By Sterling Silverstone

The Phantom is the Rolls-Royce for the 21st Century. The design and en­gineering team took fours years to develop this break through model using the latest technology whilst drawing on the company’s rich heritage and have produce a car that is truly worthy of the famous Spirit of Ecstasy.

It was built at their a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Goodwood in West Sussex, England. Ironically the ultimate motor car for the 21st century is being built in the shadows of the race track where their predecessors of the previous century once raced. The Phantom combines the spirit of its illustrious
forebears with ground-breaking technology and visionary en­gineering techniques.

It doesn’t matter from which angle you look this car even if the Spirit of Ecstasy or the famous grille could not be seen it is unquestionably a Rolls-Royce. The brand and its history were the inspiration of the design team a long bonnet, wide C-pillars and discrete windows classic Rolls-Royce ele­ments yet its combined with advanced features such as a unique aluminium spaceframe and pioneering direct petrol-injection. Unquestionably this car is at the cutting edge of technology.

Exactly the same can be said of the unique rear coach doors, which stand as testament to the sophisticated engineering to be found throughout the Phantom. Hinged at the back, they allow rear passengers to enter and exit the car gracefully, and can be closed at the press of a button.

The interior of the Phantom is clean and contemporary, the simplic­ity of the design belying the technology beneath. Any controls not needed for everyday driving are kept out of sight until required. The multi-media
screen, for example, is hidden behind a revolving panel in the centre of the dashboard that normally displays a round, analogue clock. This apparent simplicity extends to the operation of the controls as well: even the highly sophisticated audio system can be operated using just one button.

A hallmark of Rolls-Royce, and of the Phantom in particular, is the way in which the most advanced technology combines with traditional handcraftsmanship to produce something extraordinary. The switches for the power windows and audio system are beautifully crafted ‘violin keys’, while the chrome air vents are operated by traditional ‘organ stops’. Together with the use of the finest leather and wood veneers, it is this fusion of high technology and hand-craftsmanship that gives the interior its unique and luxurious feel.
Without the need to provide structural support, the 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.

Enthusiastic drivers will appreciate the precision with which it can be placed on the road – but not at the expense of the ride, which is as serene and comfortable as one would expect of a Rolls-Royce. The spaceframe also helps to eliminate noise, vibration and harshness, contributing immensely to the calm and tranquillity of the Phantom’s interior. This is a thoroughbred motor car.

At the heart of the Phantom lies its naturally aspirated 6.75-litre V12 engine. On the road this car demonstrates its raw athlete muscular power, travelling from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, performance synonymous with the blue ribbon racehorse at Glorious Goodwood.

Anyone who questions the price tag has never enjoyed the Rolls-Royce motoring experience. From behind the driver’s seat the elevated view of the long sweep of bonnet to the Spirit of Ecstasy, while the beautifully crafted, thin-rimmed steering wheel is a pleasure to hold and provides instant feed­back from the wheels. Exhilarating yet supremely relaxing, it delivers a driv­ing experience of purity and precision.

Matching the beauty of its exterior design is the mirror-like lustre of the paintwork, five layers of paint and clear lacquer are applied to each Phan­tom – seven if it’s a two-tone car – and between each application the body has been hand sanded. After the final layer has been applied, the body is hand-polished for five hours to give a finish of unrivalled depth and sheen.

The timeless architecture of the Phantom’s interior combines with the finest natural materials to provide a luxurious social space in which passen­gers can relax. Cashmere and soft leathers give an air of sumptuous indulgence, while the very latest in audio­visual technology ensures that every journey is as pleasurable as possible.

The rear seats are elevated by 18 mm, giving rear passengers a peerless view out of the car as well as 979mm of headroom. Lounge seating with slightly curved outer edges allows passengers to turn towards one another comfortably.

The Lexicon audio system is unrivalled in the automotive world. Engi­neered to recording industry standard there are 15 speakers in the car giving the perfect, surround-sound listening experience from anywhere in the car.

For further entertainment there are two 12-inch monitors within the veneered picnic tables in the rear. These screens are linked to a six-DVD changer and also allow viewing of digital television. . In combination with the Lexicon audio system, any journey in the Phantom a truly cinematic experience.

It takes between 15 and 18 hides to upholster one Phantom each one comes from specially selected herds of cattle, and only the most supple mature bull hides are used. Each hide is checked meticulously by hand to identify any imperfections. The 450 individual leather parts are then cut out using a precision laser before being carefully stitched by hand.

Three different types of leather are used: natural grain for the seats and trims, pre-shrunk in sun-lit areas and tipped (embossed) on the centre console and door trims. The wood veneers used are sourced from sustainable forests and chosen for their richness and complexity of grain.

There are six standard veneers, including Burr Walnut and Bird’s Eye Maple. Craftsmen, many drawn from the yacht-build­ing and fine cabinet-making industries, carefully book-match every veneer used inside the Phantom. This highly skilled tech­nique ensures that the grain on the left-hand side of each panel is an
exact mirror image of that on the right.

As the founder of the company once said, “Strive for perfection in eve­rything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it”. It’s that founding ethos that makes the Rolls-
Royce Phantom the ultimate motor car – art on wheels.