New features of the car include slim LED sidelights and larger, round driving lamps up front, a gently raked grille and aluminum frame leading up to and including the A-pillars. The biggest standout, however, is the new rear-hinged doors designed to make entering the rear bench seat easier. The design also allows an uninterrupted A-pillar, which adds significantly to the car’s overall torsional rigidity.
Up back, engineers have installed a ‘picnic boot’, which can be lowered to provide a seating platform for two. There’s also enough room for four sets of golf clubs, 395L all up. Modern touches include an optional camera, nestled below the front numberplate. When pulling out of a side road or parking, it transmits a split-screen view of the road ahead. At the rear, another camera is fitted beneath the chrome boot-lid handle, to help when reversing.
The Coupe is the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line. The new model features stiffer rear dampers than the rest of the Phantom lineup as well as modified spring rates. Body roll is reduced by fitting a thicker rear anti-roll bar and the steering has been tuned to offer more feedback. A sport button on the steering wheel activates a new gearbox program. Each gear is held for longer, increasing the rate of acceleration. Kick-down is also faster and accelerator pedal response has been enhanced.
The Coupe’s wheelbase is 250mm shorter than that of the Phantom, giving greater agility. Its 49:51 weight ratio ensures that it remains balanced through corners, while the slight rear weight bias improves straight-line acceleration and traction. Self-levelling air suspension continuously adjusts to driving conditions, and the steering has modified Servotronic assistance to provide increased road feel.
Power comes from the familiar 6.75L V12 engine, developing a peak output of 453hp and 720Nm of torque. Top speed remains a limited 155mph and the 0-60mph sprint takes just 5.6 seconds, impressive numbers for a car that tips the scales at a whopping 2,600kg and has a drag coefficient of 0.36Cd. As standard, the Phantom Coupe has 21in Goodyear tires with run-flat capability, sitting on seven-spoke aluminum or two different styles of forged aluminum rims. Braking is provided by massive 14.7in ventilated disc brakes at the front and 14.6in at the rear with twin piston alloy calipers at the front and single piston calipers at the rear.
Reader Comments
Sat Feb 16 2008 6:28 PM
rickybobby says
Gorgeous car
So is it any different from the Drophead Coupe other than being a little more driver oriented?
Sat Feb 16 2008 10:56 PM
SuperSkyline89 says
This car is so beautiful, I saw the Drophead at the Canadian International Auto Show and man does it have a presence. It's so big and luxurious looking that even someone that knows nothing about cars will know it's something special.
Sun Feb 17 2008 7:15 AM
HECTOR says
COming soon to a rap video near you.
Sun Feb 17 2008 8:33 AM
Alan says
I think it's basically a Drophead Coupe with a fixed roof. I don't see the need for Roller to be driver oriented, they're meant to carry people in utter comfort and waft along quietly. Personally though, i really like the current RR range, but Phantom is still the one that looks most like a proper RR to me.
Mon Feb 18 2008 11:20 PM
Sir Yappie says
some untalented rap / hip hop / gangsta singer will have it in their video soon..blinged to the eyeballs...so very soon to lose its respect...nice looking car and a good competitor to the Bentley Conti whioch was eating up sales in the uber coupe segment for the young rich and dumb crowd in america !!!
Tue Feb 19 2008 3:17 PM
lexlife says
Love the design! What I once thought was a but over the top is now an elegant coupe that I would love to have. It has a very striking pose from the rear & side - especially in the gray color depicted. I do however wish the headlights matched those on the sedan variant - otherwise an exceptionally beautiful car. Btw..I'll have to experience the diamond twilight headliner to appreciate it ;-) An expansive sunroof would have been nice - but I suppose the upcoming convertible is for those that want air. Kudos RR!
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