Car and Driver: Current Rolls-Royce Phantom Is Wafting into the Sunset—Coupe and Convertible Won’t Be Replaced

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In the ultra-luxury sphere, lifespans are longer than they are among the serf class. And so it is that the current Rolls-Royce Phantom is 13 years old, an eternity in car-years. But even a Rolls can’t roll on forever, and the company has announced that this-generation Phantom (the seventh, according to its maker) will be wafting into the sunset later this year. The sedan—excuse us, limousine—will be replaced by a new Phantom VIII, but the the Coupe and Drophead Coupe (convertible) are never to return.

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In order to give them a proper send-off, Rolls is doing a run of 50 “Zenith” special editions. Details of the Zenith models are few; Rolls-Royce mentions a Tailgate Hosting Area, unique gauges, and laser-etched armrests. Additionally, the released sketch indicates an engraved Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, a two-tone interior treatment, a metal-and-leather hard tonneau for the convertible, “crystal paint,” and what appear to be disc-style wheels.

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The Phantom was the first new Rolls-Royce developed under BMW ownership, and it made its debut on January 1, 2003. The extended-wheelbase model followed for 2005, while the Drophead arrived in 2007, and the hardtop Coupe for 2008. An updated Series II Phantom launched in 2012.

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• Our Night as an Uber Driver—Using a $500,000 Rolls-Royce-
• It’s Time for Rolls-Royce to Think About Its Future-
• Rolls-Royce Phantom: News, Photos, Specs, Reviews, and More-

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Rolls must feel that the Wraith coupe and newly introduced Dawn convertible, both based on the smaller Ghost sedan, can cover the market for ultra-luxe two-doors. The company also is working on an SUV, because, well, everyone must. Rolls has not indicated when the next Phantom will arrive, but we’d expect a debut sometime early next year.

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