Rolls-Royce Phantom VII Coupe: The Last 2-Door Phantom with a V12?

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VII was introduced in 2003, and it is a monolithically weighty thing both in terms of its sheer size and moreover, its purpose. As the first Rolls-Royce developed from the ground up since BMW Group's acquisition of the brand in 1998, the Phantom VII would demonstrably prove whether BMW Group was capable of restoring legitimacy to Rolls-Royce's claim to be "The Best Car in the World," a claim which hadn't rung true since the 1970s. Did the new German owners understand luxury like the British? Or would Rolls-Royce become a badge-engineered version of the BMW 7-Series? Or perhaps the world had lost its appetite for fusty, dusty Rolls-Royce altogether. It's no exaggeration that the future of Rolls-Royce hung in the balance with the Phantom VII.

Phantom VII was a massive success both from the standpoint of sales volume - selling more of these than any other car in its 100 year history - and also for returning Rolls-Royce to the pinnacle of ultra-luxury. Following the sedan's introduction in 2003, the extended wheelbase "EWB" was introduced in 2005, with the 2-door variants - Phantom Drophead Coupé (aka convertible) and Phantom Coupé - arriving in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Unlike the smaller RR Ghost, Wraith and Dawn models that followed, and are built upon modified BMW 7-Series platforms, Phantom VII utilizes an aluminum spaceframe architecture developed exclusively for the range.

All of which brings us to this 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé. All Phantom VII's are powered by the same 6.75 liter V12 delivering 450hp and 550 lb/ft torque: it's naturally aspirated, whereas today's Phantom VIII is turbocharged, as are the Ghost and Cullinan. The Coupé was positioned as the driver-focused Phantom, with a thicker antiroll bar, stiffer rear suspension, and for the first time ever, a Sport button on the steering wheel. Reflecting its mission as a continent-crossing gunship, the Coupé shares the same 100 liter fuel tank as the sedan (the Drophead's is smaller) for greater cruising range. From a styling perspective, Phantom VII introduced the design language still used throughout the modern range.

The fully-electric Spectre replaces the Phantom VII Coupé, and Rolls has said it doesn't plan a coupe version of the current Phantom VIII. So this Phantom Coupe may well be the last 2-Door Phantom ever with a V12.

So what's the RR Phantom Coupé like to own and drive? You've come to the right place!


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