2016 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

Apr 16, 2024, 10:05am ET

Stately, sumptuous and sybaritic, the Roll-Royce Phantom Coupe is the automotive embodiment of opulence. It boasts a decadent hand-built cabin, an enormous V12 and a truly regal street presence.

Outside, the Coupe blends traditional long-hood, short rear-deck proportions with modern cues such as LED running lights. An oversized grille capped by the prestigious Spirit of Ecstasy lends a commanding air to the front of the car, while a gently sloping tail adds a touch of elegance. Overall, there's no mistaking the Coupe for anything else on the road, and passerby (not to mention paparazzi) will take notice.

Though it's billed as the driver's car of the Rolls-Royce lineup, the coupe is still tuned more for comfort than speed. Its titanic proportions limit maneuverability on small streets, and the cushy suspension can only do so much to mask the car's 5,800-pound mass. Think of the coupe as a incredibly capable long-distance grand-tourer that won't embarrass itself on curvy back roads.

Lurking underneath the long hood is a 6.75-liter V12 that produces 453 horsepower and an impressive 531 pound-feet of torque - of which nearly 400 lb-ft, or 75 percent of peak output, is available at just 1,000 rpm. The engine teams with an eight-speed automatic, and the pair is particularly adept at effortlessly wafting the big two-door along.

The Phantom Coupe features rear-hinged coach doors that facilitate access to the rear seats and also recall glamorous coupes from the 1920s. According to the automaker, 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 hood, as seen first on 100EX Concept, is also available for the Coupe.

With wall-to-wall leather upholstery, fine metal trim and (seemingly) acres of exquisite wood, the cabin is as coddling as one would expect. The driver faces a large, thin-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and a trio of simple, old-fashioned analog gauges, while rear-seat passengers are treated to an impressive amount of space.

Should buyers want to add a few features or customize their Phantom Coupe, they certainly may with options such as Starlight Headlining, which adds over 1,600 hand-set fiber optic lights into the headliner to give the illusion of a star-filled sky. Or, buyers can pay to extend the wood veneer beyond the fascia and into the interior by covering the rear window surround, parcel shelf and door cappings with a veneer of choice.

Speaking of veneers, choices vary slightly from other Phantom models, in this case including Piano Black, Mahogany Flare, Rosewood, Walnut Burr, Elm Cluster and Zebrano as the standard choices - with the option for one-off Bespoke service choices available as well.

Leather color options are equally abundant, including 12 colors as standard - with the always-present option of customer provided or selected colors outside of that range.

Key competitors

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe is a true uber-luxury model with very few competitors offering such a unique combination of size, power and luxury. Buyers may want to consider the Bentley Continental GT and the Mercedes-AMG S65 Coupe.