Used 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom has a foundation called the Architecture of Luxury. This involves the nuts, bolts, and various other components that no one ever sees (apart from Rolls-Royce technicians), but it’s still conceived with the Phantom’s prime mission in mind. That mission is to be the preferred choice of the one percent when they want to buy yet another extravagant, aristocratic car.

The current generation of Phantom (the eighth) made its debut last year. The previous generation was easily sumptuous enough, but naturally, the company had to raise standards yet again.

The new Phantom is, according to Rolls-Royce, “the most silent motor car in the world.” It achieves this feat by deploying double-paned glass all around.

In addition, there are approximately 300 pounds of sound insulation, some of which is between the layers of a double-skin alloy in the floor and bulkheads. Even the tires eschew plain old air for a special foam that’s said to reduce tire noise by nine decibels.

This Architecture of Luxury employs an aluminum-intensive chassis that offsets some of the weight found elsewhere, but is still around 30 percent stiffer than the previous generation. This gave the suspension engineers a better foundation to achieve absolute comfort while still providing an underlying control.

The 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom large luxury sedan is available in standard length or with a wheelbase extended by 8.7 inches.

Perhaps this section should be renamed “Riding Impressions” since a Phantom owner will probably be sat in the back most of the time. The Phantom has an uncanny way of turning a road into a velvet ribbon. Its Flagbearer system detects potholes and rough surfaces up ahead, then adapts the suspension to smooth out such imperfections.

Although the Phantom could never be described as sporty (nor would Rolls-Royce want it to be), there’s still a thrill to pushing the accelerator and feeling that muscular turbocharged V12 engine energize 5,600 pounds of luxury car from standstill to 60 mph in a relatively brisk 5.3 seconds. It seems as if the Phantom has reserves of power deeper than its owner’s pockets.

A rear-wheel steering system makes the car far easier to maneuver around town than its size bulk might suggest.

Naturally, the 2019 Phantom doesn’t have a cabin so much as a small palace on wheels. Rolls-Royce chooses its leather from cattle kept at high altitudes because there are fewer insects and, therefore, fewer bites. Now that’s attention to detail.

Entry into the back section is via rear-hinged doors (that hold umbrellas). A starlight headliner contains 1,344 fiber-optic points of light. Buyers may order deep-pile lambswool carpets or hand-woven silk rugs, or wood trim from a tree on their own grounds. There’s also the choice of a lounge seat, individual seats with armrests, individual seats with a fixed center console, or a new sleeping seat. All are angled to ease conversation and lessen strain on the neck. The center console can also house a chiller compartment, whisky tumblers, and champagne flutes.

Up front is a breathtaking piece of hardware called the Gallery. A one-piece upright glass panel takes the place of a traditional dashboard, behind which are digital driver information displays, an analog clock with counterweighted hands (its subdued ticking may be the loudest sound in the Phantom’s ultra-hushed interior) and, if the buyer so desires, a specially commissioned artwork.

A designer might call the 2019 Phantom’s styling something like Modern Majestic. Unlike Rollers of yore, the grille is integrated into the body rather than looking tacked on.

The chiseled profile, meanwhile, has a more classic silhouette whereby the virtually vertical nose sits above a short front overhang, then the sides flow into a longer rear end with a greater overhang. Wide rear pillars bring privacy for those ensconced in the back.

The trim surrounding the side windows is said to be the largest single piece of hand-polished stainless steel on any automobile available today.

FLAGBEARER
Back when cars were a new thing, British law required that someone with a red flag must walk in front of every horseless carriage to alert pedestrians and riders of penny-farthings, etc. In the 21st century, this name is given to the Phantom’s forward-facing camera/suspension system that adjusts the chassis for optimum comfort.

SATELLITE-AIDED TRANSMISSION
The Phantom’s onboard GPS system is linked to the 8-speed automatic transmission. Knowing the car’s exact location and speed enables the transmission to initiate the ideal timing of gear shifts and selection of the appropriate ratio.

Every 2019 Phantom comes replete with leather, wood, and folding picnic tables, plus more contemporary fixtures like an adaptive air suspension, quad-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated/massaging front seats, heated steering wheel, GPS-linked transmission, headlights employing laser technology, wi-fi, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display.

One thing that isn’t fitted is a touch screen for the infotainment system. It would attract greasy fingerprints, and that would never do in a Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce may respectfully deter a buyer from certain things that might affect safety and/or quality, but a 2019 Phantom can be personalized to a stratospheric degree. As long as the funds are available.

As well as the choices we’ve already mentioned, there are powered footrests, 2-tone exterior paintwork, 22-inch alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, night vision, massaging rear seats, a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament fashioned from solid silver (which can also retract into the body), and privacy glass between the front and rear seats.

Potentates expect potency, and the twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 serves up a substantial 563 horsepower, while maximum torque of 664 lb-ft comes in at a low 1,700 rpm for authoritative thrust at almost any speed.

This engine is, of course, sourced from BMW, but it has been tuned specifically for the Phantom. It links to a GPS-enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission.

Averaging around 14 miles per gallon is probably not going to bother a Phantom owner. But, at 23.8 gallons, the fuel tank is large enough to avoid the chore of frequent gas station visits.

6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 (Standard and Extended Wheelbase models)
563 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
664 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/20 mpg