ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars has loaned the Goodwood Motor Circuit a Phantom Coupé for use as the official course car at this year’s Festival of Speed.

The £291,100 car, built literally across the road from the historic circuit, will also be used by the track stewards’ team to lead parade laps and other circuit duties at Goodwood.

The Phantom Coupe is finished in Darkest Tungsten with 21in forged alloy wheels. The interior features smoke grey mono leather and rosewood veneer and is complemented by a Starlight headliner. On a more practical note the car has been fitted with special LED warning lights for it to be used as a course car.

“The Phantom Coupé is the most driver orientated car in the Phantom range and was therefore the natural choice for the Goodwood Motor Circuit,” said Tom Purves, Rolls-Royce chief executive officer. “The loan is a natural extension of the association between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the Goodwood Estate.”

The model includes tuned suspension and modifications to gearbox, steering and brake settings.

Rolls-Royce has also loaned a Phantom to the Motor Vehicle and Engineering department at Chichester College to be used by the ten Rolls-Royce apprentices studying for NVQ and City & Guilds qualifications on day release. The loan car, in Blue Ice with seashell and navy blue leather and bird’s eye maple veneer, has spent most of its life in the US as a training car for aftersales personnel.