Owning a dream car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII comes at a price, starting at precisely €100,000. After two decades, the Phantom, the first Rolls-Royce produced under BMW’s leadership, remains a legendary and unmatched vehicle, as evidenced by a recent journey from Munich to Båstad, Sweden.
In southern Munich, especially along the upscale Maximilianstraße or in the affluent Bogenhausen district, garnering attention in a Rolls-Royce can be challenging. Models like the Ghost, Wraith, or Dawn often go unnoticed by passersby. However, the Phantom stands out; its rare and striking appearance effortlessly evokes images of royalty and celebrities. When it was new, this chauffeur-driven flagship often cost upwards of €500,000, depending on customizations. Despite being 20 years old, this Phantom VII’s design and condition reveal no signs of age. For around €100,000, you can acquire one, typically well-maintained with reasonable mileage and a full service history— a modest price for such an opulent 5.83-meter vehicle.
The potential buyer finds themselves seated in the right rear seat, enveloped in luxurious leather, their feet tucked into the plush floor mats deep enough to conceal even the smallest pets. But what if the affluent second-hand buyer prefers to take the wheel? What can a 20-year-old Phantom, originally crafted from scratch in the late ’90s with no financial restrictions, accomplish on long journeys or in daily driving? A three-day trip covering over 1,500 kilometers – from Munich to Berlin, then Hamburg, on to Copenhagen, and finally the upscale seaside resort of Båstad – was designed to reveal the true capabilities of this automotive icon. Is it purely a showpiece, or can it genuinely perform?
The journey begins in northern Munich on a rather dreary day, with heavy rain greeting the 336 kW / 460 hp 6.8-liter V12 engine. As the wipers work overtime, the cabin exudes vast comfort: the leather-clad seats, made from 18 impeccable animal skins, assure that this long journey will be smooth. The twelve-cylinder engine hums softly, creating an atmosphere akin to an electric car.
After 45 minutes south of Berlin, the first refueling stop is made. Fuel consumption has decreased from 22.5 to just over 17 liters per 100 kilometers, despite the spirited driving. Considering the car’s considerable size and weight of 2.6 tons, this is commendable. Rolls-Royce frequently refers back to its history for inspiration, invoking quotes from Sir Henry Royce, but those wanting to be awed simply need to see the 20-year-old Phantom in motion, which impresses without overwhelming; tales of early motoring often fail to resonate today.
The stop in Potsdam is uneventful; the route takes a picturesque detour to the charming Pfaueninsel and the dining spot “Curry 195” on the famous Ku’Damm. The following day, as we set out towards Hamburg under more rain, avoiding congestion is easy. Taking a detour around Hamburg leads us to the federal highways 404/205. In Bad Segeberg, we are reminded that, along with gas stations, local events like the Winnetou Festival are entrenched in the community. Back on the A7 autobahn, the vintage model, capable of reaching speeds of up to 240 km/h, glides effortlessly while treating its occupants to exceptional comfort and captivating the attention of onlookers, powered by a hefty 720 Nm of torque available from 3,500 rpm, making overtaking seamless.
Opinions vary on whether BMW’s rotary pushbutton control, which emerges from the center console, was a successful innovation at the time, or if the provided storage options were adequate. Passengers may wish for a more user-friendly interface for the automatic climate control, heated seats, and various functions rather than the somewhat old-fashioned approach taken by Rolls-Royce, which insists on a distinct identity, much to the fatigue of some users. In comparison, the fuel economy here is commendable, averaging 15.3 liters of premium fuel per 100 kilometers.
Crossing into Denmark, the spirited pace of the V12 engine comes to a halt as speed limits become more stringent. The Phantom VII continues to garner more attention on Danish roads, parking lots, and gas stations than it did in Germany. Following the E45, the route takes us south-east to Copenhagen, where the downtown hotel parking garage proves cramped; as expected, the grand Rolls-Royce requires two parking spots.
The following morning, the final leg of the journey begins over the Öresund Bridge, nearly eight kilometers long, passing Malmö and the ferry port of Helsingborg, landing in Båstad, which attracts the elite of Gothenburg every summer for events like tennis tournaments and music festivals—the royal family often among them.
Occasionally, they arrive in newly constructed armored vehicles that lack the comfort of a 20-year-old Phantom VII and tend not to attract as much attention in the stunning gardens of Norrvikens Trädgårdar. Every year, this place hosts a major concours event, celebrating sports cars and classic cars from both the past and present—much like the distinguished Rolls-Royce Phantom VII.
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