2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe: What's New

Vehicle Overview
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is a convertible version of the Phantom VI sedan. In 2008, a new coupe version of the Phantom also debuted.

Features include a rear trunk gate that flips down for what Rolls-Royce calls “picnic” seating — the world’s priciest tailgate party, perhaps? — and a camera mounted up front for better parking visibility.

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New for 2009
There are no significant changes.

Exterior
Iconic Rolls-Royce elements include a descending beltline (in contrast to most convertibles, whose lines typically ascend toward the tail), as well as a short front and an enormous rear overhang.

Up front, the grille and hood have a softer profile than that of the hard-nosed Phantom sedan. The doors are hinged at the rear, which is sure to make for a show every time they’re opened. Exterior dimensions — at 220.8 inches long and 78.2 inches wide — are about the same as the Phantom sedan.

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Chrome-tipped exhaust
• Electrically heated front windshield
• Headlight washers
• Auto-leveling headlamps

Interior
The four-seat interior comes drenched in wood, leather and chrome. Rolls-Royce says it avoided bleaches, stains and lacquers in favor of natural surfaces. Even the convertible roof housing can be adorned with more than 30 pieces of teakwood.

The seats boast flat leather surfaces designed to be wiped free of moisture.

• Leather upholstered seats, dash and steering wheel
• Genuine wood, aluminum and chrome trim
• 15-speaker surround-sound audio system
• Automatic climate control
• Navigation system
• Heated front seats

Under the Hood
The Drophead’s V-12 powertrain is borrowed from the Phantom sedan. Working through a six-speed automatic transmission, the drivetrain allows the Drophead to reach 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. That’s impressive; it’s about as quick as an Infiniti G35, but from a car that weighs as much as a Ford Expedition.

• 453-horsepower, 6.8-liter V-12 with 531 pounds-feet of torque
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Adaptive suspension
• Run-flat tires

Safety

• Side-impact airbags
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Antilock brakes
• Traction control
• Electronic stability control

Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe
The Phantom Coupe complements the sedan, long-wheelbase sedan and Drophead convertible, filling the role of the quartet’s driver-oriented vehicle.

The Phantom Coupe has a sports-tuned suspension and steering rack. The accelerator pedal is tweaked for quicker response. There’s a new sports button on the steering wheel that, when activated, can hold gears longer for better performance.

By transforming the Drophead convertible into a coupe, Rolls-Royce was able to increase fuel economy and luggage capacity by 25 percent. The trunk can hold up to 13.9 cubic feet of cargo.

• 453-hp, 6.8-liter V-12 with 531 pounds-feet of torque
• Six-speed automatic transmission with sport selector
• Self-leveling air suspension
• 21-inch wheels (three designs)
• Nine different leather upholstered interiors
• Six genuine wood veneers
• 15-speaker, 425-watt surround-sound audio system
• Automatic climate control
• Navigation system
• Optional full-length fiber-optic headliner

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