When Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled the Rolls-Royce Phantom in 2003, it heralded a new age for the marque, proudly reclaiming its position at the forefront of automotive design and engineering. Working to the maxim of company founder Sir Henry Royce - "Strive for perfection in everything you do" - the design and engineering teams spent four years developing this breakthrough model. Using the most advanced technology, whilst drawing inspiration from the company's rich heritage, their goal was clearcut: to develop a 21st century Rolls-Royce that would be truly worthy of the famous Spirit of Ecstasy. The result was the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Built at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Goodwood, this flagship Rolls-Royce ensured the company's renaissance by combining the spirit of its illustrious forebears with ground-breaking technology and visionary engineering techniques.
Design
Creating a strong identity for the Rolls-Royce Phantom was essential, says chief designer Ian Cameron: "Our priority was to create a car that was obviously a Rolls-Royce from any angle, even if the Spirit of Ecstasy or the famous grille could not be seen." To identify this core essence, the design team immersed themselves in the brand and its history. This revealed classic styling cues such as a long bonnet, wide C-pillars and discrete windows, all of which were incorporated into the Rolls-Royce Phantom's design. Its powerful, upright stance and dynamic, rising profile are also unmistakably Rolls-Royce. Yet advanced features such as a unique aluminium spaceframe and pioneering direct petrol-injection engine leave no doubt that this is a car at the cutting edge of technology.
Engineering
At the core of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is a sophisticated, lightweight, aluminium spaceframe - a unique and advanced platform conceived specifically by Rolls-Royce's engineering team to provide a refined and accomplished driving experience. Constructed from more than 200 box sections of cast aluminium extrusion, the Rolls-Royce Phantom's spaceframe has the rigidity of a Formula 1 racing car. Manufactured entirely by hand, using around 120 metres of weld, the spaceframe is finished as if it were a precision instrument: each one is checked by laser to ensure accuracy to within a fraction of a millimetre. The completed frame is then placed in a computer-guided machining platform - the largest in the automotive industry - where the critical points are milled with unparalleled precision. Without the need to provide structural support, the Rolls-Royce Phantom's body panels are simply fastened to the spaceframe. Made from lightweight aluminium and composite materials, they add minimal weight to the car. Only the boot is formed of steel, engineered to aid the 50/50 weight distribution so desirable for perfect handling.
Driving
At the heart of the Rolls-Royce Phantom lies its naturally aspirated 6.75-litre V12 engine. Designed specifically for the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and hand-assembled by Rolls-Royce technicians, this sophisticated engine develops a massive 720 lb ft of torque, 413 lb ft of which is available at 1000 rpm. On the road that translates into instant, muscular power, carrying the Rolls-Royce Phantom from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Maximising the extraordinary traction of the Rolls-Royce Phantom V12, a six-speed, electronically controlled, automatic transmission helps to deliver the seamless, effortless progress for which Rolls-Royce is famed. The Rolls-Royce Phantom offers an unparalleled passenger experience, and yet many owners have suggested that the best place to sit is behind the wheel. The view from the elevated driver's seat down the long sweep of bonnet to the Spirit of Ecstasy is the most inspirational in motoring, while the beautifully crafted, thin-rimmed steering wheel is a pleasure to hold and provides instant feedback from the wheels. Despite its dimensions, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has excellent dynamics and is easy to place accurately through corners. Exhilarating yet supremely relaxing, it delivers a driving experience of purity and precision.
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