2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d Review and Performance Comparison

Rolls-Royce Phantom Performance Review.

Introduction:

The 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d is a powered by a Petrol V 12. This variant of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out around 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.

This particular Rolls-Royce Phantom has a 6750cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant driven by the Rolls-Royce Rear Wheel Drive system.

Alternative Petrol V 12's include the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Phantom shares its Petrol V 12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12.If you're looking for other similar performing cars which share the Phantom's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1985 Alfa-Romeo Spider Veloce or the earlier 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2485 kgs (5478 lbs) places the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d in a similar weight category as the 2025 Yangwang U9 Xtreme AWD and the excellent 2025 BYD Han L LiDAR Flagship 4WD, give or take 50kg.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom shares the same bhp with the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp)

In terms of pure power the 6750cc 48 valve, V 12 engine produces around 453 bhp (337 kW) @ 5350 rpm which is comparable to the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp) and also the 2024 Mercedes CLE Class CLE 53 4MATIC+ (443 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V 12 throws out 531 lb-ft (719.9 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Lamborghini Fenomeno V12 (535 lb-ft) or the 2025 Maserati MCPURA 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (538 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If you look at both power or torque of the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom in comparison with its weight you get a much more accurate idea of its real world performance.

The 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (207.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has a power to weight ratio of 182.2 bhp per ton. Bhp per ton figures of the 2003 Phantom Saloon 4d means you're competing with the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (207.2 bhp per ton) and the equally quick 2003 Pontiac GTO 5.7 V8 (207.1 bhp per ton).

Torque to Weight:

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque!. However, torque isn't the whole story, you also need to compare weight as well for more real world comparisons such as torque per ton.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d generates around 213.6 lb-ft per ton. So if you're looking at what cars perform similarly either on the drag strip or at the traffic lights using torque to weight as a benchmark, then look no further than the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR (238.6 lb-ft per ton) or the similarly performing 2012 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Roadster (238.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d can accelerate 0–60mph in 5.70 secs or 0–100km/h (0–62mph) in 5.9 secs. Acceleration rivals to the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d include the 2023 BYD Seal Design (5.70 secs) or the equally as fast to 60mph 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs).

The V 12 engine of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d ensures that, ‘on paper’ at least, accelerates slightly faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) and the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d and the Mazda RX7 Turbo

On a longer format for acceleration comparisons the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.42 secs with a trap speed around 94.4 mph. Similar performances down the quarter mile drag strip can be found with the the Mazda RX7 Turbo (14.43 seconds @ 94.3 mph) and a close race between the BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (14.43 seconds @ 94.4 mph) too.

Top Speed:

Some modern performance cars are often artificially restricted particularly when it comes to max speed. 155 mph top speed restrictions are often used as part of the German 'Gentleman's Agreement' for example, so be cautious when using maximum speed figures. The 2003 version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Phantom equals the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport (148 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what has a similar top end performance to the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon 4d then there's the slightly slower the BMW 1 Series 123d 2d Coupe M-Sport (148 mph) or how about the impressive Mazda RX7 Turbo (148 mph).

— AutoSnout

Figures & Specs Summary:

Related Links:

• 2003 Phantom Rivals List.
• 2003 Phantom: Full Review and Comparisons.
• A Brief History of Rolls-Royce
• Compare the 2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom