Novitec gets busy with Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII

Need a Phantom with more power, less ground clearance and wheels the size of planets? Right this way...

Modified luxury cars are never going to find favour with purists. By definition, the process tarnishes originality, meddles with a carefully honed look and compromises peerless craftsmanship. That said, clearly sufficient demand exists for spending even more money on the most expensive cars in the world, and Novitec is certainly not one to miss out on its slice of the pie. So welcome, if you will, the 'Spofec' range of Phantom upgrades from the German company, comprising wheels, suspension, power and more.

Because of the Rolls' enormous 6.8-litre, twin turbo V12, liberating additional motive force hasn't been difficult. Indeed through nothing more than ECU work, Novitec is claiming a gain in power from 563hp to 685hp, and a torque leap from 664lb ft to 745. That latter figure is from just 1,800rpm, too, only 100 more than standard, so - in theory - it should drive in a similar fashion to the standard car. Just going quicker.

The wheels are new from Novitec/Spofec for this generation of Phantom, the 24-inchers (!) available in a range of colour finishes. The wheel and tyre combo offered is said to be "the perfect application for maximum contact with the roads." Just be careful parking near any SW1 kerbs with those...

Perhaps the most drastic change for this Phantom VIII, though, is the suspension drop. Novitec has introduced its own CAN-Tronic control module, meaning it can lower the ride height through the air suspension by about 40mm at less than 140km/h (87mph). There are a range of spacers to support the drop, too. And while running that much closer to the ground on even bigger wheels will surely play havoc with the famously finessed Phantom ride quality, it's hard to argue against the presence afforded to a car this large when it's dropped this low on wheels so huge. For those that kind of like it, you're not alone.

Finally, for those still unsatisfied with their reworked Rolls, Novitec has created a range of aero extras; working from front to back there's a new bumper, set of side skirts, rear bumper and - heaven forbid - spoiler lip. Still, no worse than a Cullinan - is it?

So that's what 'Performance meets Elegance' means to Novitec. There aren't prices yet - because the link to Novitec's shop is currently broken - but cost surely can't be a factor when modifying Rolls-Royces. You either do it, or not - the money isn't going to be a deciding element. Still, every little helps and all that, so for those after a donor vehicle, this secondhand Phantom is down to £280k...