2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom

The Phantom is seen as royalty in the car world. It holds a throne that has been unchallenged for decades. However, some do dare to rise up and take its place. Sharing the same origin as Rolls Royce, Bentley has been butting heads with them ever since the start of both the respective companies. The company’s flagship, Mulsanne makes a mean rival. It's more capable Speed trim is powered by a variant of the Phantom’s 6.75L engine. 

Luxury also reminds us of the Mercedes Maybach, whose top of the line S650 closely trails the Phantom and Mulsanne. What the Maybach S650 lacks in luxury, only when compared to the likes of the Phantom, it makes up with performance.

The extravagant amount of features available in this vehicle makes it difficult even for us reviewers to mention them all. Every nook and cranny is tastefully crammed with functionality making it a journey to explore the Phantom. 

Any feature one could think of, Rolls Royce has taken and added to it. Heated Seats? Well, the Phantom has multi-level heated and ventilated seats, multiple levels and areas of massaging available along with heated armrests. The list goes on and on. 

Rolls Royce offers many customization options with the Phantom, but only offers one Package. The Phantom Package offers many attractive features. Some of them are

• Rear Theatre
• Rear Picnic Tables
• The RR logo monogrammed on the seats
• 22” forged alloy wheels
• Driver Assistance features, which includes an innovative 360 degree top and pan view of the car’s surroundings. 

Trim	Rolls Royce Phantom
MSRP	$ 450,000
Key Features	Soft Close Push Button doors
	Heated and cooled seats along with heated armrests
	Massaging seats
	Carpeted flooring
	Customized interiors
	Umbrella

We Recommend

When buying a Rolls Royce, the best advice we can give is buckle up. You actually dont buy a Rolls Royce, you Commision it. Rolls Royce are made bespoke to the needs of the buyer. 44,000 colour shades, choice of leather, stitching and textures, options to add a personalized motif, and of course, the custom Rolls Royce Umbrella. A Rolls Royce Phantom truly is a reflection of its owners personality.  Also, do opt for the "Phantom Package". A Phantom is incomplete without it.

Power and Performance

“.. the Phantom is better suited for wafting along with smooth, steady inputs to throttle and steering.” -www.caranddriver.com

The Phantom comes with the illustrious L series 6.75L Twin Turbo V12 which has been Rolls Royce’s engine of choice for its flagship ever since BMW relaunched the Rolls Royce brand after purchasing it in 2003.

This massive engine is capable of 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. This engine isn't just beautiful to drive but also to look at. Lift the hood and you are greeted by a plaque inscribed with the word “Phantom”, one of the only places where this car is branded with its name. In an era of cluttered and cramped engine compartments, Rolls Royce succeeds in infusing elegance here as well. Centre stage is the engine. The engine covers resembles a ribcage shacked down, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase, “The heart of a car”. 

This punchy engine delivers constant power to your fingertips, or rather toe tips. The car carries a lot of heft, but all one needs to do is to desire speed and the Phantom delivers. 

All that power is managed by ZF’s 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission. The 8HP prioritizes fuel efficiency above all else which pairs nicely with the Phantom’s thirsty V12. This version is lighter than the older models which relieves some weight from the car. 

Models	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
MSRP	$ 450,000	$338,325	$199,900
Engine	6.75L Twin Turbo V12	6.75L Twin Turbo V8	6.0L Turbocharged V12
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed automatic	7 speed automatic
Horsepower	563	530	621
Torque	664 lb ft	811 lb ft	738 lb ft

The Bentley Mulsanne Speed has a similar engine to the Phantom, a 6.75L Twin Turbo V8. Produced in 1956, this engine was originally called the Rolls Royce - Bentley L Series V8 as it was incepted when Bentley was owned by Rolls Royce. Today, Bentley is the only company using versions of the original L410 V8. The 2020 Mulsanne Speed produces 530 horsepower and a whopping 811 lb-ft of torque. 

The Maybach S650 has a 6.0L Turbocharged V12 which produces a high 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The S650 has the most amount of power in class for the smallest sticker price.

Acceleration

The phantom is the pinnacle of comfort and luxury, but sitting encompassed with posh interiors one must not forget the raw potential of the enormous V12 befitting the Phantom name. A seemingly quiet journey can turn adventurous in an instant. Push the gas pedal and the engine roars to life. 

The Rolls Royce Phantom accelerates to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.2 seconds.

