2008 Geneva Motor Show: Rolls-Royce to Reveal Phantom Coupé - VIDEO ENHANCED

LONDON - February 17, 2008: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its new Phantom Coupé at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, 4 March 2008. Production of the new car will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2008.

The Coupé is the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line. A number of subtle but significant modifications have been made that change its character. It is noticeably more dynamic, whilst still offering incredible levels of comfort.

Marrying cutting-edge technology with a beautifully proportioned, muscular body that exudes power and style, it incorporates timeless Rolls-Royce design cues in an utterly contemporary manner.

Designed to cover great distances effortlessly, the Coupé is the perfect choice for a transcontinental trip. Power is provided by the Phantom’s 6.75-litre V12 that produces 453 bhp, 720 Nm of torque and has segment-leading fuel economy. A 25 per cent increase in fuel capacity, compared to the Drophead Coupé, adds significant driving range. Agile, fast, long-legged and virtually silent, the Phantom Coupé allows both driver and passengers to emerge unruffled, even after an all-day run.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “Rolls-Royce has always been about pace, performance and style. For the Coupé design we gave the quintessential Rolls-Royce design a dynamic twist. This adds a sense of drama to the outstanding engineering and drivability that are fundamentals of Rolls-Royce cars. The dynamic drive of the Phantom has always come as a surprise to customers and the Coupé takes it one step further.”

To watch the introduction of the Rolls-Royce 101EX - the concept designation for the Phantom Coupe - at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show Click PLAY

The Phantom Coupé features rear-hinged coach doors which add considerably to the ease of access to the rear lounge seats as well as to the overall aesthetics. Crucially, they aid the overall stiffness of the body as the rear hinged doors allow for an uninterrupted A-pillar helping to make this the most torsionally rigid Rolls-Royce ever. A brushed steel finish of A-pillar and bonnet, as seen for the first time on 100EX, is also available for the Coupé.

At the rear is a spacious picnic boot. A split tail compartment that opens in two parts, gives easy access to 395 litres of space. The lower tailgate also provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered.

At the core of the Phantom Coupé is an advanced aluminium chassis, perhaps the single most significant component in delivering the marque’s legendary refinement. Lightweight and exceptionally strong, it impacts positively on ride comfort, handling and safety. Hand made, it requires over 130 metres of welding to create each body.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson, said, “The Coupé has been designed and engineered to be the most dynamic interpretation of our values. Our 2007 sales figures illustrate how successful the entire model range has been with an increase of 25 per cent over the previous year.”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION - US VERSION
Dimensions
Number of doors / seats: 2 / 4
Vehicle length: 5609 mm / 220.8 in
Vehicle width: 1987 mm / 78.2 in
Vehicle height (unladen): 1592 mm / 62.7 in
Wheelbase: 3320 mm / 130.7 in
Turning circle: 13.1 m / 43.0 ft
Track, front: 1687 mm / 66.4 in
Track, rear: 1671 mm / 65.8 in
Width at shoulder height, front: 1491 mm / 58.7 in
Width at shoulder height, rear: 1298 mm / 51.1 in
Elbow room, front: 1562 mm / 61.5 in
Elbow room, rear: 1266 mm / 49.8 in
Head room, front: 981 mm / 38.6 in
Head room, rear: 942 mm / 37.1 in
Trunk volume (SAE): 10.5 cu ft
Fuel tank capacity: 100 ltr / 26.4 US gal

Weight
Curb weight: 2630 kg / 5798 lb
Axle load ratio, rear (unladen): 51.7 %
Gross vehicle weight: 3050 kg / 6724 lb
Payload: 420 kg / 926 lb
Axle load limit, front: 1425 kg / 3142 lb
Axle load limit, rear: 1800 kg / 3968 lb

Engine & transmission
Engine / cylinders / valves: V / 12 / 48
Fuel management: Direct injection
Displacement: 6749 cc / 411.8 cu in
Stroke: 84.6 mm / 3.33 in
Bore: 92.0 mm / 3.62 in
Power output @ engine speed: 453 hp (SAE) @ 5350 rpm

Transmission
Max torque @ engine speed: 720 Nm / 531 lb ft @ 3500 rpm
Compression ratio / fuel type: 11:1 / premium unleaded
Transmission type: ZF 6HP32

Transmission ratios
1st / 2nd / 3rd /: 4.171 / 2.340 / 1.521 /
4th / 5th / 6th: 1.143 / 0.867 / 0.691
Reverse: 3.403
Final-drive ratio: 3.460

Steering & brakes
Steering type: Rack & pinion, speed-sensitive variable-rate power assistance
Brakes, front / diameter: Ventilated disc / 374 mm / 14.7 in
Brakes, rear / diameter: Ventilated disc / 370 mm / 14.6 in

Aerodynamics
Drag Cd: 0.36
Drag Cd x A: 0.985 m2 / 10.6 ft2

Performance
Top speed: 155 mph (governed)
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 5.6 sec

Fuel consumption
City: To be confirmed
Highway: To be confirmed
Combined: To be confirmed
CO2 emissions: To be confirmed

Wheels (21 in alloy)
Tire, front: Goodyear EMT 255/50 R21 106W
Wheel size, front: 8 in x 21 in
Tire, rear: Goodyear EMT 285/45 R21 109W
Wheel size, rear: 9.5 in x 21 in

Filling capacities
Radiator incl. heater / engine oil: 14.8 quarts / 9 quarts
Transmission fluid / final-drive fluid: Lifetime filling

Electric system
Battery capacity / installed position: 90 + 70 Ah / trunk
Alternator / output rating: 2 x 180 A / 2520 W

To watch the Rolls-Royce press conference at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show click PLAY below