Geneva 2008: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

[Overheat]

Rolls-Royce is to start production of the Phantom Coupe at Goodwood, West Sussex this summer.

The Coupe keeps the Phantom saloon's direct-injection 6.75-litre V12 (453bhp, 531lb-ft of torque) and is, says Rolls-Royce, 'designed to cover great distances effortlessly'. Top speed is limited to 155mph, but 0-60mph comes up in 5.6 seconds. The range between fill-ups is around 400 miles, thanks to a larger 100-litre fuel tank - although fuel consumption is still a very non-PC 18mpg. carbon dioxide emissions - at 377g/km - are very definitely in the £25-a-day London congestion charge category and highest tax band.

The rear-hinged coach doors, as seen on the 101 EX concept car, remain, allowing for easy access to the sofa-style rear seats and a unique side-profile with uninterrupted A-pillar. The brushed-steel finish for the A-pillar and bonnet, as seen on the 100 EX, also helps keep the concept-car character. The front end is slightly softer-edged, with its larger, rounder driving lamps; the tail end comprises a two-piece fold-out tailgate that opens up to a 395-litre boot, or folds down to provide a seating platform - ideal for picnics at Glyndebourne or a day at the races.

Rolls-Royce will offer a full range of options, bespoke accessories and design touches - there are up to 44,000 different paint hues potentially available, although there are nine standard shades on offer: Diamond Black, English White, New Sable, Madeira Red, Darkest Tungsten, Woodland Green, Jubilee Silver and Anthracite.

Each car will receive five individual coats of paint and lacquer, each hand-finished, and will be polished for five hours. The optional steel bonnet and A-pillars are machine-brushed and then hand-polished.

Other choices include three styles of 21" alloy wheels (including two forged-alloy designs), and a front camera mounted below the number plate that transmits a split-screen view of the road ahead when pulling out of a side road or parking. The Coupe's Logic7 420-watt surround-sound system (iPod compatibility optional) is described as 'studio quality' and, in the cabin, all occupants will touch only leather, wood, or chrome - no cheap plastics here. There's a choice of mahogany, rosewood, burr walnut, piano black, Zebrano and elm woods, too.

A traditional feel is maintained by hiding the media screen behind an analogue clock, until it is activated, and the use of chromed vents, 'organ stop' controls and 'violin key' switchgear. Yet fibre-optic ambient lighting provides a modern touch and buyers can choose a 'starlight headlining' for a full night-sky effect as well as reading lights or a gentle glow.

And it'll even be fun to drive. Ian Cameron, leader of the design team, said: 'Rolls-Royce has always been about pace, performance and style. For the Coupe design we have emphasised the dynamism. The driving dynamics have always come as a surprise to customers and the Coupe builds on this visually as well as dynamically, via hard engineering changes.

'We could have simply bolted a hard-top roof to the Drophead in order to make the Phantom Coupe. After all, the convertible is an incredibly well-mannered car that performs impeccably. But this would not have been the right thing to do. The Coupe and the Drophead are two distinct cars, with different personalities and specific performance characteristics.'

As with the Phantom saloon and Drophead Coupe, the Coupe has a lightweight aluminium chassis, but this has been specifically developed for a more sporting feel. Although the ride remains super-smooth with the self-levelling suspension, stiffer rear dampers are fitted, with modified spring rates, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and the Servotronic power-assisted steering tuned for more feel.

A new mode for the six-speed auto gearbox, selectable via a 'sport' button on the steering wheel, holds each gear for longer, with faster kickdown and accelerator response. The improved grip means that the stability control is less likely to be activated on a hard corner, making for more balanced progress and, with a wheelbase 250mm shorter than the Phantom saloon's, the Coupe should be more agile. Weight - all 2,590kg of it - is slightly biased to the rear.

[Momentum57]

A car that even the dregs of society should feel good about when its mowing them down.