Models	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
0-60 MPH	5.2 seconds	N/A	4.6 Seconds
Quarter mile	N/A	N/A	N/A
Engine	6.8L Twin Turbo V12	6.75L Twin Turbo V8	6.0L Turbocharged V12
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	12.6	12.6	N/A

Even though the Rolls Royce Phantom has a slightly bigger engine, the Maybach S650 makes more power for a lighter body, giving it an edge in acceleration. It reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds.

Braking

A fast and heavy car, such as the Phantom, has the need to have excellent braking. The brake response instills confidence. When braking from high speeds suddenly, the EPS system ensures the tires don’t spin out and the car brakes in a straight line. The Phantom also has cruise control braking, where it automatically reduces the speed of the car when it senses that the car is taking a speedy turn while on cruise control.

The brake pads itself are fitted with a sensor that shows a warning when they have ground down and are required to be replaced. 

Model	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
Brake Front (in.)	N/A	15.7	N/A
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	14.6	N/A
Curb Weight (lbs.)	5644	5919	5296
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	114 feet

Handling

Rolls Royce endeavors to provide a serene experience from inside the cabin. Whether you drive the car yourself or are driven, the euphoric experience will leave you dumbfounded. 

The steering feels extremely light and turns the heavy Phantom with ease. One will experience a certain amount of body roll during the turns though. 

The Phantom delivered a magnificently smooth ride. The revolutionary pothole spotting camera adjusts the adaptive suspensions for any incoming bumps or potholes. It works to eliminate any disturbance to the driving experience. The car seems to glide over the road as if it's soaring through the sky. 

Even though the Phantom is equipped with the new ZF 8HP transmission which prioritizes on Fuel Efficiency, the V12 is still a thirsty engine, providing 12 miles to the gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway making a combined average of 14 mpg.

Model	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
MPG (city)	12	10	13
MPG (highway)	19	16	21
MPG (combined)	14	12	16

The Maybach S650 is the most efficient of the 3, with a combined average of 16 mpg. The Bentley has a combined average of 12 mpg, making it the least efficient. 

“Acres of wood, real metal accents, and vast expanses of fine leather cover nearly every square inch of the cabin.-www.caranddriver.com

Beauty beyond measure.

The Rolls Royce Phantom’s interior is the main focus of this car. Decades of experience in sculpting bespoke cars have truly made Rolls Royce a true king of detail and elegance. Every aspect of this car looks amazing, no matter how small or insignificant. 

The Phantom’s amazing interior quality isn't bothered by plastic. No matter how hidden or out of the way a surface may be, its either leather-wrapped and stitched or forged in metal. The AC ducts hidden under the front row seat, for example, are not something anyone will be looking at, but they are still manufactured in metal. 

Two areas of the cabin which especially calls for attention are the “Gallery” and the “Starry Headliner”

Above the two glove compartments (Yes, two glove compartments) is an area framed in glass. Rolls Royce calls this the Gallery. The Gallery is used to showcase any artwork or design the buyer chooses. Rolls Royce offers certain designs themselves. However, It can be anything, from a custom design or art piece the owners have designed or acquired to Picasso’s Starry Night.

Speaking of Starry Nights, the “Starry Headliner” is the name of the Phantom’s custom headliner. This asterism of stars simulates the look of driving directly under the night’s sky. The stars are made from different size LEDs.

The Phantom comes with 4 zone climate control. The air conditioning is powerful and leaves no margin for complaint even on the hottest of days. Rolls Royce uses the traditional sliding disks for changing temperature. The Phantom has a lot of storage space available in the cabin. Up in the front, it has two glove compartments. 

The seats on the Phantom are of a different class of luxury altogether. Not only do they provide multi-level heating and cooling, but also provides massaging functions for multiple areas. The headrests feels like a plush cloud rather than a headrest and armrests are heated. Also, the floors are carpeted.

The Phantom has plenty of leg and headroom. Both the front and rear seats are comfortable to sit in. The comfort of the seats along with the magnificently smooth ride quality of the Phantom makes you soon forget you are driving in a car as it feels as if you're flying in an airplane. 

Every noise of the outside world fades away inside the cabin of the Phantom. It completely isolates you from the world outside. Thanks to its innovative suspension system, you feel no bumps. Its superior ride quality offers a complete lack of tire or engine sound. However, flex the engine and the intoxicating sound of the glorious V12 fills the cabin, just enough to remind you that not only are you in the most luxurious car ever, you are also being driven in a tamed beast.

