While the world’s media flocked to Geneva to witness the unveiling of the brand new Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe (see www.eurotuner.com/auto_news/index.html for the full story), eurotuner was among a small group of journalists granted an exclusive pre-launch peek at the dramatic Coupe in Monterey, CA.

The unveiling took place at a dinner hosted by Rolls Royce in an aircraft hangar at the city’s airport. And while the location may not seem to be the most glamorous, the Coupe made a movie-star entrance.

Driven from behind a curtain by the Phantom’s designer, Ian Cameron, the car made a silent arrival – if you read the February 2008 issue of eurotuner where we paid a visit to the Rolls Royce factory in Goodwood, England you’ll know that these cars are practically silent. In fact, the old RR factory used to have a sign that read “Beware, silent cars being moved” and it really is almost impossible to hear the V12 engine.

Visually, the Phantom is an imposing machine, yet the lines of the new Coupe roof are elegant, almost delicate. The flowing lines create a sense of speed and power as light flows along the roof and down the haunches. Cameron has created a masterpiece.

Further emphasizing the roof is a sparkling headliner that reminds passengers they are sitting in something special. Studded with hundreds of tiny LED lights, the headliner is like staring into a starry sky.

Another element that surprised us was the Coupe’s trunk. It uses a split lid similar to a Range Rover where the top can be opened to access the interior.
Alternatively, you can also open the lower section and use it as a picnic table or seat – the hinges are said to be able to hold up to 500 lb. This gives the luxury Coupe surprising versatility and something else to help justify the expect $500,000 price tag.