Phantom Rolls-Royce Phantom Facelift

[ateekt]

When did the current Phantom come out? 2002?

2003. Phantom is the first model from Rolls-Royce to roll out under BMW management. Truly a timeless beauty!

 

[murcie]

it makes the Bentley Mulsanne look much younger

 

[Human]

Rolls-Royce CEO says no to EVs, hints at more Ghost variants

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös has revealed some new details about the company's future product lineup.
Speaking with Car and Driver, Müller-Ötvös said the 102EX concept won't be going into production. He said potential clients were impressed by the EV's acceleration, but thought the 200 km (124 miles) range and 20 hour recharging time were "not acceptable."
While he hinted a plug-in hybrid variant could eventually be offered, a Ghost coupe and convertible will likely be launched in the near term. This isn't terribly surprising since it follows the Phantom strategy of launching the standard sedan, a long-wheelbase sedan, a convertible and finally a coupe.
The CEO also dismissed an entry-level model and commented that he would have a "difficult time imagining an SUV for our brand."

SOURCE:
Read more: Rolls-Royce CEO says no to EVs, hints at more Ghost variants
Via: Car and Driver

 

[SCOTT27]

The good thing about the RR SUV is that Norbert Reithofer and the rest of the BMW Board feel the same way in regarding a Rolls-Royce badged SUV. Although in a few months BMW will make a decision on a full size X7 ,which is under feasibility programmes. The X7 is one potential model aimed at progressing the 7er in the premium luxury market. Another is another attempt on the CS Concept. In design however they have made it look SAVish and added some innovative touches from the ill-fated RFK in terms of sweeping dynamic rooflines and car-like front overhangs but still with the height and commanding presence of an SAV. They are trying to keep it from overlapping with the X5 in terms of appearance.

As for further Rolls-Royce product expansion the 201EX is on the radar.

 

[EMpower]

The good thing about the RR SUV is that Norbert Reithofer and the rest of the BMW Board feel the same way in regarding a Rolls-Royce badged SUV. Although in a few months BMW will make a decision on a full size X7 ,which is under feasibility programmes. The X7 is one potential model aimed at progressing the 7er in the premium luxury market. Another is another attempt on the CS Concept. In design however they have made it look SAVish and added some innovative touches from the ill-fated RFK in terms of sweeping dynamic rooflines and car-like front overhangs but still with the height and commanding presence of an SAV. They are trying to keep it from overlapping with the X5 in terms of appearance.

As for further Rolls-Royce product expansion the 201EX is on the radar.

Strong appetite in US for big SUVs. Even in these times. BMW marketing department needs to check out the big SUVs picking up kids after school. Infiniti QX56, Lexus 570, GL550, Escalade, Navigator, etc. BMW will sell more X7 than X6 in US. I took some pics for you of lot outside school.

 

[Human]

^
I'm just getting my head around replacing the X6 with the next M3/4. Now the talks about the X7 becoming a real possibility has me confcukulated. Hey I like SAV's

(Whatever BMW has up their sleeves its a 6er GC that makes me drool like a retard)

 

[speed_kills]

Strong appetite in US for big SUVs. Even in these times. BMW marketing department needs to check out the big SUVs picking up kids after school. Infiniti QX56, Lexus 570, GL550, Escalade, Navigator, etc. BMW will sell more X7 than X6 in US. I took some pics for you of lot outside school.

Lots of oil needed to supply this SUV.

 

[SCOTT27]

Yes the US remains a huge and possibly the largest market for full-size SUV's. But it is emerging markets that are feeding the demand for full-size luxury SUV's which is why we saw the Bentley Concept. And of course depending on whatever you think of the looks - they know full well that there is a market waiting for this car , globally.

But full size SUV's is something BMW have looked at twice before and actually built prototypes before cancelling in the face of current affairs and demand. This time they know that the 7er has to progress from being just one model to take a fair share of the 1 million units of luxury cars that is expected by 2015 and driven by emerging markets. So an X7 is something they are looking at as BMW are very much dead-against putting the flying lady on a SUV. RR CEO in an interview says it will be like those that put a Phantom front end on a Escalade - not only does it looks ridiculous, it shows no respect for the brand and its rich heritage. So many feel BMW would be more than obliged to fill that spot.

The Bentley to me is like exactly what Bentley done to Range Rovers for VIP customers such as the Sultan of Brunei and various middle-eastern families. They retrimmed them inside and out to appear more Bentleyish. The Concept to me looks as if British footballers combined their Bentleys with their Range Rovers - but by using crayons. The new Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse caught on the set the other week actually now looks like an S-klasse SUV instead of an existing ML, which is much better for the GL's status. The interior of the ML is worth talking about more than the exterior even though some cough! Porsche. So it will be interesting to see if that is carried over in some interpretation or another.

