Rolls-Royce Droptail

Rolls-Royce Droptail
Overview
ManufacturerRolls-Royce Motor Cars
Production2023 (Total of 4, 3 built and sold, 1 more planned)[1]
AssemblyGoodwood Plant, West Sussex, England
DesignerAlex Innes (Head of Coachbuild Design)[2]
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size ultra-luxury coach build
Body styleCabriolet
LayoutFR Layout
Powertrain
Engine6.75 N74B68 twin-turbocharged V12 (petrol)

The Rolls-Royce Droptail is a full-sized luxury coach built grand tourer car produced by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It was introduced in August 2023 and is set to be produced with four variations.

The Droptail succeeds the Boat Tail as the most expensive new car in the world[3] with an estimated price of more than $32 million[4] - rivaling the costs of the most expensive cars sold at auction. Like the Boat Tail, some variants include clocks that can be removed and worn as watches.[5][6]

History

The Droptail was presented on 18 August 2023, at Monterey Car Week during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[7] The Droptail was presented in its "La Rose Noire" version, each of the four models receiving a different name, color and interior.[8][9]

The car's first sketches were drawn four years prior to release.[6]

Specifications

The styling of the cars take cues from yachts, classic Rolls-Royce roadsters, and 1930s hot rods from the West Coast of the United States,[10][11][5] with additional styling and engineering cues taken from the world of horology.[6]

The first variation introduced is La Rose Noire, named for the French Black Baccara rose. The car includes black sycamore wood sourced from France,[10] and features a Audemars Piguet watch.[5]

The second variant is Amethyst. The name and styling draw inspiration from amethyst, the birthstone of the owner's son.[11] It features a Vacheron Constantin watch and actual amethyst stones.[6]

The third variant is Arcadia. The name refers to a location in Greek mythology that's supposed to represent heaven on earth. It features a Rolls-Royce branded clock that was designed over the course of two years.[12]

The Droptail uses a new monocoque chassis instead of the aluminium spaceframe chassis mainly used in the other vehicles. It is thus not based on the Architecture of Luxury platform.[13] It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre N74B68 V12 engine, which is a variant of BMW's N74.[14]

References

  1. ^ https://www.press.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/rolls-royce-motor-cars-pressclub/article/detail/T0439958EN/rolls-royce-unveils-arcadia-droptail-a-coachbuilt-haven-of-tranquillity
  2. ^ Cox, Georgina (29 February 2024). "ROLLS-ROYCE UNVEILS ARCADIA DROPTAIL: A COACHBUILT HAVEN OF TRANQUILLITY". Rolls-Royce. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  3. ^ Cédric Pinatel (21 August 2023). "Rolls-Royce Droptail (2023) : la nouvelle voiture la plus chère du monde". Caradisiac.
  4. ^ Rodríguez Jr., José (21 August 2023). "The Rolls-Royce Droptail Is A $30 Million Convertible With A Manual Top". Jalopnik. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Rolls-Royce's One-of-a-Kind La Rose Noire Droptail Comes With an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Built Right Into the Dash". Robb Report. 21 August 2023. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Mr JWW, Alex Innes (Head of Coach-build Design, Rolls Royce Motor Cars). The Most Expensive NEW Car In The World! $28 MILLION Rolls Royce Drop Tail. Mr JWW. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Rolls-Royce Droptail : parfum d'ultra luxe". www.automobile-sportive.com. 21 August 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ^ Sepulchre Pierre-Benoit (21 August 2023). "Rolls-Royce Droptail : un cabriolet exclusif qui ne sera produit qu'à 4 exemplaires". Vroom. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  9. ^ Demattia, Nico (21 August 2023). "Meet the Rolls-Royce Droptail, Probably the World's Most Expensive New Car". The Drive. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "LA ROSE NOIRE DROPTAIL". Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
  11. ^ a b "AMETHYST DROPTAIL". Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Archived from the original on 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  12. ^ "ROLLS-ROYCE ARCADIA DROPTAIL". Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  13. ^ Anderson, Brad (20 August 2023). "Coachbuilt Rolls-Royce Droptail Unveiled In Monterey, Capped At Four Units". Carscoops. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ^ "RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog". www.realoem.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.