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.

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.

I have discussed the Rolls-Royce bespoke programme before. But John Griffiths writing for the FT has gleamed some interesting details about the bespoke service in his road test of the dazzling Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé - Steel fist in a velvet glove.

Mr Griffiths writes a very warm and glowing review of his experience road testing this beautiful convertible. “It is a pussycat to drive: amiable, cosseting, only demanding the driver pay serious attention if the mighty, steel-fist-in-a-velvet-glove performance of its 6.7 litre V12 is released to the full. At that point, it unfurls the spinnaker, so to speak, and really sets up a wash: 62mph comes up from standstill in 5.9 seconds and the surge is relentless towards a top speed of 149mph.”

As you might expect from the FT, the question of money is never far away. There is perhaps nobody better qualified than the manager of the bespoke division, Mr Clive Woolmer, to answer this question. “Individualism is a fundamental part of Rolls-Royce,” says Woolmer.

It is not too uncommon for customers to hand over a cheque for £1 million for their unique Rolls-Royce. Making the price of a “standard” Phantom Drophead Coupé of £307,000 seem like a steal.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé has helped Rolls-Royce achieve their best ever year. 2007 sales were up 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with Rolls-Royce selling 1010 cars. This is the first time sales reached four figures and the fourth successive sales increase since BMW took the helm in 2003.

75 per cent of sales were for the four door models - the Phantom and the Phantom Extended wheelbase, but it was the stunning Phantom Drophead Coupé, which was launched in the summer which really helped the volume increase.

“Everybody at Rolls-Royce is delighted with this tremendous result which marks our fifth anniversary in the best possible way,” said Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It confirms Rolls-Royce as the most desirable brand in the super luxury market and is a credit to the passion and dedication of our teams at Goodwood and around the world. The customer reaction to the Drophead Coupé has been astonishing, exceeding all our expectations.”

2008 looks like being another great year for the Goodwood based company. They plan to launch a two-door coupé model based on the Phantom. Looking further forward to 2010, the “baby Rolls-Royce” (codename RR4) will start competing against the Bentley Continental range.

One of the most important engines ever, the Merlin was Sir Henry Royce’s final design. An aero engine which arguably changed the outcome of World War II. It was fitted to the legendary Spitfire fighter along with many other British aircraft including the Lancaster bomber as well as tanks. The American P-51 Mustang also later adopted this amazing engine. The massive engine produced over 1400 horsepower helped by it’s two-stage supercharger. Later generations would produce even more power.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was unveiled at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show. An evolution of the ‘New Phantom’ it featured an improved six-cylinder engine, transmission, hydraulic shock absorbers and under-slung semi-elliptic springs. Approximately 1767 Phantom II’s were produced. Only one however was fitted with the 27 litre Merlin V12 engine. Producing over 1100 horsepower with out a supercharger. This behemoth Rolls-Royce could out accelerate a 1958 Vanwall Grand Prix car!. The only comparable vehicle is a Merlin powered Phantom III now owned by American comedian Jay Leno.

This amazing Rolls-Royce has just been sold at the Al Wiseman collection auction for $412,500.

The word “bespoke” could have been crafted especially for Rolls-Royce. By their very nature, cars from the Rolls-Royce stable are exclusive and tailor-made. As Rolls-Royce say, “You don’t just buy a Rolls-Royce: you commission it, like a piece of fine art or a super yacht.”

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten is a perfect example of what one can ‘commission’ from the Goodwood factory. With styling cues taken from the 101EX concept car, the Tungsten features a brushed aluminium bonnet, seven-spoke forged aluminium wheels, a visible stainless-steel exhaust and ‘Xirallic’ Darkest Tungsten paintwork. These exterior highlights are themselves not the star of the show though, as you take a peek inside you’ll see Smoke Grey leather and Navy blue hide along with a full width metal fascia and bespoke treadplates, but as your gaze lifts vertically you’ll witness the “Starlight” headliner. Using over 800 fibre optic lights the ceiling creates the impression of a star-filled night sky.

To be sold in strictly limited quantities the Tungsten is an exceptional version, of an exceptional car.

Learn more about the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten.

It has just been announced that six Tungsten Phantoms are already destined for the Middle East.

One of only 19 Phantom II coupe’s, this 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II is one of only two completed by Hooper & Company, and will be sold at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The black and Tudor Gray Phantom II was special-ordered in December 1934 through R.P. Collyer, Ltd., in Montreal, Canada’s lone Rolls Royce dealer. Specific design elements ordered by the new owner included sloping bonnet shutters, Dunlop Fort Silent Tread tires, front and rear Wilmot Breeden bumpers and an unusual request for no wheel carriers in the front wings of the vehicle, giving the bare side panels an extraordinary fluid shape. It is also lavishly equipped with Marchal headlamps and center light, a windscreen sun visor and matching pairs of Lucas trumpet and Alto horns.

Learn More from Barrett-Jackson.

There are many great chauffeur cars, but there is only one Rolls-Royce. A name that has become a byword for excellence since Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce first started manufacturing cars in 1904. Almost a century later The Rolls-Royce Phantom wafts out of the Rolls-Royce factory in the Goodwood Estate. A state of the art facility born from BMW’s acquisition of the Rolls-Royce marque.

Beware silent cars

This is no ordinary factory. For a start it is designed to blend right into it’s luscious surroundings. With Europe’s largest “living roof” and lots of natural interior light it is a suitably inspiring and fitting place of work which I suspect is a little different from Henry Royce’s first Manchester workshop! The living roof is made from thousands of sedum plants which not only change colour with the seasons, but insulates to save energy in the winter months. I recently had the pleasure of being shown round the new Rolls-Royce plant. At the clinically spotless and impressive facility I witnessed the manufacture of some Phantoms, Phantom EWBs and the delicious new Phantom Drophead.The bodies and engines are manufactured in Germany. In England the body shells are painted before being joined together in a lifelong embrace with the engine, gearbox and the rest of the drive mechanism. The complete drive mechanism is assembled on a high tech frame. Ensuring that each component is in exactly the right place before the whole chassis is carefully aligned with the bodywork. Apparently I was lucky to see this marriage of automotive excellence. My chaperone explained that although he had been around the whole factory countless times he had never before witnessed this particular, but significant part of the Phantom build process.

Leather

The leather team select only the best hides from Bavarian bulls with which to dress the car. Bavarian bulls are chosen because their hides do not stretch from calf bearing like the cows, plus there are no barbed wire fences in Bavaria, which means there are no scars on the animals. The leather is dyed right through, so that even if scratched the colour will shine through.

Woodwork

The woodworkers who form and shape the finest wood veneers, first start with wood from the same tree. Carefully bookmarking them so they are a perfect mirror image across the car.

The church of excellence

Through out my tour each craftsperson I saw was totally engrossed in their job. In a dedicated and almost religious way, the workers laboured as if handling a new born baby or some-other equally precious being. We were not even allowed to touch the cars, and even our Rolls-Royce guides had to seek permission from the workers before we were allowed to get too close to these amazing machines. Each car I witnessed was unique. Some shared the same exterior colour, but all had different variations of leather and wood along with other differences. This helps make each Royce special. In no way does the manufacture resemble a traditional production line. Just like a finished Rolls-Royce doesn’t resemble a normal car.