Rolls-Royce Phantom with V16 engine

The Rolls-Royce Phantom features an extremely refined 6.749 cm3 V12 engine producing 460 CV. It is silent, smooth and very powerful. Not bad at all. But during its conception and development, the possibility of fitting something even larger, more powerful and more exclusive was considered: a 9-litre V16.

Indeed, you read that right. Sixteen cylinders arranged in a 60º V, with a total displacement of 9.000 cm3 and 64 valves (4 per cylinder). The power output is unknown, but is estimated at around 700 CV with torque of approximately 950 Nm. Now comes the surprise.

This model does exist, although it is said that only three Phantom V16s were made. This was revealed by actor Rowan Atkinson, best known for his character Mr. Bean, in the interview Top Gear conducted last week. In the video below you can see one of those extremely rare units, the same one that will appear in the film starring the aforementioned British comedian, titled “Johnny English Reborn”.

It is curious that little was known about the existence of this version. In fact, the enormous 9-litre engine is no novelty at RR, as it was installed in the 100EX prototype of 2004, and was even driven by Jay Leno (see link).

Oh! I almost forgot. It will not go on sale.

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Sources: YouTube and Top Gear