It’s the turn of BMW’s Rolls-Royce Phantom, a totally new, aluminium spaceframe, four-door sedan powered by a new 6.7-litre V12, which replaces the smaller (and just five years old) Silver Seraph, created when Rolls-Royce Motors was owned by Vickers.

A research team talked to RR owners, car clubs, dealers, and enthusiasts on a global basis, before preparing a file that established the new model’s creed, and a package that insisted the Phantom would be considerably bigger, everywhere, than the Seraph.

They checked in minute detail the Silver Cloud, “an icon of post-war styling”; the Silver Shadow, “a classic of understatement”; and the coachbuilt models. They pointedly ignored the new Seraph, which traces its floorpan origins back to the Shadow, launched in 1965.

Unapologetically, the new Phantom is a huge car, stretching to 5834mm in length and standing 1632mm tall, and it’s built on a massive 3570mm wheelbase. A long-wheelbase model, plus coupe and convertible will be added during the Phantom’s expected 8-10-year lifecycle.

Despite the use of aluminium spaceframe and aluminium body panels, it weighs 2485kg. Still, that’s just 85kg more than the 436mm shorter Seraph.

“We wanted to have a bigger lady, but we were at the limits of the sight angles (legal requirements for vision). Anyway, she drops down at the touch of a button.”

But the Phantom is also for drivers, and those up front will enjoy vast space.

For the Rolls, BMW has developed a new V12, based on the architecture of the 6.0-litre V12 fitted to the new 760i, but with a shorter stroke and wider bore — 84.6/92mm versus 89/80 — to bring its capacity out to 6749cc. The huge engine develops 338kW at 5350rpm and 720Nm at 3500rpm, somewhat below the 2780kg Maybach bi-turbo V12′s 405kW and 900Nm.

The Phantom shares the same ZF six-speed automatic with the 760i, but it’s lower geared to compensate for the 335kg weight penalty. Even so, BMW says it’s capable of 0-100km/h in just 5.9sec. The suspension is all-new, the double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspensions working with self-levelling air spring on all four wheels.

Predictably, the Phantom is superbly equipped, beautifully finished, and, importantly, far more roomy and regal than the cramped Seraph. Its inherent simplicity hides delightful features — like the umbrellas, released at the touch of a button, housed in each rear door. Look here Used Renault Cars for sale Kerry for one that will suit your needs.

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