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millennium debut in January 2003, and became an icon of the super luxury market almost instantly. After a long and convoluted history that involved Bentley for many years, Rolls was purchased by BMW in 1998. The Phantom was the first car built by the new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited under the watchful eye of the Germans. By December 2005, nearly three years after its introduction, the 2000th Phantom rolled off the production line. (To put that in perspective, 2045 Ford Mustangs were built between October 19 and October 24 2009.) Number 3000 was built in March 2007.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom base model -- if you can call a car with push-button-close doors and a 6.75-liter V12 engine a "base model" -- carries on the Rolls design tradition of a long hood, 21-inch wheels pushed to the corners, and wide C-pillars. And, of course, the famous Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. The Phantom is nearly 20 feet long and weighs nearly 5800 pounds, but that powerful engine can sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The interior is wrapped in leather and cashmere, with a 15-speaker sound system. Rear passengers get two 6-disc DVD changers and picnic tray tables for the ultimate in road tripping.
In response to demands from the Asian and Middle Easter markets, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase became available in 2005. It adds nearly a foot in overall length and ten inches to the wheelbase. And all that room goes to the rear seat passengers, who get another ten inches of leg room. Any Rolls-Royce can be tweaked however the owner likes, thanks to the bespoke program, but there's more room to really let loose in the Extended Wheelbase. Might we suggest drinks cabinets in the rear doors or a safe in the trunk? Maybe a partition between driver and passengers for privacy?
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