Phantom Phantom Roadtest

[Merc1]

Here is roadtest of the Rolls Phantom by Edmunds:















Article & Short Video

M

 

[SDNR]

Bravo - Merc1, what an excellent review. This car is truly remarkable, truly awesome - it is undoubtedly the grandest way to travel on land today.

...and I must add, for all the bravado from the Maybach fans about the superiority of the Maybach's audio system, let me quote the article:

This audio system is simply the best we've ever experienced. The sound quality is perfect rivaling some home systems. Separation is excellent and every note from any type of music is excellent

nuf said

 

[RikfromBelgium]

and the customers agree, since for every Maybach sold RR sells an average 2.6 Phantoms
incredible car

 

[EnI]

Now, before you begin to try to poke holes in my enthusiasm, let me say that I've driven Aston Martins, Bentleys and Maybachs and never had this reaction. The Phantom has a feeling of intelligence and artistry that goes beyond filthy lucre. This wasn't just a case of throwing money at a project and forcing it to succeed. This Rolls-Royce, built by new owner BMW in a state-of-the-art factory in southern England, was designed and created with respect and, yes, even love. It is truly a car that is greater by far than the sum of its parts.

What makes me say this? Two things.

After having the car for five days, and driving it (very carefully) around Los Angeles, I enjoyed watching people react to it. This has happened many times before with other cars. But the Rolls was different. While you can always count on "car guys" to spot a new model, most others are blind to cars in general. But everyone notices the Rolls. Once they've taken in the imposing chrome grille and the hood that seems to stretch from here to infinity, they look to see who is driving it. The expectant looks on their faces seem to say, "Is it a king? An Arabian prince? It must be somebody."

Rolls designers deserve a lot of credit for producing a cutting-edge car that keeps the technology behind the curtain instead of sticking it in your face. If you prefer a clock over the nav screen, you only have to push a button. The gearshift lever looks mechanical but is clearly electronic, and its operation is simple, direct and effortless. The English history and heritage of Rolls-Royce comes through loud and clear while coexisting peacefully with the precision and innovation of BMW.

Ultimately, driving the Phantom recalibrates our automotive standards. We want to believe there is a car so awesome it will change our lives when we drive it, a car that makes everything outside the window look better — makes life itself seem better. We almost don't want to know that behind the dashboard there are wires and computer chips. We want the magic. Driving a 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom makes you believe in magic again.

 

[warot]

Its so cool to see them floor the Phantom... it's just such a funny sight. You would never expect a car that big and imposing to do 0-60 in under 6 seconds. And those brakes are monstrous!

"Inching the $347,050 Phantom through West Los Angeles, that poster is all I can think of. Poverty does suck. Big time. Just ask the guy in the brand-new Range Rover Supercharged in the next lane. He's in a $100,000 truck, but his double take at the Phantom's hood ornament tells the tale. He might as well be driving an Isuzu Rodeo. He's got nothing. He knows it. I know it."

 

[Michael]

The Phantom is truly a classic capable of going in the books as one of the most beautifully crafted luxury cars.

 

[Porsche Guy]

Why has it taken so long for edmunds to do a road test of this car? It's been out of at least two years.

 

[vabboud]

i just saw one today, inw hite, my first phantom
damn that's one car
its grand, powerful, but yet doesn't scream "look at me", rather its design is so subtle yet so powerful that its majesty draws you, like some ancient king of old,

 

[Beemer B773ER]

its grand, powerful, but yet doesn't scream "look at me", rather its design is so subtle yet so powerful that its majesty draws you, like some ancient king of old,

That is a very true and accurate statement vabboud.

We've always stated that the RR Phantom has unbridalled presence. Nothing can match the Phantom when it comes to presence, ..but the presence this car has is unique to just a handful of cars.
You could argue that a new Ferrari has presence. You see something red, ..it's low.. it looks fast, and it's not something you see everyday. So it grabs your attention rather quickly.
Now you see a riced-up Subari WRX, and it also captures your attention (but for all the wrong reasons since it's been modifies by a ricer-boy),...but nonetheless you notice the car.

Then you see a Rolls-Royce Phantom. After first glance you're not sure what to make of it. Is it a car ? I'm not sure because it seems too big to be a car. Is it a limo' ? Could be, but isn't a limo supposed to be just a little bit longer.
Then that front grille hits you... that long wheelbase comes into focus... and you no longer ask yourself petty questions such as what it is and who's driving it... now you are simply staring at it. Kind of like a moth to a flame you are drawn to it. It doesn't scream for attention..heck, it doesnt even ask for attention... it gets attention regardless.

That's what a Rolls Royce Phantom does to me.... and I'm sure many of you can relate to this.

 

[Osnabrueck]

Great read. Thanks merc!

I watched the video and was very impressed by how that massive thing can stop so quickly.

 

[Deleted member 182]

and the customers agree, since for every Maybach sold RR sells an average 2.6 Phantoms

As long as Maybach's sale expectations are fulfilled, everything is OK.



Who the h*ll vomited in here? That's disgusting! Is the designer colour blind or does he just has a lack of common taste?

 

[SDNR]

As long as Maybach's sale expectations are fulfilled, everything is OK.



Who the h*ll vomited in here? That's disgusting! Is the designer colour blind or does he just has a lack of common taste?

Maybe that's the real problem here ojis - maybe your taste is just too "common" perhaps

 

[RikfromBelgium]

As long as Maybach's sale expectations are fulfilled, everything is OK.



Who the h*ll vomited in here? That's disgusting! Is the designer colour blind or does he just has a lack of common taste?

so everything is not OK? because they haven't even come close to reaching their sales expectations?

 

[EnI]

As long as Maybach's sale expectations are fulfilled, everything is OK.

The problem is they are not. MB wanted to sell min. 1.000 Maybachs per year. In 2005 300 and something Maybach were sold - while RR sold almost 800 Phantoms of 1.000 units planned.

 

[Deleted member 182]

so everything is not OK? because they haven't even come close to reaching their sales expectations?

My message was that just comparing how many Rolls they sell more by sheer numbers isn't a fair comparison. Everything is relative.

Maybe that's the real problem here ojis - maybe your taste is just too "common" perhaps

Do you like that colour? Maybe my taste is too common. Me as 21-year old student do have problems getting into to the minds of the average Phantom customer, a 65-year old roayl.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The problem is they are not. MB wanted to sell min. 1.000 Maybachs per year. In 2005 300 and something Maybach were sold - while RR sold almost 800 Phantoms of 1.000 units planned.

..and what makes it even worse for Maybach is that they have a 3 model line-up, whereas Rolls-Royce just has the Phantom.

You could argue that the Maybach's have been on the market longer than the Phantom, but as Tine pointed out, selling only 300 out of an expected 1000 units is something to worry about.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

My message was that just comparing how many Rolls they sell more by sheer numbers isn't a fair comparison. Everything is relative.

They said they wanted to sell 1000 vehicles a year, just like Rolls. They have 2 models to do so, recently 3 but now Rolls also kinda has 2 with the long version.
Still they fail with just a little more than 300, against 800 Rolls. How is that relative?

 

[Deleted member 25]

.. they have a 3 model line-up,

Can you explain ?

 

[warot]

Can you explain ?

Long base, short base... and the "sporty" one, don't know what it's called

 

[audi_rudy]

there is the 62, the 57, and the 57s which is the sporty one
o yea and btw those numbers stand for how many meters the car is , 6.2 and 5.7