Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12 Review
Rolls-Royce - Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12 (460 Hp) Automatic
The most expensive convertible in the world!
Price: € 474,360Fuel: PetrolCO2 emissions: 347 g / kmMalus: € 10,000Marketing: June 2012
The dream car ...
Some brands, some names have icon rank: this is the case of Rolls Royce, which undoubtedly equals Ferrari to the rank of automotive fantasy and designates for many the ultimate luxury. Here is the convertible on the most luxurious paper in the world, the only Rolls cabriolet currently: the Phantom Drophead Coupe. One agrees, saying cut when it comes to a cabriolet seems odd. But no, there is no mistake. In any case it is official: it is the longest cabriolet in the world with more than 5.60 m long, that is 40 cm more than the Mercedes S-Class Limousine! An imposing template, especially since the design does not seek to refine the car. On the front is the famous grille with the symbol of the brand, the Spirit of Ecstasy, followed by a looong hood and on the other side an immense rear overhang.
A V12 of 6.75 l
Under the hood, there was a time when Rolls refused to give the characteristics of its engines, and responded to customers insisting that power was enough. We know more today: the Phantom is entitled to a V12 of 6.75 l and 460 hp. A priori indeed, it should be enough, even if the Drophead coupe exceeds 2.7 tons on the scale: it is the heaviest cabriolet in the world. At the other end of the car, the trunk opens in twice, as on the X5 or the 3008. Why not, but the surprise comes mainly from the size: Rolls announces 315 dm3, hardly more than that of d A Clio! Given the size of the car, it is almost ridiculous ... Besides the volume, we observe a nice carpet, we expected no less, but also several screws apparent: disappointing!
Royal Suite
Let's move on to a piece of choice: the inside. To access, the doors are reversed, known as "suicide", as on the first 2CV. The doors themselves do not contain the famous umbrella, but this one is present in the front wing. Tradition respected! To close the door, on each side, no need to bend: a button gets rid of the chore. They open onto a sumptuous cockpit, impressive armchairs that place the driver high enough. Seat adjustments are obviously electric, centrally located, but not very ergonomic. The seats are neither ventilated nor massaged, not even as an option. Again, disappointing. Moreover, by continuing the examination of the passenger compartment, one notices that the equipment is much lower than that of a current high-end sedan. There is no head-up display, no hands-free access, no high-tech security system such as city safety or line crossing alert, or night vision. The list of absentees is long. The dashboard of our Rolls features an analog clock that can be tilted to give way to a classic central screen. A word about the controls for air conditioning, automatic and dual zone of course, but not very clear.
Everything is not perfect
At the rear, the two passengers are well installed: this is a real 4 seats, although the space in the legs may prove a little limit and in any case not fit with the length of the car. The atmosphere on board is special: it alternates with the exceptional like the thickness of the carpet that one almost wants to tread barefoot for pleasure, or electric windows that go up or down in amazing silence. But there are also inadmissible details such as visible screws in several places not particularly hidden, or plastic elements not very flattering like this ashtray. Before leaving, because the top is only handled at the stop, it is time to decapote or the reverse. The maneuver takes almost 30 seconds: it is very long, but this is a fault that is easily forgiven given the size of the soft top and its soundproofing capabilities.
Contact, the V12 snorts slightly, and it's gone.
<> It takes a little time to get used to the gauge during the maneuvers, but fortunately the car turns well, surprisingly well even saw the template. <> The silence is impressive until about 100 km / h. And then, these are small aerodynamic noises that reach your ears. The engine is never heard, unless you push the accelerator fully and wait for it to go up. But the sound of the V12 is anyway, as if the V12 was heard reluctantly under the stroke of an excessive effort. However, it is able to animate the machine correctly since it goes from 0 to 100 5.8 seconds. But it is obviously not a sportsman. Between the huge steering wheel, very steep steering, very high weight, suspensions adjusted comfort, and lack of choice of driving mode or even sequential controls of the box, nothing incites the attack. If ever you push this big machine, do not wait agility nor dynamism, but the car remains precise in support even on deformed pavement.
A comfort way "flying carpet"
Not sporty for two sous, but for comfort, there, hat: Rolls announces a flying carpet effect, and we are actually not far. Passengers feel isolated from the road. Only large deformations have some rather distant repercussions. On this point, the car keeps its promises. It also keeps them on budget. During our test, the on-board computer displayed an average 20.5 l for an overall normal driving. Exceeding 300 g / km of CO2 is not the major concern of the owner of such a machine. Because our car costs 475000 € base, and reaches 504000 € with options. More than half a million Euros! For this price, one expects to be irreproachable, even in the smallest details. This is not the case. The lack of some equipment is already open to criticism, but the finish and the quality of certain elements are inadmissible at this price level. Because this Phantom Drophead Coupe is without competition side price: the convertibles Bentley, Aston, Ferrari do not exceed 300000 €. Certainly something happens on board. The very felted sensations and the idea of having a rare object between the fingers may give the impression of evolving apart. Perhaps it is precisely the reason for this Phantom Drophead Coupe. But rationally, this self is just indefensible.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12
Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe - 6.75 i V12
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