• Rolls-Royce unveiled its newest coachbuilt vehicle, the Droptail, throughout Monterey Automotive Week.
• A complete of 4 Droptails can be constructed, every extremely customized.
• The primary Droptail is called La Rose Noire and is claimed to be impressed by the Black Baccara rose varietal.

Rolls-Royce has lengthy indulged requests from its purchasers in search of particular design parts, be they an embroidered falcon within the headliner or a child’s footprints within the sprint trim. However just lately, the corporate has taken this effort up a notch, from a “bespoke” stage of specialness to a brand new stage: “coachbuild.” The primary product from Crewe to flex these muscle mass was the Sweptail, again in 2017, a two-door fastback that regarded very similar to the Wraith however was primarily based on the Phantom. Subsequent got here the Boat Tail, an almost roofless tapered-bodied coupe with butterfly doorways lined in Caleidolegno-wood veneer over the bags compartment, from which a solar parasol might be deployed. The story of {custom} ‘tails now continues with the Droptail, which is once more an open coupe however this time with seating for simply two.

This challenge was extra in depth than the earlier efforts. The Droptail’s structure is described as a monocoque constructed from metal, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The automotive is a few 10 inches shorter than a Ghost, and the physique is a mix of metal (doorways, entrance fenders) and carbon fiber (rear quarter-panels, trunklid). The 6.7-liter V-12 right here received a 30-hp bump over the usual Phantom spec to 593 horsepower, and torque is elevated to 620 pound-feet.

The primary of the 4 Droptail efforts makes its debut at The Quail throughout Automotive Week. Dubbed La Rose Noire, it takes inspiration from a kind of rose that the commissioning house owners have a specific penchant for. The Baccara Rose informs the outside colours, which seem like purple and black, however the latter has darkish purple highlights. The brightwork additionally wears a novel darkish end. The upright parts within the Rolls grille are angled, for the primary time, and the decrease air consumption options 202 particular person rectangular tasks, a three-dimensional twist on mesh.

Inside, 1603 items of black sycamore wooden trim veneer are used to create a design that implies rose petals scattered within the wind. An (additionally custom-designed) Audemars Piguet watch is mounted into the sprint but additionally may be eliminated and worn. And there is a particular champagne storage compartment that shops (on the appropriate temperature) champagne from the purchasers’ personal winery. Three different Droptail commissions are nonetheless to return, every with its personal particular detailing.

Unsurprisingly, there was no Monroney worth sticker caught on the window of the Droptail, and it appeared gauche to ask the worth. However for those who’re contemplating having Rolls construct one for you, know that the earlier fee, the Boat Tail, is rumored to have value round $28 million, so we might guess the Droptail is in the identical neighborhood.

Deputy Editor, Evaluations and Options

Joe Lorio has been obsessive about automobiles since his Matchbox days, and he received his first subscription to Automotive and Driver at age 11. Joe began his profession at Car Journal underneath David E. Davis Jr., and his work has additionally appeared on web sites together with Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar.