Rolls-Royce Phantom Royale Bertone

Vehicle Overview

The final two examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Royale were constructed in 1997 by Bertone of Turin, Italy, following an earlier series of four cars produced by Pininfarina. These two vehicles, commissioned as a continuation of the original order by the royal household of Brunei, shared the overall design language established by Pininfarina but were assembled independently by Bertone using the same underlying engineering and platform architecture. Like their predecessors, the Bertone-built cars were based on a modified version of the Bentley Continental R platform, extensively lengthened and widened to accommodate a seven-seat limousine layout. The body retained the same formal, stately proportions with styling cues referencing the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, presenting a design that merged traditional luxury with discreet modernity. The vehicles employed the chassis and technical systems of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III Touring Limousine. Mechanically, the 1997 examples differed from the earlier 1995 versions by adopting an updated turbocharged V8 engine configuration derived from the Bentley Turbo R. These engines, like those used in the earlier models, were uncatalyzed, reflecting the client’s preferences and the specific regulatory environment in which the vehicles were intended to operate. No public technical data or performance figures have been released for either vehicle, in keeping with the overall secrecy of the project. The two Bertone-built chassis were designated SCAZH16C2VCH00464 and SCAZH16C4VCH00465. As with the Pininfarina-built cars, the inclusion of the letter “H” in the fifth position of the chassis number identifies these as non-standard, special commission vehicles. The serial numbers also fall outside conventional production sequences, affirming their bespoke status. These two cars marked the conclusion of the Phantom Royale project and remain among the most obscure and exclusive modern Rolls-Royce vehicles. Their precise interior configurations, features, and current ownership have not been publicly documented.