We met up with the Phantom at New York's Peninsula Hotel. A fitting location for the event since the Peninsula is world famous shuttling its guests around in fleets of green Rolls-Royces.
However, Rolls made it very clear that our emerald green test car, however similar it may look, is not Peninsula Green which is color trademarked by the hotel.
As our green Phantom pulled to the hotel, past a couple of tourists looking for their Toyota RAV4 Uber, I dart for the driver's seat.
Since the Phantom is a vehicle aimed towards the chauffeur driven crowd, many don't see the point of test driving the Rolls. I disagree. I think the driving experience is still an important element even if the guy behind the wheel is paid to be there.
In 2016, we reviewed the outgoing seventh generation Phantom. We loved it. But it didn't drive all that well. It felt heavy and ungainly.
I'm happy to report, the new Phantom drives much better. I wouldn't go as far as to call it nimble, but it certainly doesn't feel encumbered by its sheer size.
During our brief jaunt along the Hudson, the Phantom exhibited a pleasant pep in its step. The 563 horsepower V12 and satellite-aided eight-speed automatic transmission make for a potent tandem. According to Rolls, our 5,948-pound long-wheelbase Phantom can hit 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. In other words, this big boy can boogie.
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