Rolls-Royce Phantom News

The Ocean Drive concept was rated only an outside chance for showrooms, until Rolls-Royce confirmed production plans for the Phantom Drophead Coupe at the show this week. It's a move that's sure to spark interest among mega-rich fans of open-air motoring.The British company is already talking about waiting lists and long delays in Australia, despite a price beyond $1 million, and it will probably be a similar story in many other country, with multi-millionaires racing to get their hands on the Phantom convertible. The Rolls-Royce announcement was predictable, even if it did not bring the expected return of the Corniche name that has been previously used for open-air Rollers.But that did not stop an instant reply at the Mercedes-Benz stand."It looks as if Rolls-Royce is going to be responsible for Mercedes buyers getting their hands on our new convertible," a Mercedes-Benz US source says. "It is almost certain to get the go-ahead now."The big Benz is being displayed only as a concept in Detroit, but is clearly more than just a dream machine.It shows Mercedes' thinking on everything from body styling to the pillarless side panels needed to make the car a workable production model. They anchor the rear doors and ensure the sort of access to the back seat every other convertible and coupe owners can only dream about.Based on earlier show-to-road programs, it will probably take about three years for Mercedes to transform the concept to a production model. It is based on the S-Class but has different styling, even from the super-expensive CL coupe about to go on sale in Australia.It is much more bluff, with giant wheels and a two-tone paint job that are unlikely to make it to production.But the upright grille could easily make it through the system in Germany, along with the electric folding soft-top roof and Benz's "airscarf" heating system that blows warm air over the occupants' necks.

The $US2.2 million ($2.8 million) built-to-order stretch Rolls-Royce Phantom boasts state-of-the art gadgets including an LCD entertainment system. It also has two rows of rear seats, facing each other. "It was the most expensive car we've ever done," says Robertson. He wouldn't disclose the name of the buyer.Robertson was in Hong Kong last week for the unveiling of a fleet of 14 new Phantoms for the city's Peninsula Hotel, the world's largest such order. They were built to meet the luxury hotel's needs, including larger boots for luggage and refrigerators for chilled towels, Robertson says.The total amount of the deal was not disclosed.China has overtaken Japan as Rolls-Royce's biggest Asian market, with 60 per cent sales growth this year as the country's newly rich entrepreneurs splash out to display their wealth.

Twenty five of the Bespoke cars, called Phantom Black, have been hand built at Goodwood in England. They feature lustrous metallic "Diamond Black" paintwork, 21-inch alloy wheels and visible tail pipes. Under the bonnet the 6.75 litre V12 engine has gloss black inlet manifolds, chrome plated top covers and new black Rolls-Royce badges. The company boasts the motor is almost silent while pumping out 337kW and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7sec with a limited top speed of 239km/h. It might be bling outside and muscle under the bonnet, but inside, it is still all gentlemen's club with soft black leather upholstery edged with "Seashell" piping, black ash wood veneer and silver pinstripe on the door capping. However, the steering wheel has a slightly thicker rim, hinting at its sporting dynamics. All 25 Phantom Blacks have been snapped up. Who knows; they could feature in the next hip hop video.

It will take nearly eight days to get things set for the 11th show.The cars will not be put in place under spotlights until a couple of hours before the industry preview next Thursday morning, before the public opening at 5pm.The battle for best in show is running hot, though Ford and Holden are still refusing to talk about their cars.Show organiser Russ Tyrie, of the VACC, says: "We still have no idea what they are doing."But there's a group of $1 million-plus exotics, and a concept has been shipped from Europe for the show."I suppose the most expensive car is the Senso (inset) concept. It is probably about $3 million with all the technology," Tyrie says."The most expensive production car at the show is probably a toss-up between the Rolls-Royce Phantom (above), the Maybach 57S and the Pagani Zonda."There are 42 manufacturers this year. The show space was sold out in July. There will be hundreds of cars, so you don't have to work hard to get to $25 million worth of cars."There is plenty of hard work to get the show built and ready."It is almost like building a house in just over a week," Tyrie says. "Many of the stands are very complex, both in their construction and set-up."Some are double-storey and some are shipped in from overseas. Many have audio-visual elements that anyone would love to have as a home theatre."There will also be action outside the show itself, with stunt driver Russ Swift arriving from Britain at the weekend for his second appearance in Melbourne."He will be driving a Peugeot 307 this year. And it promises to be pretty spectacular, Tyrie says.Swift is famous for his high-speed parking, handbrake turns, skids, slide and two-wheeling antics. He will practise in the car park at the exhibition centre from Wednesday, and give four performances each day of the show.This year's event will start at lunchtime on Tuesday with a street parade featuring some of the show's biggest drawcards."We are expecting to have 10 cars in the parade. They will be the most exotic cars from the show and they will all be driven from the corner of Burke and Swanston streets, along Swanston St to Federation Square."The cars will be displayed afterwards and there will be a series of interviews, including one with Russ Swift," Tyrie says.The Melbourne Motor Show opens next Thursday at 5pm and runs until 6pm on February 19.

The Phantom EWB, as it is known, will be an undisputed star of the show when it opens its doors at 5 pm on Thursday 9 February at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.Remarkably, it will not be the Show's most expensive car - that will be the $1.2 million Pagani Zonda Roadster - but it does have vast potential for optional equipment.It has an extra 250 mm in the wheelbase to create additional space for the rear occupants and for specialist items crafted by the company's Bespoke design and engineering team.Rolls-Royce owners can choose from a palette of 45,000 paint colours, special woods, fridges, wine cellars, safes, humidors and computer equipment.Regardless of Bespoke equipment, all the beautiful wood and leather fittings are created by Goodwood craftsmen and women.Rolls-Royce is the world's top selling super-luxury car, and last year sold 796 Phantoms in more than 40 countries, including Nigeria, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan - and, of course, Australia.The new Phantom has attracted a new type of owner, which has resulted in higher average mileages - up from around 3000 km to almost 10,000 km, and in some cases as much as 50,000 km.As average mileage goes up, the average age of owners is coming down - it now stands at around 56 years old, and many of these customers are new to the brand.