Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced its intention to unveil its new Phantom Coupé at the 78th International Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, 4 March 2008 – and what a stunner it is!

Rolls-Royce are touting the new Coupé as the most driver-orientated model in the Phantom line-up. They say that they have achieved this whilst still offering the expected Rolls-Royce levels of comfort.

Designed to cover great distances effortlessly, the Coupé is powered by the Phantom’s 6.75-litre V12 that produces 337kW/453hp, 720 Nm of torque and has segment-leading fuel economy. A 25 per cent increase in fuel capacity, compared to the Drophead Coupé, adds significant driving range.

The Phantom Coupé features beautiful rear-hinged coach doors which add considerably to the ease of access to the rear lounge seats as well as to the overall aesthetics. Interestingly, they also aid the overall stiffness of the body as the rear hinged doors allow for an uninterrupted A-pillar helping to make this the most torsionally rigid Rolls-Royce ever.

A brushed steel finish of A-pillar and bonnet, as seen for the first time on 100EX, is also available for the Coupé.

“Rolls-Royce has always been about pace, performance and style. For the Coupé design we gave the quintessential Rolls-Royce design a dynamic twist. This adds a sense of drama to the outstanding engineering and drivability that are fundamentals of Rolls-Royce cars. The dynamic drive of the Phantom has always come as a surprise to customers and the Coupé takes it one step further,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Designer, Ian Cameron.

At the rear is a spacious picnic boot. A split tail compartment that opens in two parts, gives easy access to 395 litres of space. The lower tailgate also provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when lowered.

Underneath the skin of the Phantom Coupé is an advanced aluminium chassis, lightweight and exceptionally strong, it is the main reason that Rolls-Royce are able to provide a dynamic driving experience as well as ride comfort, handling and safety. Hand made, it requires over 130 meters of welding to create each body.

Production of the new Phantom Coupé will start at Goodwood in the summer of 2008.

GALLERY » rolls-royce-phantom-coupe