ROLLS-ROYCE Phantom 2003-2009 Photos, engines & full specs

Drawing inspiration from the company’s heritage, the Rolls Royce Phantom unveiled in 2003 was the first model produced under BMW’s ownership.

The design and the engineering team spent four years to develop the new Phantom, and the result was a vehicle that was easily recognisable as a Rolls-Royce from any angle.

Retaining the traditional design cues, the 2003 Phantom was built on a unique platform, with a body made mostly of aluminum.

The Rolls Royce factory located in Goodwood, West Sussex, used only 3 robots to produce the Phantom, while the final assembly was done by hand, including the body, the paint, the wood and the leather work, according to the customer’s individual specification.

Hand-assembled by the Rolls-Royce technicians, the heart of the new Phantom was a naturally aspirated 6.75-liter V12 engine. The unit was mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission and developed a massive 720 pound-feet of torque, with the luxurious Phantom reaching 100 kph in around 5.7 seconds.

Inside, simplicity defined the Phantom’s interior. The rarely used controls were kept out of sight and even the multimedia screen was hidden behind a revolving panel placed in the center of the dashboard. The most advanced technology available was combined with traditional hand-craftmanship, offering an unique and luxurious feel.

The rear cabin was equipped with picnic tables and 12-inch monitors linked to a six-DVD changer, besides allowing to view digital television.