Phantom gets a Phacelift: Rolls-Royce sedan updated for 2009

By: Noah Joseph

It's hard to feel bad for something as stately as the Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan, but the model that relaunched the most distinguished of British automakers under BMW's patronage has soldiered on without a complaint while all the others got the attention. Since its introduction in 2003, the Phantom has spawned the Coupe and Drophead versions, as well as the Extended Wheelbase model. And with the Silver Ghost due to arrive soon, the Phantom must have started to feel a little left out.

But Rolls-Royce isn't about to forget its core product, so it's giving the Phantom a mild update for the 2009 model year, just to show they care. On the outside, the revised Phantom gets a new bumper with a shallower stainless steel grille like those on its two-door compatriots. Rolls has also added such luxury touches as LED lights in the door handles and three new sets of aluminum wheels for customers to choose from. Inside, the impossibly luxurious cabin gets some updates to the entertainment system and redesigned interior door panels.