Rolls-Royce Phantom: The Pricey Spirit

Rolls-Royce’s new Phantom is born with the right spirit. But for those who intend to seize its spirit, they have to pay first the pricey price. And how pricey is pricey? A Phantom Drophead Coupe was earlier sold for $2 million at a charity auction in Florida. Now, it holds the record of the most expensive new car ever sold in the United States.

In the seven-year history of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, the $2 million bid was the highest price paid. The famous auction was attended by equally famous celebrities like television and film stars. It was also graced by top vintners and chefs. The top bidder though has to wait for the delivery of the landmark vehicle. The production of the soft-top worth £300,000 will be starting this summer at the company’s factory in Goodwood, West Sussex. The said factory will use only two robots to do the painting of the car’s spaceframe body. The rest of the work is done by hand. This is in accordance with the Rolls Royce tradition.

The 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe debuted at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) last month. The ultra-luxury saloon was the first Rolls-Royce branded car made under the ownership of BMW. It is equipped with 6.75 L, 48-valve, V12 engine based from BMW’s V12. The engine is capable of producing 453 horsepower and 531 ftolbf of torque.

After the car was unveiled, it got a mixed reception. Purists did not take the modifications positively. However, modern owners interpreted the alterations in an optimistic light.