Rolls Royce

The very name ‘Rolls Royce’ exudes luxury. This British marque prides itself on meeting the personal requirements of its clientele. However, despite the rarity of its prestigious cars, its brand name is world famous. Indeed, a Rolls Royce is an object of desire, coveted by the man in the street and the well-heeled connoisseur alike.

Recently, I was invited to drive the Rolls Royce Phantom and experienced, first hand, the regal ride synonymous with this most revered car manufacturer.    The two-tone exterior of the Phantom press car consisted of 'Cassiopeia silver and blue velvet'. The lighter colour adorned the upper part of the body, while the lower portion of the car was suffused with a rich, dark blue. I must confess, this treatment was not to my taste and I would personally favour a single, more unassuming colour. Nevertheless, as I examined the lustrous bodywork at close quarters, I was forced to admit that the overall effect was profoundly impressive.    Furthermore, my rejection of said colour scheme illustrates that, as individuals, we all have distinct personal tastes, something that the designers at Rolls Royce pride themselves on catering for. The basic price of the Phantom Standard Wheelbase, at the time of writing, was £318,120. However, the press vehicle I was entrusted to drive was non-standard, raising the final on-the-road cost to the princely sum of £416,448. It would appear that the potential to personalise a Rolls Royce is limited merely by the imagination of the would-be purchaser.

PALATIAL DECOR. Having eagerly walked over to the Phantom, I was overwhelmed with a sense of anticipation. I grasped the gleaming, chrome handle of the driver's door and absorbed the spectacle which lay in front of me. The interior decor was palatial, exuding an unmatched air of grandeur.    I gingerly, and rather deferentially, sat upon the driver's seat. Looking at the front foot well, I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt at the thought of placing my feet on the pristine, navy blue, deep-pile rug.    Once my humble shoes had sunk into the plush lambs’ wool carpet, I began to appreciate the driver's seat, with its well-padded, seashell-toned, full natural grain leather. The optional, contrasting navy blue piping and matching monogrammed headrests only added to the sense of opulence.    Looking over the steering wheel, my eye was caught by the legendary symbol riding on the bonnet. Those drivers seeking a marginally more understated arrival can open the glove box and electronically lower the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot into a recess, hidden from view.

POWER RESERVE. Starting the car proved to be a hushed affair, with no unseemly cries from the 6749cc V12 engine. Watching the power reserve dial was the best method of establishing whether the whisper-quiet engine was running. The gear selector on the steering column was intuitive to use.    As I drove away for the first time, I could not fail to be impressed by the absence of any extraneous road noise. When I encountered pockmarked sections of road, the Rolls Royce handled them with a nonchalant shrug, leaving my fellow occupant blissfully unaware.   The sheer scale of the leviathan-like Phantom, which weighs in at 2635kg, means that it does sometimes have to defer to the laws of physics. When I attempted to negotiate twisting bends, the vehicle did want to over steer, especially on off-camber corners, where its sure-footed character seemed less certain. However, in fairness, the Phantom is intended for genteel progress. Indeed, to drive the Phantom down a country lane with boy racer zeal would seem disrespectful.    A benefit of threading the Phantom through twisty bends is that it encourages the motorist to drive a little more sedately in order to savour each moment. This is not to say the Phantom is a slouch; it will readily accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and continue to increase momentum up to a governed top speed of 149mph. This vehicle is perfectly suited for autobahn use, having the ability to cross large expanses of land in sublime comfort.    I was keen to explore the full Phantom experience, so I relinquished the commanding position of the driver's throne and swapped places with my colleague, taking up position in the rear passenger compartment. The 'suicide' doors accord a unique and slightly retro means of entering the back seats of the Phantom.

CUSTOMER IS KING. The highly specified press car was equally well appointed in the rear. The traumatic memories of my childhood, shoehorned into the back of our modest family hatchback, readily evaporated on entering the serene sanctuary of the Phantom. The available leg room allowed me to stretch out, despite being 6' 4" tall. Surprisingly, there is actually a longer version of the Phantom: the Extended Wheelbase. I do not quite understand the rationale for selecting this latter model when the Standard Wheelbase provides such a vast interior, but I accept that in this rarefied world of motoring, the customer is king.    The headlining above was populated with a twinkling depiction of the night sky. The ‘starlight headliner’ consists of approximately 800 optic fibres, each one individually positioned by Rolls Royce's artisans. The rear armrest incorporated a drinks cabinet containing beautiful glassware.    Riding in the back of the Phantom, I absorbed the experience with relish. I noted the fold-down picnic tables, neatly integrated into the backrest of the front seats, and my index fingers stroked the magnificently polished, ultra-smooth, cross-banded royal walnut trim on the inside of the doors. 

UPHOLDING TRADITIONS. Despite the numerous examples of traditional hand craftsmanship, the Phantom does not eschew technology. The obligatory satellite navigation system graces the dashboard and the car features an impressive-sounding in-car entertainment system. In addition, the press car came with the brand's ‘theatre configuration’, adding two rear-mounted 12 inch screens for watching TV or DVDs.    Measuring 5.842m in length, the Rolls Royce Phantom is unlikely to ever go unnoticed. Its scale, profile and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy all encourage bystanders to take notice. Quite simply, while some vehicles are anonymous, the sight of a Rolls Royce is something to be remembered. However, one potential pitfall of such an immense vehicle becomes apparent when parking. Nevertheless, despite its size, this actually proved to be quite simple, courtesy of the numerous cameras and information relayed via the dashboard screen.

PRODUCT PAR EXCELLENCE. The Rolls Royce Phantom is a treat for all the senses. The leather interior smells wonderful, the sumptuous seats and rugs are deliciously comfortable, the sound system must be heard to be believed and even the organ stop ventilation controls are oddly gratifying to adjust.    In my professional role as a journalist, I am sometimes left disappointed by my encounters with luxury brands. The sizable asking price seems to buy you a thin veneer of artificial glamour and nothing more. Rest assured, this is not the case with Rolls Royce.    The Phantom makes no compromises. It is born from a rare union of cutting-edge design and traditional craftsmanship. The outlay necessary to secure such a vehicle is justified. Its reputation is not merely a function of sales-led hyperbole, but a deserving acknowledgement of its splendiferous creation.