Phantom gets a Phacelift: Rolls-Royce sedan updated for 2009
Click above to view the 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom in high resolution
It's hard to feel bad for something as stately as the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan, but the model that relaunched the most distinguished of British automakers under BMW's patronage has soldiered on without a complaint while all the others got the attention. Since its introduction in 2003, the Phantom has spawned the Coupe and Drophead versions, as well as the Extended Wheelbase model. And with the Silver Ghost due to arrive soon, the Phantom must have started to feel a little left out.
But Rolls-Royce isn't about to forget its core product, so it's giving the Phantom a mild update for the 2009 model year, just to show they care. On the outside, the revised Phantom gets a new bumper with a shallower stainless steel grille like those on its two-door compatriots. Rolls has also added such luxury touches as LED lights in the door handles and three new sets of aluminum wheels for customers to choose from. Inside, the impossibly luxurious cabin gets some updates to the entertainment system and redesigned interior door panels. Full details are available in the press release after the jump, with photos in the gallery below.
Gallery: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom
PRESS RELEASE
ROLLS-ROYCE PRODUCT UPDATE TO MODEL YEAR 2009
16 February 2009, Goodwood
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to announce details of a product update to the 2009 model year Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase. Building on a successful sales year in 2008, the phased introduction of a number of subtle model year enhancements will reinforce Phantom's position as the pinnacle product of the super luxury segment.
Harmonising the front appearance of the car with that of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé, a new streamlined front bumper has been designed and integrated with a shallower grille, finished in stainless steel.
Other new exterior features include LED door handle illumination and the fitting of 21-inch cast aluminum wheels as standard. Two further wheel options exist, both manufactured in forged alloy and available in either painted or part polished finishes.
Inside, rear passengers will benefit from a new RCA component input which provides auxiliary audio and visual connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables. Further features include new front and rear door cappings with integrated grab handles and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar provide additional illumination. Rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches are now conveniently repositioned, housed in a wood veneer panel in the door.
Production will commence at Goodwood in the spring.
ROLLS-ROYCE PRODUCT UPDATE TO MODEL YEAR 2009
16 February 2009, Goodwood
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to announce details of a product update to the 2009 model year Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase. Building on a successful sales year in 2008, the phased introduction of a number of subtle model year enhancements will reinforce Phantom's position as the pinnacle product of the super luxury segment.
Harmonising the front appearance of the car with that of the Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé, a new streamlined front bumper has been designed and integrated with a shallower grille, finished in stainless steel.
Other new exterior features include LED door handle illumination and the fitting of 21-inch cast aluminum wheels as standard. Two further wheel options exist, both manufactured in forged alloy and available in either painted or part polished finishes.
Inside, rear passengers will benefit from a new RCA component input which provides auxiliary audio and visual connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables. Further features include new front and rear door cappings with integrated grab handles and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar provide additional illumination. Rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches are now conveniently repositioned, housed in a wood veneer panel in the door.
Production will commence at Goodwood in the spring.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gardiner Westbound 3:05PM (2/16/2009)
I hated the old door handles!
Reply
SteveRB 11:13PM (2/16/2009)
I hate it when my chauffer and I go out for a relaxing drive in this vehicle and people ask me for my Grey Poupon.
coolremo 3:11PM (2/16/2009)
one thing that still bothers me, is that it has such small taillights relative to the car's size.
Reply
efw 5:15PM (2/16/2009)
it may look small but it's probably actually bigger than some cars' considering the phantom's massive size..
rsfourever 3:24PM (2/16/2009)
i'd still take a bentley over that (even though the arnage is at the very end of it's life cycle). so much classier...
Reply
zamafir 3:55PM (2/16/2009)
I'm with you, sit in a brooklands and sit in the RR coupe, or even a conti flying spur and this one, the Bentley interior excels in so many ways, I can't get over the budget LandRover-esc interior BMW forced on this car, it should feel markedly more expensive inside than anything else, not something between a Bentley and a LR.
Mobius_1 4:56PM (2/16/2009)
But I would definitely take this over a Maybach. IMO, rappers and their music videos ruined this car's image.
P.V. 5:30PM (2/16/2009)
I completely agree. Rolls-Royces have flash. Bentleys have class.
My other quibbles with the Phantom are that the car is too heavy and that the dashboard is way too old-school for my tastes.
Torrent 3:32PM (2/16/2009)
Anybody really notice a difference?
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Alex 3:37PM (2/16/2009)
So stupid, most people won't shell out another 300k us for a lame remodel with just a redesigned lower grille. Now if they'd truly updated it and given it the front end of the drophead, I'll bet you a lot of previous Phantom owners would be more interested in trading theirs in for the new one. On the flipside I doubt too many drophead owners would really care since they'd still have the exclusivity of the two door convertible.
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Jonathan 3:39PM (2/16/2009)
I'm glad they reverted to the old-style headlights. Notice how when Audi, a brand that knows how to design cars, uses LED's it comes out cool looking. In case anyone's forgotten, this MY2008 mutant beast was RR's last attempt at modern design:
http://www.netcarshow.com/rolls-royce/2008-phantom_drophead_coupe/800x600/wallpaper_05.htm
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Ligor 4:26PM (2/16/2009)
sorry but i don't think you get the drop head coupe's market
and no convert audi ever looked this good
Dan 5:05PM (2/16/2009)
Eh, the headlights are better than on the Drophead, but they're still a proportional disaster. Rolls were not meant to have rectangular headlights.
Jonathan 5:05PM (2/16/2009)
http://www.netcarshow.com/audi/2009-tts_roadster/800x600/wallpaper_02.htm
Michael 5:18PM (2/16/2009)
@Jonathan
|:[]
Reply
Dr. Bush 5:53PM (2/16/2009)
As someone who could actually afford a couple of these, I can assure you that my Mini S is ten times as much fun.
Reply
Mark 7:30PM (2/16/2009)
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Reply
the vegas style guy 8:46PM (2/16/2009)
"But I would definitely take this over a Maybach. IMO, rappers and their music videos ruined this car's image."
Actually, they are probably the ones that made this car the only successful sedan in it's class of two. I bet the RR people are very happy to see this car and all of their products in Rappers videos.
In the sixties a lot of upper crusties were upset that people like John Lennon and various rockers had the temerity to buy RR's. Simple fact, they were the ones with the dash. Replace John Lennon with Jay-Z and you might realize that RR's rep hasn't been what you imagine it to have been for quite some time.
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Zog 9:57AM (2/17/2009)
"As someone who could actually afford a couple of these, I can assure you that my Mini S is ten times as much fun."
Wow. Please regale us with more stories about your wealth and importance.
Reply