2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom
by Cordell Koland

I had seen the pictures and read the reports, but nothing really prepared me
for the first-hand experience of the new Rolls-Royce, which has been totally
redesigned by new owner BMW. It is at once more refined, but even more
imposing than photography can convey.

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom is primarily about image, for the car and for
the owner. The car's visual impact is even more important than the tons of
technology that has been expended on the new Rolls.

First, let's say that the photographs of the new Rolls-Royce do not do the
car justice. While pictures to a degree communicate the mass of the car, an
up-close and personal inspection says much more. First off, it is really
big. At 230 inches in length, the Phantom it is about a foot longer than the
Chevy Suburban. Secondly, although we are talking about a lot of mass, there
is both a subtlety and refinement of the basic lines of the car that are
only exposed in viewing.

BMW has taken some of the styling references of the previous Rolls, such as
the massive radiator-style grille, and made them even more imposing. Forget
aerodynamics. The huge, upright radiator shell on the new Phantom dominates the car as never before and establishes an imperious tone that is unmatched in the automotive world. The winged lady mascot stands proudly in heraccustomed place. The new 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.

The Phantom rides on huge 20-inch wheels and tires that are pushed out to
the four corners of the vehicle with little overhang. This enhances the
purposeful, almost brutal, appearance of the new Rolls. It not only shouts
for attention, but also signals for lesser vehicles to stand aside.

The interior appointments are as imposing as the car¹s 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 BMW¹s 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.

The back seat certainly established a new plateau of sybaritic comfort. I
had an opportunity to experience a special model, which features
individually adjustable theater seats (the backseat riders are slightly
above the front seats). The seats sit well back into the stern, the major
benefit of the Phantom¹s length, allowing extraordinary legroom and a sense
of privacy without blackout windows in the rear. In this version, both rear
seat passengers have their own fold-down hardwood trays for snacks and
individual video screens hooked to the entertainment system. The Phantom
with the theater seat system is an option that adds about $30,000 to the
list price taking the bottom line up to a breathtaking $350,000.

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 car¹s 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. Another trick relative to the
rear doors is that each holds a full-size umbrella. It pops out with the
press of what appears to be a chrome-plated button, but is really the base
of the umbrella handle.

For those concerned about mechanical components, they are first class as
well. A new 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. It¹s doubtful that many
sports cars can do better. Top speed is electronically limited to 130 miles
per hour in the US market.

The ride is absolutely superb and the handling surprisingly agile considering the sheer mass of the automobile. For a long-distance cruiser it has no equal. As for a down side, the new Rolls-Royce is hugely expensive, a challenge to park and drive in congested cities, and a tremendous magnet for attention, not all of which may be positive. The Phantom speaks of wealth and power like no other car in production.
 
 

 
Vehicle: Rolls-Royce Phantom

Price as tested: approximately $320,000

Engine:

         Type: 6.75-liter V-12

         Horsepower:  @ 453 @ 5,350 rpm

         Torque: 531-ft. lbs. @ 3,500 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 14 mpg

         Highway - 24 mpg

Curb Weight: 5,478 lbs.