Rolls-Royce will end production of the current seventh-generation Phantom line in 2016.
The model, which when launched 13 years ago started the revival of the luxury brand under the ownership of BMW, will make way for the forthcoming new Phantom that will use the aluminium architecture currently being widely tested by Rolls-Royce.
The new Phantom, not expected until 2018, will not include Coupé or Drophead Coupé models, and Rolls-Royce will end production of these variants in November with special editions numbering 50 examples and dubbed Phantom Zenith.
Elements of these cars will include a Tailgate Hosting Area; laser etched armrests depicting the original launch locations of the 100EX model at the Villa D’Este and 1the 01EX in Geneva; bespoke instrument dials and a special treatment of the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine.
Each customer is also promised a ‘money cannot buy’ portable memento of his or her purchase, the form of which has not been specified, whilst the cars will be offered to clients in a palate of bespoke colour combinations from Rolls-Royce’s history.
According to Rolls-Royce director of design Giles Taylor Zenith will be the pinnacle of the brand’s skills; “Zenith will be the sum of all the best features of Phantom Coupé and Drophead Coupé, with a few surprises added – we expect huge demand for these 50 fine motor cars as we shall not look upon their like again.”