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2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Full Review
Date Published: 1/26/08
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Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Full Review
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2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Review
A new convertible joined the exotic-car class when the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe' went on sale in summer 2007. Based on the company's Phantom sedan, the convertible is ten inches shorter and wears distinct but similar exterior styling, has a power soft top, seats four, and features unique rear-hinged power-closing doors. A 453-hp 6.75-liter V12 is the only engine offered; it's based on one that's optional for parent-company BMW's 7-Series sedans and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Safety equipment includes head-and-torso side airbags, ABS, antiskid system, and rear rollover bars designed to deploy in an impending tip. An extensive list of standard features is augmented by popular options that include chrome 21-inch wheels, a teak tonneau cover, and stainless-steel hood and windshield surround. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.
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2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Fuel economy |
| Interior materials | Rear visibility (top up) |
| Quietness | Price |
| Ride/handling | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Despite its near three-ton heft, the Drophead Coupe accelerates strongly from any speed. Rolls claims 0-60 mph in a quick 5.6 seconds, which seems about right based on our preview drive.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 8 | 8.5 |
Despite its near three-ton heft, the Drophead Coupe accelerates strongly from any speed. Rolls claims 0-60 mph in a quick 5.6 seconds, which seems about right based on our preview drive.
Fuel Economy
No opportunity to measure, but the EPA estimates an average of 14 mpg. Premium fuel is required.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 3 | 2.5 |
No opportunity to measure, but the EPA estimates an average of 14 mpg. Premium fuel is required.
Ride Quality
Although our Southern California preview routes weren't plagued by badly broken pavement, the Drophead Coupe soaked up every road imperfection encountered with impressive aplomb and was devoid of undue float or bobbing over bumps.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 10 | 9.5 |
Although our Southern California preview routes weren't plagued by badly broken pavement, the Drophead Coupe soaked up every road imperfection encountered with impressive aplomb and was devoid of undue float or bobbing over bumps.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Considering its heft and ride qualities, handling was impressive, with good steering feel and little body lean in fast turns. Stratospheric price tag discouraged pushing the car to its limits on twisty roads, but a progressive increase in cornering speeds indicated those limits were quite high.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 7 | 7.5 |
Considering its heft and ride qualities, handling was impressive, with good steering feel and little body lean in fast turns. Stratospheric price tag discouraged pushing the car to its limits on twisty roads, but a progressive increase in cornering speeds indicated those limits were quite high.
Quietness
Even top down at highway speeds, normal conversation is possible; top up, the Drophead Coupe is as quiet inside as a luxury sedan. The engine emits a rich purr under acceleration, is virtually noiseless at idle and cruise.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 |
Even top down at highway speeds, normal conversation is possible; top up, the Drophead Coupe is as quiet inside as a luxury sedan. The engine emits a rich purr under acceleration, is virtually noiseless at idle and cruise.
Controls
A "Percent of power" meter replaces a tachometer, and the gear-shift lever is the same light-touch column-mounted electronic "flipper" used in BMW's 7-Series sedans. Also carried over from BMWs is an iDrive-type system that governs secondary functions; the system's console-mounted control knob and dashboard display screen both flip out of sight when not in use. Thankfully, most audio and climate controls are separate and fairly easy to reach.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 |
A "Percent of power" meter replaces a tachometer, and the gear-shift lever is the same light-touch column-mounted electronic "flipper" used in BMW's 7-Series sedans. Also carried over from BMWs is an iDrive-type system that governs secondary functions; the system's console-mounted control knob and dashboard display screen both flip out of sight when not in use. Thankfully, most audio and climate controls are separate and fairly easy to reach.
