The Rolls-Royce Phantom: A Car Fit for Kings and Queens

Located within the historic walls of Westminster Abbey, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is a tribute to the legacy of Sir Henry Royce, the brilliant engineer who co-founded the iconic motor brand. As we step into the world of luxury and refinement, it's impossible not to feel a sense of awe and reverence for this car that embodies the very essence of Rolls-Royce.

The new 65 million pound factory in Goodwood, Sussex, is a testament to the brand's commitment to craftsmanship and technology. This magnificent facility blends tweed-wearing tradition with cutting-edge innovation, ensuring that every aspect of the Phantom is meticulously attention to detail. From the subtle nuances of the exhaust valve operating at low speeds to the precision-crafted hubs that keep the Double R perfectly upright, every component has been carefully considered to create an experience that is nothing short of sublime.

As we delve deeper into the world of Rolls-Royce, it's clear that the Phantom is more than just a car – it's a statement. The interior lamps gently illuminate the surroundings, casting a warm and inviting glow, while the boulevard setting provides an unparalleled sense of opulence. The bespoke interior, adorned with leather from Bull's, is a masterclass in understated luxury, with subtle curves that invite conversation and create an intimate atmosphere.

The steering wheel, a marvel of modern design, provides a sense of communication and connection to the road, while the power reserve gauge replaces the traditional rev counter, allowing owners to indulge their inner petrolhead without compromising the car's refined nature. With 60 taking just 5.7 seconds to reach its top speed, the Phantom is a force to be reckoned with, yet it's the quiet confidence and sense of weight that truly set it apart.

However, as impressive as the Phantom is, it's not without its quirks. The cupholders, for instance, are a bit too... obvious, while the ashtrays are more akin to miniature landfills. These minor flaws, however, are far outweighed by the numerous touches of genius that make this car truly exceptional.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Phantom is its attention to detail. From the Teflon-coated umbrellas in each door to the bespoke seating options, every element has been carefully considered to create a sense of exclusivity and refinement. The onboard computer, controlled by a simplified version of BMW's I Drive system, provides an intuitive interface that belies the complexity beneath.

As we explore the Phantom's capabilities, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary car. With its 7.1 surround sound stereo and nine amplifiers, the driving experience is akin to being in a private concert hall. The seats, slightly curved to accommodate conversation, are the perfect blend of comfort and elegance. Whether you opt for the standard leather or one of the bespoke options, the material quality is exceptional.

But what truly sets the Phantom apart is its sense of presence. As you sit behind the wheel, surrounded by the opulent interior, it's impossible not to feel a sense of grandeur and majesty. The ride is as smooth as silk, yet somehow manages to evoke a sense of connection to the road, as if the car is an extension of your own being.

As we drive away from the Phantom, it's impossible not to wonder – would you really want to own one? With a price tag of 250,000 pounds, this car is undoubtedly a statement piece. It's a declaration of wealth and status, rather than a genuine desire for speed or thrills. And yet, despite our reservations about its value proposition, the Phantom remains an undeniably compelling presence on the road.

In conclusion, the Rolls-Royce Phantom is a car that defies categorization. It's a statement piece, a work of art, and a masterclass in refinement and luxury. While some may view it as an exercise in excess, others will see it as a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and attention to detail. One thing is certain – the Phantom is a car that will leave you breathless, not just with its performance or features, but with its sheer sense of presence and majesty.

However, for our final verdict on this luxurious vehicle, opinions vary among those who have tested it. Some say it has returned some of the reputation for build quality engineering excellence and attention to detail that made Rolls-Royce one of the top brands in the world, while others claim that BMW has compromised too much on style in their quest to create a high-tech experience. Regardless of your thoughts, this car is truly exceptional.

While many may disagree with the aesthetic value of the Phantom, no one can deny its charm and charisma. Whether driving through the city streets or cruising down the highway, this stunning vehicle turns heads for all the right reasons. And as you glance around in your high-end ride, you'll be sure to see people looking at you with a mix of awe and admiration.

Ultimately, if you're a true aficionado of luxury, cars that embody elegance and sophistication will always hold a special place in your heart. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is an undeniable showstopper, but its value lies not just in its stunning appearance or performance capabilities but also in the sense of exclusivity it provides.

