2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom
When Price Is No Object
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive a Rolls-Royce? Well, I have too. Although I have driven hundreds of new car over the years, not one of them was a Rolls-Royce—that is until now. Through a stroke of good fortune, I participated in a Rolls press event in Los Gatos, California, and got to drive one of their latest cars.
The current model of the Rolls is called the Phantom, and it comes in four versions. The most popular being the Sedan, but there is also the Extended Wheelbase Sedan, the Coupe (pronounced “Coo-Pay”) and the Drophead Coupe.
The first thing that you notice when you approach a Rolls, is that it is very big. These cars are larger than life. The grille is huge, the wheels, 21 inchers, are massive and the overall length of the Rolls can extend up to 20 feet. And then there are the doors. They are king size, and are hinged at the back, so that they open at the front. (They’re “coach” doors according to Rolls.) The doors are designed for ease of entry and exit. Switches inside the car close the doors for you.
Once inside, you are surrounded by acres of wood paneling, and countless yards of Connolly leather. Cashmere cloth graces the headliner, and deep-pile lambs wool cushions your feet.
The Phantom I drove was the Drophead Coupe, or in other words, the convertible. This soft-top land cruiser is designed to carry four passengers in the lap of luxury. In fact, it is so ostentatious in standard trim that if you sit in the backseat, with the top down, bystanders just might mistake you for visiting rock star.
However, if you are the type who always insists on more, you can order a brushed stainless-steel hood to emphasize the length of engine compartment, and a special teak tonneau cover to decorate the rear. This latter option is crafted from 30 separate pieces of “blond green teak” from Southeast Asia, which are carefully bonded together and caulked in black like the deck of a yacht.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, I found myself at a loss trying to locate the controls. The starter button was out of sight to the left of the steering wheel, and the seat adjusters were concealed in the center armrest. I needed help to find everything. The dash and the console exuded old-world charm, but I have to say that I was disappointed with the steering wheel. It was large, but unusually thin for such a big car. I was told that it was designed that way so that you could steer with your fingertips.
Once under way, the Phantom was as quiet as its name implies, and very stately moving down the road. The 453-hp, V-12 engine purred. It never sounded stressed, even when it was accelerating onto the freeway. The Drophead can rush you up to 60 in less than six seconds. The steering was fairly sharp, and the ride, thanks to an adjustable air suspension, was well controlled.
All Rolls cars virtually scream, “Look at me.” People who buy them really want to be noticed. However, if you are seeking maximum attention, the Drophead Coupe is the car for you. The base price is $430,000
