With its exquisite proportions, the Phantom Coupe looks smaller than the four-door, and it is only when you see it next to a 'normal' car that you realize its physical bulk is hardly diminished by the loss of two doors and a chunk of wheelbase.

Rolls-Royce says their new Coupe is the most sporting of the Phantom line, with the stiffest bodyshell in the three-model range. Despite the space frame construction with its inherently high structural stiffness, the engineers have actually managed to increase torsional rigidity by a further 12 percent.

This makes the Coupe an even more stable platform for the more driver-focused chassis settings. These include a slightly quicker valve on the power steering, upgraded spring and damper rates and a slightly thicker rear anti-roll bar that sharpens up the drive with minimal effect on ride comfort.

The Phantom Coupe shares the 6.75 litre V12 with its brethren. The 453bhp and 720Nm torque outputs are unchanged. Bury your right foot in the deep pile Wilton carpet and 100km/h comes up in just 5.8 seconds, with an electronically limited 250km/h at the top end.

The Coupe is the first Phantom model to get a Sport button. This engages a second ECU map that quickens both the response of the e-gas throttle and kickdown of the six-speed automatic. The transmission also holds on to each intermediate gear longer.

With Sport mode engaged, I felt the big 6.75 litre V12 respond more urgently, the Coupe's long prow cleaving the air with newfound determination.