¬ng, Germany with over 140 meters of welding, 20 meters more than the standard Phantom sedan. The entire windscreen surround was designed to be an integral part of the roll-over protection system. The A-pillar struts run right down to the floor of the car. Interestingly, a 20-year old Delorean (that cult classic car of Back to the Future fame) was used in the development process. It was manufactured with stainless steel exterior panels and provided an interesting case study into the long-term durability of using aluminium and brushed steel in proximity with each other, something that might cause steel to corrode because of the aluminium.
The 2620kg car wafts along thanks to a 6.75 liter, naturally aspirated V12 engine with gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing, developing 453hp at 5,350rpm and 720 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm mated to a six-speed ZF automatic shift-by-wire gearbox. 75% of engine power available at just 1000 rpm, progress from a standstill is easy and remains so throughout the rev range. 0-100km/h acceleration is under 6 seconds, and goes on to a top speed of 240km/h.
More photos after the jump…
December 31, 2006 @ 7:39 am
I think the original “double eyes” front light still look better to me than this “single eye” one
The workmanship seems top-notch !
By the way has anyone had a close look on the Rolls Royce “patung” ? Is it a lady with the skirt flying up ?
December 31, 2006 @ 7:44 am
wow..*drooling*
December 31, 2006 @ 8:53 am
J:
The statuette on the hood of the Rolls Royce Phantom is called the Spirit Of Ecstasy and was designed by sculptor Charles Skyes in 1911.
It is an embodiment of what people desire or lust for hence the title Spirit of Ecstasy.
December 31, 2006 @ 9:54 am
i still prefer the bentley continental GTC
December 31, 2006 @ 10:09 am
when this updated thing gone come to so call a boleh land!
December 31, 2006 @ 11:51 am
Do this 6.75 liter engine need VVT?
How much can they save from FC?
Since those who can afford this car is filthy rich that concern with luxury and status rather than bother about how much FC they can save? This is ultimate luxury cater to nich market, not sub-compact entry level cater to economy cost!
December 31, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
Nice…
December 31, 2006 @ 4:04 pm
Thanks for info CB. The spirit has a good match to this type of car
Joe, I think rich people can be “calculative” as well. So they will need to do something to show that they save some money for the rich … hehe
December 31, 2006 @ 4:09 pm
VVT is not only to save fuel, its also for emission standards. plus, its part of making the engine look modern… how can a 300,000USD car not have a modern engine??
love the engine bay… surprised that RR doesnt need ugly plastic coverings like Lexus to keep the noise level down.
December 31, 2006 @ 4:16 pm
joe: vvt’s benefits include a better torque curve = better power at low to medium engine speeds. it is not exclusively to save fuel.
December 31, 2006 @ 5:11 pm
georgeous…but why use fabric/canvas roof. Do it like merc SL larr
December 31, 2006 @ 5:59 pm
just that side mirror need a little classy look, slimmer a bit, with aluminium polished effect,/or chrome, more blend i presume,,,,,
its a fine car, admired from far
ifff im rich, just got myself a budget C6
December 31, 2006 @ 9:49 pm
happymeal and Paul Tan – Thanks for the info.
January 1, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
how long is that car again?
January 2, 2007 @ 2:26 am
Yes, it’s a extreme superb car. But this is not for us.
Waste lah! Give it to the King… hahha… Hail the King, Hell the King!
January 2, 2007 @ 3:32 am
Yang Dipertuan Agong new toys!
January 2, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
suxxla dis car..better own d bentley continental gt than dis one…
January 2, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
tgk betul2..headlamp looks like shin chan’s eye with thick eyebrow…
owh..its just me?.
January 4, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
the bentley is in a different price bracket.
this is a car for people with twice the bentley’s money and to be honest, the bentley has nowhere near the amount of drama and presence the roller has.
my brother has seen the new phantom parked next to a flying spur. he mention in the wake of the phantom, the flying spur just fades into the background.
VVT would ruin the roller smooth and subtle power delievery.
January 5, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Rolls Royce. Simply biatch!
January 7, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
“Yang Dipertuan Agong new toys!”
LOL… almost fell of my seat… hahahahaha….
but honestly, sweet car…
October 22, 2009 @ 9:44 pm
i love this car,will buy when my money on account rm100m,love so much