Something that has surprised me is that the new Range Rover is driving around pratically uncovered but no one has yet posted pictures on German car forum. But it seems to have mated the classic Range Rover look with the sporting ruggedness of the Evoque especially with the raked sportiness on the front and the rear , which now adds a touch of Mrk I Range Rover to the C-pillar.
Then of course many are anticipating the arrival of an SUV concept by Lamborghini , a model too far? some might reckon yes but again there will be a market . @ Geneva I asked someone from Ferrari what they thought about the Lamborghini SAV and are you thinking about it, yourselves? The answer - Germanic thinking for a Germanic brand. We are italian , they are German.

 

[modena_360stradale]

The headlights look horrendous. Sorry.

Rolls-Royce went from having thin, elegant headlamps over round fog lights, to having chunky Dodge Challenger parts-bin lights instead.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Looks just a tad more exciting here.

 

[Centurion]

The Phantom resembles one of those huge American trucks you see in movies.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The Phantom resembles one of those huge American trucks you see in movies.

Do you mean one of these...

..
...
.... or one of these beauties ...?

 

[K-A]

As crazy as it sounds, as I'm an RR loyalist since my Dad had one when I was a little kid (worshipped that car), I feel like Bentley, who've never had much cachet to me, are becoming more attractive. I actually like the new GT (practically hate the old one), unless it doesn't pan out in real life, and I think the Mulsanne is a huge step in the right direction: Elegance and classic cues back after the price-relative-ugly, boring, not expensive, VW looking Continental Sedan.

RR's Drophead is outstandingly in bad taste and poorly designed to my eyes, and the Phantom is certainly in a league of its own, but I've never loved the design in itself so much, however realize that it is meant to convey presence, and boy does it (something that Bentley hasn't nailed as well at all, even the Mulsanne doesn't have a presence to match the price tag, IMO, which is a good thing as well, as the Phantom is far too gaudy for many people, rightfully so, yet I understand why those spending those kinds of prices want road presence as well).

What I am very interested in is the upcoming Corniche. I hope it can be what I wished the Drophead was.

 

[Centurion]

Exactly that.

 

[Human]

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series ll extended wheelbase revealed in Beijing

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II (facelift) family has now been completed with the world debut of the extended wheelbase variant at Auto China 2012 this week. It joins the facelifted Phantom Saloon, Phantom Coupe and Phantom Drophead Coupe which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
In an effort to meet the demand for long wheelbase vehicles, which are quite popular in China with business executives, Rolls-Royce first introduced the Ghost extended wheelbase in Shanghai last year. With more than half of Rolls-Royce buyers in China requesting extended wheelbase models, it was only a matter of time until the Phantom fell in line.
Rolls-Royce didn't mentioned how much longer the extended wheelbase Phantom is, but they did say three new showrooms opened in China this year, with five more on the way in the near future.


Read more: Rolls-Royce Phantom Series ll extended wheelbase revealed in Beijing

 

[klier]

The headlights look horrendous. Sorry.

Rolls-Royce went from having thin, elegant headlamps over round fog lights, to having chunky Dodge Challenger parts-bin lights instead.

So much nonsense and hyperbole....

 

[Centurion]

^^
I'm less appalled than I should be. The round projectiles are the redeeming factor, however the pre-facelifted model looked less like Optimus Prime's grand father.

 

[K-A]

That new front end won't age well I don't think. Just not "natural" enough. Too "today", Transformer-y.

 

[EnI]

Yes, as RR customers do care about Transformers ... Sigh.

The Phantom Series II face is even more conservative than the face of Series I ... despite LEDs. Those round xenon headlights were a distraction on a generally rectangular face. Now, with round headlights gone, the car's face is more coherent, and more monotone, more conservative.

 

[SKY]

Yes, as RR customers do care about Transformers ... Sigh.

The Phantom Series II face is even more conservative than the face of Series I ... despite LEDs. Those round xenon headlights were a distraction on a generally rectangular face. Now, with round headlights gone, the car's face is more coherent, and more monotone, more conservative.

Honestly, is there any decision BMW makes regarding any of its brands that you dislike?. It must be marvelous to be pleased with absolutely everything a brand does.

I think the round lights, with the LED ones above was what gave the Coupe such a nice front end. Now is just more boring. I mean much much more boring.