Details
With more finely crafted wood and leather than a CEO's office, the interior befits the car's extraordinary price. The body structure is impressively solid for a convertible, with virtually no chassis flex or vibration over bumps.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 10 | 10 |
With more finely crafted wood and leather than a CEO's office, the interior befits the car's extraordinary price. The body structure is impressively solid for a convertible, with virtually no chassis flex or vibration over bumps.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Supremely comfortable seats and ample adjustments join plenty of headroom and legroom for first-class accommodations. High-mounted seat cushions aid ingress and egress, and though the rear-hinged door takes getting used to, it doesn't impede entry or exit, and the power closing feature is an appreciated luxury. The windshield header is much farther forward than in most contemporary convertibles, so dropping the top provides a true open-air experience. Top-up visibility is severely restricted straight back and to the rear corners, but front and rear obstacle detection is standard.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 10 | 9 |
Supremely comfortable seats and ample adjustments join plenty of headroom and legroom for first-class accommodations. High-mounted seat cushions aid ingress and egress, and though the rear-hinged door takes getting used to, it doesn't impede entry or exit, and the power closing feature is an appreciated luxury. The windshield header is much farther forward than in most contemporary convertibles, so dropping the top provides a true open-air experience. Top-up visibility is severely restricted straight back and to the rear corners, but front and rear obstacle detection is standard.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Rear-hinged doors greatly ease ingress/egress. Headroom is adequate for six footers and legroom grows tight only behind a tall front-seater. The seat is nicely contoured for two and is extremely comfortable and supportive, and passengers get their own climate controls. With the top up, there's little view to the outside world.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 7 | 5 |
Rear-hinged doors greatly ease ingress/egress. Headroom is adequate for six footers and legroom grows tight only behind a tall front-seater. The seat is nicely contoured for two and is extremely comfortable and supportive, and passengers get their own climate controls. With the top up, there's little view to the outside world.
Cargo Room
Interior storage is highlighted by a two-tier glovebox with a fold-down snack table. The nicely trimmed trunk is large for a convertible--Rolls says it will hold three golf bags--and no space is sacrificed when the top is stowed. The trunk lid is in two parts; the top half opens conventionally, while a lower "tailgate" flips down to form a two-place picnic seat.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 3 | 2.5 |
Interior storage is highlighted by a two-tier glovebox with a fold-down snack table. The nicely trimmed trunk is large for a convertible--Rolls says it will hold three golf bags--and no space is sacrificed when the top is stowed. The trunk lid is in two parts; the top half opens conventionally, while a lower "tailgate" flips down to form a two-place picnic seat.
Value within Class
Most people would be staggered by the car's $412,000 base price, but for those who can afford it, the Drophead Coupe' is actually worth the money. No other car combines such opulent luxury, impressive performance, ample room for four, and open-air exuberance with a century-old name that defines automotive excellence.
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 8 | 5 |
Most people would be staggered by the car's $412,000 base price, but for those who can afford it, the Drophead Coupe' is actually worth the money. No other car combines such opulent luxury, impressive performance, ample room for four, and open-air exuberance with a century-old name that defines automotive excellence.
Total Score
| Drophead Coupe | Class Average |
| 82 | 76.5 |
Scores for all Exotic Cars
| Low Score | 61 | |
| Average Score | 76 | |
| High Score | 82 |
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2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 01/18/2008
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 2-door convertible | $407,000 | $ | $2,000 |
Price note: Add $3000 Gas-Guzzler Tax.
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Base
Powertrain
6.8-liter V12 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, traction control.
Safety
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, automatic roll bars, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system, front- and rear-obstacle-detection system, tire-pressure monitor.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/6-zone automatic climate controls, power tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated power front bucket seats, driver-seat memory, center console, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, navigation system w/voice recognition, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, wireless cell phone link, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers, heated windshield, power door and trunk closing, cooled glovebox, power convertible top, rear defogger, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, bi-xenon headlights w/washers, 265/790R540 run-flat tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
Dual exhaust system
|
||
|
Base
|
$6,000
|
$
|
|
|
||
Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
Front and rearview cameras
|
||
|
Base
|
$3,300
|
$
|
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
Teak convertible top boot
|
||
|
Base
|
$8,500
|
$
|
|
Teak and stainless steel convetible top boot
|
||
|
Base
|
$17,000
|
$
|
|
Brushed stainless steel hood
|
||
|
Base
|
$9,750
|
$
|
|
255/50WR21 front and 285/48WR21 rear run-flat tires
|
||
|
Base
|
$3,100
|
$
|
|
Chrome alloy wheels
|
||
|
Base
|
$6,250
|
$
|
|
Includes 255/50WR21 front and 285/48WR21 rear run-flat tires.
|
||
|
|
||
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe 2-door convertible |
| Wheelbase, in. | 130.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 220.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 78.2 |
| Overall Height, in. | 62.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 5776 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.1 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 21.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.1 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.8 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V12 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 6.8 /412 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 453 @ 5350 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 531 @ 3500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed automatic | NA/ |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe 2-door convertible |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
England
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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