2014 Rolls-Royce Phantom Metropolitan Collection

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to present the latest showcase of the marque’s pinnacle Bespoke offering.

The Phantom Metropolitan Collection, unveiled today at the Mondial de L’Automobile in Paris, features exquisite hand-crafted design inspired by the modern metropolis. Just 20 of these beautifully crafted motor cars will be available to commission.

Phantom’s launch in 2003 emphatically heralded the renaissance of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars by affording the world’s most discerning and successful men and women the consummate super-luxury experience. Central to the allure of its unique promise is an interior furnished in the very finest materials; expertly hand-applied by the master craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. It presents a space that cossets occupants and provides the ultimate sanctuary in which to traverse and observe the city in supreme comfort.

The Phantom Metropolitan Collection pays homage to the world’s great metropolises through the meticulous application of marquetry – the art of inlaying small pieces of wood veneer to form decorative motifs. When open, Phantom’s signature picnic table presents occupants with an elevated view of the city, created through the expert application of 500 individual wood veneer pieces. Indeed, the process of hand-cutting, colouring, shaping and applying is so complex these unique objects d’art take an expert wood craftsperson several days to complete. On closing the tables, a different perspective of the cityscape is offered – reflecting the view one gets when effortlessly travelling in the rear of a Phantom.

“I can think of no more fitting location than Paris to debut this remarkable new motor car. This is a city that echoes Rolls-Royce’s very special brand promise in perfectly combining the timeless and modern in a manner that celebrates the art of the master craftsperson,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Our customers across the globe delight in challenging our designers and craftspeople to create true, one-of-a-kind pieces of automotive art. This latest Collection serves to showcase the extraordinary scope for Bespoke personalisation afforded to every patron of the marque.”

Meticulous care is taken when selecting the individual wood veneers. Minute imperfections such as knots and flecks lead to instant rejection. Adjustments to the colour of each piece are made through the traditional hand-process of hot-sand shading before a final inspection under magnification on a light box to ensure perfection.

The cityscape theme extends beyond Phantom’s many wood surfaces. A specially developed Aetherius Grey leather colour was created to echo the colour palette of the modern city whilst 6,800 two-tone stitches to the central rear seat flutes depict an abstract image of a skyscraper. A specially developed Bespoke clock extends the theme to the front of the car. For the first time in the marque’s history, a rotating bezel expressing 24 of the great cities of the world and their time zones – Paris included – adorns the central console of a Rolls-Royce motor car.

An exterior hue, Darkest Tungsten, inspired by city skylines finishes the exterior surfaces of the motor car on display in Paris. However, as afforded to any Rolls-Royce customer, the full palette of 44,000 colours is available to those commissioning a Phantom Metropolitan Collection motor car. Should that not be enough, the marque’s Bespoke craftspeople will create a perfect match of any colour or object a customer may wish to replicate. The exterior is completed with a hand-applied coachline that depicts an abstract silhouette of modern skyscrapers.

This is the latest in a line of remarkable, individual Bespoke masterpieces. 2014 has seen such highlights as the Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection that paid tribute to Sir Donald Campbell’s record-breaking achievements and the Pinnacle Travel Phantom that made its debut at the Beijing Auto Show. These limited Collections serve to inspire customers, with record levels of Bespoke demand reported in September 2014. Nearly every Phantom across the globe, 90% of Wraith and 80% of Ghost family motor cars were commissioned by customers with some element of Bespoke design. Bespoke is Rolls-Royce.

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
released at	2014 Paris Motor Show
built at	Goodwood, England
body stylist	Marek Djordjevic, Ian Cameron
engineers	Helmut Reidl
production	20
engine	BMW N73 V12
position	Front Longitudinal
block material	Aluminum
valvetrain	DOHC w/Valvetronic VVT
fuel feed	Direct Fuel Injection
displacement	6749 cc / 411.8 in³
bore	84.6 mm / 3.33 in
stroke	92 mm / 3.62 in
compression	11.0:1
power	337.8 kw / 453.0 bhp @ 5350 rpm
specific output	67.12 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	176.95 bhp per tonne
torque	720 nm / 531.0 ft lbs @ 3500 rpm
body / frame	Aluminum & Steel Body over Aluminum Spaceframe
driven wheels	RWD
front tires	PAX 265 x 790 R540 A 111W
rear tires	PAX 265 x 790 R540 A 111W
front brakes	Vented Discs
rear brakes	Vented Discs
front wheels	F 26.5 x 54.0 cm / 10.4 x 21.3 in
rear wheels	R 26.4 x 54.1 cm / 10.4 x 21.3 in
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Speed Sensitive Power Assist
curb weight	2560 kg / 5645 lbs
wheelbase	3570 mm / 140.6 in
front track	1685 mm / 66.3 in
rear track	1670 mm / 65.7 in
length	5842 mm / 230.0 in
width	1990 mm / 78.3 in
height	1638 mm / 64.5 in
transmission	8-Speed Automatic
gear ratios	4.171:1, 2.340:1, 1.521:1, 1.143:1, 0.867:1, 0.69:1
final drive	3.460:1
top speed	~239.8 kph / 149.0 mph
0 – 60 mph	~5.7 seconds
0 – 100 kph	~5.9 seconds
drag	0.383 Cd
urban fuel econ eu	22.8 L/100 km or 10.32 mpg-us
extra urban fuel econ eu	10.2 L/100 km or 23.06 mpg-us
combined fuel econ eu	14.8 L/100 km or 15.89 mpg-us
emission	347 g/km