There can be only two words to describe Rolls Royce’s latest Phantom Coupe launched at the Geneva Motor show last week – Luxurious and Big. In fact, ridiculously so on both counts. Hand bag makers around the world will have to rethink the whole idea of supple leather, because the seats in this car makes a typical calf skin purse look decidedly rough.

I have a feeling the boys and girls over at the Earth Liberation Front will be reaching for the firelighters after the Rolls Royce spokesman at the show had the temerity to suggest this was their greenest car yet, and this quote from the Rolls Royce website may get their blood boiling. “Rolls-Royce is determined to make an effective response to the problem of climate change and other environmental concerns. We believe we can help society develop solutions which protect the environment and deliver sustainable economic growth.”

You have to love the look of this car, but green? Pull the other one.

Back to the Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe. Power is delivered by a BMW built 6.75 liter V12 engine which produces 453 hp and 720 Nm of torque. Yes, you read that correctly – 453 horses.

Interior

Best described as exquisite and luxurious, the interior is crafted using the finest materials. Supremely comfortable and equipped with a studio-quality sound system. Clean and contemporary, the cabin uses traditional materials in a modern way to create a tactile and visual feast: driver and passengers touch only leather, wood or chrome.

This interior design is nothing less than beautiful. The multi-zone climate control has chromed eyeball vents and traditional ‘organ stop’ controls, while additional features are accessed using beautifully crafted ‘violin keys’ – contemporary uses of long-established, and well loved, Rolls-Royce design features.

The Lexicon LOGIC7TM sound system can be controlled by just one dial. Unique in its use in the automotive industry, the Lexicon system has 15 metal-matrix speakers to deliver an unparalleled clarity of sound, regardless of where a passenger may be seated. A nine-channel amplifier powers these speakers – two sub-woofers fitted beneath the seats and 13 100 mm mid-range and 44 mm tweeter arrays carefully placed around the car – to an impressive 420 watts of sound.

Starting price is estimated at around $400,000 – wealthy only please. Although, I have to say - is it just me, or does it look like a BUICK?

Rolls Royce