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The Rolls-Royce Phantom was presented for the first time in 2003. An automobile with timeless appeal and British elegance. The car manufacturer from Goodwood is taking the Geneva Motor Show as an opportunity to present the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II to the public.
The latest cutting-edge technologies have arrived, the previously incomparable drive has been further improved, and the expansion of connectivity reflects the new world in which we live. As a result, I am convinced that Rolls-Royce will continue to be proud to offer the best automobile in the world.
The Phantom Series II's modern front end, with its redesigned bumper and rectangular headlight cutouts, is the essence of the changes that lie beneath: the full LED headlights that allow the use of new technologies such as cornering lights, in which the light cones of the headlights are in the Pivoting the direction of travel to achieve better illumination of the road when cornering, as well as adaptive headlights, in which the light cone changes automatically and adapts to different driving speeds.
Rolls-Royce Phantom - V12 engine with direct injection
The powertrain of the Rolls-Royce Phantom has also been optimized. The new eight-speed automatic transmission and the new rear differential complement the V12 engine with direct fuel injection and improve the exemplary dynamics. In doing so, they renew the Rolls-Royce promise of superior cruising. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle has been reduced by around ten percent, and as a logical consequence, CO2 emissions have fallen from 385 to 347 g/km.
[youtube JCy_vWYJfVc 675 450]The thin-rimmed steering wheel is reminiscent of the sleek, multi-function wheels of the Phantom II and III, while the shape of the air vents and accompanying 'organ pipes' are further reminders of masterpieces of yesteryear. But 21st-century design elements also delight owners and those for whom looking at a Rolls-Royce is a rare moment of happiness. For example, the monogram of the intertwined double R from Rolls-Royce, which stands upright on the wheel trims at all times. Or the self-closing Coach doors that house Teflon-coated umbrellas and allow for the greatest exit from an automobile, no matter the weather.
The new, modern front of the Phantom Series II family members probably best illustrates the changes that took place under the hull. A full LED headlight unit is placed behind the rectangular headlight openings and the redesigned front bumpers. The distinctive feature is an elegant, dynamic bar of continuous light - a feature that is also reflected in the Rolls-Royce tail lamp design. For visual balance and better proportions, this light bar runs horizontally across the center of the headlight assembly, which consists of four modules.
The Phantom coupe and Phantom Drophead coupe now feature a one-piece grille surround, making the front of the car blend into the powerfully curved fenders for a sleeker and more timeless look, while the Phantom sedan now features a new rear fascia with an integrated polished stainless steel appliqué.
Arguably the best place to experience the Phantom's unparalleled luxury is in the sedan's rear seats, where passengers - elevated by 18 millimeters - have an inspiring view of the Spirit of Ecstasy over the long sweep of the bonnet. Reducing the number of sewn-in panels on the backrests and seat cushion front and rear from five to three is a modern-looking complement to the vehicle's lavish use of leather. With the Phantom Series II, the Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead Coupé now also have sewn-in panels on the backrest and seat cushion.
The luxury theater with lots of entertainment
In theater configuration, the Phantom sedan features two monitors in the veneered picnic tables for rear passengers, connected to a multimedia player. It is located in a compartment on the back of the center console. Also included are AV connections, a six-disc DVD changer in the lower glove compartment and a USB port in the center console. As a result, the occupants can enjoy different media - no matter where they sit.
At the touch of a button, the Phantom's sleek analogue clock folds in to reveal the new center screen. Its diagonal grew from 6,5 to 8,8 inches. This was accompanied by a higher resolution for an even clearer display and the split menu function for more intuitive access to various functions.
Eight chrome favorite buttons are now located below the monitor. They can be freely programmed in order to be able to call up certain information at the touch of a button. For example, the preferred orientation of the satellite navigation system, the favorite TV channels and radio stations or to access the Phantom's phone menu. All vehicles in the Phantom family now benefit from an improved interface and interaction with wireless technology. Find a restaurant, reserve a table and then be directed there is just one example of what the enhanced technology and connectivity of the Phantom's new satellite navigation system can do.
For the Phantom Series II, the phone cradle has been replaced with a standard smartphone cradle that connects directly to the vehicle's antenna. This also includes USB, AUX-IN and 12-volt connections. In addition, audio files can also be copied directly to the vehicle's hard drive, which is made possible by an additional USB port in the glove compartment.
The new headlight unit consists of four chambers and is finished with a polished stainless steel bezel. An elegant bar shines continuously through the center to form the Phantom's LED daytime running lights. The LEDs in the two upper chambers belong to the low beam, those in the lower two to the high beam. An additional rectangular position light sits below the headlights.
LED offers the opportunity for new technologies that can significantly improve light projection - including cornering lights and adaptive headlights. The former uses electronically controlled reflectors in the upper and lower headlamp chambers to improve illumination when cornering. Because the reflectors swivel by up to 15° in the relevant direction as a direct reaction to the steering angle, the driver can better see the course of the road.
Rolls-Royce Phantom with adaptive headlights
Adaptive headlights automatically change their beam pattern with driving conditions. At speeds below 50 km/h, the light is spread more widely so that pedestrians and cyclists can also be detected. Between 50 and 120 km/h, the light cone is aimed slightly towards the roadside on the vehicle side in order to better illuminate dangerous spots. When driving on the motorway, the light beam becomes longer and more intense from a speed of 120 km/h. As soon as the windscreen wipers are active for more than two minutes in bad weather, the dipped headlights are switched on automatically.
Everything about a Phantom should be effortless - owning it as much as driving it. This also applies to maneuvering in dense city traffic. All Phantom Series II are equipped with a camera system as standard. The cameras are placed in five places. Two in the bulges of the front bumper, two on the underside of the door mirrors and one on the trunk lid.
Together they provide a fish-eye view at confusing intersections, reveal obstacles or help with parking. When reverse gear is engaged, the surroundings of the rear of the vehicle are automatically displayed on the central screen. Including the expected path of the vehicle and any obstacles present. In this way, damage and scratches are avoided, which preserves the value of the beautiful vehicle.
At the heart of each vehicle is a hand-assembled 6,75-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. The sophisticated engine with direct fuel injection develops a torque of 720 Newton meters. It accelerates the occupants to 5,9 km/h in just 100 seconds. They can travel at speeds of up to 240 km/h (Phantom Coupé: 250 km/h) with electronic limitation.
The double wishbone front axle enhances the driving pleasure by minimizing vibrations in the steering. While the multi-link rear axle provides extra stability during hard braking and acceleration thanks to its anti-lift and anti-dive geometry.
Suspension and anti-roll bars provide comfort without sacrificing agility. Self-regulating air spring struts compensate for different load conditions, including continuous monitoring that takes into account, for example, different filling levels in the fuel tank. This gives the driver the ability to steer the vehicle through corners with absolute precision and gives the passengers an outstanding comfort experience.
Five coats of paint and clear coat
Rolls-Royce continues the great tradition: at least five coats of paint and clear coat are applied to each Phantom. Seven if the vehicle has two-tone paintwork. Between each shift, technicians sand the body by hand. After the top layer is applied, it is hand-polished for five hours to achieve that lustrous sheen usually associated with fine pianos.
In keeping with the Rolls-Royce tradition, single or double lines can also be applied to the body – by hand, of course. Each five meter line takes three hours to apply and the finest cow hair brushes.
It takes 60 pairs of hands and over 450 hours to design, engineer and manufacture a Rolls-Royce automobile. At the headquarters of Rolls Royce around 1.000 employees work in Goodwood to create the best car in the world. Only two robots are used in the paint shop to ensure seamless quality and a perfect finish.