Swansong Rolls-Royce Phantom for Oz

Rolls-Royce announced in February that its current Phantom coupe and convertible will both be dropped this year — without any replacements for at least two years, and now it has revealed first images of the opulently-appointed Zenith Collection limited-edition that will mark the end of production.

Of the 50 special Zenith coupes and convertibles to be released globally -- all of which are already spoken for -- just one will come to Australia: a Phantom Coupe ordered by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Melbourne.

The British car-maker says production of the final Phantom coupes and convertibles -- launched in 2007 and 2008 respectively – will roll off the Goodwood line this November.

Rolls-Royce has now also confirmed that production of the big Phantom sedan, which first went on sale way back in 2003, will cease by the end of this year too.

"2016 also represents the final year of production for the seventh generation Phantom limousine, with connoisseur customers invited to take the last opportunity to commission deeply personal, Bespoke expressions of this most seminal motor car," it said overnight. "The order books for these very last customer commissions will close imminently."

All three Phantom models will be replaced by new-from-the-ground-up replacements likely to be based on the same aluminium platform as Rolls-Royce's upcoming Cullinan SUV, but they aren't expected until 2018 at the earliest.

Until then, Rolls-Royce buyers will only have the 'small' Ghost sedan, Wraith coupe and Dawn convertible to choose from.

Farewelling the Phantom Coupe and Drophead in grand style, each Zenith special will come with a host of lavish additions that Rolls says will make them true collectors’ pieces.

"Indeed all 50 examples have already been commissioned by connoisseur customers who will add them to some of the world’s most significant luxury collections, safe in the knowledge that their numbers will never grow and their value will never be eroded by proliferation."

Unique extras include a modified split-tailgate housing a picnic bench and champagne servery complete with pop-up glass shelf, while "a champagne fridge large enough to hold two standard bottles and eight Rolls-Royce glasses, occupies a large portion of the boot, whilst the comfort of those who wish to sit on the rear-tailgate is ensured with the use of the finest padded leathers."

"Phantom Zenith Collection customers were invited to complete their collection in the finest style with the addition of a special Bespoke version of the Rolls-Royce Picnic Hamper. This unique accessory – created to add a touch of glamour to a day’s touring – will be personalised further to match the materials and colour palette of the customer."

The highlight of the bespoke interior in both cars is a central fascia drawer housing "a priceless memento signifying each car’s status as one of the very last", said the BMW-owned luxury brand.

"On opening, owners discover a removable polished aluminium case, laser engraved with their motor car’s unique identification number surrounded with a beautiful application of Best English Blacking – a technique most commonly associated with fine gun-making. Within this, sits a piece of automotive history, not attainable by any other means; a single piece of the Phantom Assembly Line at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. This remarkable collectors’ piece is completed with the expression of co-ordinates, stating the exact part of the Assembly Line from where the metal was extracted."

Other new cabin highlights include a brushed steel speedo with Blood-Orange instrument needle tips, machined aluminium cup-holders, book-matched metal foiling across the fascia, unique light/dark front/rear leather trim, 'Starlight Headliner' and unique-to-each-car laser-etched armrest cappings that celebrate the place where both the original coupe and convertible concepts debuted.

“As we begin to write a bold new chapter in Rolls-Royce history, I am delighted to present a Bespoke Collection that so elegantly celebrates two of the world’s rarest and most celebrated luxury goods; Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé. Phantom Zenith Collection motor cars speak of the marque’s unrelenting commitment to setting and advancing the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged," said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

Rolls-Royce hasn't announced pricing for the Zenith Collection, but if you have to ask you probably can't afford it anyway, as the old cliche goes. For those who absolutely must know, the regular Phantom is priced at $855,000, including on-road costs. The Coupe jumps to $995,000 and the Drophead coupe breaks the million-buck barrier at $1,075,000.