Rolls-Royce Phantom production ending, coupe retired

Rolls-Royce has announced that the current Phantom will end production by November of this year. This announcement follows the recent news that Rolls-Royce has begun testing its all-new aluminium architecture, which will underpin every future Rolls-Royce arriving from early 2018. However, while there will be a new flagship sedan coming later, the Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé models will not be replaced in the future. These two Phantom models will end their lives with a special collection of only 50 limited-edition cars to be called Phantom Zenith.

The current seventh generation of Phantom started production in Goodwood over 13 years ago and quickly became the new face of Rolls-Royce under BMW ownership. The extended-wheelbase model came in 2005. The Drophead Coupe convertible model debuted in 2007, with the hard-top Coupe following in 2008.

To mark their exit, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Bespoke design department will create the most highly customised examples of each Phantom model. The first of these special collections will be named Zenith, and will be the last ever Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé models available to commission from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Features will include a Tailgate Hosting Area; laser etched armrests depicting the original launch locations of 100EX concept in Villa D’Este and 101EX concept in Geneva; Bespoke instrument dials and a “special treatment” of the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. Each customer will also receive a ‘money cannot buy’ portable memento, while the cars will be offered to clients in a palate of colour combinations from Rolls-Royce’s history.

The farewell to the Coupe models may be a sign that the slightly-smaller Wraith has been received better than expected, considering the latter looks better, drives better and still has all the hallmarks of its bigger brother. The Dawn convertible, based on the Wraith is set to hit the roads this year.