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Wm. B. Sullivan Realty & Co.
Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
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Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom by Cordell Koland There's a dichotomy in the manner in which the very wealthy display privilege and power. Consider the low-key approach exemplified by Warren Buffet and the late David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard. On the other hand, the poster child for conspicuous consumption these days is Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of the Blackstone Group, he with the $3 million birthday party and the $40 million co-op in NYC as reported in the New York Post. Maybe you're not head of a hedge fund, but if you've got mega bucks and want to participate in what's being called the New Gilded Age, we've got your ride. For the contemporary age, the Rolls-Royce Phantom starts from a unique design perspective. According to its official literature, ³Rolls-Royce stylists and engineers created a Œ120 percent' car a vehicle whose overall size, length, height and wheels are notably larger than those of ordinary luxury saloons (Brit speak for sedan).² There is absolutely no marketing hype in the preceding statement. The Phantom is really big. At 230 inches in length, it is about eight inches longer that the massive, full-size Chevrolet Suburban SUV. The body is tall. You sit high and upright in the cabin with a commanding view. Furthermore, Rolls-Royce blows away any notions of aerodynamics. According to the company, ³A decision was made early in the design phase to unchain the Phantom from the constraints of current aerodynamic trends. The prime directive was to design a quintessential Rolls-Royce, not the common Wedge shaped vehicles² So the Phantom assumes a lofty upright position led by its immense grille. Given the disregard for aerodynamics, it's no wonder that the huge, upright radiator shell on the Phantom dominates the car and establishes an imperious tone that is unmatched in the automotive world. The winged lady mascot (³Spirit of Ecstasy²) stands proudly in the accustomed place. The Rolls is not an automobile for the faint of heart or for the owner who craves anonymity. The Phantom demands attention as no other automobile in current production. Our test Phantom rode on optional 21-inch wheels and tires. These massive wheels enhance the purposeful, almost brutal, appearance of the Rolls. It not only shouts for attention, but also signals lesser vehicles to stand aside. The interior appointments are as imposing as the car's exterior. Rolls-Royce uses 18 hides to swathe the interior in rich leather. True to its heritage, the dashboard appears to be crafted from a massive hardwood plank with the gauges and instruments mounted therein. Although BMW's iDrive system of accessory control and satellite navigation is installed, these components are hidden from view and must be called out of hiding to perform. Nevertheless, this amalgam of the super traditional and the ultra modern is an uneasy marriage. I'd rate the Phantom well below average in the European luxury class for ergonomic considerations. Its controls are strewn about with no clear rationale for use or location. But they do retain a very traditional look and feel. The back seat certainly establishes a plateau of sybaritic comfort. The seats sit well back into the stern, the major benefit of the Phantom's length, allowing extraordinary legroom and a sense of privacy without blackout windows in the rear. The standard Rolls, which we test drove, has a sofa that wraps around the sides of the rear area (increasing the comfort of riders as they converse with each other), a touch made possible by the car's length. This means that the back doors are well ahead of the actual seats and are hinged at the rear edge, allowing one to enter the seating area with extreme ease. Once seated, the passenger can close the door by pressing a button, rather than by having to reach out to close the heavy door by hand. For those concerned about mechanical components, they are supplied by corporate parent, BMW, and are first class. A V-12 engine drives an adaptive six-speed automatic transmission to provide ghostly smooth power. The engine generates most of its huge torque at a mere 1,000 rpms, which translates into the ability to shoot the huge car to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds. Given the Phantom's 141-inch wheelbase, its ride is absolutely superb and the handling quite agile considering the sheer mass of the automobile. For a long-distance cruiser on a superhighway, it has no equal. As for a down side, the Rolls-Royce is a challenge to park and drive in congested urban environments. When I order mine, I'm going to specify the optional chauffeur. Vehicle:
Rolls-Royce Phantom
Price as tested: $374,300 Engine: Type: 6.75-liter V-12 Horsepower: @ 453 @ 5,350 rpm Torque: 531-ft. lbs. @ 3,500 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City - 13 mpg Highway - 19 mpg Curb Weight: 5,577 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
