Rolls-Royce Phantom Appears In Malaysia
Super-luxury has arrived in the form of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, unveiled by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur, the sole authorized Rolls-Royce dealership in Malaysia.
The Phantom moniker has been around since 1925 and has been the chariot of choice for many iconic personalities. Given its status as a symbol of wealth and achievement, and given its selected clientele, no 2 Rolls-Royce Phantom are exactly alike. Each Phantom is expected to be bespoke, right down to the choice of exterior color; you have about 44,000 shades to choose from.
“Phantom has always been a sign of success and a symbol of authority in Malaysia. New Phantom is the latest iteration of the revered flagship of the Rolls-Royce brand, with bold, yet elegant design underpinned by engineering attention to detail. It is a moving showcase of luxury, world-class technology and handcrafted quality,” commented Dato’ Michael Ong, Managing Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur, and Executive Director for Quill Group of Companies. “New Phantom will undoubtedly set the new benchmark for the best in authentic, bespoke luxury,” he added.
The cabin of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is large enough to be labeled ‘The Suite’. And in this suite are some of the finest leathers and veneers. Rear seating is available in several options including lounge, individual seats, and sleeping seats. The fixed rear center console incorporates a drinks cabinet too soothe the parched.
‘The Gallery’ is Rolls-Royce’s interpretation of a car’s dashboard in a luxurious sense. While still sporting the familiar Rolls-Royce vibe, it is made more contemporary. The 12.3″ display with LED back-lighting as well as the digital instrument cluster are encased in toughened glass that runs the width of the dashboard. This uninterrupted fascia provides an opportunity for some decorative commissioned artwork if desired.
The Phantom’s ‘Architecture of Luxury’ platform is an all-aluminum spaceframe designed to underpin every future Rolls-Royce; it’s more rigid yet 30% lighter than its predecessor’s. Instead of LED headlamps, Rolls-Royce has upped the game with an advanced laserlight system that can cast light over 600 meters down the road at night.
The new four-corner air suspension system, state-of-the-art chassis control system, dual-skin alloys across the bulkhead, double-laminated glass, over 130 kg worth of sound insulation, and the largest ever cast aluminum joints in a body-in-white, give the new Phantom a ‘magic carpet ride’ and make it the most silent car in the world. The sound levels were so low the engineers had to check if the instruments were properly calibrated.
Numbers are secondary with a Rolls-Royce but if it’s needed then the Phantom wafts with the aid of a 6.75L V12 twin-turbo engine that’s good for 563 bhp and maximum torque of 900 Nm from as low as 1,700 rpm. This allows the Phantom, weighing over 2.5 tons, to do 0 – 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds (5.4 seconds for the slightly heavier extended wheelbase version). This power is managed by a Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) and an 8-speed gearbox from ZF. What the SAT does is detect the road ahead and plans the appropriate gear as you need it e.g. downshifting in a tight bend. The Phantom is also equipped with the ‘Flagbearer’ which is a stereo camera system integrated in the windscreen that sees the road ahead and adjustss the suspension proactively.
Other features that you would expect in a vehicle like this, such as Active Cruise Control, 4-camera Panoramic View system, Night Vision, Vision Assist, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic alert, head-up display, WiFi hotspot, etc, are all present in the Phantom.
We don’t ask the price of a Rolls-Royce, but it starts from RM 2.2 million (less taxes) for the Standard Wheelbase, and from RM 2.5 million (less taxes) for the Extended Wheelbase. This is inclusive of a 4-year service package and regional warranty, 24-hour roadside support and a Flying Doctor after-sales team; but not inclusive of all the options you might tick.
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