Few brands command such respect and prestige. Rolls Royce is more than just the car industry, it’s the epitome of luxury. So when the famous Goodwood brand invited us to its summer studio in Porto Cervo, we were naturally very excited.
We landed in Sardinia, immediately greeted by a magnificent Rolls Royce Wraith.
This exceptional car, first presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013, was a real thrill for us at the time, as we got to see it for the first time. It was a two-door, four-seat fastback coupé based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost platform. It is 13 cm shorter than the sedan, with an 18 cm shorter wheelbase. It has no side pillars or door frames. Its doors are of the “suicide” type, opening from front to back. The car is reminiscent of the original Wraith, of which less than five hundred were produced between 1938 and 1939. Under the hood of the Wraith is a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 developing 624 hp, mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. From 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.6 seconds. Speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. In short, it’s a little jewel that you like to drive yourself, unlike the other models in the range, which are more like cars you like to be driven in.
This jewel is speeding along the streets of Sardinia towards the Grand Hotel Portu Quatu, a magnificent luxury resort just a few minutes from idyllic Porto Cervo.
After a well-deserved night’s sleep, we began testing the magnificent models brought together for us: Phantom, Phantom Drophead, Ghost Series II and, of course, Wraith.
Let’s start with the Ghost Series II presented at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Since its launch in 2009, the Ghost model has become the ultimate symbol of success for the world’s leading businessmen. Acclaimed by critics and buyers alike, the Ghost has enabled Rolls-Royce to set sales records for four consecutive years. Attracting a younger clientele, composed mainly of successful men and women, this model is a major pillar of the brand’s sustainable growth strategy.
The Ghost presents a contemporary version of Rolls-Royce luxury, combining natural dynamism and modern luxury to perfection in a car that stands up to any challenge. Ghost owners have in their hands a safe, state-of-the-art vehicle of the highest refinement, whose interior offers an oasis of calm and serenity in the midst of an often frenetic and tumultuous business world.
The Ghost is a Rolls-Royce that meets all its owner’s expectations; it is both a superbly appointed work tool for the week, and a smooth, fun-to-drive car for weekend relaxation.
The creation of the Ghost was driven by a single objective: to combine power and simplicity. From design to manufacture, everything must be done in such a way that no frills get in the way of the driver’s or passengers’ enjoyment.
Indeed, this bold new generation of Rolls-Royce customers is looking for a quiet vehicle, offering them a cosy, luxurious environment in which to negotiate and relax. The Ghost Series II perfectly combines tradition and these modern demands.
No concessions have been made, either in the choice of materials or in the use of renowned craftsmen. Nevertheless, the vehicle’s appearance has been revisited to emphasize its modernity and dynamism. The Phantom’s majestic radiator grille has been replaced by a sleeker, softer version. These new curves are more reminiscent of an airplane’s air intake than of the traditional Pantheon grille.
While its yacht-like lines and athletic flanks help to energize the vehicle’s appearance, its traditional character is evident in its high bow, wide, homogeneous surfaces, long hood and short overhang.
Then there’s the magnificent Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, launched in 2012. The launch of the Rolls-Royce Phantom on January 1, 2003 was much more than the presentation of a new car in the luxury segment: it heralded the 21st-century rebirth of one of the world’s most prestigious luxury car brands, and provided the first glimpse of a true masterpiece that quickly established itself as the quintessence of automotive excellence. Over the preceding five years, designers, engineers and craftsmen worked in the utmost secrecy within the BMW Group to create the brand’s flagship model and the state-of-the-art production facility at Goodwood in southern England. The success of this project, the first of its kind in the automotive industry, was all the more remarkable in that it involved a brand with a rich history of great successes (albeit with some periods of uncertainty), for which expectations were commensurate with its reputation.
