Rolls-Royce Phantom extended wheelbase

From the official Press Release:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that the new extended wheelbase Phantom will be launched in Europe. The car was first seen at the Geneva motor show in 2005, initially available for the Middle and Far Eastern markets.

The launch of a longer Phantom follows on from the success of the standard length car during the last 12 months. In 2005, just under 800 Phantoms were sold – a 15 year high for the company.

The new Phantom with extended wheelbase offers additional interior space for the rear occupants while maintaining the elegant exterior looks of the standard length Phantom and its first class driving performance.

An extra 250mm has been added to the standard Phantom, behind the B-pillar, to create a car with an even more generously proportioned rear passenger compartment. The extra space lends itself perfectly to the addition of bespoke features, limited only by the imagination of the customer.

An extended wheelbase car had been planned from the early days of the Rolls-Royce Phantom project. An aluminium space frame chassis was chosen for the Phantom precisely because it lends itself to structural adaptation with relative ease. This ability to create bespoke models to meet the individual needs and desires of Rolls-Royce customers is something that has been central to the marque throughout its 100-year history.

The extra length is achieved simply by using longer extrusions in the construction of the body without any loss in torsional rigidity. The outstanding dynamic performance and driving refinement of the Phantom is maintained. Aluminium roof and rear door panels are the only new major exterior parts required.

Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, said, “The extended wheelbase car was originally a Bespoke solution in response to demand from customers, principally in Japan and the Middle East. However, it was soon attracting interest from buyers in Europe and the UK. The increased interior space offers even wider scope for individualisation.”

The Phantom extended wheelbase is available from UK and continental European Rolls-Royce dealers now and is priced at £254,000 or €379,000 plus local tax.

(Source: Rolls-Royce)