Model	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
Passenger capacity	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	41.2/-/41	40.1/41.9	42.3/59.7/41.4
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/-/43.3	38.1/-/42.9	37.9/58.7/40.0

Infotainment

The infotainment system is controlled from both the front and rear infotainment controls. The infotainment system comprises of up to 3 screens, one on the center dashboard and two behind each front seats. The rear screens are hidden behind the picnic tables and be accessed via a button on the rear control panel. The front screen tucks away when the car is turned off. All the screens are controlled via round knobs which feel very luxurious. The knob has a silhouette of the spirit of ecstasy on them. 

Navigation can be controlled from any of the screens. The infotainment system also controls the seats' massaging function, the heated armrests, and the option to lower or raise the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. 

Cargo Space

Not only is the trunk of the Rolls Royce Phantom spacious, its carpeted with the same material as the floor of the cabin. 

Model	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	19	15.7	12.3
Cargo Volume with rear seats down (ft.3)	19	15.7	12.3

“So from the outset, it’s clear that this isn’t a car designed with any fear – or even vague acknowledgment – of the concept of excess.” -www.autocar.com

Bold .. Refined .. Elegant. These are the words that come close to describe the aura of the Rolls Royce Phantom. 

The Phantom portrays a different personality depending on the angle it is viewed from. Look at it from the rear and the Phantom looks graceful yet sporty. The sloped arch at the back leading to the almost cascading tail lights is a well-recognized look unique to Rolls Royce. The taillights incorporate all its functions inside one structure. At the center of the taillights are the turn signals, imprinted with the Rolls Royce insignia, the RR.

The side view reveals a flavor. The rear-hinged “Suicide Doors” have been a part of the Rolls Royce lineup for decades. The doors have a soft close feature wherein they will automatically close at the push of a button. The door panel also houses the RR branded umbrella. The beautiful forged alloy wheels sport the RR logo in the middle, which is weighed down. No matter how much the wheels turn, the logo remains upright.

Finally, the front. The bold yet classy front showcases the heritage of Rolls Royce. The modern headlights are an eye turner. The iconic grill the Phantom has had for decades has been modernized but still resembles the entrance to the Pantheon, upon which sits the “Spirit of Ecstacy”. This retractable hood ornament sits atop the grill like a regalia, announcing to the world that this is no ordinary car, it's the Rolls Royce Phantom.

Model	Rolls Royce Phantom	Bentley Mulsanne Speed	Mercedes Benz Maybach S650
Curb weight (lbs.)	5644	5919	5296
Length(in)	227.2	219.5	214.7
Width(in)	79.4	75.8	74.8
Height(in)	64.8	59.9	58.7
Ground clearance (in)	6.45	6.7	5.2
Wheelbase (in)	139.8	128.6	132.5
Track width (in) F/R	66.3/65.9	63.2/65.0	63.9/-

The Phantom weight between the Mulsanne Speed and the Maybach S650, with the Mulsanne Speed being the heaviest. The body of the Phantom is the biggest as its longer, wider and taller than the other two. 

The 2020 Rolls Royce Phantom has not been crash-tested yet. However, it comes standard with a plethora of safety features which puts anyone in it at ease. Some of the safety features are :

• 4 Wheel ABS
• Stability Control
• Front, Side, Head and Knee Airbags 
• Seatbelt Pretensioners
• Anti Whiplash
• Engine Immobilizer
• Traction Control
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Blind Spot Accident Avoidance System
• Lane Departure Warning System

2020 Bentley Mulsanne Speed

Bentley and Rolls Royce have been natural competitors for decades. Both the companies’ flagships, the Mulsanne and the Phantom share a version of the same engine. The Bentley Mulsanne Speed costs less than the Phantom but makes lesser power. However, when we talk of the Phantom and the Mulsanne Speed, these metrics don't take our focus. 

It is said that the Mulsanne Speed was made for people who wish to drive themselves and the Phantom for those who wish to be driven. The choice between these ultra-luxury cars falls on the choice of the buyer above anything else. 

2020 Mercedes Maybach S650

The S650 is the underdog here. When compared to the likes of the Rolls Royce Phantom, the S650 falls shy. The car is very well equipped for its price. It also has the best in class performance. If you have the money to spend on a Rolls Royce Phantom, you will not find us telling you otherwise, but if you're looking for a more “Budget” option, the S650 is a good car to consider.

The Rolls Royce Phantom is the epitome of luxury, elegance, and grandeur. This magnificent machine has been engineered to perfection and handcrafted to the utmost quality. It provides an even-tempered riding experience but is more than capable of giving anyone who rides it a rush of adrenaline. Behind the 2020 Rolls Royce Phantom is more than a century of experience and expertise in handcrafting premium cars. The Rolls Royce Phantom truly is a beacon of wealth, taste and refinement.