Ian Robertson, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd, unveiled the latest addition to the Phantom line - the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show on the 4th of February. Two years ago in Geneva, Rolls-Royce showed their experimental 101EX Coupé, and two years later they unwrapped the production model.

This gorgeous car will probably not make it make it on my shopping list. Even if it was at the very top of my list, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé order book is already full. More than 200 orders have been placed, accounting for the entirety of this year’s planned production. “Two thirds of the names in our early order bank are from non Rolls-Royce owners”, CEO Ian Robertson said, “It means we’re beginning to appeal to a broader audience.”

The reason I will not be signing for one of these cars is that the “standard” Phantom does everything I want. I don’t buy cars to be driven, they are bought to be chauffeured. The Phantom Coupé has been designed to, as Mr Royce would say, to provide a “little fizz”. This is no ordinary fizz, this is Rolls-Royce fizz. With the emphasis now on the driver, this looks like being a different beast than the original Phantom.

Chief Designer, Ian Cameron pictured above with Ian Robertson, probably did not design the car for me. “The engineering of this car is based on both the Drophead and the Phantom, but this is a car with quite a different character. It has been created as a real transcontinental tourer and is the most driver orientated car we have produced to date.” Ian Robertson explained. “We have made a number of subtle engineering changes, which, when added all together give the car quite a different feel. But this is still first and foremost a Rolls-Royce with the emphasis on silent running, seemless ride and effortless power. It is certainly not a sports car in any sense, but does feel more dynamic than our other models. Starting with the chassis, it is incredibly stiff – in fact the stiffest Rolls-Royce chassis ever built – and that’s a great starting point. Springs and damper are slightly firmer, there are thicker anti-roll bars and steering assistance is reduced to increase feel. The brakes have been programmed to give a little more initial bite while a sport button on the steering wheel reprogrammes the gearbox with a more aggressive shift pattern.”

So, no I will not be ordering one, which doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want one. I don’t play golf, but I might start just so I can show off with four sets of golf clubs in it’s picnic boot. But, if I did win the lottery, I would definitely add my name to the list and wait patiently for my chance to press the sport button.

Sir Alan Sugar recently met the future workforce of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars during a visit to the Goodwood factory. Sir Alan took a tour of the West Sussex facility and took the opportunity to chat with apprentices from the wood, leather, assembly and paint departments. The star of the Apprentice TV show is endorsing Gordon Brown’s new policy to boost the skills of the nation, with a goal of one in five young people gaining an apprenticeship within the next ten years.

Sir Alan said “I was blown away with the investment Rolls-Royce has made in the apprentice scheme at this leading-edge factory. The level of craftsmanship needed to produce one of their high quality cars is incredible. The apprentices are being taught skills that I thought were a thing of the past, it is very encouraging and impressive to see it in action. There’s a real sense that a future British workforce is being trained in an excellent way”.

Several hundred new jobs will be created with the launch of a new model series, codenamed RR4, in 2010. Current staff numbers stand at around 700, having increased by around 100 with the launch of the Phantom Drophead Coupé in 2007.

Details of the Rolls-Royce apprenticeship programme, graduate scheme and current vacancies, are available from www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will reveal a new model to their Phantom line at the Geneva Motor Show on the 4th March 2008. The Phantom Coupé will stand alongside the Phantom and Phantom Drophead Coupé and production is due to start in the summer at Goodwood.

The Phantom Coupé is described by Rolls-Royce as the most driver-orientated model of the Phantom range. With a 25% increase in fuel capacity compared to the Phantom Drophead Coupé. The Phantom Coupé is the most torsionally rigid car Rolls-Royce have ever produced. These two factors along with the 453 BHP normally aspirated 6.75-litre V12 will on paper make this a great grand tourer.

Like the Phantom and Phantom Drophead Coupé, the Phantom Coupé features rear-hinged doors which aids access to the rear lounge seats. New to the Phantom line is a picnic boot. A split rear tailgate opens to create a comfortable seating platform, which sounds ideal for an impromptu picnic. The interior also shows the LED roof lining, first seen in the limited edition Phantom Tungsten.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said “Rolls-Royce has always been about pace, performance and style. For the Coupé design we gave the quintessential Rolls-Royce design a dynamic twist. This adds a sense of drama to the outstanding engineering and drivability that are fundamentals of Rolls-Royce cars. The dynamic drive of the Phantom has always come as a surprise to customers and the Coupé takes it one step further.”

If the Phantom Coupé performs half as good as it looks, it will give the Bentley Continental GT a run for it’s money. We will have to wait for the Geneva Motor Show to see this stunning car in the flesh.