New Car: 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom facelift

With the current Phantom being a sales success, Rolls-Royce has announced model updates for the Phantom and the Phantom Extended Wheelbase.

The 2009 model year Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase will feature a few additional luxury features.

The Phantom gets the same front end first introduced on the Phantom Coup� and Drophead Coup�. That is a slimmer front bumper coupled with a "shallower" grill with a stainless steel finish.

Technology upgrades include LED door handle lighting, new connectivity for the rear passengers to the 12-inch screens mounted on the "picnic tables" at the back, newly positioned switches for the air conditioning, audio and electric windows in a wood panel on the rear doors, as well as new bi-directional reading lights mounted from the C-pillar.

21-inch wheels cast in aluminum are now standard too on the Phantom series. Production is set to begin this Spring at Rolls-Royce's Goodwood facility in the UK.

Press Release:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is pleased to announce details of a product update to the 2009 model year Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase.

Building on a successful sales year in 2008, the phased introduction of a number of subtle model year enhancements will reinforce Phantom�s position as the pinnacle product of the super luxury segment. Harmonising the front appearance of the car with that of the Phantom Drophead Coup� and Phantom Coup�, a new streamlined front bumper has been designed and integrated with a shallower grille, finished in stainless steel.

Other new exterior features include LED door handle illumination and the fitting of 21-inch cast aluminum wheels as standard. Two further wheel options exist, both manufactured in forged alloy and available in either painted or part polished finishes. Inside, rear passengers will benefit from a new RCA component input which provides auxiliary audio and visual connectivity to the 12-inch monitors mounted within the picnic tables.

Further features include new front and rear door cappings with integrated grab handles and new bi-directional double reading lights in the C-pillar provide additional illumination. Rear climate control, volume control and electric window switches are now conveniently repositioned, housed in a wood veneer panel in the door.

Production will commence at Goodwood in the Spring.