While BMW has certainly made significant strides in terms of build quality engineering excellence and attention to detail, their design department appears to have taken a hit on this particular model. As one could expect, there are those who would say that this car is unforgivably ugly, while others may disagree.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enWestminster Abbey home of the coronation the house of kings here amongst tributes to England's great and good is a single homage to someone from the motor industry this window is dedicated to the memory of Sir Henry Royce a brilliant engineer and of course the other half of rolls-royce not therefore a brand or car to be taken lightly and I want you to bear that in mind while we talk about the new one I give you the Phantom challenging styling wouldn't you say so this then is what a quarter of a million pounds buys you something that's very very big everywhere and very German because it is of course BMW who are in charge these days and my have they got their work cut out over the last 30 years or so the rolls-royce brand has become so cheapened and tarnished that it's now a marque associated more with pools winners and villains than the aristocracy but if this car is immaculate built and magnificent in every detail the name of rolls-royce could be restored all it has to do is be the best car in the world and in here are the people who are try to make that happen the new 65 million pound factory in Goodwood Sussex is a heartening blend of tweed wearing craftsmanship and technology in all the right places if this is your car I apologise unreservedly and just don't buy one of these phantoms of black upholstery you could buy the one that I've done BMW have tried enormously hard to make sure that their factory is lovely in every way and have tried even harder with attention to detail on the car itself like an exhaust valve that operates at low speeds to make ones of RAM even more understated not to mention hubs that always keep the Double R perfectly upright heated side glass and hidden vents provide more agreeable indirect ventilation the boulevard setting on the interior lamps gently illuminates you to passers-by and remember roles owners prefer to hold their steering wheel at 20 past 8:00 not 10:00 to 2:00 and I will mention the stereo with 7.1 surround sound nine amplifiers and 15 speakers mind you there is the odd bit of beastliness you know everything's not absolutely perfect these are horrible cheap tacky nasty cupholders so no tactile bounty there at all ashtrays jolly good though size of a landfill site rolls owners will be relieved to know that the onboard computer is controlled by a much simpler version of BMWs contentious I Drive open these wonderful rear doors using this magnificent hand walk from a fifties refrigerator and you will find first of all your very own rolls-royce umbrella here it is one of these in each door and they're Teflon coated so they don't rot step inside what is the lounge spec and you find that the seats are slightly curved so you can talk to each other but you can also have a theater spec which has a multimedia DVD players etc every Rolls phantom requires 16 hides for the interior but it's not just any leather it's the leather from Bull's because apparently the Germans say that ordinary cows are good for only babies want milk so does it drive like a Rolls Royce well undoubtedly in fact you feel as though you were piloting a silver cloud that's been tweaked to feel modern the ride is as smooth as unrolled silk but then no smoother than the new Jaguar XJ it is cathedral quiet but again no quieter than say lexus LS 430 what is really nice and a bit of a revelation is the steering you'd expect it to be really over assisted and a bit slack II but no it's got lots of information lots of communication comes up to the wheel and you never wonder whether there's any grip left being a Rolls Royce of course one never has a rev counter that would be rude mechanicals being exposed to the rolls-royce owner instead you have what's known as a power reserve gauge and what wicked phantom owner could resist flooring the throttle to see if the power reserve ever goes down to single figures it does but you'll run out of road before it runs out of power 60 takes just 5.7 seconds for the v12 and 6-speed automatic but talking of numbers is so terribly vulgar for this car the view from the back seems much more important and hold on it won't be what you expect my initial impression of this car is that it's um an incredibly expensive joke on the indiscriminately rich I like it silence and it's some sense of weight but it's you I can't help believing you'd have to have a sort of severe psychological problem actually to want to own and drive one of these cars it's not really a car it's the kind of boast you might as well have I'm a I'm a rich prat tattooed on your forehead the front looks gorgeous is this the SOS button that founds the police if you get carjacked that's it it's bit dangerous that drove it there really I mean yep high heels could get stuck there good Nick no I mean it's like Robin Williams's joke about cocaine it's God's Way of telling you've got too much money slow down people can't see me hello wonderful David buy in London how about you patek juice so his Rolls Royce been saved is it back as the best car in the world well undoubtedly BMW have restored some of the reputation for build quality engineering excellence and attention to detail but and it's a big but whilst they were slaving over the technology they didn't half take their eye off the styling everyone we spoke to on our travels policeman passes by doormen design gurus all said it was unforgivably ugly so they why you spent a quarter of a million pounds you're driving along and there will always be this this doubt this horrible echoing doubt in your mind that those people who are looking at you so intently are they looking at you with warm approval or are they actually pointing and laughing I couldn't bear the embarrassment so I will not be signing a check for a Rolls Royce Phantom and neither really should you you\n"