The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe was revealed in 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and it was quick to wow the whole world. But now, after four years of production, it was high time for it to receive some improvements. The changes may not be drastic, but they are enough to make the ride sportier than before. For the 2011 model year, the Phantom not only receives interior and exterior updates, but will also get new suspension components and a transmission calibration. No changes were made under the hood, but who needs more than a 6.75 litre naturally aspirated V12 engine anyway?
The car still keeps its design inspiration it received from the 100EX concept, but will get a restyled rear seat, a new steering wheel with a thicker rim, and new colors for both the interior and the exterior of the car. Of course, these updates come with a higher price tag. The 2011 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe’s price will jump from $443,000 to $452,000.
The Phantom Drophead Coupe features a long bonnet, large-diameter wheels, short front and long rear overhangs, and the quintessential dynamic line descending along its flanks. It also carries a folding soft-top roof that it stows in a relatively small space resulting in a luggage compartment that remains unaffected regardless of whether the roof is up or down. For the interior it gets a restyled rear seat and a new steering wheel with a thicker rim.
The 2011 Phantom Drophead Coupe is powered by a 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that delivers an impressive 453 HP at 5,350 rpm and 531 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm. These numbers are just enough to sprint the almost 3-tonne car to 60 mph in just 5.7-seconds and make it capable of hitting a top speed of 149 mph. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the rear wheels. An added elements for 2011 is an “S” button on the steering wheel that, when pressed, will help the transmission hold a lower gear for longer and shift down more readily under braking.
The world of luxury convertibles is offering lots of alternatives so if you want to choose something other than the Phantom you can opt for the Bentley Continental GTC, the Ferrari Califonia, or the Maserati GranTurismo. If you’re interested in luxury than the Rolls-Royce or the Bentley models are the ones for you, but if you want something sportier then you should definitely go for the Ferrari or the Maserati. However, any of the three Bentley Continental GTC , the Ferrari Califonia, or the Maserati GranTurismo is faster than the Rolls Royce model.
