ROLLS-Royce Motor Cars has today returned to India, after an absence of 50 years. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom will debut in Mumbai and re-establish an official presence on the subcontinent. From the earliest days of the 100 year history of Rolls-Royce, the company's motor cars have been seen in India and many fine classic examples remain.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Colin Kelly, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Asia Pacific, said: "We are delighted to return to India today, a country with which Rolls-Royce has had a close relationship for much of the last century. As India enjoys a surge in economic growth, we are delighted to bring the Phantom to a country which has a deep appreciation of the unparalleled excellence which the Rolls-Royce name stands for."

When the new Rolls-Royce Phantom was unveiled in January 2003, it marked a renaissance for one of the most famous brands in the world; a name that has become synonymous with engineering excellence, style and luxury. It has rapidly established itself as the clear leader, worldwide, in the super-luxury car market. The Phantom is built at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' new head office and manufacturing plant in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.

Navnit Motors, which has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with BMW Group (the owners of the Rolls-Royce brand), has been appointed as authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealer in Mumbai. Mr Navnit Kachalia, Chairman & Managing Director of Navnit Motors Private Limited, said: "We feel privileged to become the first dealer to represent Rolls-Royce in India in this new era for the marque. There is considerable interest among potential customers and we are confident that the Phantom will be highly successful here."

Inspired in many ways by the legendary Phantoms of the 1920s and 1930s, the new Phantom is unique in today's automotive industry. The Phantom's many new features include a custom-developed aluminium spaceframe and rear coachdoors - hinged at the back - to allow the most elegant access to and exit from the passenger compartment. Power comes from a tailor-made 6.75-litre V12 engine which offers ample power and huge reserves of torque propelling the Phantom effortlessly from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.

In every sense the Phantom combines the world's most advanced automotive technology with a century-old heritage of fine craftsmanship.