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The Seventh Generation Phantom Goes Out On Top

The Seventh Generation Phantom Goes Out On Top

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Pursuitist Luxury Best Luxury Blog

Websters defines Zenith as “the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body” which is only fitting that it’s the collection designation for the final seventh generation Phantom Drophead Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé to come from the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood. These special models represent the ultimate in Rolls-Royce style, craftsmanship, experience and luxury.

Announcing this new collection, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “Phantom Zenith Collection motor cars speak of the marque’s unrelenting commitment to setting and advancing the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged.” We’re not one to argue with him.

Originally launched as a full-size four-door limousine in 2003, the seventh Generation Phantom helped re-establish Rolls-Royce as the preeminent luxury car in the world. As the company slowly rebuilt its portfolio and its reputation, it added the Phantom Drophead in 2007 bringing open-topped motoring back to the top of the range. Just one year later, Phantom Coupé appeared and put Rolls-Royce owners behind the wheel. With the introduction of Wraith and Dawn over the last three years, however, it’s time for Phantom to focus on doing what it does best, offering the most luxurious personal transport in a four-door configuration.

These two bespoke expressions of elegance are fitted with a series of options that separate them from all other Phantoms Coupés that have come before. For example, the boot not only houses a Champagne fridge large enough to hold two standard bottles and eight etched Rolls-Royce crystal glasses, it adds a glass shelf that can be deployed to serve that Champagne. A leather clad, padded bench extends from the tail, providing an excellent place to enjoy a Champagne picnic on a bluebird summer’s day. Coincidentally, owners of the Zenith Phantom had the option of ordering Rolls-Royce’s famous picnic hamper, custom made to match the color of their special cars.

Exterior and interior colors schemes pay homage to the long history of the brand. The Madeira Red and Jubilee Silver Phantom Coupé is inspired by a 1930s Phantom II. Recalling a very special 1930s Phantom II Continental, Rolls-Royce designers created a bolder, more contemporary Drophead in Midnight Blue and Arctic White, which looks even better thanks to a new glass clearcoat technique that has been engineered to enhance its mirror-like shine.

Inside special touches abound. The brushed steel speedometer evokes the power and silky smoothness that lies under the hood.

The etched armrest caps tell the story of the first Phantom Drophead Coupé that was presented at Villa D’Este on the shores of Lake Como, and the Phantom Coupé which debuted at an event on Lake Geneva.

Finally, the central drawer in the console houses a piece of automotive history, not attainable by any other means; a single piece of the Phantom Assembly Line at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. This remarkable collectors’ piece is completed with the expression of co-ordinates, stating the exact part of the Assembly Line from where the metal was extracted. Each is unique to the car and rests in a polished aluminum case engraved with their motor car’s unique identification number surrounded with a beautiful application of Best English Blacking.

While we await Phantom’s Generation Eight, we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to send off these iconic cars that will forever serve as a symbol for the revival of the Rolls-Royce brand.