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Construction

V12 engine of a 2008 Phantom

The plant contains the paint shop, body shop, leather shop, woodworking shop, assembly line, and executive offices under one roof. There are only three robots in the factory. The robots paint the body; the paint is polished by hand after the robots spray each coat. The coachlines, which are exactly 3 mm (0.1 in) wide, are done, as well as all other work, by hand, in keeping with the Rolls-Royce tradition.

It has a 6.75 litre, 48-valve, V12 engine that produces 453 bhp (338 kW; 459 PS) and 720 N·m (530 lb·ft) of torque. The engine is derived from BMWs N73 V12 powerplant and is assembled by BMW. It uses direct fuel injection, and is a drive by wire design, using valvetronic technology. The power output is regulated by infinitely varying valve lift by moving the rockers and rocker fulcrums via electric servos, rather than using the throttle body. The throttle body is maintained for fail-safe operation.

The aluminium extrusions that are used to construct the aluminium spaceframe are produced in Norway using hydroelectric power, shaped and machined in Denmark and finally hand-welded in Germany.

An extended wheelbase Phantom was presented in March 2005 at the Geneva Motor Show, which is 250 mm (9.8 in) longer than the standard Phantom. It is currently referred to as the Phantom Extended Wheelbase (or EWB).

A Rolls-Royce Phantom owned by the Sultan of Kedah, Abdul Halim of Kedah

Novel features

• Customers can choose from 44,000 paint colours, and specify any leather colour.
• Car has a power reserve dial indicating how much of the engines power is left available to the driver. The instrument cluster is not shared with any other vehicle. Doors are remote operated.
• The rear doors are rear-hinged, a style commonly referred to as suicide doors, but called coach doors by Rolls-Royce. Because of the rear-seating position in relation to the rear inner-door handles, buttons are mounted on both C-pillars which operate hydraulic motors in order to close the rear doors. An electronic lock prevents the doors from being accidentally opened when moving. The car will automatically brake to a walking speed if a coach door remains open when driving off. The rear doors also house umbrellas that are stored within the doors, and can only be accessed when the front or rear doors are open. The fabric of the umbrella is coated with Teflon to assist in shedding water when the wet umbrella is stored within the door.
• The traditional Spirit of Ecstasy ornament has an automatic electronic retraction mechanism to prevent theft and protect pedestrians in the event of an accident. It may also be retracted by the driver at the touch of a button, and retracted when the alarm is armed. The base contains a sensor which detects movement, and will retract if tampered with.
• The RR logos on each of the wheel hubs are independent bezels in order to always remain upright while the wheel is rotating.

Luxury amenities

A Phantom pictured in London in 2008

Features (as of 2009) include a navigation system with voice recognition, power sunroof, upgraded leather upholstery, rear-view camera, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, 26-speaker premium sound system, 8-disc CD changer, 18-way power front seats, 16-way power rear seats, heated and cooled cup holders, rear-seat tables, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, power tilt/telescopic heated wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio, climate, and navigation controls, power open/close trunk lid, power closing doors, wireless headphones, iPod adapter, refrigerator, and air conditioning with 5-zone climate controls. There are extensive options available through the Rolls-Royce "Bespoke" programme through which the factory will create any reasonable option a customer asks for.

Safety recall

Drophead Coupé and Coupé

Series 2: 2013-onwards

• Replacement of round lower light with complementary rectangular LED light
• One-piece stamped radiator grill
• New single-piece wheels
• New side-badge design
• Extended chrome detailing around the side window
• Highlighting capture strip on bottom of boot lid
• Redesigned rear bumper, now one-step over two step
• Integrated exhaust detailing, mirroring those on coupe
• Simplified dashboard, including enlarged 8 inches (200 mm) LED screen
• Improved systems rotary controller, through use of the system used on Ghost
• Simplified seat designs
• Improved audio, telecoms and connectivity systems
• New 8-speed gearbox

Sales

• The introductory base price was £250,000 in the United Kingdom and $300,000 in the United States.
• After selling 805 units in 2006, Rolls-Royce first met its annual sales target of 1,000 vehicles in 2007 (1,010 Phantoms sold, Drophead Coupé sales included).
• In 2004, Rolls-Royce was selling twice as many cars as its closest rival Maybach.
• The 2,000th car rolled out of the Goodwood factory in December 2005.
• In July 2006, Rolls Royce produced a limited edition run of 25 cars called the "Phantom Black"
• The 3,000th car rolled out of the Goodwood factory in March 2007.
• Rolls-Royce produced a limited edition run of 25 cars to commemorate the centenary of the Silver Ghost.
• The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong has purchased a fleet of 14 extended wheelbase Phantoms to replace the Silver Spurs in the fleet, all painted in a special "Peninsula Green" and delivered in December 2006, making history for being the largest single order for the Phantom.
• Luxury Vodka maker Grey Goose and Rolls-Royce teamed up to create two customized limited-edition Rolls-Royce extended wheelbase Phantoms to help promote social responsibility while drinking.
• Rolls Royce released a special Tungsten edition Phantom which incorporated innovations featured in the EX101 Experimental Car.
• OGara Coach Company of Beverly Hills, California, sold 58 Phantoms and Drophead Coupes in 2007, accounting for 15% of Rolls-Royce sales in the USA and 6% worldwide.

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