The first Rolls-Royce Phantom premiered all the way back in 1925 as a replacement for the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. A few years later, it was produced in II and II model generations in the 1930s and continued through a V generation in the 1960s. The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI generation had a long run, From 1968-1991, at which time it was made by Mulliner Park Ward and included hinged rear doors. Only 374 models were constructed, despite its long running-time. After 1991, the Phantom took a brief break from production, only to return for its seventh generation in 2003. This generation of Phantom sedans is still being created to this day, but there has been a lifetime limit of ten-thousand Phantom models put into place. By 2007, three-thousand had already been constructed.
The Phantom is luxury UK auto brand Rolls-Royce's top-of-the line vehicle, and comes in four different variants this year: the base Phantom sedan, the Phantom Extended Wheelbase sedan, the base Phantom Coupe, and the Phantom Drophead (convertible) Coupe. Rolls-Royce has long been considered the go-to name for luxury vehicles, and this year's line doesn't disappoint. This is especially true for the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, which we'll focus on in this review.
The Phantom Coupe is the most driver-oriented model in the Phantom lineup this year. It combines the Phantom's classic proportions and powerful presence with luxurious, iconic Rolls-Royce styling. The Coupe was first introduced for the 2009 model year, and, like all Rolls-Royce vehicles, it's highly customizable with the latest gadgets and most supple materials available. The Coupe is closely related to the Phantom Drophead Coupe convertible, which both take obvious styling cues from the Rolls-Royce 100EX concept car. The Phantom Coupe doesn't boast any notable changes for the 2012 model year, as it received several upgrades for 2011.
Under the hood, the Phantom Coupe holds a powerful 6.8-liter V12 engine that produces 453 horsepower, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. The Coupe holds four occupants, and its interior is beautifully-crafted with chrome, wood, and leather accents. Notable cabin features include available Rolls-Royce stitching in the head restraints, a leather dashboard and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated seats, a premium fifteen-speaker audio system with two subwoofers under the seats, and a navigation system with an impressive touchscreen feature. As far as safety features are concerned, the Phantom Coupe's are comprehensive, though the vehicle hasn't been officially tested by the IIHS.