Imagine this: after a day sailing the Mediterranean on your 100- foot yacht, your brand new Rolls Royce Phantom is summoned to pick you up. “James” opens the carriage door to let you in. The aroma of fine leather permeates the air. You sit down and buckle up in the comfortable lounge seat. The Lexicon Logic 7 audio system (with 420-watt, 9-channel setup and 15 speakers) plays “La Donne e Mobile” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” sung by the late great Luciano Pavarotti.

On your way out of town, you push a button in the center of the seat cushion and a wine cool box glides open. Your favorite Meursault is chilled to perfection. Pop a movie in the DVD player, pull down the center armrest, push a button and the control center slides out. Unfold the tray table in the front seatback and pull out the 12” LCD screen, all part of the theater configuration lounge seat setup. Individual upper and lower climate controls, as well as seat heaters, adjust the temperature to your exact liking.

Harking back to 1904, Rolls Royce Limited was started by Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls who earned a reputation of building the finest automobiles money can buy. The best engineering and craftsmanship went into every hand-built automobile, to satisfy the demands of high society. As a manufacturer with more than one-hundred years of history, Rolls Royce has been through ups and downs. Manufacturing aircraft engines that powered fighter planes during WWII and crafting jet engines for airliners,led to financial trouble. The company was nationalized, and after separating the car company from the aircraft division, Rolls Royce was sold to Vickers in 1983. During this time, Rolls Royce made large luxury cars that were solid but far from being at the forefront of technology and innovation. In 1988 Vickers sold Rolls Royce to BMW. BMW’s first effort for Rolls Royce, the Phantom, represents more than an impressive comeback for this prestigious brand, but a full return to glory.

Like a beacon, the 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom attracts attention everywhere it goes. Its retro look is an update of the Silver Cloud series from the early sixties. The designers have done their homework, incorporating many of the design themes from the bygone era into a contemporary styled body. This is a unique car. It is large. At 230 inches it is longer than a Chevrolet Suburban by 7.5 inches. The trunk capacity is average for large sedans.

Our car was painted Jubilee Silver and fitted with 21-inch forged 7-spoke alloy wheels, which had just the right sheen for a very understated elegance. The adjustable ride-height makes it easier when encountering steep driveways or high curbs. The interior was adorned in soft full-grain black leather and trimmed in cream-colored seashell piping, matching the door pockets. Instead of the usual burled walnut, elm, mahogany or ash, our car had black piano wood, which enhanced the subdued elegance. All woodwork is book-matched veneer from the same tree.

The door handles, lit below so you can locate them easily, also doubles as puddle lamps so you can see where you’re stepping before you enter the car (cloak for James to throw over puddle not included). Surprisingly, the big doors are not heavy and the rear carriage doors make ingress and egress easy and elegant. There are umbrellas fitted in each rear door in case it is wet outside, and there is power-closing assistance for rear coach door, in case James is preoccupied.

Once inside, the soft-glow interior lights add to the upscale ambience. The black cashmere headliner and the oh-so-soft blenheim wool carpets made a few ladies remark that they wanted to sit naked on the material. The door caps, instrument panel and various trim has silver Rolls Royce logo and strip inlays. Even the headrests were adorned with beautiful Rolls Royce logos. The electrically-retracting Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament prevents vandalism. The standard comfort and convenience features are too extensive to list here, and the bespoke personalization options has no limit except your imagination. Personally, I would like to have the bespoke Spirit of Ecstasy made in crystal by Lalique.

So how does it drive? Like a floating living room, quiet, serene and just comfy. The steering feels vague yet is quite responsive. One would think that a 5800 pound automobile that has air-suspension could only be sluggish at best. Well you’re in for a surprise as the 6.75 liter, 48-valve aluminum alloy, direct injection BMW V-12 engine develops 453 hp @ 5350rpm and 535 lb-ft of torque @ 3500rpm. This results in a 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, and the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds, an impressive feat in itself. What’s more surprising is that the suspension with continuous electronic damping control tightens the car when flung into a corner and is not only compliant but steady. One can only thank BMW for this.

The six-speed electronically controlled transmission together with the dynamic brake control, dynamic stability sontrol, dynamic traction control and the cornering brake control helps smooth the ride. You sit high in this vehicle, almost like an SUV. The front and rear cameras help you park the car along with the parking assist feature. The car is tight and rigid as it has an aluminum space-frame body, double floor construction and composite steel body panels.

What is the “UX09025” after the model na,e? It is the chassis number for this car. Rolls Royces are known by their individual chassis numbers. The owner’s manual bearing this number is unique and specific to this car, as no two will be built the same. The Phantom comes in three models: the four-door sedan, the drophead coupe and the phantom coupe. Additionally the extended wheelbase model adds 10 inches to the already cavernous rear compartment. Our Phantom base price was $380,000 USD. Add the personalization and bespoke option and the final price, including a gas guzzler tax of $3000, was $450,000. The EPA fuel economy estimates for the Phantom is 11 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 14mpg combined.

With the introduction of the remarkable Phantom, Rolls Royce, shall we say, is really on a roll. “James, toss the Grey Poupon and get ready for a road trip. On second thought, let’s drive to Paris so we can get the real thing.” - By Shin Takei

BHL’S RATINGS:

Overall Impression: 10 Simply wonderful. Back to the top of the charts for luxury automobiles.

Looks: 8 The sheer size of the vehicle is overpowering and the retro look cleverly updates the Cloud series from the early sixties.

Driving Impression: 8 A good balance of a cushy limousine ride and V-12 power when you need it.

Handling: 7 Although not a sports sedan, it can hold its own when pressed to service.

Comfort: 10+ You couldn’t get more comfortable than this. The aroma of the leather interior is intoxicating. Some people indicated they want to move in.

Luggage Space: 8 Yes, you can go from London to Paris and stay a few days.

Bling Factor: 10+ You want to be noticed, get immediate attention and be treated like with respect typically reserved for royalty, this is the car to arrive in. You’re on your own at the top.