Up to $280K off Rolls-Royce Phantom

HIGH-FLYERS planning to purchase a Rolls-Royce Phantom will now find themselves with enough change to buy a 7 Series from the British uber-luxury brand’s parent company BMW as prices have plummeted by about 20 per cent.

Price cuts of up to $280,000 – perhaps the largest price cut in Australian motor industry history – seem bound to have an impact on used vehicle values, but a Rolls-Royce statement insisted “the market already reflects the reality of the new transaction pricing and we do not think it will drop further”.

“The final price of a customer car is highly dependent on customer specification and does not necessarily reflect stated pricing on press releases,” the company said. “Those prices could be lower or higher than list price.” An ex-demonstrator 2011 Phantom Drophead convertible with just 850km on the clock has been advertised by Trivett’s Rolls-Royce dealership in Melbourne at $897,848 driveaway – a substantial $452,152 less than the original list price.

Rolls-Royce says the decision to cut Phantom pricing reflects the sustained strength of the Australian dollar.

“After careful consideration, Phantom Series II cars are being launched in Australia with revised pricing and base specification, adjusted to reflect this change.

“This decision reflects the advice given by economists and independent counsel sourced by Trivett Bespoke.” The revised Series II Phantom has been updated with more on-board technology such a standard full-LED headlights, upgraded satellite-navigation and infotainment systems, a mild re-style and an eight-speed automatic transmission that helps reduce fuel consumption by 10 per cent.

As a result of the price changes, entry to a new Phantom is now $855,000 driveaway for the standard-wheelbase sedan – a $213,000 saving, or enough to buy a BMW 740i.

Those requiring more rear legroom can go for the extended-wheelbase sedan, which at $990,000 is $260,000 less than before, while the Phantom Coupe also sneaks under the million mark at $995,000, a reduction of $265,000.

The Phantom Drophead convertible has become $280,000 more affordable at $1,075,000 – leaving enough spare cash to buy five BMW 120i convertibles.

Alternatively, Rolls-Royce customers may now indulge in the extensive bespoke options available on the Phantom.

Rolls-Royce claims to offer 44,000 exterior paint finishes and “limitless” interior options for wood veneers, leather styles and colours, plus other bespoke customisations such as monogram embroidery and fibre-optic ‘starry sky’ headlining with a choice of constellations.

Australia is one of the top markets for Rolls-Royce’s bespoke service and its recently refurbished Melbourne dealership – complete with a new lounge dedicated to car configuration – has one of the highest average percentages for such content in the Asia Pacific region.

Customers can also visit the factory – set inside the picturesque Goodwood estate famed for motoring events including the Festival of Speed, as well as horse racing and golf – to see their car being built and tweak final specification before it is delivered.

Rolls-Royce says it was not necessary to adjust pricing for the smaller, sportier Ghost sedan range (from $645,000) as the specification has been “repackaged for Australia after carefully analysing customer trends”.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II pricing*

SWB (a)	$855,000 (-$213,000)
EWB (a)	$990,000 (-$260,000)
Coupe (a)	$995,000 (-$265,000)
Drophead (a)	$1,075,000 (-$280,000)

*Pricing is drive-away