Since its launch, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has proved itself worthy of the “Spirit of Ecstasy” figurine that adorns its hood. From the “Pantheon” grille to the wide rear overhang, its silhouette is in the purest Rolls-Royce tradition. Each of its lines underlines the confidence and elegance of a car like no other. Imposing, the Phantom surprises drivers with its agility and precision of movement, while its handling was described by the company at the time of its launch as “designed to slow the pace”. The sensation of gliding, which can give the impression of flying on a magic carpet, characteristic of the brand across all generations, and the legendary agility (the famous concept of “waftability” also characteristic of the brand) thus regain a prominent place in the company’s dictionary. The Rolls Royce Phantom Series II is a range of luxury cars that have been carefully redesigned and now benefit from cutting-edge technologies, enhancements to an already unrivalled powertrain, and a gain in connectivity that reflects the fast-moving world in which we live.
The Phantom’s striking new front end, with its redesigned bumper and rectangular headlamp surrounds, vividly underlines the very nature of the significant changes that lie beneath the surface. The new design allows the integration of new technologies, such as the bend lighting function, which directs the headlight beam in the direction of the vehicle’s travel, providing better illumination of the road when cornering. As for the adaptive headlights, they automatically modify the width of the beam projected onto the road according to the vehicle’s speed – all with perfect ease.
The Phantom’s powertrain, already exceptional, has been further enhanced. The addition of a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear differential is the perfect complement to the direct-injection V12 engine, optimizing already exemplary dynamics and contributing to the magic carpet feeling that characterizes Rolls-Royce models. Fuel consumption is down by up to 10% in the combined cycle, and CO2 emissions are down from 388 to 347 g/km (from 388 to 349 g/km for the Phantom Extended Wheelbase model).
Ease of use: this is perhaps the term that best characterizes the Phantom driving experience, for both driver and passengers. Optimization of the user interface and the addition of new driver assistance technologies have thus led to the development of a new electronic platform for the Phantom Series II range. The satellite navigation system, for example, has been fully updated with functions including 3D maps reproducing the terrain’s topography, guided tours describing the region’s main sites and points of interest, and personalized itineraries.
Audiovisual content, satellite navigation maps and driver information are displayed on the Phantom’s center console screen, now 8.8 inches wide, framed by eight programmable chrome quick-access keys offering optimized access to key functions. Front, rear and Top View cameras help to improve vehicle handling, particularly when driving in tight urban spaces. For example, when reversing into a parking space, the planned reversing path is automatically displayed on the screen.
These important changes add to the reputation that the Phantom has built with pride since the rebirth of the Rolls-Royce brand in 2003. The 21st century is a new world. But it’s a world in which the Rolls-Royce Phantom range will continue to occupy a prime position for many years to come.
In Porto Cervo, the sun is shining brightly, ideal for the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, a convertible coupe built by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars that was introduced at the January 2007 edition of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. It is based on the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom, the very first Rolls-Royce designed by BMW. It’s a dream car with ideal comfort.
After this ride in these beautiful cars, we arrive in Porto Cervo, the summer temple of luxury and billionaires. This unique, graphic village is the epicenter of excess, with Harrods showcasing the craziest cars and products, including the latest Bugatti and Lamborghini. The world’s most prestigious brands fight for their place in the sun. Rolls Royce has been present here since 2014 and presents its Summer Studio every summer. Aimed at its buyers and prospects, this studio hosts the brand’s finest models for test drives, a Bespoke studio for customizing your future Rolls Royce to make it a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, as well as the very best in yachting, watchmaking, jewelry and leather goods. Numerous parties are held here, each time welcoming the Porto Cervo billionaires.
But who says Porto Cervo says yacht? The bay of Porto Cervo is a natural harbour, home to some of the most exceptional yachts (or even liners) in the Mediterranean. So it’s only natural that we should board a magnificent Dominator. Dominator is a family-run brand run by passionate people. They offer exceptional, fully customized yachts, reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce brand’s commitment to customization and excellence.
Back to the Studio, where you can discover the three models of the Bespoke Porto Cervo Wraith, a tribute to the magical place that is Porto Cervo.
A few days after our return Rolls-Royce announced the launch of its brand-new DAWN model at a digital conference featuring stunning images of this incredible convertible (drophead). The Phantom Drophead has been given a serious facelift. This magnificent jewel completes a range of cars, each more exceptional than the last.
Cette publication est également disponible en :
