The Rolls is back with the Phantom

Mumbai: Rolls Royce cars, the epitome of ultimate in luxury and class, known by nicknames like the Rolls the Roller among others, part of the BMW stable, is back in India after 50 years with the Phantom super luxury sedan.

Likely to be priced around Rs3 crore to Rs4 crore (US$687,670) in the Indian market, the company is hoping to sell seven or eight units a year of the Phantom in the country.

Colin Kelly, regional director (Asia Pacific region), Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, "We are coming back to India after 50 years, a country which has a deep appreciation of the unparalleled excellence which the Rolls-Royce name stands for," he said.

According to him Rolls Royce has an old association with India and until 1955 around 730 Rolls-Royce cars had been sold to Indian customers.

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled world wide in January 2003, and is manufactured at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' new head office and manufacturing plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.

Inspired in many ways by the legendary Phantoms of the 1920s and 1930s the Phantom's many new features include a custom-developed aluminium space-frame and rear coach-doors — hinged at the back — to allow easy access to and exit from the passenger seats.

Equipped with six-speed transmission, the Rolls Royce is powered by a custom made 6.75-litre V12 engine 48 valve, 453@5350hp engine, which offers huge torque propelling the Phantom effortlessly from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.

Apart from the standard features found in most luxury cars the car is also equipped a four wheel anti-lock braking system and a GPS Navigation aid with full map and voice information system.

A trifle heavy on gas the car is likely to give upto 5km \ to 7km per litre in city driving and a little more on highways.

Work on the current Phantom began in 1998 after the Rolls-Royce brand moved into the BMW fold. The car made its debut in January 2003. The company has come out with a 2005 version with a longer wheelbase, which Indian customers can also order.

In India the company has appointed Navnit Motors as the authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Mumbai.

The Indian market has in recent times seen interest by many luxury carmakers. DamilerChrysler already has a plant in India for its Mercedes brand while it also sells the "Maybach", which is priced at a huge Rs5 crore. Audi is all set to enter the Indian market and Bentley is already here.

BMW has also shown interest in setting up a manufacturing facility in India.

Depending on the level of customisation sought, there is a waiting period for the Phantom, of up to six months and the company has already received two orders in India.

The convertible model on the same platform is expected in 2007. At present, Rolls Royce manufactures close to 800 cars a year.