Opinion: Driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom
Matt Chapman moves from the comfort of the passenger seat, to behind the steering wheel.
The 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom was a special guest at Parihoa’s main house. Photo: Liz Dobson
It’s wise to be attentive to the bulk of the Rolls-Royce Phantom when barrelling down to a T-intersection or a sharp corner as whilst it’s composed, the weight can catch you by surprise.
In the Phantom you find yourself checking your speed often. It’s whisper quiet and can make the outside world seem to go by much slower than it really is.
With its width of nearly 2m, I found myself needing to be careful driving through narrow farm entrances at Parihoa and also between cones in roadworks. It’s a big car and whilst 5.7m is hidden as well as it can be, it’s still large.
The natural grain leather in white was simply divine, and I have never sat in a more comfortable driver’s seat.
Despite the opulence of the Phantom, there is a certain joy and respect that goes in being around a car like this. Nothing is compromised for the ultimate state of luxury and such a pursuit to be the best needs to be applauded.
I can see that the person who buys this will be someone who aims to live life in the most decadent way possible. There is a certain satisfaction of lounging in the back, in the soft seats, looking at the starry roof and the fine materials ahead, whilst driving along on what feels like a cloud.
The leather covered seats front and rear were a joy to sit on. Photo: Liz Dobson
The Rolls is a statement but I didn’t notice everyone gawking at it. If you know what it is you will be gobsmacked when you see it, but if you don’t it’s probably too obscure to catch your attention. In the Commissioned Collection Sapphire Black metallic, it was remarkably understated.
Cars may all electrify over the next decade, however I bet in 2040 one will not eclipse the comfort of the 2020 Phantom. Ironically that still makes the car relevant for the future as it will be as much a statement then as it is now. I don’t think it’s possible to eclipse the comfort of this current car in any way.
The skylight goes across the whole of the roofline, making it a special place to be. Photo: Liz Dobson
A special mention must go to the bespoke audio system which is the best I have ever heard of in a car. The sounds are crisp and exact, even at full volume. I didn’t think such clarity was possible in a motor car.
Having had the launch of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV at Parihoa in November 2018, I had the chance to drive it and also all of the current Rolls-Royces, including the pre-facelift Phantom model.
To me they all have the same feel, which is a slightly removed from reality, heavy but firm planting on the road, and a slightly disconcerting too large for the road feel. They all feel exceedingly and uniquely luxurious and, in my view, all feel best from the back seat. That said, the Dawn convertible and Cullinan were fun in the driver's seat.
Parking the Phantom in front of my house drew a lot of attention and made it very much into a centerpiece at Parihoa, making me wonder if part of its future purpose could be as an extravagant motoring sculpture.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom drew a lot of attention at the main house at Parihoa. Photo: Liz Dobson
I imagine the buyer for this car is one of a few choices. The more mature profile who has owned a succession of Rolls-Royces and is loyal to the brand and continues to not compromise on quality. The alternate profile is the younger billionaire or on their way to their first billion, who wants it as a statement piece and again they want the best.
New Zealand is an understated place, as we know, but I still think there is a place for a Rolls-Royce Phantom. It will be the car you don’t drive or get driven in, every day. It may be a once a week drive but it will be the ultimate serene drive. You won’t see it parked on Ponsonby Road or in a tight supermarket car park, as it simply is irrelevant for those situations. Instead, it will be valet parked or kept out of cities all together.
