GENEVA 2012: ROLLS-ROYCE REVEALS FACELIFT PHANTOM

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the first facelift version of its Phantom sedan which was launched in 2003. That’s nine years of selling a car that looks the same! I suppose it’s better than Jaguar’s old XJ which went on for 42 years, and of course the Porsche 911…

RR refuses to call it a facelift, rather referring to it as the Phantom Series II. How regal.

“From launch in 2003, the Rolls-Royce Phantom established itself as the benchmark in automotive luxury, a reputation it has held ever since,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “These cars are timeless in their appeal, but technology moves rapidly and we cannot afford to stand still.

In this regard we are talking about features like a 22.3cm control centre display with 8 programmable bookmarks, a new satellite navigation system with a new multi-media controller and 3D mapping, bird’s eyeview parking sensors similar to those used by RR owner BMW in its own cars, and others.

There are also full LED headlights that curve with the curving road, the same V12 engine with improved fuel consumption and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. If you are close by you can go and see the facelifted Phantom at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show.