ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM COUPÉ TO MAKE ASIAN DEBUT AT AUTO CHINA 2008
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Coupé for the first time in the Asia Pacific region at the 10th Auto China 2008 Beijing, to be held at the New China International Exhibition Center, on Sunday, 20 April 2008.
The Coupé, the fourth new model from Rolls-Royce under BMW Group ownership, is the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line-up. This two-door, four-seater model has already seen outstanding demand with this year’s production already sold.
A modern grand touring coupé in the finest tradition, this car is powered by the Phantom’s 6.75-litre V12, producing 460hp and 720Nm of torque making it the definitive choice for all-day, long distance driving. With its engine tuned for immense low down torque, the new Rolls-Royce effortlessly achieves the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds, and continues rapidly towards an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h.
A combination of segment-leading fuel economy and a 25 percent increase in fuel capacity, compared to the Drophead Coupé, increases driving range to more than 600 kilometres. A spacious picnic boot with split tail compartment gives easy access to 395 litres of space. The lower part of the tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered.
The highly advanced spaceframe aluminium chassis endows the Coupé with the marque’s legendary ride comfort, handling and safety. It is the most torsionally rigid Rolls-Royce ever built. The unique architecture of the car is further augmented by the rear-hinged coach doors, allowing the easiest possible access to the rear lounge seat.
To ensure a perfect balance of refinement and driver involvement, Rolls-Royce developed a new gearbox programme, stiffer rear dampers and modified spring rates. In addition, a thicker rear anti-roll bar, modified brake response and tuned steering offer more feel over other Phantom models.
As with every Rolls-Royce car, the finely hand-crafted interior of the Coupé can be personalised via the Bespoke programme, allowing for any number of features, each tailored to the taste of the individual. For example, customers can choose from more than 44,000 different colours.
The Phantom Coupé’s cabin can be ordered with an optional, full-length starlight headlining, incorporating 1600 tiny fibre optics to create the ambience of a star-filled night sky. The new model is also available with a brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar surround previously seen on its experimental predecessor, the 101EX.
This will be the first time that Rolls-Royce has exhibited the complete Phantom Series at an Asian motor show. Specially commissioned for Auto China 2008, Bespoke versions of the Phantom Extended Wheel Base and the Phantom Drophead Coupé will be on display.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman, Ian Robertson, said, “We regard Auto China as the natural platform for the Asian launch of the new Phantom Coupé and our showcase of specially commissioned cars. China, our largest market in the Asia Pacific region and the third largest in the world, saw record sales in 2007 with growth of more than 50 per cent and we expect to see continued success in this market.”
Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2008.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw sales in 2007 increase by 25 per cent, compared to 2006, with retails of 1010 cars.
